Join The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, The Arnold Arboretum, and plant biologist and author Beronda Montgomery for a discussion on May 19 at 6:30pm of her new book, When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy. Taking place at Hunnewell Hall at the Arnold Arboretum, Montgomery explores the way that eight trees and shrubs testify to the experience of black Americans and takes us through black American history with trees and shrubs as our guides. Register here www.arboretum.harvard.edu/event/when-trees-testify-by-beronda-montgomery/
Working with our partners at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Charles River Conservancy, Waltham Land Trust, and Esplanade Association, we collect trash from the Charles River and surrounding area with thousands of incredible volunteers. The Earth Day Charles River Cleanup builds on a national effort as part of American Rivers’ National River Cleanup®, which has removed over 25 million pounds of trash from America’s waterways. Our cleanup brings together over 3,000 volunteers each year to pick up litter, remove invasive species, and assist with park maintenance along all 80 miles of the Charles River. Registration is now open at https://www.crwa.org/earthdaycleanup
For more than two decades, Party in the Park has been one of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s surest signs of spring—and one of Boston’s most anticipated social events. Since 2003, the event has generated more than $11.2 million in support of the Conservancy’s mission to care for, restore, and activate Boston’s historic park system.
In 2026, this beloved tradition evolves. Sparkle in the Park: An Enchanted Evening reimagines Party in the Park as an evening cocktail reception set against the natural beauty of Jamaica Pond. Designed to be festive, intimate, and immersive, Sparkle in the Park will feature cocktails, delicious fare, engaging activities, and entertainment—celebrating the Emerald Necklace in a new and memorable way.
This refreshed format honors the legacy of Party in the Park while offering supporters a new way to gather in celebration of Boston’s parks. Sparkle in the Park continues the Conservancy’s long-standing tradition of bringing together champions of the Emerald Necklace in support of this vital work.
Since its founding, Party in the Park—and now Sparkle in the Park—has made possible the care of more than 9,000 inventoried trees, as well as significant restoration and improvements throughout the historic 1,100-acre Emerald Necklace park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The generosity of friends and supporters ensures these treasured landscapes remain vibrant, welcoming, and accessible for all.
Channel your inner artist at this cozy fall event on January 29. Learn how to paint a beautiful landscape over a glass of wine at the historic James Michael Curley House, 350 Jamaicaway in Boston. $50 (ages 21+). Register at https://emeraldnecklace.org/
I questioned what to write on January 1. A simple Happy New Year with a good photo would be sufficient. As a committed environmentalist, however, I’d like to encourage all who read this, regardless of political affiliation, to pledge to step up your climate activist game in 2026. Think globally, act locally has never been more important. There are many Massachusetts not for profit groups which can use your volunteer hours and/or donations. There are the obvious ones, the botanic gardens, Trustees of Reservations, and park friends groups, and some which may be less well known, like Save Our Rivers, Mass Parks for All, and The New Garden Society. If you’d like to help with legal challenges, go to The Conservation Law Foundation and pledge your support. Write to your elected officials and encourage them to act in everyone’s best interest, whether your particular interest is preserving forests and farmland, rivers and oceans, clean energy, Monarch butterflies, song birds, seed diversity (Native Plant Trust’s Seed Ark comes to mind) or increased funding for local parks and green spaces. Don’t forget the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, The Charlesgate Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, and your town’s parks departments. Federal funding for all these groups, and many more, has been cut drastically. Do your research, and do your best. Enjoy the outdoors. Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year! Photo courtesy of Laura Bern Interiors.
Join the Emerald Necklace Conservancy on February 24 at the James Michael Curley House for a morning of gratitude and celebration. Enjoy light refreshments as they honor the dedicated Emerald Necklace volunteers and recognize the Volunteer Award recipients. Formal invitations will be sent in the new year. Contact Amanda at amorin@emeraldnecklace.org with any questions.
Learn how to paint a beautiful Emerald Necklace landscape over a glass of wine at the historic James Michael Curley House, 350 Jamaicaway. All materials will be provided by Paint the Town. Registration is required, must be 21 or older to attend. Ticket includes two alcoholic beverages per registrant. See below for a sneak peek of this event’s painting subject:
Emerald Necklace Conservancy President Karen Mauney-Brodek will lead participants through Charlesgate Park to the Riverway. The June walking tour was cut short due to rain, so Karen is back to finish the walk. Meet at The Grove at Charlesgate Park on Saturday, September 13 at 9 am. Register at https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/
Join The Emerald Necklace Conservancy for a tour in partnership with the Jamaica Plain Historical Society, on July 27 at 11 am. Discover the wooded paths, babbling brooks and rolling hills of Olmsted Park and Pinebank, the forested midway point of Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace and source of the Muddy River.
This tour will guide attendees through many of the natural and historic landmarks found in the heart of the Necklace: from glacial ponds to structures that once belonged to the Founding Fathers, and everything in-between. Meet at the Downes Field Parking Lot on Pond Avenue in Brookline.
Join Emerald Necklace Conservancy President Karen Mauney-Brodek for the Annual Walk of the entire Olmsted-designed Emerald Necklace on June 7. Take in the sights, sounds and scale of these historic parks on a guided tour stretching from Franklin Park to Charlesgate. Rain Date June 8. Meet at Refectory Hill, Franklin Park, Boston 02115. Register at https://emeraldnecklace.org/. Do we need to say wear comfortable shoes?
