DCR’s Matthew Cahill joins members of The Garden Club of the Back Bay at the Chilton Club on Tuesday, April 28 at 10 am to talk about the Legacy Tree Program. Through the Legacy Tree Program and the National Champion Tree Registry, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Forestry Program formally recognizes the largest and most interesting known tree of each species, trees of historical origin, and other trees of unique and significant importance growing within the state of Massachusetts. There are a number of Legacy Trees in Mount Auburn Cemetery and in the Public Garden. This program is for members only, but you can join now at https://bostonflora.com/join
A NABB members-only gathering takes place on March 29 at The Newbury Boston. Indulge in an elegant atmosphere filled with good company, delightful drinks—including beer, wine, and a specialty cocktail—and an array of exquisite hors d’oeuvre crafted to tantalize your taste buds.
This is your opportunity to connect with fellow Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay members, both old and new, while learning about the dedicated volunteer committees that tirelessly work to enhance and preserve the charm of our historic neighborhood. Learn how you can contribute to our thriving neighborhood!
Each spring, Charles River Watershed Association looks forward to connecting with you and other river lovers at our Annual Meeting to celebrate our impact, together, for a resilient Charles River. Join us on Thursday, March 26th at 6PM for an evening full of inspiration! Thank you to our friends at MIT for providing their beautiful space. This year the 60th Annual Meeting takes place at the MIT Welcome Center, 292 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Purchase your tickets at www.crwa.org
The Garden Club of the Back Bay’s March program for members only will take place Wednesday, March 18 at 2 pm at The Chilton Club, 152 Commonwealth Avenue. If you are interested in attending this or any other Garden Club of the Back Bay event, visit https://bostonflora.com/join.
The New Garden Society is run by horticulturists, landscapers and farmers who seek to expand green industry opportunities for incarcerated women, giving them an opportunity to get outside, plant what they love, and learn skills that might help them get jobs after incarceration is over. The organization was a GCBB grant recipient in 2025. Co-founder and director, Renée Portanova, will share how their members can transform their lives as they transform the landscape. With a B.A. from Manhattan College, a Certificate in Conservation Biology from Columbia University, and an M.S. in Education from Lesley University, she brings practical expertise and a passion for learning to every teaching environment. Renée is a horticulturist at Mount Auburn Cemetery and was the former Horticulture Manager for the Esplanade Association.
While the Charles River is much cleaner and healthier than it was in its “Dirty Water” days, the work is not done, and the growing threat of climate change brings new challenges. Emily Norton, Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association will discuss how a swimmable river can be achieved, and how moderating water management practices will help Eliminate flooding and other climate change driven dangers. This Garden Club of the Back Bay meeting will take place February 3 at 5:30 pm at The Chilton Club, 152 Commonwealth Avenue, and is open to Club members. To join, visit https://bostonflora.com/
Emily Norton has served as Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association since 2018. She directs a staff of scientists and advocates focused on protecting and restoring the Charles River and its watershed communities. During her tenure, the organization has more than doubled its staff and has expanded its work in municipal climate resilience, dam removal, reducing invasive species, and more.
Discover the story of James Arnold, for whom the Arnold Arboretum is named, and others whose legacy gifts helped secure its future. In celebration of nearly 154 years of plants and people, join Director of Library and Archives, Lisa Pearson, on January 31 from 11 – 12:30 for a talk on the founding of the Arboretum and how these impactful gifts have allowed it to thrive and grow in perpetuity. Snacks will be provided. This is a Members Only event. To join the Arnold Arboretum, visit https://arboretum.harvard.edu/support/
The Garden Club of the Back Bay will hold its November meeting on Thursday, November 13 at 10 am at The Chilton Club, 152 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. Pastor James Hopkins of the First Lutheran Church, Boston, will speak on Gardens of the Bible. The garden is a popular motif in the Bible, cutting across every literary genre therein. From the account of creation to the revelation of the heavenly city, the garden is an important setting for the story of salvation. Pastor Hopkins will discuss how an understanding of the edenic arc illuminates the care we put into our own humble (or grand) gardens and justifies all the care and effort in maintaining them, especially in the city. This is a members only event. For information on joining, visit https://bostonflora.com. If you are already a member, register through Eventbrite
The Boston Committee of the GCA invites member and affiliate Club members to The Country Club on Clyde Road in Brookline on Wednesday, October 29. Coffee and lecture begin at 10:00 am and optional lunch begins at noon. There will be short remarks by Esplanade Association Executive Director Jen Mergel (below) and Esplanade Association Arborist Jim Doyle. They will speak about What’s Good Along the Charles River, and you will learn more about the native tree grove that the Boston Committee will fund. There will also be another speaker, to be announced. For more information visit https://bostoncommitteegca.org/
Forest Hills Cemetery is a 275-acre garden cemetery and arboretum that was founded in 1848, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, and was named one of the “1000 Greatest Places” in Massachusetts. Local historian Dee Morris will give a tour focusing on the property features, with a discussion of the cemetery’s history and horticulture, and the many well-known people buried there. This event is rain or shine. RSVP HERE Carpool and transportation options will be sent to registrants in mid September. This is a members only event. To join, visit https://bostonflora.com/. The Garden Club enjoyed a splendid walking tour of Forest Hills over a decade ago, and it’s certainly time to revisit.
As American Express says, membership has its privileges. Join the The Garden Club of the Back Bay and the Charles River Conservancy on September 9 at 2 pm for a lecture and optional kayak tour of their innovative climate resilience Floating Wetland project. Situated in the Charles River downriver of the Longfellow Bridge, the Floating Wetland is an ecological intervention designed to reduce harmful algal blooms in the river while simultaneously increasing biodiversity, supporting local ecological change, and providing needed green space in the water. Learn more about this exciting initiative from the CRC’s Executive Director Laura Jasinski followed by an optional kayak tour down the Broad Canal in Kendall Square to visit the Wetland up-close.
Limited to 12 members only. If you are interested, please RSVP and indicate if you prefer just a lecture and small walk or a lecture and an optional kayak ride. If you are not yet a member of the Club, visit https://bostonflora.com/ to sign up.
Meet at Paddle Boston, 15 Broad Canal Way in Kendall Square, Cambridge
The lecture will last approximately 45 minutes, followed by a kayak ride of about the same duration. Kayaks are available for one or two people, depending on your preference. If enough participants choose to kayak, there may be an option to continue using the kayaks after the up-close viewing session concludes.
