Our Blog
What’s so special about Ponkaopag bog?
If you've ever been to the Ponkapoag boardwalk, you know that it's different from every other place in the Blue Hills... and pretty unique in eastern Massachusetts too! You'll learn about one of the key reasons why Ponkapoag is so special in this week's Blue Hills...
Tips for Bringing Young Children on a Hike
Will you be taking your kids into the Blue Hills? Perhaps you and your family will join us at our free event---Winter Fest, Tuesday, February 26th at the Blue Hills Ski Area from 5pm-8pm. There will be live music, a chili cook off, crafts and activities for the kids,...
Orieoles Nests at Turner’s Pond (near the Blue Hills)
By. Larry Meyer Baltimore Orioles come to New England like a circus comes to a town. They are brightly costumed, loud, well-traveled, energetic, entertaining, conspicuous, and here only to put on a show. Not being a resident, like a circus, they quit New England when...
Invasion of the Gypsy Moths!
The winter is a great time to take steps to control caterpillars that cover your lawn and eat the trees in your yard - and in the Blue Hills. See the video - and come to the event this Saturday at the Wakefield Estate to help control caterpillars in the Blue Hills!...
Get Your Kids Outside!
Your kids will get more than just fresh air when they visit the Blue Hills! On this week's Blue Hills A-Live, learn about the benefits of taking your kids to the Blue Hills (and to any natural area)! https://youtu.be/QBWuzKdmxQ8
Six Things to Do Before Taking Your Dog to the Blue Hills
By Melissa Nelson Bella and I have been hiking the trails in the Blue Hills Reservation often since August, and boy have we learned a lot since we started. One thing we learned is that preparation is the key to having a good time and avoiding trouble. Here’s how we...
Making Dangerous Crossings Safer on the Skyline Trail
The Skyline trail is a favorite among many hikers, stretching from one end to the other in the Blue Hills Reservation. To hike this trail from end-to-end means crossing some high traffic roads that can be dangerous—particularly Routes 28 and 138. In this week’s...
Two Challenges of Making Safer Crossings on the Skyline Trail
When hikers try to cross the highways while following the Skyline Trail, they must face traffic and speedy cars. Here are two of the biggest reasons why improving these crossings is challenging. (But challenges that are can certainly be overcome!) Sign the petition...
Winter Biking… the unusual winter sport
Steve Cobble, avid all-weather biker, gives tips on mountain biking in the Blue Hills... especially in the winter! https://youtu.be/j4Eu8m-am2E
Tips for Winter Hiking
This Week on Blue Hills A-Live, your weekly guide to the Blue Hills, Steve Olanoff gives tips for keeping warm when you're hiking in this chilly weather... You'll also hear a little-known tidbit about Hancock Hill. (Do you know who use to own it?)...
What You’ll Learn on the Weekly Blue Hills A-Live
Join us each week for Blue Hills A-Live, your weekly Facebook Live Guide to the Blue Hills! Find us each week on Facebook, Thursdays at noon. You can ask questions, add your comments... and enjoy the Blue Hills community! Don't miss Blue Hills A-Live... sign up for...
Thank You!
A big thank you to YOU and the nearly 300 people who donated to the Blue Hills Forever Fund and helped raise $$22,655! Thank you for supporting the Blue Hills! https://youtu.be/urQvzD8l2gM
Blue Hills Reservation 27th Annual First Day Hikes
First Day Hikes Blue Hills Wildlife: noon – 1 pm Hot cocoa & snacks for sale Three DCR Ranger-led Hikes at 1 pm Houghton's Pond main parking lot, 840 Hillside St, Milton, MA Join the “Granddaddy of First Day Hikes” and celebrate New Year’s Day in the Blue Hills....
Job Posting: Part-time Social Media Assistant
Friends of the Blue Hills Social Media Assistant The Friends of the Blue Hills is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the Blue Hills Reservation in its natural state and serves as a watchdog of activities that might adversely affect...
Transcript: Blue Hills A-Live interview with Les Tyrala
Blue Hills A-Live interview with Les Tyrala Judy Jacobs: Have you ever walked up Great Blue Hill from the Trailside Museum on the Red Dot trail? Have you ever thought about how unique it is? How Great Blue is the highest point around, and the rocks that you scramble...
Re-buliding History at Brookwood Farm
Steven O'Shaughnessy, an expert in preservation carpentry from North Bennet Street School, describes some of the rich history of Brookwood Farm. https://youtu.be/85P25UnM8Ec
Toy Collection Ride
Blue Hills A-Live Sign Up!
Many thanks to our sponsor: Tom O'Neill of Success! Realty in Milton.
Sound Map of the Blue Hills
Last fall, dozens of Friends' volunteers recorded noise levels in the Blue Hills. Volunteers emailed the noise data to Boston University researchers who created a noise map of a portion of the Blue Hills. (See below.) The Boston University research team was led by...
Traffic Advisory Related to Controlled Deer Hunt
DCR Traffic Advisory: Blue Hills State Reservation in Milton WHAT: On Tuesday, November 28, 2017, Thursday, November 30, 2017, Tuesday, December 5, 2017, and Thursday, December 7, 2017, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will institute road...
#OptOutside at Houghton’s Pond
Friday, November 24, 10am Visitors Center at Houghton’s Pond, 840 Hillside Street in Milton The Friends of the Blue Hills has once again joined REI’s #OptOutside campaign to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors on Friday, November 24. Rather than spend the day at...
Hidden Creatures of the Blue Hills
Hidden under leaves and on trees, are fascinating creatures... snake-mimics and... bird-poop mimics. Sam Jaffe shows all. https://youtu.be/ox7F14rI0Vs
Sneak Peek at the Eustis Estate
The Eustis Estate sits right next to the Blue Hills... come to the Annual Celebration this Thursday, October 5th to learn how. And watch the video with Peter Gittleman to get insights into the Eustis Estate and it's rich history. https://youtu.be/fDb_D13D7-Q
What’s Invading the Blue Hills?
Some of the forests in the Blue Hills are threatened... listen to Rick Kesseli, UMass Boston Chair of the Biology Department, to learn how during Blue Hills A-Live, the Facebook Live show. Join us for the next one, Tuesday, 1pm on October 10th....