Boston Flora

Tag: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

  • Saturday & Sunday, September 9 & 10 – Don Shall Memorial Cape Cod Bioblitz

    The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History is excited to announce the Don Schall Memorial Cape Cod BioBlitz. This event has been created in honor of Don Schall; an educator, botanist, naturalist, wetland scientist, mentor, and long-time resident of Brewster. Don’s first job on the Cape was at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and it is fitting that this Cape Cod BioBlitz will be held here at 869 Main Street, Brewster, Massachusetts. Don’s expertise and personality were inspirational to so many scientists and educators in the region and our goal is to continue his infectious enthusiasm for learning and appreciating biodiversity of the Cape Cod Region. The BioBlitz will require volunteers to be successful. The Museum will offer an Orientation Session at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in the coming weeks. Pre-registration is required. Visit https://ccmnh.org/events/don-shall-memorial-cape-cod-bioblitz-21226/2023-09-09

  • Wednesday, August 17, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Forage To Table

    Foraging is a great way to incorporate nutrition-packed foods into your diet, a fun way to get outdoors with friends and family, and sustainable foraging has a positive impact on native plants. Learn the basics of foraging and identification of common wild edibles that you can find in your own hometown. Learn about how wild herbs and edibles can help sustain your overall health. The August 17 program at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster will begin at 1 pm, and is $25 for the Program and Walk, $15 for the program only.

    Following her presentation, Rachel Goclawski will take participants for a walk around the grounds of the Museum to search for wild foods!

    Rachel is a Massachusetts Certified Educator, Programming Partner with the Sudbury Valley Trustees, Girl Scouts of Eastern MA and is the Resident Naturalist at Waters Farm Preservation in Sutton. Rachel is a Contributing Writer for the Cook’s Cook Magazine and for her “day job,” she is an IT Specialist for the Dept. of Defense. Visit Rachel’s Facebook page for Forage to Table tips and videos: www.facebook.com/cookingwithmrsg.

    NO REFUNDS Register at https://ccmnh.org/events/forage-to-table-2881/2022-08-17

  • Wednesdays through August 25, 2021, 10:00 am – Wildflower Garden Tours

    The award=winning Shirley Cross Wildflower Garden at the Green Briar Nature Center in East Sandwich is offering guided tours every Wednesday through August, at 10 a. The one-third acre garden contains over 300 plants consisting of three zones: shaded hillside, freshwater wetland, and open meadow. Each week offers visitors something new to discover. Whether in bloom or going to seed, the flowers are always changing, Tours often include guest appearances from local animals who call Green Briar home. Past visits include bunnies using the garden paths, a woodcock in the underbrush, hummingbirds buzzing by, or a muskrat getting back to the Smiling Pool $5 for members of the Thornton W. Burgess Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen and the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, $7 for nonmembers. No reservations needed. Proceeds support maintenance of the wildflower gardens. Visit www.thorntonburgess.org for directions, or call 508-888-6870.

  • Cape Cod Museum of Natural History to Acquire Thomas W. Burgess/Green Briar Nature Center

    The boards of trustees of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster and The Thornton W. Burgess/Green Briar Nature Center in Sandwich have voted unanimously to approve the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History’s acquisition of the renowned Sandwich nature center, creating a coalition of distinguished nature centers from Sandwich to the Outer Cape. 

    The acquisition formally will take effect once legal documents of the Asset Purchase Agreement are complete. Talks have been underway between the two boards of trustees since the winter of 2014. 

    “Generous donations from the Bilezikian Foundation and Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank Charitable Foundation made the due diligence process possible,” said Robert Dwyer, President and Executive Director of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. Under the terms of the agreement, the names, identities, and signage of both organizations will be preserved in an effort to enrich existing programs and integrate new programs on the Sandwich and Brewster campuses. 

    The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, founded in 1954, owns 80 acres of prime open space off Route 6A near Cape Cod Bay in the placid Stony Brook Valley and surrounded by another 300 acres of conservation land, including historic Wing Island, site of one of the earliest Paleoindian settlements. The Museum offers a variety of year-round programs, walking trails, and exhibits, including a seasonal butterfly house where Monarchs, one of the most beautiful and majestic of butterflies on earth, can be observed up-close in spring and summer. 

    The Thornton W. Burgess Society, the Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen, founded in 1976, sits on two and a half acres off bucolic Route 6A, surrounded by 57 acres of Town of Sandwich owned land with springs, hills and walking trails. Burgess—a Cape native, an internationally renowned 20th century children’s author and conservationist—wrote more than 15,000 newspaper columns, numerous books and stories in periodicals chronicling the tales of Peter Rabbit and his animal friends, Jimmy Skunk, Old Mother West Wind, Grandfather Frog, Johnny Chuck, Sammy Jay, Reddy Fox, Hooty Owl, and many others. 

    Under the terms of the acquisition, members of the Burgess Board of Trustees will join the existing Cape Cod Museum of Natural History (CCMNH) board. The acquisition brings together the contributions of two of America’s finest nature writers, Burgess and Cape Cod Museum of Natural History co-founder John Hay, whose writings have been compared to the venerable Henry David Thoreau. The contributions of both Burgess and Hay—coupled with educational displays, programs and trails at both museums—offer an extraordinary range of discovery for children and adults on Cape Cod and beyond. 

    “This is an historic moment in the history of the Museum and the Burgess Society,” said CCMNH President and Executive Director Dwyer. “The acquisition allows us to integrate and expand programs to create one of the finest regional nature centers in New England.” 

    Added Michael Pierce, President of the Burgess Society/Green Briar Nature Center, “It was a careful, thoughtful journey for us. A bright and exciting future exists. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish as a single group.”

  • Monday, August 12, 11:30 am – Lunch ‘n Learn: Fall Migration Magic

    Most of the Cape’s birds move southward from July to November where they will find more food and a warmer climate. This Cape Cod Museum of Natural History program on August 12 with naturalist Phil Kyle will present what Fall migrants look like, and how Winter migrants appear along with year-rounders. Once breeding season is over, a male’s spectacular display of springtime plumage reverts to their alternate plumage and changes back to the basic look. It is taxing to produce showy feathers, and bright colors attract predators and unwanted rivals. This is why migratory species like Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, and some shorebirds and warblers look different when they’re traveling south versus north.

    Phil Kyle has dedicated his life to the study and public education of the natural world. After obtaining his B.S. in Biology from Cornell University, he has served in a wide variety of capacities including: presently a Columnist for the Cape Cod Times – Birding ; and formerly Director of Education, South Shore Natural Science Center; President, Cape Cod Bird Club;  Head Naturalist, Green Briar Nature Center; Interpretive Park Ranger, Cape Cod National Seashore; Whale Watching Naturalist, Barnstable Whale Watcher; Whale Watching Naturalist, Captain John Boats; High Teacher Biology & Anatomy and Physiology, Barnstable HS. 

    Admission: Non-Member $25 / Member $15 / Includes Program, Box Lunch & Museum. Lecture only: $5 at the door (Does not include Lunch or Museum Admission) Advance Tickets Recommended: 508-896-3867, ext. 133  Sandwich choices include Roast Beef, Turkey Club or Tomato Basil. For more information please call: 508-896-3867, ext. 133

  • Monday, August 5, 11:30 am – Lunch ‘n Learn: Forage to Table

    Foraging is a great way to incorporate nutrition-packed foods into your diet, a fun way to get outdoors with friends and family, and sustainable foraging has a positive impact on native plants. On Monday, August 5 at The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster learn the basics of foraging while getting to touch taste and smell common wild edibles you can find in your own hometown. Learn about how wild herbs and edibles can help sustain your overall health.

    Following the presentation, Rachel Goclawski will take participants for a walk around the grounds of the Museum to search for wild foods!

    Rachel Goclawski is a Massachusetts Certified Educator, Programming Partner with the Sudbury Valley Trustees, Girl Scouts of Eastern MA and is the Resident Naturalist at Waters Farm Preservation in Sutton. Rachel is a Contributing Writer for Cook’s Magazine and for her “day job,” she is an IT Specialist for the Dept. of Defense. Visit Rachel’s Facebook page for Forage to Table tips and videos: www.facebook.com/cookingwithmrsg. 

    Admission: Non-Member $25 / Member $15 / Includes Program, Box Lunch & Museum. Lecture only: $5 at the door (Does not include Lunch or Museum Admission) Advance Tickets Recommended: 508-896-3867, ext. 133. Sandwich choices include Roast Beef, Turkey Club or Tomato Basil

    For more information please call: 508-896-3867, ext. 133

  • Thursday, May 16, 1:00 pm – What Plants Talk About

    The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History presents a free with Museum admission Nature Screen Even on May 16 at 1 pm entitled What Plants Talk About. Hard core science is effortlessly integrated with a light-hearted look at how plants behave, revealing a world where plants are as busy, responsive and complex as we are. From the stunning heights of the Great Basin Desert to the lush coastal rainforests of west coast Canada, plant ecologist J.C. Cahill and a variety of other experts in plant communication take us on a journey into the “secret world of plants,” revealing an astonishing landscape where plants eavesdrop on each other, talk to their allies, call in insect mercenaries and nurture their young. It is a world of pulsing activity, where plants communicate, co-operate, and sometimes wage all-out-war. Come along for the ride and discover that plants are a lot less passive and a lot more intelligent than you think. For more information call 508-896-3867, ext 133.

  • Tuesdays, May 7 & 14, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Butterfly Training Course

    Interested in volunteering for the The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History’s 2019 Butterfly House and Pollinator Path? Come share your joy of the outdoors, interest in pollinators and knowledge about butterflies with our summer visitors! The Museum will be looking for many volunteers to connect with our visitors in June, July and August.

    To enroll please call the Museum at 508-896-3867, ext. 133.

    For more information please contact Barbara Knoss, Volunteer Coordinator at 508-896-3867, ext. 119. The Museum is located at 869 Main Street, Route 6A, in Brewster. Visit http://ccmnh.org

  • Wednesday, December 19, 11:30 am – 12:30 am – Christmas in Yellowstone

    The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will screen a PBS original nature documentary, Christmas in Yellowstone, on Wednesday, December 19 at 11:30 am.As snow falls and Christmas lights glow in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a holiday season of a different sort settles over the great winter world of Yellowstone National Park, designated America’s first national park in 1872 and one of the greatest expanses of unspoiled nature and wildlife anywhere on Earth! NATURE follows in the snowy footprints of Yellowstone’s red foxes, spies on the predatory warfare of wolves and elk, and climbs into the den of a grizzly bear that gives birth to two cubs while deep in hibernation.

    In addition to the stunning footage of landscapes and wildlife, trail alongside author and photographer Tom Murphy, who has been coming to Yellowstone for the past 26 winters, camping and photographing amid the silence and solitude of the park. And go behind the scenes with filmmaker Shane Moore to find out how he kept up with Murphy during a harrowing trek, reminiscent of the legendary John Colter’s first journey into the park nearly two hundred years ago.

    Join us for a breathtaking look at wintertime deep within America’s first national park. Free with Museum Admission. For more information please call: 508-896-3867, ext. 133

    Image result for Christmas in Yellowstone movie

  • Saturday, October 13, 10:00 am – 11:00 am – Wing Island Guided Walk

    On Saturday, October 13 at 10 am, join Archaeologist Dan Zoto and The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History for a guided walk of Wing Island, the location of the Wing Island Archaeology Project. Learn the history of the island and its varied uses throughout the millennia. Autumn brings rich color to the marshes and meadows of Cape Cod and one of the great places to soak it all in is along the John Wing Trail in Brewster. Located behind the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History on Route 6A (869 Main Street), the public parking area for the trail is located at nearby Drummer Boy Park.

    It’s an easy and beautiful walk – a little more than a mile round trip–but it packs in a lot of fun and scenery. You get to walk a plank path across the marsh, then head up onto the forested island (complete with a mini-Stonehenge-like solar calendar, and the next thing you know you’re on a beach looking at Cape Cod Bay.

    $4 CCMNH Members / $6 Non-members / Please call 508.896.3867 for reservations

    Image result for wing island brewster ma