Boston Flora

Tag: Weather

  • Thursday, January 29, 6:00 pm – The Reshaping of New England’s Seasons: What’s Happening to Our Weather?

    Join The Boston Globe for an in-depth conversation with New England’s top weather and climate science leaders, hosted by Globe Lead Meteorologist Ken Mahan. New England’s seasons are shifting dramatically because of climate change — warmer winters, erratic springs, hotter summers, and muted autumns — as bouts of extreme weather become more prevalent. These increasingly unpredictable weather patterns are redefining our region’s identity, blurring the lines between our distinctive seasons. We’ll explore the science behind these changes to help us better understand what’s happening.The event takes place at the New England Aquarium on January 29 at 6 pm, in partnership with the Aquarium and the Lowell Institute. RSVP at https://events.bostonglobe.com/2026/reshaping-NE-seasons/SW?et_rid=832984181&s_campaign=BGSubscribers:newsletter

  • Saturday, March 8, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Extinction is Forever: What Have We Learned?

    Using the passenger pigeon as an iconic example of what can happen to a super-abundant species in a relatively short span of time, the 22nd annual Mass Audubon Birders Meeting on Saturday, March 8, from 9 – 3, will focus on the extinction phenomenon from a variety of perspectives. Since 1992, birders from around New England have come together every March to attend Mass Audubon’s Annual Birders Meeting. With the help of supportive sponsors, they have successfully brought together engaging speakers from around the country, been joined by top-notch vendors, and drawn enthusiastic participants to these day-long events.

    The meeting will take place at Bentley University in Waltham, and is co-hosted by Mass Audubon, the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Featured speakers are:

    Patrick Comins, Audubon Connecticut – Weather: Its Significance to Birds and Birders

    Keynote Joel Greenberg, Research Associate of both the Chicago Academy of Sciences, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Field Museum – A Feathered River Across the Sky: The Passenger Pigeon’s Flight to Extinction

    Matthew Kamm, Ph.D. candidate at Tufts University – Legacy of the Heath Hen

    John Kricher, Professor of Biology at Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts – Bird Conservation: Ultimately it’s Personal

    Michael Reed, Professor of Biology at Tufts University – Causes and Consequences of Avian Extinctions

    There will also be a silent auction, proceeds of which will provide financial support to the Bird Conservation programs at Mass Audubon. Register ($60 sponsor members, $65 public) at https://secure2.convio.net/mas/site/Ecommerce;jsessionid=2941D35BFE22BC33B67791314E6F05F1.app271b?store_id=1761.

    http://www.massaudubon.org/var/ezdemo_site/storage/images/media/departments/bird-conservation/images/birders-meeting-logo/168249-2-eng-US/birders-meeting-logo_highlighted.png

  • Saturday, October 9 – Monday, October 11, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Shades of Autumn Harvest Arts and Crafts Market

    Entertainment, apples, and children’s crafts will highlight Tower Hill Botanic Garden’s Shades of Autumn, an annual celebration of the harvest season, taking place Friday, October 9 – Monday, October 11, from 10 – 5.  Arts and Crafts Vendors feature stained glass, trellises, quilting, plants, edibles, photography, pottery, jewelry, and garden accessories.  Taste testing tours of the Preservation Apple Orchard will take place at 2 pm each day.  Enjoy a hayride (weather permitting) through the trails.

    Free admission for residents of Boylston and Clinton, courtesy of the event sponsors, the Boylston and Clinton Public Libraries. For directions and more information, log on to www.towerhillbg.org, or E-mail: thbg@towerhillbg.org . Phone: 508-869-6111

  • Saturday, April 3, 9 am – noon – Pruning Basics

    Learn the why’s and how’s of pruning – why to prune, if you even need to prune, when to prune, and what cuts to make.  Wellesley College Botanic Gardens Senior Horticulturist Tricia Diggins teaches you to make cutting edge decisions about nearly every pruning job from house plants to large tres.  She explores with you how these general principles relate to specific plants like flowering shrubs, evergreens, older trees, young plants and fruit trees.  Approximately half the class time will be indoors and the remaiinder will be outside in the Hunnewell Arboretum and Alexandra Botanic Gardens, looking at the pruning needs of a variety of trees and shrubs.  The Wellesley College Hunnewell Arboretum can be damp under foot in early spring.  Please dress appropriately for the weather.  Class number HOR 10 080, WCFH members $20, non members $25.  To register, or for directions, log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or email horticulture@wellesley.edu.

    Pruning Tools

  • Sunday, November 15, 10:00 – noon – Arnold Arboretum Walk

    Explore the Arnold Arboretum, off path and up hill, with Chris McArdle of the Appalachian Mountain Club.  The three hour walk will be followed by a bagel lunch in Jamaica Plain.  Meet at the Visitor Center on the Arborway.  Park on the street or take the T to the Forest Hills stop.  Call Chris at 617-480-3351 if the weather is bad and you’re unsure if the walk will take place.  Registration is not required for this trip.  $1 for non- AMC members, and sorry, no dogs on this outing.  For more fabulous walks in the area, log on to www.outdoors.org.

    http://www.news.harvard.edu/guide/to_do/images/arboretum-oaks.jpg

  • Saturday, November 7, 10 am – 12:30 pm – Conifers for Urban Sites

    Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Horticultural Curator Dennis Collins is the go-to guy for teaching about conifers.  He will use the Arnold Arboretum’s vast collection of conifers to show those that would be suited for smaller spaces in city gardens. Dennis will also recommend plants that can withstand some of the stressors common to urban sites, such as extreme wind or heat.  Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes for this class, which takes place entirely outdoors.  The location is Bussey Street Gate, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain.  For directions, and to register, log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or www.arboretum.harvard.edu, or email horticulture@wellesley.edu.  Cost is $30 for members of WCFH and the Arboretum, $35 for non members. Araucaria heterophylla photo courtesy of Rundstedt B. Rovillos.

    Araucaria heterophylla by Rundstedt B. Rovillos.

  • Sunday, October 18, 1:00 – 5:00 pm – Understanding Fungi: Mushrooms in the Wild

    Author-mycologist Lawrence Millman will lead a mushroom walk in Concord or Lincoln (exact location to be determined before the event based on conditions). However dry or unpromising the conditions, he guarantees that participants will find a minimum of 30 different species. You will learn to identify mushrooms both with and without a guidebook, and you’ll also unlearn everything you were ever told about how to distinguish a poisonous from a non-poisonous species. Be aware, however, that the focus of this event is scientific, not culinary. Bring a basket, wax paper, a pocket knife, a hand lens (if you have one), and – most important of all – a spirit of adventure. Please join us come rain or shine! Dress appropriately for weather.  Limited to 16. If students have questions for Larry Millman about the walk, call (617) 492-5861. Directions to Estabrook Woods from Concord Center, MA: Get to Concord Center and the Colonial Inn, in the heart of Concord Center. If you’re facing the Colonial Inn, take a right onto Monument Street and head toward the Old North Bridge. Take a left on Liberty Street, then right on Estabrook Road. After less than half a mile, take another right on Estabrook Road when it bends to the right. Go to the end of the road and park (space for cars on the left-hand side of road).  Cost – $76.

    http://www.wvpics.com/pics/morelmushroom.jpg

  • Sunday, October 11, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Rustic Furniture Design

    Craftsman Frank Hamm believes that anyone can build beautiful and functional furniture using just green tree limbs and saplings. Under his expert guidance, learn how to construct a terrific garden gate, trellis or side table in this half-day, hands-on workshop at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Sunday, October 11, beginning at 1 pm. You will learn how to use straight, curved and forked branches for design and structural integrity. Create harmonious, sculptural forms by carefully coordinating the complex shapes of individual wood cuttings. Take home a terrific addition to your garden, home or yard. (Log on to www.frankhamm.com for ideas.) Bring a hand drill and small bits, measuring tape, hammer and saw if you have them. Dress for the weather.  Fee is $55 for Tower Hill members, $60 for non-members.  To register, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Boylston Street Sidewalk Repair Notification

    Sidewalk repairs on Boylston Street (Arlington St. to Mass Ave., both sides) will take place this week as follows:

    Starting Monday, August 3 and projected to end Friday, August 7 (weather permitting) work will start on the odd side of the street from Hereford St. heading towards Arlington St. Once the work is complete on the odd side, we will start on the even side starting at Arlington St. and heading back toward Hereford St.  Work will only be performed on one side of the street at a time, and will be done in the quickest manner possible so as not to inconvenience businesses and neighbors.

    The PWD will for the most part be able to allow a minimum of 3 feet pedestrian access during the work. There may be locations that the sidewalk access will be closed, in which case “Sidewalk Closed” signage will be placed at the nearest crosswalks on either side of the construction.

    The engineer representing the City is Brian Van Bus Kirk (1-781-589-1925). The contractor performing the work is Cicconi and Sons.

    The PWD anticipates that the work will run smoothly and after the construction takes place you will be happy with the results.

    Any questions or concerns?  Please do not hesitate to contact me.

    Sincerely,

    Mark Cardarelli

    Chief Highway Construction Inspector

    Boston Public Works

    Tel 617.635.4950

    Fax 617.635.7498

  • Thursday, July 9, 10 – 4 – Enchanted Garden Tour of New Seabury

    Join Heritage Museums discovering the enchanted private sanctuaries of New Seabury and Popponesset Island on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine). All proceeds benefit the many wonderful programs and activities at Heritage Museums & Gardens. Make the day even more special with a luncheon at the New Seabury Club.  The extraordinary vistas from the main dining room are the perfect complement to your garden tour experience!

    The gardens are located throughout the New Seabury & Popponesset Island area and all can be reached by car. Parking is available near and around all the homes on the tour. Be prepared to walk from parking areas to each of the gardens.

    There will not be any shuttle services provided. This is a garden tour and walking is involved. Please be prepared with comfortable walking shoes—and dress for the weather !

    A Garden Boutique will be on display and for sale in the main lobby at New Seabury Country Club, featuring stunning floral jewelry and exclusive gifts for the garden and home, inspired by the horticultural collections of Heritage Museums & Gardens.

    Price for the Garden Tour only:$35 Members of HM&G, $40 Non-Members
    Price for Tours and Luncheon: $70 Members of HM&G, $75 Non-Members

    For additional information please call 508.888.3300, x-111, or email: ahoxie@heritagemuseums.org