Boston Flora

Tag: Plants And Animals

  • Saturday, November 21, 9:30 am – Arlington Great Meadows Nature Walk

    The Friends of Arlington Great Meadows’ next “3rd Saturday Nature Walk” at, naturally,  Arlington’s Great Meadows will be on November 21.  Meet them at 9:30am ,  in the nursing home parking lot, directions below . The walk is scheduled to end at approximately 11:30. Adults and teens are welcome, as are older children accompanied by at least one of their parents. Please bring: hat; insect repellent; binoculars and a hand lens (if you have one); wear long pants and appropriate footwear. You may encounter just a bit of mud along some trails, so bring appropriate shoes. No dogs, please. (Note: These events are sponsored by FoAGM and are free.)

    Arlington’s Great Meadows is a 183-acre parcel of land located in east Lexington.   It is the largest piece of undeveloped land in the Arlington/Lexington area.  It is part of the Mystic River watershed.  Once a glacial lake, it is now a wet meadow surrounded by uplands created by glacial outwash.  Great Meadows was purchased by Arlington in 1871 to serve as a supplementary water storage area, but was only briefly used for that purpose.   However, it remains a valuable buffer against flooding in the area.

    Arlington’s Great Meadows has long served as public open space and is a popular recreational spot, particularly since the opening of the Minuteman Bikeway on its southern border.  It also provides a home for local wildlife.  To date, 56 species of birds have been found nesting in Great Meadows, 12 species of amphibians and reptiles live there, and 251 species of plants grow in the wet meadow and uplands.  Last summer’s Biodiversity Days survey of the area recorded nearly 400 species of plants and animals in the Great Meadows area.

    Because it is situated between two schools, the Waldorf School of Lexington and Lexington Christian Academy, Arlington’s Great Meadows is a valuable resource for teaching children about nature and the environment.  The Citizens for Lexington Conservation organizes annual bird watching and geology walks in the Meadows.

    Meet at the far end of the parking lot on the right side of Golden Living Center – Lexington.   If you need more information, contact Don Miller at donaldbmiller@comcast.net, preferably, or 781-646-4965.  The web site for the Friends group is www.foagm.org.

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  • Saturday, October 17, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Falmouth Cranberry Harvest & Farm Festival

    Come enjoy an old fashioned family celebration of a cranberry bog being wet harvested before your eyes!  On Saturday, October 17 (rain date Sunday, October 18), between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, come to the  John Parker Bogs (between Route 28 and Sandwich Road) in East Falmouth.  This event is free.  Taste the many homemade cranberry treats – baked goodies, cranberry juices, cranberry breads, jellies, relishes, etc.  See an antique cranberry separator remove the chaff from your own bag of fresh berries.  There will be delicious Portuguese food available under the tent while you listen to the Falmouth Fiddlers, and ’50’s and ’60’s music by The Grand Daddios.  Reminisce with experienced local farmers and hear their stories.  Take a guided bog walk describing historical remnants, bog plants, and animals with an experienced guide. There will be historical displays on cranberry farming and harvesting, demonstrations of old-time crafts such as wool spinning, Nantucket basket making, cranberry wreath making, plus many free children’s activities and cranberry games.  Tables of cranberry soaps, candles and jellies will be available for purchase, and there will be a raffle of special items.  For more information, call 508-457-1809, email pleaselouise@comcast.net, or log on to www.falmouthfarms.org/cranberryharvestfarmfestival.

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  • Sunday, September 20 – Director’s Open House at Tower Hill

    Sunday, September 20 – Director’s Open House at Tower Hill

    Celebrate John W. Trexler’s 25th Anniversary as Tower Hill’s founding Executive Director, showcasing the best of Tower Hill.  Fun activities for all ages, multiple garden tours, demonstrations on organic gardening and Italian slow food cooking demonstrations, wildlife exhibits from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, live birds of prey, hawk watching, wildlife photography, lectures on the interaction of plants and animals, videos, and at 2 pm, a special tree dedication in John’s honor.  For more information log on to www.towerhillbg.org.  Free admission all day.