Our Blog
Blue Hills A-Live: Rick Kesseli and adaptations
How do plants survive the seasonal changes in New England? Learn about how various plant life in the Blue Hills, from ferns along the forest floor to towers oaks and maples have adapted to survive harsh winters and make the most of sun and water in the spring and...
3 Ways To Protect Vernal Pool Species
You may have seen small pools of water that appear from spring to fall and tend to disappear in the winter. These are vernal pools and there are quite a few in the Blue Hills. Reservation. Vernal pools play an important role as a home and breeding ground for many...
What will happen to Broderick Stable?
Broderick Stable was built in 1899 and was the first structure in the Blue Hills Reservation on this flank of Blue Hill. After significant investment, it's future is uncertain. Find out why - and as a bonus, meet Sargent Mike! https://youtu.be/SZgGmJFa1U8
How Beacon Hill Helps or Hurts the Blue Hills
The survival of the Blue Hills -- and all our state parks -- depends on resources and support from our legislature. Watch Senator Walter Timilty to learn the latest news from Beacon Hill and how legislation will affect the Blue Hills. https://youtu.be/mGZTqK74el0
What can Thoreau tell us about climate change in the Blue Hills?
Henry David Thoreau, famous for his publications such as Walden and Civil Disobedience, was also a man very much invested in the study of biology. Not only did he collect various samples for the Boston Society of Natural History (such as bird eggs and nests), but he...
Fruit Center Marketplace Helps Blue Hills on Earth Day
In celebration of Earth Day, the Fruit Center Marketplace will donate $2 for every customer who uses a reusable grocery bag in the store on Sunday, April 22. All proceeds of the promotion will go to the Friends of the Blue Hills to help maintain 125 miles of trails...
Help Protect Skyline Trail Hikers
Please sign our petition if you care about making the Blue Hills safe and the trails accessible for everyone who wants to hike the Skyline Trail. Anyone who has tried to follow the Skyline Trail across Routes 28 and 138 knows how dangerous it is to cross...
Three Reasons Why Climate Change Matters to You
Climate change is the change in the regional or global weather patterns and temperatures that is largely attributed to increases in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These weather changes have large implications for the timing of growth and migration for many species...
Underwater Secrets: Vernal Pools
Have you ever wondered about these small bodies of water that only appear in the spring? Those are vernal pools and they are teeming with life! On this episode of Blue Hills A-Live, your weekly guide to the Blue Hills, Kyla Bennett reveals the importance of these...
Four Threats to a Healthy Watershed & How To Help
The Blue Hills surrounds and protects sections of 2 watersheds around Canton and Milton: the Blue Hills River and the Neponset River. The watershed functions as land surrounding a water source, such as a river, that flows into a lake or other large body of water, such...
Brookwood Farm Transcript
Blue Hills A-Live: Brookwood Farm A Facebook live interview with Sara Rostampour Judy Jacobs: The Blue Hills are for more than just hiking. Today we will visit Brookwood Farm where you will learn all about the history of farming in the Blue Hills. I’m Judy Lehrer...
What Thoreau knew can help the Blue Hills
This week, Dr. Richard Primack, a biologist at Boston University, talks to us about how environmental scientists are tracking the phenology, or timing of ecological events, in New England. Listen to this week's episode to learn about how the landscape, flora, and...
Why You Shouldn’t Curse The Snow
Living in New England means that big snowstorms can sometimes start in fall and stretch well into spring. While this may mean more shoveling, more snow days, and turning up the heat just a tad, it also means that we can expect a healthy watershed and a lesser chance...
The Blue Hills is more than just trees, hills, and hiking…
This week on Blue Hills A-Live, Sara Rostampour from Brookwood Community Farm talks to us about the history of the land, as well as the current farming projects and volunteering opportunities at this local farm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hr38t-EhXQ
Indian Line Farm: Saved… again!
Indian Line Farm Protected! Because Indian Line Farm is not easily accessible and has no close parking, the site is often seen as perfect for development. For example, in 2008 there was a proposal to build an office complex on this part of the park. This year, the...
How Can Nature Help Your Kids?
When you take your kids to the Blue Hills, you are giving them more than just some fresh air and a beautiful view! According to Blue Hills A-Live guest, Kelly Majmudar, bringing young children into nature offers many benefits beyond the sights and sounds. Kelly writes...
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...