Boston Flora

Tag: wetlands

  • Friday, September 20 & Saturday, September 21, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm – Basic Wetland Identification and Delineation

    This Native Plant Trust two-day course on September 20 and 21 at Garden in the Woods in Framingham introduces the principal elements of wetland identification including wetland hydrology, hydric soils, and hydrophytic plants. We identify plants in the field, place a delineation line, and utilize web resources. Recommended gear includes a field notebook, field guides, soil color charts, an auger, and rainwear. Bring a bag lunch.  William E. Kuriger is the instructor, and the fee is $216 for NPT members, $254 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/basic-wetland-identification-and-delineation/

  • Sunday, September 30, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Great Meadows, Late Season

    Great Meadows in Concord is exactly what it sounds like: a great, wet meadow that spans a large tract of land in eastern Massachusetts. Join Dan Jaffe on Sunday, September 30 from 9 – 11 for walk around the impoundments. Explore open wetland species such as cardinal flower, rose mallow, and showy tick trefoil while surrounded by beavers, blue heron, and marsh wren. We will identify species and discuss their cultivation. This New England Wild Flower Society session is $21 for NEWFS members, $25 for nonmembers. Register online at www.newenglandwild.org.

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  • Saturday, September 15, 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm – Wetlands of East Leverett Meadow

    Following muddy and mossy trails, this field study in the East Leverett Meadow on September 15 from 12 – 2 explores different wetlands and their plant compositions. Naturalist George LoCascio highlights local plants, wetlands ecology, and the importance of conserving the plants. Aquatic invertebrates make a special cameo appearance. The walk is co-sponsored by the New England Wild Flower Society and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. $21 for members of sponsoring organizations, $25 for nonmembers. Register online at www.newenglandwild.org.

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  • Thursday, June 25, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Beaver: Building Habitat, Improving Eco-Systems

    Beaver are unique among mammals in that they alter their habitat to meet their needs by damming streams to form ponds. This behavior actually benefits other species (including people), as well. By building dams and flooding woodland swamps, beaver play an important part in the restoration of lost wetlands, providing habitat and food for a wide variety of plants and animals. Over 50 percent of our wetlands have disappeared since European settlement in North America. Beaver build their dams in order to create deep ponds that won’t freeze at the bottom in winter. Because of the flooding beaver create, trees often die off, providing nesting sites for great blue herons, wood ducks, tree swallows, and other birds. These new ponds become homes to amphibians, turtles, fish, otters, muskrats, and other animals.

    Beaver-created wetlands also enhance human habitat by storing and slowly releasing floodwater, which controls downstream flooding. They improve water quality by removing or transforming excess nutrients, trapping silt, binding and removing toxic chemicals, and removing sediment. And finally, flooded areas can also recharge and maintain groundwater levels, and provide flow to streams even during droughts.

    Join conservationist Cindy Dunn at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton, Massachusetts, on Thursday, June 25, from 10 – noon, for this unique walking tour of the 85 acre beaver pond to learn about the important ecological role that beaver play. Wachusett Meadow is one of the spectacular wildlife sanctuaries within Mass Audubon. This property consists of 1,200 acres accessed by 12 miles of trails. The sanctuary protects a diverse landscape of shrubland fields and meadows, forests, Wachusett Meadow’s Wildlife Pond, and beaver wetlands. Rain or shine event. $22 for ELA members, $32 for non-members. Register at http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/beaver-building-habitat-improving-eco-systems/#sthash.a7IC3Fga.dpuf

  • Tuesday, May 22 – Thursday, May 24 – Hands On Wetland Creation Workshop

    As part of the Spadefoot Toad Restoration Project, the Massachusetts Audubon Society, in collaboration with the Center for Wetlands and Stream Restoration, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the SFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, will conduct a two day hands on wetland creation workshop in Barnstable on Tuesday, May 22 through Thursday, May 24.

    Isolated wetlands provide vital habitat to many species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Unfortunately, a majority of these ecosystems have been lost due to draining and filling throughout North America. These landscape modifications are now affecting recovery efforts for endangered species, reducing water quality, increasing flooding, and reducing ground water supplies. Fortunately, it’s now possible to construct ponds and wetlands that look and function similar to natural wetlands, with desired hydro-periods, aquatic vegetation, and animal life. While protection and restoration of natural wetlands remain the highest priorities, creation can be an important option where wetland habitats have been lost. This hands-on workshop is designed for individuals interested in learning how to use practical, low cost techniques for building wetlands for wildlife. Participants will see how wetland projects can be planned in forested and open areas, on vast expanses of public land, and even on school grounds to benefit plants, animals, and people. Attendees will discover how to select the best locations for building wetlands, test soils, choose construction techniques, work with heavy equipment operators, and establish native plants. Also, through a series of presentations, participants will learn about conservation efforts using reintroduction, translocation, and habitat restoration techniques and learn about Eastern spadefoot toad conservation efforts on Cape Cod. A field trip to a nearby spadefoot population is included.

    Who should attend? Biologists, foresters, hydrologists, engineers, technicians, educators, land trusts, and other non-profit and environmental org professionals.

    Cost: $240 which includes lunches on three days, hand-out materials, signed copy of the book Wetland Restoration and Construction – A Technical Guide by Thomas Biebighauser, and more!
    Location: 345 Bone Hill Rd. Barnstable, MA .  Please hurry, registration is limited to 30 participants! Visit www.massaudubon.org to download the complete brochure.

  • Thursday, July 15, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm – Wetland Plant Identification

    In this New England Wild Flower Society workshop at Garden in the Woods in Framingham on Thursday, July 15, from 9:30 – 3:00,  you will focus on a variety of wetland community types, their ecology, and common indicator species. Following a short introductory lecture, you will visit wetland habitats, including a red-maple swamp, a flood-plain marsh, and a pond. While in the field, take advantage of the season by exploring ferns, sedges, and various aquatic species, as well as shrubs and trees. Bring a hand lens, lunch, and come prepared for wet feet in the field.  Frances Clark will lead, and the price to participate is $61 for NEWFS members and $72 for nonmembers.  Register at www.newfs.org.

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