Boston Flora

Category: Meeting

  • Tuesday, April 28, 10:00 am – The Massachusetts Legacy Tree Program

    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

  • Monday, July 13 – Thursday, July 16 – The 34th Annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

    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.

    Complete information may be found at www.ahsgardening.org

  • Monday, June 8 – Friday, June 12 = American Public Garden Association Annual Conference

    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.

  • Sunday, April 19, 1:30 pm – One Sun, One Earth, One People

    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.

  • Tuesday, April 14, 6:00 pm – Friends of the Public Garden 56th Annual Meeting

    The Friends of the Public Garden will hold its 56th Annual Meeting on April 14 at 6 pm at the UMass Club of Boston, One Beacon Street. Members, supporters, partners, and park neighbors are invited to attend the Friends Annual Meeting. The evening features the President’s summary of the last year, an annual financial report, and the presentation of the Parks Champion Award, followed by a reception with light hors d’oeuvre. We will also recognize the 2026 Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks grant awardees, with the opportunity for attendees to learn about their projects. All are welcome to attend.Please note this is a rescheduled date, in consideration of the observation of Passover. Register at https://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/events/annual-meeting/

  • Sunday, March 29, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – NABB Members’ Spring Fling

    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!

    Join us for an afternoon of connection and community — we can’t wait to celebrate with you! This event is exclusively for NABB members. Your guests are welcome, but they must also hold a Membership. $55. To join, visit https://nabbonline.org/membership/. For tickets to the Spring Fling, visit https://nabbonline.org/activity-and-event/nabbs-2026-spring-fling/

  • Thursday, March 26, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Charles River Watershed Association’s 60th Annual Meeting

    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

  • Sunday, March 22 – Registration Deadline for Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference

    Apply now to join the teaching team for the 8th annual Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference, which will be held online September 15-19, 2026. Applications due March 22. See the application link at wildwonder.org/26

    WHAT IS THE WILD WONDER NATURE JOURNALING CONFERENCE?
    This annual international nature journaling event—the largest of its kind–gathers people who are passionate about nature, art, science, curiosity, and wonder to share ideas, learn from each other, support each other, inspire each other, and have fun together in nature’s beauty. NOTE: Early Bird sales will open April 15, 2026.

    The 2026 online event, hosted by John Muir Laws, will include more than 25 classes, panels, and lectures from more than 30 teachers, journalers, writers, artists, authors, and thought leaders in nature, nature journaling, nature writing, visual thinking, and conservation. Conference teachers are paid to teach one 80-minute class during the event and then have free access to the rest of the event.

  • Friday, June 26 – Saturday, June 27 – Garden Museum Literary Festival 2026: Melbourne Hall

    Save the date! The next Garden Museum Literary Festival will take place at Melbourne Hall, Derbyshire, on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June 2026, hosted by the Marquis and Marchioness of Lothian. Book your stay at www.gardenmuseum.org.uk

    Join us for two days of conversation and inspiration, with talks by garden designers, writers and makers, with plenty of relaxed time to explore the gardens at Melbourne Hall in between. With sweeping lawns, charming avenues, and captivating vistas, Melbourne Hall is a true treasure of early 18th-century English garden design.

    It was laid out by Rt. Hon Thomas Coke, Vice Chamberlain to Queen Anne, with help from the garden landscape designers George London and Henry Wise in the formal style. It is noted for its long tunnel of Yew, its wrought iron arbour created by Robert Bakewell and its statuary by Jan van Nost, notably the Four seasons monument, a gift from Queen Anne.

    The Marquis of Lothian took over running the Melbourne estate in 1987. His wife the Marchioness of Lothian is a painter of both portraits and landscapes. Her passion for gardening has developed the garden at Melbourne in many ways. Her eye for colour and detail means that the Melbourne garden is a haven of delightful and unusual specimen trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders.

  • Wednesday, March 18, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – The New Garden Society

    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.