Join The Trustees of Reservations on April 26 for an afternoon of exploration at Leatherbee Woods, an urban wild located between Hancock Woods Reservation and Hoar Wildlife Sanctuary. This unique landscape includes a Red Maple Swamp and supports a wide variety of plant and animal life.
Together, we’ll walk through the woods, slow down, and notice what’s around us—observing plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes. Whether you’re new to nature observation or already enjoy spending time outdoors, this is a chance to explore and learn in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
This program focuses on curiosity and connection—no prior experience is needed.
What to Expect
A guided walk through wooded and wetland areas
Time to observe and document plants and wildlife
Opportunities to share observations and ask questions
What to Bring Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. You’re welcome to bring water and anything you like to use for note-taking or photos.
The meeting location details will be shared with registered participants by email closer to the event date. Register at https://thetrustees.org/event/446529/
Watertown EcoFest’s goal is to provide a fun and engaging atmosphere where residents can access the many programs and resources available to make their homes and lives more sustainable. This Saturday, May 9 event from 11 to 2 will take place at Commander’s Mansion, 440 Talcott Avenue in Watertown. The day is part of Resilient Watertown, which is home to the City’s programs and initiatives to reduce Watertown’s contribution to climate change and prepare for the impacts of climate change. Learn more at https://www.watertownecofest.com/
Join culture bearer, marine scientist, and educator Elizabeth James-Perry (Aquinnah Wampanoag) for a free plant walk examining the care and conservation of plant communities through the lens of the Native seventh generation principle where long-term sustainability is key when considering human impacts.
Explore the verdant, pastel buds and blooms that support native wildlife during the spring season. There will be discussion of the trees preferred for tasty syrup, of edible greens that are used in Northeastern Woodlands tribal diet, and other cultural uses such as for basketry and fish traps. This Native Plant Trust Special Event takes place Saturday, April 25 at 1:30 pm. Register at https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/stewarding-the-future-plant-walks-with-elizabeth-james-perry-spring-transitions/
Come to the Salem Fiber Witch Festival hosted by practicing witches in historic downtown Salem, Massachusetts, aka the Witch City.
The main event is the Fiber Witch Market. Our Fiber Witch Market is hosted at Old Town Hall, which you may recognize from the beloved 90s movie, Hocus Pocus, and features indie yarn, farm yarn, arts, and handmade goods with a witchy vibe.
The festival also includes exclusive tours around Salem, an exclusive party at the Hotel Salem, workshops, and more!
Inclusivity note: Masks will be required at the Fiber Witch Market between 11 am and noon for all vendors, volunteers and attendees to allow immunocompromised folks to participate. For complete information visit https://www.fiberwitchfestival.com/
This spring, we’re turning pedals into power. LiveableStreets, Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Mattapan Food & Fitness, Boston Cyclists Union, and community partners are coming together for a 3-part bike ride series along the Emerald Necklace and you are invited.
Each ride will be at a relaxed pace for 3–4 miles, with volunteers helping lead us safely on bike paths and lanes through Boston and Brookline. We’re riding to raise awareness about the Emerald Necklace multi-use path and to amplify mobility justice across our city. This is about more than a bike ride. It’s about experiencing the city in a new way. This series is for everyone, new and seasoned riders. Thanks to Blue Bikes, a limited number of free bike vouchers will be available for riders who need a bike.
Ride Dates and Time Time: 10:00 am meeting, 10:30 am roll out Saturday, 4/18 Franklin Park → Jamaica Pond Saturday, 5/2 Jamaica Pond → Shattuck Visitor Center Saturday, 5/9 Shattuck Visitor Center → Boston Common
Each ride builds on the next as we move through the city and amplify the call for safer, more connected, and more equitable bike infrastructure. REGISTER HERE.
Have you ever wondered about the wild mushrooms you see in nature? At this fun and educational outdoor event, we’ll review several methods beginners can use to identify and group similar fungi together, tips and tricks for locating mushrooms in seemingly barren forests and fields, and learn how to connect with mycology wherever you live or travel.
Join The Trustees as we stroll through Rocky Woods Reservation, 38 Hartford Street in Medfield, on April 11 while discussing the role mushrooms play in our ecosystem, how sustenance foraging can be utilized to diversify our diets and combat food insecurity, as well as the future possibilities of mushrooms as medicine, cosmetics and a valuable source of protein in our growing and changing world. We will focus on safety while foraging, how to avoid poisonous look-alikes, and do a deep dive into a handful of easily identified common edible and medicinal fungi found in Massachusetts.
Our mushroom programs are led by knowledgeable guides and focus on the ecology of mushrooms and their vital role in the ecosystem. Please note, we will forage mushrooms for educational purposes only and not for consuming.
This is a family-friendly program best suited for families with children ages 6 and up.
About your guide:
Trustees guide Amanda is an amateur mycologist with experience in foraging New England’s edible and medicinal fungi, growing edible mushrooms in commercial settings and researching and developing myco-remediation techniques. She is a combined Global Environmental Studies master’s student at Clark University, with a focus on food systems, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and utilizing fungi as a tool for addressing food insecurity in urban communities.
A founding member of the Clark University Mycology Club, Amanda is a member of the Boston Mycology Club, an employee at Fat Moon Mushroom Farm in Westford, MA and the creator of The Fungi for Everyone Project. The project focuses on the creation of a small-scale community fungi farm in the heart of Worcester that recycles cardboard waste from local residents to produce varieties of Oyster mushrooms, Wine Caps, and Shiitake for nearby residents to eat. The farm provides delicious, protein-rich food, and hands-on agricultural education for children and adults.
Please note: though we love dogs, they are not permitted at this event.
The 34th Annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium will take place in Pasadena, California from Monday, July 13 to Thursday, July 16, 2026.
This year’s theme is “The Future of Youth Gardening.” The symposium will include interactive workshops, expert keynotes, engaging garden visits, and networking opportunities. Come for the fun and take back skills, ideas, contacts, and resources to take back to your own community.
Hundreds of educators from across the country will unite to explore how gardens serve as vital educational tools for conveying scientific concepts and preserving landscapes and culture. Leveraging a proven train-the-trainer model, the Symposium will feature interactive learning sessions covering a range of topics suitable for pre-K through 12th grade learning. Personalized visits to the area’s impressive and relevant gardens will offer opportunities to apply new concepts and connect with fellow youth garden educators from communities across the country.
Keynote speakers include Bari Applebaum, founder and executive director of Chicas Verdes, and Dr. James Folsom, American Horticultural Society Board Member and garden director emeritus, The Huntington.
The American Public Gardens Association’s Annual Conference offers a variety of programs specifically designed for the needs of public garden professionals. Topics reflect current trends, celebrations, and issues facing our industry. The Annual Conference features sessions and workshops led by members who are experts in their fields, a large variety of local tours, a sizeable exhibit hall, well-respected Keynote and Plenary speakers, Association Awards, in-conference events, receptions, and so much more. Join us in San Francisco June 8 – 12 for a week of learning, networking, and local fun! The 2026 host gardens are Filoli and Gardens of Golden Gate Park. Visit https://www.publicgardens.org/events/annual-conference/ for complete details.
Join Green Cambridge for a week of free educational walks in the Alewife Brook Reservation, April 20 – 24. Learn about invasive plant species, local history, native biodiversity, and how to participate in the City Nature Challenge bioblitz on Friday, April 24. For complete information visit https://www.greencambridge.org
Join the Boston Interfaith Climate Allies on Sunday April 19 at 1:30 pm at The Embrace Memorial on Boston Common. The group will gather and walk with the BABAM Brass to the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul for sacred celebration including prayerful actions and Indigenous Closing Reflections. Bill McKibben will be guest speaker! RSVP at cotcbos.org For more information visit www.bica.earth. Partners for the event include Third Act, greenfaith, Boston Earth Day, and Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light. Free.
