Our Blog
Poo-lution Solution
Most people have noticed at least a few poop bags littering the Blue Hills' trails. But most people do not know that dog waste - in and out of a bag - is more than just a smelly annoyance. Dog waste in the park is an environmental pollutant that contaminates our...
We all need the Blue Hills… and the Blue Hills needs YOU.
Your gift today will help: Clear the trees and brush on the trails after violent storms. Build drainage structures to prevent trails from flooding. Protect endangered and native species from invasive plants. Photo: Maura Walsh
Reporting from the Frontiers of Climate Change and Conservation, a Journalist’s Perspective
In his keynote address, “Reporting from the Frontiers of Climate Change and Conservation, a Journalist’s Perspective,” David Abel discusses his career as an environmental reporter and filmmaker covering climate change and conservation. An award-winning...
Native Wonders of Ponkapoag Pond
Dr. Rick Kesseli of UMass Boston reveals the amazing native plants that live in and around Ponkapoag Pond that the Friends of the Blue Hills volunteers are working to protect when they participate in our Survey and Save the Forest initiative. In this video, Dr....
Fall Foliage and Sunset Hike
What could be more spectacular than fall foliage? Viewing this foliage from the top of Great Blue as the sun sets! Enjoy the season’s finest colors from the summit of the region’s highest hill. On Sunday, October 17, from 4:30-7:00 p.m., the Friends of the Blue Hills...
Annual Celebration Program!
The Friends Partners with Local Groups to Advocate for Public Transportation Study
One hundred years ago the Blue Hills Reservation was created as a haven for city dwellers wanting to escape from the stress of urban life. At that time people could conveniently hop on trolleys that originated in Mattapan and other Boston neighborhoods to travel to...
Win a Mouth-Watering Picnic for Six!
Photo Credit: Brian MacCleanPicnic for Six Raffle 2021When you enter our Picnic for Six Raffle, you have a chance to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a mouth-watering gourmet picnic provided by Cooking In With Stephanie, the multiple award-winning Milton caterer...
The Friends in the News!
Click here to read a great article in the Milton Times about the Friends' president, Matt Panucci... and the Blue Hills!
Boots ‘n Brews
Sunday, September 5, 9:45 am – 1:00 pm Sign up for the event If you would like to explore the Blue Hills Reservation, meet new people, and sample some delicious beers, please join us! The hike will be about a two- to three-hour, moderately paced trek covering about...
Protect the Blue Hills TODAY (Wednesday, April 13th)!
Write or call your state senator to protect public lands. Act today to Protect the Blue Hills As you may know, our public land, including the Blue Hills, is vulnerable to ‘land exchanges.’ With a two-thirds vote of each branch of the legislature, our...
7 Quick Tips for Hiking in the Summer Heat
This summer heat can be quite oppressive, but you shouldn’t let it keep you from getting outside and hiking! Hot temperatures can be a danger, but only if you are unprepared. Read about some tips and accessories that can help make your summer hiking a safe and fun...
July is Membership Month!
July is Membership Month!Exclusive Events for Friends of the Blue Hills' Members July is Membership Month… and we’re celebrating the 1,000 plus members of the Friends of the Blue Hills – and all they do for the Blue Hills – with special events and opportunities at the...
Survey and Save the Forest!
By volunteering just a few hours, you will make a big difference to the Blue Hills! What is 'Survey and Save the Forest'? Survey and Save the Forest is a project to survey the most destructive invasive plants at Ponkapoag Pond so we can develop a management...
Keep our Trails Clean
Friends & REI Co-op partner to Keep Our Trails Clean This June, the Friends are partnering with REI Co-op to help keep the Blue Hills trails clean. Over the past year, a record number of people have visited the Blue Hills Reservation. The park has been an amazing...
Action Alert: Support the Trailside Museum & Blue Hill Observatory
You can help make sure the Blue Hills Trailside Museum and the Blue Hill Observatory have the funding they need to continue to serve thousands of visitors each year. Take Action Please write, call or email your state senator and urge them to include funding for the...
Matt Panucci… All about the Blue Hills
We have been featured on MassRealty.com where they interview Matt Panucci, President of Friends of the Blue Hills. MassRealty is a great resource for Massachusetts Homes for sale.
Take Action: Protect our Parks from Bad Electric Bike Policy
We’ve recently learned that DCR is on the verge of a regulation change that would allow Class 1 electric bicycles access to all DCR trails currently open to traditional mountain bikes. Please send an email to the below elected officials to make sure that DCR develops...
Wetlands and Vernal Pools of the Blue Hills
Permanent and temporary freshwater wetlands are critically important communities in Southern New England. They are home to some of the most unusual and unique plant and animal species in our area. These wetlands also provide vital ecosystem services upon which we...
At the Foot of the Hills: Water and Watersheds in a Warming World
Climate change is here, and waterways like the Neponset River and the neighborhoods around them are already seeing real impacts. In this talk, sponsored by the Blue Hills Climate Action Coalition, Ian Cooke and Kerry Snyder of the Neponset River Watershed Association...
Happy Earth Day!
Thanks to everyone who picked up trees... and planted them! We have given away all the trees and shrubs. Many thanks to REI Co-op for its support!
Virtual Workshop: Plant a Tree on Earth Day
April 22, 4:00 pm online Join REI, the Friends of the Blue Hills, Wakefield Estate and the Blue Hills Climate Action Coalition for a virtual workshop on Earth Day. You will learn how to plant a tree that’s native to your area and discuss the benefits it has on the...
Ponkapoag Pond
The Ponkapoag Trail is a scenic route with beautiful views of the pond. A great trail if you’re looking for a long, peaceful, and scenic walk. Be aware of your surroundings as hikers, bicyclers, and horses frequent the trail. The trail that loops around the entirety...
Managing Climate Impacts on Diverse Plant Collections
The Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum is a 25-acre property that lies within the much larger Blue Hills and Neponset River ecosystem. The arboretum’s plant collection includes a very broad range of both native and non-native species. This allows a unique opportunity...