Boston Flora

Tag: Massachusetts Audubon Society

  • Saturday, March 17, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Nature Art in Field and Studio

    This one day Tower Hill Botanic Garden workshop on Saturday, March 17 from 10 – 4 will focus on Barry Van Dusen’s recent residency with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. For the past two years, Barry has been traveling around Massachusetts, creating paintings and drawings at Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries. Barry will show a selection of the more 130 watercolors he has produced for the project and share his residency sketchbooks. You’ll learn about how the artist uses optics in the field, and how he organizes his art materials for efficient fieldwork. He’ll discuss the approaches he uses to create artwork on location and in his studio. Barry will lead students through basic drawing, tone and color exercises to help them get started with creating their own record of outdoor observations.

    PLEASE NOTE: A MATERIALS LIST WILL BE SENT UPON REGISTRATION. $95 for Tower Hill members, $110 for nonmembers. Register online at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Barry W. Van Dusen is an internationally recognized and award-winning wildlife artist living in central Massachusetts. Barry’s illustrations and paintings have appeared in many publications and books. In recent years Barry has been Artist-in-Residence at Fruitlands Museums, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, and Mass Audubon. See more of the artist’s work at www.barryvandusen.com

  • Saturday, September 30 – Deadline for Picture This: Your Great Outdoors Photo Contest

    Once again Mass Audubon is seeking photos that highlight people in nature and the beauty of Massachusetts wildlife and landscapes. “We can’t wait to see what you have in store for us this year! Find everything you need to know about how and what to enter at http://www.massaudubon.org/news-events/photo-contest/enter-the-contest. For those who have entered before, we have updated the submission guidelines along with the prizes.” Happy snapping.

  • Saturday, September 23, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Rockin’ With Raptors Festival

    Join Boston Nature Center for its free annual Rockin’ with Raptors Festival and the 15th Anniversary of the George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center in Mattapan, on Saturday, September 23 from 1 – 4, rain or shine.

    This free community celebration is a great opportunity to explore Mass Audubon’s urban sanctuary, located just outside of Boston and home to two miles of trails, a nature play area, plenty of wildlife, and a thriving community garden. For more information visit http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/boston-nature-center/news-events/rockin-with-raptors

  • Tuesday, September 19, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Wild Edibles Walk

    Join the New England Wild Flower Society, the Massachusetts Audubon Society, and Russ Cohen, expert forager and author of Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten, for a walk around Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln on Tuesday, September 19 at 4:30 pm to learn about the tastiest wild plant species in our midst. We will discuss identification tips, edibility, seasonality, and preparation methods, along with general guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging. We’ll end the evening sipping and snacking on tasty foraged treats. $32 for members of sponsoring organizations, $38 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/wild-edibles-walk

  • Saturday, September 16, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Wildflowers of Fall

    Fall-booming New England natives are the swan song of the growing season, with the explosion asters, goldenrods, and others providing a last burst of color before winter. In this quick introduction to fall favorites on Saturday, September 16 from 10 – 1 at Garden in the Woods, you will learn to identify flowers, habitats, and pollinators through a combination of classroom instruction and a walk in the field at the Garden. Bring a hand lens and Wildflowers of New England. Instructor is Neela de Zoysa, co-sponsor is Mass Audubon, and the fee is $40 for NEWFS and Mass Audubon members, $48 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/wildflowers-of-fall

  • Tuesday, February 14, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Weird Sex in Nature: How Plants Get It On

    It’s Valentine’s Day. What better way to celebrate than to admire the romance of plants. But plant sex? About as interesting as watching paint dry, right? Think again. The ways plants, algae, and fungi reproduce tell us a lot about how procreation has evolved over time. Join Elizabeth Farnsworth for this racy lunchtime lecture on the many interesting reproductive strategies these species pursue. Be prepared to blush. The New England Wild Flower Society class will be held at Garden in the Woods from 1 – 2:30, and is $14 for NEWFS and Mass Audubon members, $16 for nonmembers. Co-sponsored by that other edgy group, Mass Audubon. Register online at www.newfs.org.  Image from www.garden.org.

  • Friday, October 21, 6:00 pm, and Saturday, October 22, 5:30 pm – Halloween Happenings

    At sundown this Halloween season, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield will be transformed into a magical forest. Join us for a guided walk along our Halloween trail, home to some interesting creatures that come out just for Halloween. Glowing luminaries and carved jack o’lanterns will light our way. Learn firsthand about the creatures of the night on this fun family-friendly walk.

    Children and adults are encouraged to come in costume but dress warmly since we will be outdoors most of the time. The program begins in the Barn, where a variety of activities will keep children entertained before the outdoor walk.

    Allow about 1-1/2 hours total for the program. At the end of the walk, warm up by the bonfire as you enjoy fresh local cider and Halloween cupcakes made by Ipswich River volunteers. Appropriate for children ages 4-10.
    Please choose a date and an arrival time:

    Friday, October 21: 6:00, 6:15, 6:30, 6:45, 7:00, 7:15, or 7:30 pm
    Saturday, October 22: 5:30, 5:45, 6:00, 6:15, 6:30, 6:45, or 7:00 pm
    Admission

    $9 per person (Audubon Society members)
    $10 per person (nonmembers) Please register early for this very popular event, and list a second time in case your first choice is filled.

    Because of the popularity of this program, we cannot accommodate extra people the night of the program. When you arrive, please check in at the Barn to receive your group number. Rain or shine.

    Advance registration required. Call 978-887-9264 to register, or visit www.massaudubon.org.

  • Saturday, September 17, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Redbrook Harvestfest

    Join Massachusetts Audubon Society at the Redbrook Harvestfest being held on September 17th from 10 – 2, sponsored by Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary and Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. The annual event is held in partnership with the the A.D. Makepeace Company, the Redbrook Community in Plymouth and Old Colony YMCA and features live cranberry harvesting, wagon rides, music, food, vendors, children’s activities, and site tours. We’ll have a table and will be leading guided walks and hosting crafts for kids of all ages – stop on by!
    Directions to Redbrook for GPS: 237 Wareham Road, Plymouth, MA 02360; free, and registration not required. For more information visit www.massaudubon.org.

  • Saturday, September 24, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm – Moon Over Drumlin 2016

    Drumlin Farm’s Annual Farm-to-Table Gala will take place Saturday, September 24 from 6:30 – 9:30 at the Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Support Drumlin Farm’s leadership in nature-based education and programming for children and adults of all ages and abilities. Drumlin Farm’s Partner Chefs will serve delicious tastings using the farm’s freshest, seasonal ingredients. Exciting raffle and live auction led by returning auctioneer John Terrio. Moon Partner Chefs are committed to supporting sustainable agriculture and local sourcing. This year the roster includes:

    Chef Anthony Mazzotta, Artistry on the Green at the Inn at Hastings Park, Lexington
    Chef David Drew, Cambridge Brewing Company, Cambridge
    Chefs Carl Dooley and Robert Harris, The Table, Cambridge
    Chef Heather Schmidt, Union Square Donuts, Somerville
    Chef Carolyn Johnson, 80 Thoreau, Concord

    Also featuring Counter Culture Coffee at our dessert bar. Tickets are $175 and may be purchased at www.massaudubon.org.

  • Saturday, August 27, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Boston Area Beekeepers Association Open Hives

    Drop in at the Boston Nature Center in Mattapan Saturday morning August 27 (from 10 – noon) and learn all about honey bees from the Boston area beekeepers. The Massachusetts Audubon Society, Boston Nature Center, and the Boston Area Beekeepers Association will host an apiary on the sanctuary, and the beekeepers will “bee” more than happy to help you explore all aspects of bee life. Learn how they make honey, how they survive the winter, and much more! Free. Registration is required. Register online at www.massaudubon.org or call 617-983-8500 to register by phone.