Boston Flora

Tag: Naturalist

  • Saturday, September 25, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Sunday, September 26, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Gesneriad/Begonia Show

    Saturday, September 25, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Sunday, September 26, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Gesneriad/Begonia Show

    Visit Tower Hill Botanic Gardens in Boylston, Massachusetts on Saturday, September 25 or Sunday, September 26 for the annual plant show sponsored by the Buxton Begonia Society and the New England Gesneriad Society.   The Gesneriad family consists of over 3,000 species and over 133 genera.  It was named after 16th century Swiss naturalist Konrad von Gesner.  Most Gesneriads are from tropical parts of the world.  Some of the most common plants in this genera are the Cupid’s Bower (Achimenes), Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus), Flame Violet (Episcia), Goldfish Plant (Nematanthus), African Violet (Saintpaulia), Florist Gloxinia (Sinningia – below), and Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus). See beautiful displays of rare and unusual houseplants, take a guided tour of the show, hear lectures on begonia and gesneriad care, and visit vendors selling an incredible selection of begonias and gesneriads..  For more information, directions, and hours, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.


  • Saturday, January 16, 11:00 am – Snowshoeing Guided Walk

    On Saturday, January 16, beginning at 11 am, enjoy the signs of winter wildlife at the Mass Audubon Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan, with a Teacher Naturalist as your guide.  Snowshoeing is an easy and fun way to get around.  You’ll discover animal tracks and signs, beautiful winter scenes, and hidden winter treasures.  Preregistration is not required, and snowshoe rental is included in the price ($8 for Mass Audubon members, $12 for non members),  For more information, call 617-983-8500, or email bnc@massaudubon.org.

    http://workingwellresources.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/snowshoeing-at-the-basin-phippsburg-08.jpg

  • Tuesday, November 17, 10 am – 12 noon – Pollinator-Friendly Landscaping

    As New England’s landscape becomes increasingly developed, backyards are becoming a “final frontier” in providing essential habitat for at-risk pollinator species that play an integral role in the health of our environment. On Tuesday, November 17, beginning at 10 am, Garden Coach and Habitat Naturalist Ellen Sousa will explain how to help sustain and restore pollinator populations in your own back yard, regardless of its size or location. Learn to choose the best plants to help feed and shelter pollinators, and some best practices for encouraging biodiversity in your backyard.

    Ellen Sousa is a writer, educator and garden coach living in Massachusetts’ Worcester Hills on Turkey Hill Brook Farm, a small farm registered with the NWF as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. She has a certificate in Native Plant Horticulture & Design from New England Wild Flower Society, a BA in English from Clark University, and is certified as a Master Habitat Naturalist from Windstar Wildlife Institute. She writes regularly about habitat gardening for magazines such as Massachusetts Wildlife, BackHome, Mother Earth News and Birds & Blooms Extra. Visit her web site and New England habitat landscaping blog at THBFarm.com. The lecture will be held at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts on Tuesday, November 17, from 10 am – noon.  Fee is $15 for Tower Hill members, $18 for non-members.  To register, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

    http://www.greendiary.com/images/pollination.jpg

  • Saturday, October 18, 2:00 pm – Who’s Watching You?

    Come to Russells Garden Center in Wayland on Saturday, October 18, beginning at 2 pm, for an up-close encounter with live owls! Presentation by Naturalist Marcia Wilson of Eyes on Owls and hosted at Russell’s as part of its Bird Lovers’ Weekend (October 17 and 18, 11 – 4). The program includes a slide show and is a wonderfully interactive and entertaining way to learn about these secretive birds. Bring your camera!
    Adults $8.00, Children (4-14) $5.00. Seating is limited to 60. Pre-registration is strongly recommended. Please call 508-358-2283.  For directions to Russell’s, and for more information on Bird Lovers’ Weekend activities, log on to www.russellsgardencenter.com.

    http://allpawtucket.com/blog//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/audubon-talons-audubon-raptor-weekend-500x333.jpg

  • Sunday, October 18, 2 – 5 pm – Painting Fall Foliage

    Revel in fall color under the guidance of Rebecca Arnoldi, artist and naturalist, an instructor who combines an artist’s eye with botanical knowledge. Combine careful observation with fluid watercolor painting to express the essence, energy and emotion stirred by the natural world. All levels are welcome. The class meets at the Arnold Arboretum. Fee $50, offered in collaboration with the Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts.  To register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

    http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4517909/nconwayfoliage-main_Full.jpg

  • Tuesday, October 13, 5:30 – 8:00 pm – Environmental Artist Tally Forbes Reception

    On Tuesday, October 13, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm, enjoy a free reception at Legal Sea Foods, 100 Huntington Avenue (Copley Square) with Tally Forbes.  A naturalist at heart, Tally Forbes works with forms found in nature, then tests the boundaries between the tangible and the illusory to create her own visual language.  Ms. Forbes is also the former Executive Director of Development for Earthwatch Institute ®.  Attendees will be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Legal Sea Foods®.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale of art will benefit The Singing Bowl: “Nourishing Your Spirit and Feeding the World.”  To learn more about Ms. Forbes, log on to www.canvasfinearts.com.

  • Sunday, August 30, 1 – 3 pm – Discover Cornell Farm

    The Trustees of Reservations continue to protect new special places all the time, with a particular focus on the agricultural heritage of the South Coast region.  Be one of the first to enjoy a guided tour of this newly protected farm and explore its varied habitats of field, forest and salt marsh with naturalist Garry Plunkett.  Cornell Farm is located in South Dartmouth, admission to the event is free, and directions and further information can be obtained by calling 508-679-2115, or emailing seregion@ttor.org.