Commonwealth Conversations: The Great Outdoors

Weekly Outdoor Events - March 25-31: Easter Weekend Fun!

Reginald Zimmerman

Assistant Press Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

View Reginald's Bio

 

On Saturday, March 30, head over to the Blue Hills Reservation at 1:00 p.m. for Project Bluebird! Build and “adopt” a Blue Bird box for our feathered friends in the reservation. You build it and we will place it in the park. No need to be a master carpenter to enjoy this program! Tools and materials provided. For ages 8 and up. Email Raymond.F.McKinnon@state.ma.us for registration and meeting place.

On Sunday, March 31, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., investigate vernal pools. Come and learn why vernal pools are a vital part of the ecosystem within the Wachusett watershed. These pools dry up later in the year, but are teaming with an interesting array of life in the spring. Participants will learn how to identify a vernal pool in the field and carefully search within the pool for organisms that rely on this habitat for breeding. This is a program suitable for families. Meet at the Stillwater Farm in Sterling.

And next week, check out Agriculture Day at the Massachusetts State House! Each year, Massachusetts Agriculture Day is held to showcase agricultural products and industry achievements!

On Tuesday, April 2, join hundreds of Massachusetts farmers, agricultural officials, legislators and residents at the State House to celebrate the agricultural industry's contribution to the Commonwealth's culture and economy.The event kicks off at 11:30 a.m.

Weekly Outdoor Events - March 11-17: Spring Begins!

Reginald Zimmerman

Assistant Press Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

View Reginald's Bio

March signals the beginning of March and there are a couple of events to get you out to enjoy it!

Spring starts at Walden Pond! What better time than days surrounding the Vernal Equinox to celebrate increasing hours of daylight and the promise of spring! On Sunday, March 17, join a park interpreter between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. at the Thoreau house replica near the main parking lot for a walk and talk around Walden Pond about the upcoming season. Please dress for the weather. 

Tell me if you’ve heard this joke before. So a Wetland walks into a Market…never mind. Salt marshes are a crucial piece of coastal ecosystems required to maintain the services that people value at the coast. Head over to the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on Thursday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. to hear Dr. Kevin D. Kroeger, a coastal bio-geochemist at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal & Marine Science Center, describe a new project aimed at quantifying carbon storage capacity and greenhouse gas movement in coastal wetlands, using Cape Cod as a model.

And don’t forget to check out the Great Outdoors interactive Google calendar for a full calendar of Massachusetts outdoor events.

Weekend Outdoor Events - March 8-10: Celebrate Maple Month!

Reginald Zimmerman

Assistant Press Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

View Reginald's Bio

March is Massachusetts Maple Month and all this month we’re having events throughout the state to celebrate!

This weekend celebrate Maple Sugar Festival at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton! Join us Saturday and Sunday, March 9-10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as we make maple syrup in the traditional way at beautiful DCR Brookwood Farm in Milton. There are activities for all ages. Ride the free shuttle ride aboard the Maple Express Trolley. Smell the wood smoke as you watch clouds of steam rise from the bubbling sap. Savor the taste of real maple syrup. Events include Kids games, warming fire and a snack bar too! It’s $6.00 for adults and children over the ages of 2.

The Maple Sugar Festival is run jointly by Department of Conservation and Recreation and Mass. Audubon Trailside Museum. Proceeds benefit the Trailside Museum. For more information, please call (617) 333-0690

Also on Sunday, March 10, 1:30-3:30 p.m., the Fitzpatrick Skating Rink in Holyoke is hosting Adaptive Skating – Games on Ice! Use your wheelchair, an ice sled, or conventional skates on the ice! Spin, slide, race, sla-lom, socialize and play gently competitive games with others! Ice sleds and conventional skate are available. For more info and to sign up, call 413-545-5758 email Marcy.Marchello@state.ma.us, or talk to Mike Mastrototaro, the rink manager.

And don’t forget to check out the Great Outdoors interactive Google calendar for a full calendar of Massachusetts outdoor events.