Boston Flora

Tag: Joe Choiniere

  • Saturday, August 5, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm – Old Growth Forests Walk, Talk, and Book-Signing

    On Saturday, August 5, join Mass Audubon’s Joe Choiniere, Old-Growth Forest Specialist Bob Leverett, and Old Growth Forest Network Director and Author Dr. Joan  Maloof for a morning walk at Wachusett Mountain along the trails that pass through the old growth forest area. In the afternoon, we will gather back at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston for an afternoon presentation by Dr. Joan Maloof followed by discussion and book signing. Joan is the author of Nature’s Temples: The Complex World of Old-Growth Forests. Co-sponsored with Mass Audubon.

    For the walk, meet at Tower Hill in Boylston at 9:15 am and van and car pool to Wachusett Mountain or meet at Wachusett Mountain State Reservation Visitor Center on Mountain Rd in Princeton at 9:45 am. For the talk and book-signing, meet at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston at 2:00 pm. You may register for either the talk and book-signing only, or for the walk, talk and book signing, at https://towerhillbg.thankyou4caring.org/pages/event-registration-form—old-growth-forests-walk-talk–book-signing

  • Saturday, November 22, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Looking for Green in a Brown Landscape: Evergreen Plants Around Harvard Pond, Petersham

    Join leaders Joe Choiniere and Wendy Howes of the Hubbardston-Ware River Nature Club for a hike around Harvard Pond as they look for all manner of evergreen plants. Many trees, ground mosses, woody shrubs, and more are bright and fresh-looking amongst the browns and grays of the late-fall landscape. You’ll also watch for waterfowl and any other bird species that happen to come our way. This hike is approximately 3 miles of mostly-flat terrain. You’ll encounter at least one beaver-impacted muddy area. Wear appropriate foot gear and dress for the weather. Bring binoculars and magnifying lens. Details of meeting place to be announced. Call 413-477-9229 or email chenshaw@eqlt.org for more information. Photo from http://www.endlessvelolove.blogspot.com.

  • Sunday, June 8, 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Old Growth Hike at Mount Wachusett

    Join Joe Choiniere on Sunday, June 8, from 1 – 4:30 for a firsthand look at the Old Growth forest at Wachusett Mountain State Reservation. The mountain provides a living learning laboratory for investigation into how undisturbed forests grow, what biodiversity they support, and how they can provide unique information for forest ecologists, historians, geneticists, and dendro-chronologists. Meet at 1:00 PM at the Wachusett Mountain State Reservation Visitor Center 345 Mountain Road in Princeton.  Co-sponsored with Hubbardston Naturalist Club.  For more information visit www.atholbirdclub.org.

  • Saturday, March 22, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm – Identifying Shrubs and Other Signs of Spring

    It’s easier to learn shrub recognition and identification in the spring, when leaves are lacking and the diverse, dense structure of these important components of wildlife habitat are most obvious. In late winter and early spring our native shrub buds are enlarging and opening, with bright colors and textures of twigs more evident. Shrubs are essential ecological components of open, forested and wetland habitats, providing food, structure for nesting, and cover for birds and mammals. Joe Choiniere and Wendy Howes of the Hubbardston Nature Club will take you with them to explore state forest and other conservation properties in Hubbardston, studying our native shrubs. We may even find hazelnut and alder in bloom, their wind-dependent flowers aided by early spring breezes. We’ll also be watching and listening for early migrant bird species—sparrows, blackbirds, and phoebes–as well as other species expected in this transitional period, and watching for other indications that spring is on the way.

    Easy walking is planned, but trail conditions will be uncertain, so participants should wear sturdy foot gear.  Meet on Saturday, March 22 at 12:30 pm at Hubbardston Town Offices parking lot on Route 68 to car-pool. Foul weather date is March 29.  No need to pre-register, but we’d like to know if you’re planning to join us.  Contact hubbardstonnatureclub@yahoo.com. Image from www.blogher.com.

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  • Saturday, February 8, 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm – Tracking Winter Wildlife

    The Hubbardston Nature Club will hold a field trip on Saturday, February 8, from 12:30 – 4. Meet at Hubbardston Town Offices parking lot on Route 68 to carpool.

    Over 30 species of winter active mammals and birds leave telltale tracks in the snow, such as the many members of the weasel family-fisher, mink, weasels; far-ranging predators including bobcat; forest giants like moose; and an array of little ones from shrew to mouse. Tracking can establish which species are using conservation land for habitat, how and what winter active animals feed on, and which parts of protected lands are essential for wildlife survival. Tracking is adventure, nature study, mystery, and art all rolled into one. Join Tracker/Naturalist David Brown, Author of Trackards for North American Mammals; and Naturalist/Tracker Joe Choiniere as these two colleagues take a closer look at parts of Hubbardston State Forest and other conservation properties. Snowshoes helpful if snow is deep, but not necessary (call Joe at 508-633-5695 by February 5 to ask about borrowing a pair). Dress warmly in loose layers. Tracking involves both aerobic hiking and stopping for long periods of time to study wildlife sign. Contact the Club at hubbardstonnatureclub@yahoo.com for more information.

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