Our Blog
A Runner’s Playground
We all love a good day on the trails hiking, but have you ever thought about picking up the pace and going for a run on the trails? On Blue Hills A-Live, trail runner Tess Harvey tells us why the Blue Hills are great for trail running, the benefits of taking your run...
What’s bugging them? Discover threats to insects!
The Blue Hills are alive in many ways. We hear birds sing, see animal prints in the mud, and smell the beautiful flowers (and sneeze from their pollen). There is also so much life crawling in the grass or flying around us--I'm talking about the insects! Bugs are an...
The changing ecology at Quincy Quarries
Rick Kesseli is back to talk about how human development can change the flora and fauna in an area. At Quincy Quarries, mankind has been changing the land for the past 200 years. Learn about the types of native and non-native species that reside there now and...
Hidden History at Lyon’s Turning Mill
Did you know that the northeastern-most part of the Blue Hills helped fuel a booming business that provided granite to many historic monuments and buildings? Just next door to the Blue Hills lies the amazing remains of the Lyon's Turning Mill. Explore the historic...
Rock climbing at Quincy Quarries
Check out this week's Blue Hills A-Live to learn about rock climbing in Quincy Quarries in the Blue Hills. Doug Martland from Eastern Mountain Sports tells us how to get started, identify good routes, and how to get climbing in Quincy Quarries!
Discovering what lies on top of the Blue Hills
In this week, on Blue Hills A-Live, we learn from Rick Kesseli about the plant life that survives on top of these Blue Hills. Next time you climb Great Blue, Buck, or Chickatawbut hill, be sure to not only take in the vast views but to observe the life right at your...
Carnivorous Plants in the Blue Hills
Let Emmi be your guide to these unusual, carnivorous Blue Hills plants on this week's Blue Hills A-Live!
Blue Hills A-Live: Meadow Habitat
There are some habitats that are filled with interesting species that rely on humans to be maintained. Learn about the species of birds and plants that exist in the meadow at Brookwood farm, how it is being maintained, what threatens these species, and more on Blue...
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...