Boston Flora

Tag: Massachusetts

  • New England Botanical Club Publishes New Book

    The Special Publication Committee of the New England Botanical Club is pleased to announce the publication of  Vascular Flora of Worcester County, Massachusetts by Robert I. Bertin and Thomas J. Rawinski. The 290-page book includes sections on the physical setting, geology, climate, soils, vegetation patterns, human impact, and a history of botanical collection in the county. The core of the book is an annotated list of the 2,043 species found in the county. Species information includes abundance, status (native or alien), habitat, distribution within the county, conservation status, and flowering and fruiting phenology. Distribution maps are included for 700 species, illustrating current and former distributions at the town level.

    To purchase, send a check for $23.00 check payable to the New England Botanical Club to:

    Karen Searcy, Chair, NEBC Special Publications Committee
    Biology Department
    611 North Pleasant St.
    University of Massachusetts
    Amherst, MA 01003

    For information on joining the New England Botanical Club, visit www.rhodora.org.

    http://academics.holycross.edu/images/environmentalstudies/Cover.jpg

  • Christmas Tree Recycling in Boston (and Beyond)

    The City of Boston Department of Public Works will collect and recycle Christmas trees during the first two weeks of January.  You should put your tree out on your regular trash and recycling collection day (in most of Back Bay, that’s Monday and Thursday).  If your building puts trash in a dumpster, trees should be placed next to the dumpster for collection.  If you miss these recycling times, call 617-635-4959 for possible additional date or dates in January.

    Remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and other non-organic decorative materials.  Flocked trees will often need to be chopped and disposed with regular solid waste.  For more information on tree recycling for other areas of Massachusetts, and indeed nationwide, log on to www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/disposing.php.

    Dying christmas tree by amathad.

  • Christmas Tree Recycling in Boston (and Beyond)

    The City of Boston Department of Public Works will collect and recycle Christmas trees during the first two weeks of January.  You should put your tree out on your regular trash and recycling collection day (in most of Back Bay, that’s Monday and Thursday).  If your building puts trash in a dumpster, trees should be placed next to the dumpster for collection.  If you miss these recycling times, call 617-635-4959 for possible additional date or dates in January.

    Remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and other non-organic decorative materials.  Flocked trees will often need to be chopped and disposed with regular solid waste.  For more information on tree recycling for other areas of Massachusetts, and indeed nationwide, log on to www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/disposing.php.

  • Tuesday, December 1, 11:00 am – Groundwater Hearing

    On Tuesday, December 1, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture will hold a hearing on House Bill 852, legislation addressing this issue.  Drafted by Representatives Marty Walz, Byron Rushing, and Michael Moran, this legislation is an important step forward, providing a framework for addressing this issue on a statewide level.  As with any legislation, it will undoubtedly go through many changes before it becomes law, but it is essential that we express support for this issue to remain “on the front burner” with the legislature.

    Therefore, we encourage you to attend the hearing, if you can, to express your support for the need for statewide groundwater protection legislation.  If you cannot attend, please call, e-mail or write a letter to express you support of the concept for statewide groundwater legislation and ask that the legislature make preserving groundwater a priority issue.

    A complete version of House Bill No. 852, “An Act to protect groundwater levels” can be viewed at: http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht00pdf/ht00852.pdf.

    The hearing will be held in State House Room A on Tuesday, December 1 at 11AM.

    Letters should be sent to: Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee Co-Chairs Senator Anthony Petruccelli (address Room 413-B, State House, Boston, MA 02133, phone: 617-722-1634) and Representative William Strauss (address Room 473-F, State House, Boston, MA 02133, phone: 617-722-2210)

    E-mails should be sent to: Anthony.Petruccelli@state.ma.us and Rep.WilliamStraus@Hou.State.MA.US
    (if possible with copies to Rep.MartyWalz@Hou.State.MA.US and Rep.ByronRushing@hou.state.ma.us, as well as info@nabbonline.com)

  • Tuesday, October 20, 10 am – 12 noon – Design Workshop

    Sign up for a series of three hands-on workshops for beginning and intermediate flower arrangers.  The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts is sponsoring the classes, to be held at the Espousal Center, 554 Lexington Street, North Waltham, MA on Tuesdays from 10 am to 12 noon on October 20, April 13, 2010, and May 11, 2010.  This series differs from the series beginning on October 14 because it is truly participatory.  The fee for all three sessions is $105, which includes all materials and instruction.  No refunds are offered if you are unable to attend, but you may designate someone to attend in your place, or ask a friend who is attending to collect your flowers and container at the end of class.  You must supply clippers, a notebook, and a clean up bag.  Please mail your check, made out to GCFM, Inc., to Maureen Marshall, Registrar, 79 Morton Street, Holliston, MA 01746. Include your name, address, Garden Club affiliation, Telephone number, and email.  Space is limited to 90 people, and will be allocated on a first come basis.  You may wish to call first to confirm availability.  Maureen’s number is 508-429-4936, and she may also be reached by email at sweetpeapatch@aol.com.

    http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/unbranded/y/unbranded-yellow-posy.jpg

  • Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, September 27 – Begonia Show at Tower Hill

    The annual juried begonia plant show will take place at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA on Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, September 27.  The show is sponsored by the Massachusetts Buxton Branch of the American Begonia Society.  The Massachusetts Buxton Branch of the American Begonia Society is a great place to learn about begonia culture, get new plants, and meet fellow begonia lovers.  Members include novices and experts, and meetings provice in-depth information about begonia species and cultivars, propagation techniques, growing tips, and much more.  Regular meetings are on the first Saturday of each month at the Wellesley Free Library, from 9 a.m. to noon.  For information on joining, email co-President Stuart Hammer at stuarthammer@charter.net, co-President Bonnie Lambert at lladyllove@aol.com, or Membership Secretary Wanda Macnair at wmacnair@aol.com.

  • Wednesday, September 2, 7 pm – “Chez Panisse Fruit” by Alice Waters

    Written by Alice Waters, one of America’s most influential chefs, “Chez Panisse Fruit” is one of a series of books which sparked a culinary movement.  Chez Panisse, one of the country’s best restaurants, became a focal point for local, conscientiously produced foods.  The restaurant spawned a collection of respected cookbooks which feature essays, beautiful illustrations, and, of course, delectable recipes.  In this class, Stir’s chefs will present a smattering of amazing sweet and savory fruit dishes using produce from Massachusetts local farms.  Enjoy simple, seasonal, rfefined cooking at its best while gathering lessons on how to shop at markets and cook seasonally.  Class is held Wednesday, September 2 at 102 Waltham Street in the South End beginning at 7 pm.  The cost of this session is $135.  Sign up by calling 617-423-7847.

    Stir is part of the continuing education program at the heart of Barbara Lynch Gruppo, a team of passionate, hardworking individuals who speak on behalf of our farmers, winemakers and distillers, as well as one another, through a medium of food, wine, spirits, service and hospitality.  Classes and special dinners are held throughout the year.  See the complete listings at www.stirboston.com.

    http://www.fotobank.ru/img/SF17-3996.jpg?size=l

  • Tuesday, August 11, 10 – 11:30 a.m. – Identification and Control of Invasive Plants

    Invasive plants pose a serious threat to the biodiversity and visual character of gardens in Massachusetts.  Join Polly Hill Arboretum Collections Management Intern and certified arborist Matt Lobdell for a presentation covering invasive plant issues.  Learn how to identify and control these menacing plants.  Also, find out how you can become involved in efforts to control and eradicate the invasive plants that are threatening our most treasured natural areas.  Controlling invasive plants is a global concern and a growing field in professional horticulture.  $5 admission (free to PHA members).  For more information contact Karin Stanley at 508-693-9426, or email karin@pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Sunday, July 12, 2 pm – Horticulture Walking Tour of Forest Hills

    Forest Hills’ founder, Henry A.S. Dearborn, was a civic leader with expertise in law and politics, as well as in landscape design and horticulture. The first president of the Massachusetts Horticulture Society, Dearborn, along with others, helped shape the rural garden cemetery movement in the United States. Join Anthony Sammarco, author of more than 50 books on Boston history, for a walking tour celebrating Dearborn and other prominent 19th century horticulturists buried at Forest Hills Cemetery.

    Meet at Main Gate. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water; this is a 2-hour walk (with frequent stops) over varied terrain. Admission: $9.  For more information, and to register, log on to www.foresthillstrust.org.