Our Blog
A Childhood Memory of the Blue Hills – Mary McMahon, Milton
I remember a 1939 summer Sunday afternoon motor trip from Roslindale through Milton and up Chickatawbut Road where my mother purchased ¼ pounds of Penuche fudge from a mom and pop stand located at the summit. She was expecting her fifth baby and had a craving for some...
Do you snowshoe in the Blue Hills?
Although there's still not enough snow on the ground to snowshoe, we're looking for your recommendations for our next newsletter! Do you snowshoe in the Blue Hills? What are your favorite trails?
Your memories of the Blue Hills in the News
Several of the memories that people submitted to the 'Remember When' Contest are on WickedLocal.com. Entries included Deb DaSilva's of Easton, who wrote the following: Remember when we took the kids to Ponkapoag? No TV, no reception, no complaints. It was a wonderful...
High Mercury Levels Found in Ponkapoag Fish
According to WickedLocal Canton, the Department of Health found high levels of organic mercury in fish caught in Ponkapoag Pond, the Neponset River and two other locations in Canton. If you fish locally, you'll want to check the advisory to see if you should limit...
Catching Sight of a Fisher – Dave Kabatchnick, Quincy
Of the many fine memories I have in and of the Blue Hills, I guess the number one experience was encountering Fishers (Martes pennanti) near Hemenway Hill. On July 7, 2006, I was walking with a friend when she stopped, grabbed my shoulder and whispered "look!" She...
Many memories from growing up next to the Blue Hills – Paula Smith, Dedham
I am the youngest of seven children and have many wonderful memories of the Blue Hills. Here are just a few: I loved the otter at the Trailside Museum. I could watch him for hours. I would hike with Dad and my sisters and have lunch at the top of Great Blue. I...
You can now bike at Ponkapoag
As you can see below, the Department of Conservation and Recreation has opened up the Ponkapoag Pond section of the Blue Hills to mountain biking. Here's the latest from the Department of Conservation and Recreation: The Blue Hills Resource Management Plan was...
Updated Bottle Bill Campaign Achieves Majority in Legislature, Cancels Ballot Initiative
See below for the latest update on the campaign to pass the Bottle Bill from the Environmental League of Massachusetts. As part of the Coalition that supports the bill, we will no longer work to collect signatures for the ballot initiative, but will work with other...
Volunteer Spotlight: Alok Kant
name: Alok Kant Town: Canton Volunteer activities: Trail maintenance , working with FBH to control invasive species and looking forward to participate in other activities when time permits. FBH member since: March 2011 Favorite Hike: Blue dot trails between rte 138...
Great Blue Hill is Their Sacred Mountain
According to the Milton Times, the director of "Crooked Arrows" thought the Blue Hills was the perfect setting to film a sacred mountain. We agree, it's definitely 'a gift.' Director Steve Rash – whose other work includes “The Buddy Holly Story” and the “Bring It On”...
How Can a Pen Reduce Trash in the Blue Hills?
How can you help reduce trash in the Blue Hills – and increase recycling at the same time? Help collect signatures for the ballot initiative to update the Bottle Bill! We've found that when people know they can redeem their bottles, they're less likely to leave them...
Boy Scouts in Milton Explore Blue Hills Plants
Through stories, crafts and a scavenger hunt, Boy Scouts at Camp Sayre learned about plants in the Blue Hills. We’re delighted to partner with Camp Sayre and to meet so many enthusiastic scouts! For more photos, visit us on FaceBook.
Shall We Embrace Invasive Species?
Yesterday’s Boston Globe featured an article questioning the ‘war on invasive species.’ Some ecologists, according to the article, challenge the prevailing wisdom to promote native plants and encourage control of invasive species. I hate to be a spoiler, but the end...
Volunteer Spotlight: Sam Jaffe
Volunteer Spotlight: Sam Jaffe Town: Readville, MA Volunteer activities: Leading butterfly and caterpillar walks, putting on live caterpillar shows at museums and sanctuaries to show off our fantastic native creatures, cataloging the caterpillars that use the blue...
Robert’s Secret to a Healthy Forest
The Blue Hills has lots of the invasive plant, garlic mustard - particularly at the AMC Ponkapoag cabins. Former Friends of the Blue Hills Board member, Robert Mussy, has had great success in controlling this invasive plant on his own property, which is very near the...
What do we value and what do we want to see?
What’s most important to all of us who care deeply about the Blue Hills Reservation? What are our fundamental values and what do we want to see for the future? We articulated the answers to those questions below. We’d love to hear your feedback. Values We value an...
Blue Hills Recognized as the Best Hiking around Boston
You're probably not surprised, but it's certainly nice the Reservation was recognized by CBS Boston as one of the top spots for hiking near Boston. If you're looking for the right hike for you - check out our recommended hikes. And if you have a favorite hike - let us...
Listen for the Whip-por-will at the Reservoir
Unless you’re an avid birder, you probably haven’t heard a whip-por-will . People throughout Massachusetts have been hearing these nocturnal birds less and less often. According to Paul Peterson’s post on MassBird, however, if you go to Blue Hills Reservoir on...
What Will You See in the Summer Newsletter?
When Dianne Joseph took this photo she saw footprints. She says, "the way sunlight reflected different shades of green, the path in the picture looks inviting. Each tree trunk has its own history its own footprint." For a peek at other photos of the Blue Hills taken...
Volunteer Spotlight: George T. Comeau
Town: Canton Volunteer activities with FBH: Judge for the FBH Photo Contest. Favorite Hike in the Blue Hills: Skyline trail from Trailside to the Shea Rink. Unbelievable views, quiet spots around very corner, and pristine trails. A nice challenge for a Sunday...
A Great Hike to See Critters
Looking for frogs? Butterflies? Birds? Head to Fowl Meadow for a flat walk through a wetlands! Join us July 18th to explore the critters and plants of this unique part of the Blue Hills. Meet the Neighbors: Who’s in our Wetlands? Monday, July 18, 6:00 pm Want to...
Finding butterflies with your family
Adults and children from Milton, Canton and Quincy climbed Great Blue Hill yesterday to explore butterflies and caterpillars with Sam Jaffe. We all learned why Great Blue is one of the best places to see these beautiful creatures! To continue exploring the Blue...
Deer and Deer Ticks
Channel 5 News reported on deer and problems with deer ticks in the Blue Hills. Here's an excerpt from the article:An area inside Blue Hills Reservation may look like nothing more than a bunch of dried out, broken plants, but Tom O'Shea of the Division of Wildlife and...
Volunteer Spotlight: Deb DaSilva
Town: South Easton Volunteer activities: FBH Board, BioWatch (program to contain invasive species that threaten rare and endangered species.) staffing an FBH information table at park events like Maple Sugar Days. FBH member since: 2009 Favorite Hike: Ponkapoag Pond...