Calendar
The Friends of the Blue Hills are happy to partner with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to keep the park clean! Be sure to join us!
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 trash, and clearing waterbars and drains to keep the trails safe and accessible for all.
For your safety and comfort, please wear long pants, sturdy gloves, and closed-toe shoes or boots. Be sure to dress appropriately for outdoor work. After the event, we also recommend checking for ticks as a precaution. We also recommend bringing a water bottle and dressing appropriately for outdoor conditions.
This is a wonderful way to give back to your community, enjoy the outdoors, and ensure our trails remain in great condition for everyone to enjoy.Â
We look forward to seeing you there!
The minimum age for participants is 16 years old with and must be with an parent/guardian.
Fill out this form and waiver below if you would like to volunteer!
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Beginners’ Hike with Bruce
Event Details:
– When: Saturday, April 26th 10:00 am-12:00 pm (CHANGES MADE! WAS PREVIOUSLY APRIL 19TH)
– Meeting Point: Playground at Houghton’s Pond
– Leaders:Â Bruce Dezube
– Sign-Up: Guests must sign up in advance
Hike Description:
Join Bruce for a relaxing and scenic beginners’ hike through the beautiful Blue Hills Reservation. This hiking event is perfect for those new to hiking, offering a gentle pace suitable for novices. The hike covers a variety of terrain, including some gravel and rocky paths, allowing you to experience the diverse natural habitats of the Blue Hills without the challenge of a strenuous hike. Don’t miss out on this chance to enjoy a peaceful morning in nature.
– Water: Staying hydrated is crucial, so please bring plenty of water.
– Snacks: Pack some light snacks to keep your energy up.
– Clothing: Wear moisture-wicking clothing to stay comfortable.
– No Dogs: To maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all hikers, pets are not allowed on this hike.
– Commitment: Please do not sign up unless you are certain you can attend, as spaces are limited.
– Pace and Duration: The hike is designed to be a leisurely walk, not a race. Expect to spend about 2 hours exploring the trails with plenty of time to appreciate the scenery.We look forward to seeing you on the trail!
Join us for a Boston Area City Nature Challenge at the Friends of the Blue Hills at Houghton’s Pond!
iNaturalist is an online citizen-science platform that helps identify the wildlife around you while generating data for science and conservation. iNaturalist’s Boston Area City Nature Challenge (CNC), is part of a worldwide collaborative bioblitz in cities across the world to document and identify as much wildlife as possible.
We invite you to participate in the Boston area CNC from April 25-28. Make sure you Join Ann Schunior on a zoom session on April 17 to learn how to use iNaturalist here. Then join Suzanne Mrozak on April 26 at Houghton’s Pond to make observations of wildlife and become part of one of the largest community science events in the world. Help us better understand – and therefore, take care of – nature that lives in and around urban areas.
Explore the natural world around us in a whole new way on our iNaturalist walk with Suzanne! Whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or just starting to explore the outdoors, this walk will help you connect with the environment through the iNaturalist app.
Follow this link to learn how to sign up for iNaturalistÂ
Check out the Boston Area City Nature Challenge here:Â Boston CNC
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Presented by Blue Hills Cycling Club, SE Mass chapter of NEMBA and Landry’s Bicycles
Join Us for the 2025 Cycling Kickoff Event!
Get ready to pedal into the new riding season with our exciting cycling kickoff event!  Blue Hills Cycling Club, Southeast MA chapter of NEMBA (New England Mountain Bike Association) and Landry’s Bicycles are excited to collaborate in presenting the 2025 Season Opener! It’s a mixer, bringing together mountain bikers and road cyclists for great riding and the social event of the season!
Guided Mountain Bike Rides in Blue Hills Reservation – Explore the scenic trails of the Blue Hills Reservation with our knowledgeable guides. Choose from a variety of routes suitable for all skill levels.
Led Road Rides in Canton, Milton, and Surrounding Towns – Hit the open road with our group rides and experience the thrill of cycling with fellow enthusiasts.
Food On-Site – Grab a bite to eat to refuel, recharge and mingle with fellow riders.
Proceeds Support Friends of Blue Hills  – Your registration fees will go towards supporting the Friends of Blue Hills, helping to preserve and protect this beautiful natural area.
Rain Date is Saturday, May 10
On-site check-in opens 8:30 am, please be sure to arrive early to be ready to ride at 9:00 am
Weather Wonders Series
Hear from Blue Hill Observatory weather observer and graduate student in atmospheric science Amanda Joly about the unique characteristics of Severe Weather and Flooding, with a particular emphasis on their effects in the Blue Hills region. Find out how it relates to Trail Stewardship and the Blue Hills Communities. Flooding and severe weather events can disrupt local ecosystems, altering habitats and impacting wildlife populations. These changes can lead to shifts in biodiversity, affect water quality, and damage natural resources that communities rely on for both environmental health and economic stability. Flooding can damage trails, eroding paths and disrupting access to natural areas, which not only affects recreational activities but also hinders conservation efforts and environmental education.
There will time devoted to a Q&A at the end of the program.
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How do you start your mornings before work? Brew a cup of coffee, read the news, or watch some TV? The Friends of the Blue Hills has a better idea… Why not start your day with a 3 mile hike around The Blue Hills!
They say starting your day with physical activity can boost energy, improve mood, enhance focus, and promote better sleep, ultimately leading to a more productive and positive day. Now doesn’t that sound wonderful? We think so!
If this sounds great please sign up below!