Our Blog
The Best Time to See Birds in the Blue Hills? Now!
After an unseasonably mild winter, spring has sprung early in the Blue Hills, and as a result bird-watching has begun earlier than anticipated. Spring is one of the best times to catch sight of some of the great species the Blue Hills have to offer, as birds are...
Ticks are out early this year – make sure you check yourself
The Wall Street Journal ran an article warning that ticks are out early this year - and it should be a bumper year for them! Here's some excerpts from the article: Warmer temperatures are leading some experts to warn that tick activity is starting earlier than usual...
The Gates Are Open at the former Blue Hills Reservoir
If you’ve driven Chickatawbut Road over the past few years, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that for the last five years your view of the 16-acre Blue Hills Reservoir was replaced with dirt, concrete and construction vehicles. You might have noticed that the dust settled...
Mild or Harsh – Winter in the Blue Hills is Worth Celebrating
This past Tuesday, February 28th, marked the inauguration of what proved to be an exciting tradition for Friends of the Blue Hills: our first ever Winter Fest at the Blue Hill Ski Area. Not even the lack of snow could keep away some of the more dedicated skiers and...
Want to Delight Your Tastebuds?
Last night's Blue Hills Winter Fest drew well over 100 people to celebrate the Blue Hills with live Irish music and chili. Many thanks to everyone who attended -- and a big thank you to: Seema's Restaurant - serving wonderful Pakistani food in Norwood The Hyde...
No Mountain Biking in March
DCR South Region Announces Month of March Trail Closure for Mountain Bikes As part of its natural resource management efforts the Department of Conservation and Recreation South Region including the Blue Hills Reservation, Stony Brook Reservation, Cutler Park, and Elm...
Want to Help Out the Blue Hills Trailside Museum?
The 7th Annual Blue Hills Trail Races will take place on Sunday, April 29th, beginning at 9 AM near the Blue Hills Trailside Museum on Route 138 in Canton. Colonial Runners organizes the event and donates the race proceeds the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. They are...
Rep Timilty is coming… are you?
We're delighted that both Rep Walter Timilty and Milton Selectman Bob Sweeney have both confirmed as judges for the Blue Hills Winter Fest 2012 at Blue Hill Ski Area, February 28th. We hope to see you for hot chili, live Irish music and a nighttime nature walk. See...
Updated DCR Blue Hills Reservation Trail Map Now Available
The DCR Blue Hills Reservation, in cooperation with the Trailside Museum Charitable Trust has published the latest version of the Blue Hills map. You'll notice a few minor changes from the last printing (in September 2010), including: Two trail closures for resource...
The Blue Hills: A Road Runs Through It
By Jim Briand A massive construction project in the Blue Hills as well as arguments about national security and boosting the local economy used to justify destroying wetlands, recreational resources and wildlife habitat. That might remind you of the fairly recent...
Volunteers Who Make Happy Trails (and Trail Users!)
Chris Mullin and Robert Shine started the year attending the AAT Program training session in April and they jumped into the program with both feet. They are having a major impact on the program in just their first year. Over the year, both participated in six work...
Clean up and restoration of Fowl Meadow South
After several years of site investigation and permitting, the Department of Conservation and Recreation expects to complete clean-up and restoration of Fowl Meadow South this year also known as the old Canton Airport. The Department of Conservation and...
New Wetlands at Ponkapoag Golf Course
Have you noticed some activity at Ponkapoag Golf Course lately? When the projects are complete, the Blue Hills will have new wetlands and better drainage at the golf course. Creating (or replicating…) Wetlands After bureaucratic hurdles kept the project tied up for...
Volunteer Spotlight: Laura Beebe
Town: Milton Volunteer activities: Staffing the Friends of the Blue Hills info table at community events, advocacy FBH member since: 2009 Favorite Hike: A 45-min.-loop that takes me over the top of Hemenway Hill. Favorite thing to do in the Blue Hills: Walk with my...
What’s So Special About the Skyline Trail?
We'd love to hear your stories about the Skyline trail. Do you regularly hike the entire trail? Do you stick to a small portion of the trail? Do you walk with your dog? Do you have photos of yourself on the trail you'd like to share? Have you captured a great...
Eliot Tower: A Vision with a View
Have you ever climbed Great Blue Hill to enjoy the spectacular view from Eliot Tower? Ever wondered who built this sturdy, stone building?  Jim Briand, a Friends of the Blue Hills member and an avid hiker, looked into the history of this popular destination. Seventy...
How the Blue Hills Can Help You Keep This Year’s Resolutions
Did you start the year by joining a gym, only to find the classes full and the ellipticals busy? Take heart. You’ll always find opportunities to exercise at the Blue Hills! You can even feel virtuous for escaping the crowds to enjoy a brisk walk in nature. You...
Consider a New Perspective for the New Year
As New Year approaches, many of us mull over how we can make next year better for ourselves, our families and our communities. Maybe part of acting differently next year involves thinking differently about each other and the world around us. Let us know if you find...
Take a Break from the Holidays Right at Home
Need a vacation from the holidays before they even start? Even if you don’t have much time, you can still get a respite from the hustle and bustle by exploring a new part of the Blue Hills. Here’s one suggestion for your quick, local family get-away. Start on the...
Volunteer Spotlight: Amir Degany
Name: Amir Degany Town: Stoughton, Ma Volunteer activities: Adopt-A-Trail program since 2008, adopted the Wildcat Notch Path. FBH member since: 2006 Favorite Hike: Skyline Favorite thing to do in the Blue Hills: Hiking with my son and son-in-law, blueberry picking,...
What do you think about a proposal for zip lines in Quincy Quarries?
What do you think about a proposal to build a ‘canopy tour’ at the portion of the Reservation called Quincy Quarries. Would you like to be strapped into a harness with your friends or family and glide on zip lines (wire cords) over the Quarries?  Would a guided zip...
Do you know why Daniel Casey’s Memorial is on top of Big Blue?
Many of us have stumbled upon the Daniel M. Casey memorial at the top of Big Blue, between the ski area and the weather observatory and wondered about this inscription: Daniel M. Casey October 20, 1968 – July 25, 1994 With such a comrade, such a friend, I fain would...
Annihilation Knotweed
Twenty two students, teachers and parents from the South Shore Public Charter School got together and helped remove 38 bales of Japanese Knotweed along the Neponset River. Ms. Emily Merwin, teacher and organizer helped coordinate the event and came up with the unique...
Chris Riley of Milton Tells of the ‘Most Awesome Summer”
Chris Riley received the second most electronic votes for his memory of the 'most awesome' summer ever. Remember how Awesome this Summer was? By Chris Riley, Milton My fondest memory of the Blue Hills was this past summer (2011). Camp Chickatawbut has been my summer...