There are some habitats that are filled with interesting species that rely on humans to be maintained. Learn about the species of birds and plants that exist in the meadow at Brookwood farm, how it is being maintained, what threatens these species, and more on Blue Hills A-Live with our reoccurring guest, Dr. Rick Kesseli from UMASS Boston.
Upcoming Events
Jul
5
Sat
2025
9:30 am
Family Nature Exploration “Fire ...
@ Houghton's Pond
Family Nature Exploration “Fire ...
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 5 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 9:20 to get started on time! Forest fires have impacted these hills for as long as humans have lived here. Discover the history of[...]
1:00 pm
Nice and Easy Hiking Series
@ Houghton's Pond
Nice and Easy Hiking Series
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 5 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at the Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 12:50 to make sure you are on time for the Hike! Looking to get outdoors and take a gentle, guided hike in the[...]
Jul
6
Sun
2025
9:00 am
Hike with Kay!
@ Shea Rink
Hike with Kay!
@ Shea Rink
Jul 6 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
This hike will be meeting at Shea Rink, 651 Willard St, Quincy, MA 02169 at 9:00am Sharp On this hike you will pass through the old St Moritz Winter Carnival. Kay will have some insight on[...]
Jul
7
Mon
2025
5:00 pm
Be Kind! Trash Pick up with Mary
@ Houghton's Pond Recreation Area
Be Kind! Trash Pick up with Mary
@ Houghton's Pond Recreation Area
Jul 7 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join our Membership Coordinator, Mary Timilty to clean the park! Get some fresh air and exercise… and give back to an amazing park that serves tens of thousands of visitors each year. You will be[...]
Jul
10
Thu
2025
7:00 pm
Evening Hike With Thomas
@ Route 28
Evening Hike With Thomas
@ Route 28
Jul 10 @ 7:00 pm – 8:45 pm
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY:Â MODERATE Please Arrive Early as Parking may be limited! Thomas will wait for all hikers to arrive! 4-mile hike with moderate hills, rocky terrain and some larger obstacles. Join the Friends of the[...]
Jul
12
Sat
2025
9:00 am
Trail Maintenance at the Friends...
Trail Maintenance at the Friends...
Jul 12 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us for a volunteer day dedicated to maintaining and improving the trails at The Friends of the Blue Hills. We’ll focus on essential tasks like brushing back overgrowth, clearing debris, raking paths, picking up[...]
9:30 am
Family Nature Exploration “Volca...
@ Houghton's Pond
Family Nature Exploration “Volca...
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 12 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 9:20 to get started on time! Hundreds of millions of years ago the Blue Hills was a raging volcano. Join us for a geological[...]
Jul
13
Sun
2025
7:00 am
Hike with Evangeline
@ Houghton's Pond
Hike with Evangeline
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 13 @ 7:00 am – 9:00 am
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: MODERATE Evangeline is a Reiki Practitioner, yoga instructor, and community builder. She guides monthly hikes in the Blue Hills, offers Reiki healing sessions, and hosts workshops and retreats. Evangeline’s hikes will be offered[...]
Jul
19
Sat
2025
9:30 am
Family Nature Exploration “Fire ...
@ Houghton's Pond
Family Nature Exploration “Fire ...
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 19 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 9:20 to get started on time! Forest fires have impacted these hills for as long as humans have lived here. Discover the history of[...]
1:00 pm
Nice and Easy Hiking Series
@ Houghton's Pond
Nice and Easy Hiking Series
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at the Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 12:50 to make sure you are on time for the Hike! Looking to get outdoors and take a gentle, guided hike in the[...]
Jul
20
Sun
2025
10:00 am
Beginners’ Hike with Bruce
@ Houghton's Pond Recreation Area
Beginners’ Hike with Bruce
@ Houghton's Pond Recreation Area
Jul 20 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Beginners’ Hike with Bruce Event Details: – When: Sunday, June 8th 10:00 am-12:00 pm – Meeting Point: Playground at Houghton’s Pond – Leaders: Bruce Dezube – Sign-Up: Guests must sign up in advance Hike Description: Join Bruce for[...]
10:00 am
Widow Walkers Hikes-7/20/25 Sign...
@ Widowmaker Brewing
Widow Walkers Hikes-7/20/25 Sign...
@ Widowmaker Brewing
Jul 20 @ 10:00 am
Join the Friends of the Blue Hills along with our partners Widowmaker Brewing and ARC’TERYX at the 2025 Widow Walkers Hike Series. All hikes will meet at Widowmaker Brewing, 200 Wood Road Braintree and the[...]
Jul
21
Mon
2025
10:00 am
Invasive Plant Removal
@ Farnham Connolly
Invasive Plant Removal
@ Farnham Connolly
Jul 21 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Volunteer Event: Invasive Species Removal at Friends of the Blue Hills Join us for a hands-on volunteer event aimed at removing harmful invasive species, Mile-A-Minute, from our beautiful local park. These plants disrupt native ecosystems,[...]
Jul
24
Thu
2025
10:00 am
Be Kind! Bug Hunt
@ Houghton's Pond
Be Kind! Bug Hunt
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 24 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Get ready to go on a bug hunt, where we will become bug detectives searching for tiny creatures hiding in the grass, under rocks, and in trees. We’ll provide everything you need, so all you[...]
Jul
26
Sat
2025
9:30 am
Family Nature Exploration “Volca...
@ Houghton's Pond
Family Nature Exploration “Volca...
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 26 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 9:20 to get started on time! Hundreds of millions of years ago the Blue Hills was a raging volcano. Join us for a geological[...]
1:00 pm
Nice and Easy Hiking Series
@ Houghton's Pond
Nice and Easy Hiking Series
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at the Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 12:50 to make sure you are on time for the Hike! Looking to get outdoors and take a gentle, guided hike in the[...]
Jul
28
Mon
2025
10:00 am
Ashes to New Beginnings Hike
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot
Ashes to New Beginnings Hike
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot
Jul 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: MODERATE This hike will be approximately 3 miles, with some elevated difficult terrain and rocky obstacles. Wear sturdy footwear. This hike will begin at 840 Hillside St, Houghton’s Pond, by the playground. Hikes[...]
Jul
29
Tue
2025
6:00 pm
Book Club with the Friends of th...
@ Houghton's Pond
Book Club with the Friends of th...
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 29 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Registration is OPEN! Signup HERE. Looking for a new way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with fellow readers? This summer, we’re bringing stories to life on the trails with the Book Club with the[...]
Aug
1
Fri
2025
7:00 am
Your Morning 3-Miler
@ TBD
Your Morning 3-Miler
@ TBD
Aug 1 @ 7:00 am – 8:30 am
How do you start your mornings before work? Brew a cup of coffee, read the news, or watch some TV? Friends of the Blue Hills has a better idea… Why not start your day with[...]