Boston Flora

Tag: Middlesex Fells

  • Thursday, May 23, 5:30 pm – 7:45 pm – Spring Greeting from Woodland Wildflowers

    Please join Grow Native Massachusetts on May 23 at 5:30 at the Middlesex Fells Reservation in Medford for this intensive workshop program, taught by Meredith Gallogly.

    Every spring in New England, we are greeted by a beautiful bouquet of flowers blooming throughout our woodlands. Many of these plants emerge early to soak up the sun before the forest canopy has fully leafed out, and quite a few species have co-evolved with early-emerging insect pollinators, resulting in unique, interdependent life cycles. Spring wildflowers are often delicate in appearance, belying their amazing toughness and adaptability.

    Join Meredith in a diverse and beautiful area of the Fells to get to know some of these flowers, and learn the best ways to incorporate them into a designed landscape.

    Meredith Gallogly is the Manager of Programs at Grow Native Massachusetts. She is a skilled botanist, and much of her plant identification knowledge comes from her explorations of metro-Boston area parks and reservations. She holds a B.A. in Biology from Smith College.

    This workshop will be conducted entirely in the field. Enrollment is limited to 15. Continuing education credits will be available. $28 for Grow Native Massachusetts members, $38 for nonmembers. To register call 781-790-8921 or visit www.grownativemass.org.

  • Tuesday, August 6, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Bellevue Pond

    Enjoy a summer stroll to study a wide range of wildflowers in bloom along the edge of Bellevue Pond, a beautiful site within the 2,500 acre rocky woodland known as Middlesex Fells in Medford, on Tuesday, August 6, from 10 – 2, with Roland “Boot” Boutwell, naturalist.  Then hike up Pine Hill, one of the many rocky outcrops of “fells” in the area for a panoramic view of downtown Boston.  After lunch, if there is time, hike to a small meadow area to study one more very different type of habitat.  The walk focuses on plant ID as well as fun and interesting natural history about the plants you see.  Bring lunch, a field guide or two, and a hand lens if you have one.  Sponsored by the New England Wild Flower Society, the fee is $38 for NEWFS members, $46 for nonmembers.  Register on line at www.newfs.org.

    http://farm1.staticflickr.com/10/15134544_45d88e5969_z.jpg

  • Saturday, September 17, 9:15 am – 5:00 pm – NEBC Field Trip at the Middlesex Fells Reservation

    The New England Botanical Club begins its fall season with a field trip at the Middlesex Fells Reservation on Saturday, September 17.  Arrive at Bryan Hamlin’s home at 56 Wyman Street in Medford between 9:15 and 9:45 am, or between noon and 1 pm for various morning and afternoon field trip choices.  Field trips will end about 5 pm.  Note that heavy rain will postpone the trips to Sunday, September 18 – check the NEBC website (www.rhodora.org) at 8 am for Saturday cancellation.  The Middlesex Fells Reservation is a largely natural woodland area of over 3,000 acres in the suburbs north of Boston.  “Fells” is a Saxon word for rocky, hilly tracts of land – an apt name for this scenic area which has many rocky outcrops and other interesting habitats leading to surprising biodiversity.  Set aside in 1894, the Fells was the keystone in the creation of the Metropolitan Parks system.  The plant survey of the four original parks became known as the Deane Flora report of 1896 and led, through the needed cooperation of amateur and academic botanists, to the creation of the NEBC that same year.  Four NEBC members have recently concluded a follow-up survey, which will be published in Rhodora.  The Fells is also rich in local history.  Within the Fells is Spot Pond, first explored and named by Governor Winthrop in the winter of 1632.

    Groups will leave for the nearby Fells at 10 am and/or 1:00 – 1:30 pm.   There will be a choice of two morning and afternoon hikes exploring special habitats and unusual species.  Park at Bryan’s house and carpool from there.  From 12:30 – 1:15 there will be a “semi-potluck” style lunch at Bryan’s, so please bring a contribution.  A variety of beverages and nibbles will be provided.  Please rsvp to Bryan at bryanthamlin@gmail.com, or call him at 781-395-7722.