Commonwealth Conversations: The Great Outdoors

The fantabulous egg

Anna Waclawiczek

Chief of Staff, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)

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A growing number of communities across the Commonwealth are “a-cluck” with backyard chickens, as home hobbyists try their hand at raising small flocks of poultry. There are more than 100 recognized breeds from which to choose and six well-cared-for birds will usually lay four to five eggs per day – perfect for a hearty egg frittata or deviled eggs!  

For those less ambitiously inclined to raise chickens for egg production, there are nearly two dozen egg farms in Massachusetts where the public can go to purchase fresh, local eggs along with other available farm products. One such egg farm is Chip-in Farm located in Bedford, Massachusetts. Besides eggs, Chip-in also has a farm stand, a general store and a petting zoo! To find other egg farms go to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (DAR) Mass Grown and Fresher page.

Speaking of wholesome locally produced food, Mass in Motion recently teamed up with DAR to produce a fun monthly newsletter featuring easy-to-make healthy recipes for families. Called ChopChop, the magazine features yummy recipes that use locally grown Massachusetts produce and products.

And what’s up for April’s ChopChop newsletter? The fantabulous high-in-protein egg of course! Click here to find fun facts and a great recipe for Baked Broccoli Frittata.

And for those looking for the Easter egg kind of fun, Bemis Farms Nursery is hosting its 12th Annual Easter Egg hunt on Saturday, April 7, 2012.

 

Chip-in Farm

 

The spirit of spring

Madeleine Barr
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
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Although it has been a relatively mild winter, signs of spring still ignite positive energies and excitement within the Commonwealth.  Lunch breaks take a little longer and the walk to your T stop is a bit more relaxed.  To many people, springtime is about more than just an escape from the bonds of cold weather.  Springtime is the start of the birds’ mating season and the farmers’ planting season; the activities we do in our free time change and we can spend more of our day outside interacting with the nature around us.   

Today I spoke with members of the various environmental agencies to find out what they love about spring.  For Marion Larson with MassWildlife, the mating call of the American Woodcocks “peent….peent…peent,” is a clear sign of the new season.  Although SJ Port, who works with the Department of Conservation Resources (DCR), is reluctant to put her hockey gear away, she is excited to replace her skates with sneakers and take a walk along DCR's Charles River Reservation's Esplanade and hike through some of the DCR state parks.  Anna Waclawiczek, in the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR), looks forward to the busy planting season at our local farms.  Now is the time, she says, whether you are a farmer or a green thumb hobbyist to visit a garden center or nursery and get your fingers dirty with fresh planting soil.  To find local nurseries, garden centers, farmers’ markets and much more go to the MassGrown & Fresher Agri-Google map.   

What do you love about the transition into spring?  What smell, sight, or sound is most indicative to you that springtime is here?  For me it is the smell of hyacinths when I am out on a jog or walking my dogs.  Use the comment space below to share with us your thoughts.     

Weekly Outdoor Events - 3/26/12

Madeleine Barr
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
View Madeleine's Bio

On March 28, MassWildlife and MassAudubon’s Broadmeadow Brook Sanctuary invite teachers and educators to participate in a Growing Up WILD Workshop  in Worcester that focuses on connecting young children to the natural world.  This workshop will encourage the child’s natural sense of exploration and curiosity with activities that develop the child’s emerging cognitive and social skills.  If you work with children grades K-2, then please join us for this day of fun, interactive learning. Introducing children to the natural world at a young age will foster a love for nature and a sense of stewardship in them that will mature and strengthen as the child grows up.  Challenge yourself to make an impact on the next generation of budding environmentalists. 

MassWildlife holds these workshops in various locations throughout the state, so if this one does not work for you, then keep an eye out for other upcoming workshops.  You can visit the MassWildlife website for a list of workshops. 

And for more Massachusetts Outdoor Events, visit The Great Outdoors interactive Google Calendar.

Weekly Outdoor Events! 3-12-12

Maia Fitzstevens

Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

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Maple Month is in full swing! Don’t miss Breakheart Reservation’s annual Pancake Breakfast in Saugus, on March 17, from 9am to noon, where you can enjoy some delicious fresh maple syrup. Come back on Sunday March 18, from 10am-2pm for Maple Sugaring to learn about the history of maple sugaring, participate in tree identification, and even tap your own maple tree.

Interested in learning about local wildlife? Head over to Norwell for a talk on black bears, fishers and beavers in southeastern MA this Wednesday, March 14, from 7-8:30pm, brought to you by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. Or, make your way to the Dennis Conservation Land Trust for a talk on local wildlife and preventing conflict with your furry neighbors, on Saturday March 17, from 10am-1pm.

If you’re looking to get outside this week, meet at the Harold Parker State Forest headquarters in North Andover to walk the woods at 10am on Wednesday, March 14, or head over to Walden Pond State Reservation on Sunday for a Thoreau Ramble.

Educators and teachers: check out the Growing up WILD Workshops on March 13 in Newburyport, and on March 17 in Norwell, designed to help your students connect to nature.

And for more Massachusetts Outdoor Events, visit The Great Outdoors interactive Google Calendar.

Weekly Outdoor Events! 3/5/12

Maia Fitzstevens

Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

View Maia's Bio

With Massachusetts Maple Month kicking off and spring right around the corner, MassWildlife and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) have a lot of exciting events in store for this week.

Check out Maple Sugar Days this weekend in Milton, where you can make real traditional maple syrup and enjoy the beauty of Brookwood Farm. If you can’t make it to Milton this weekend, be sure to preregister for Maple Sugarin’ on March 18 at 10 a.m. at the Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, where you can enjoy some delicious maple syrup and learn about its production.

History buffs will love learning about the history of ice harvesting at Walden Pond, this Sunday at 1 p.m., on an interactive 1.5 mile hike at the Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord.

Anglers and fish enthusiasts won’t want to miss a talk by Ken Simmons, MassWildlife Hatchery Chief, about Massachusetts trout stocking in Worcester on Wednesday, at 7pm on March 8! This talk is sponsored by the Central Massachusetts Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Click here for directions.

For families this week we have Snakes Alive!, a presentation by Peter Mirick featuring live snakes, hosted by the White Oak Land Conservation Society. It’s in Holden on March 10 at 10:30am.

Celebrate maple sugar days at DCR parks

Hilary Katulak

Press intern, Department of Conservation and Recreation(DCR)

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It’s that sweet time of year again, so join the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) as they unlock the mysteries of maple sugaring! Throughout the month of March, DCR will host activities in state parks across the Commonwealth that will show visitors how sap is collected from trees and boiled down to produce pure maple syrup.

Originally an early Native American tradition, the craft of maple sugaring was adopted by early Puritan settlers and continues to be a strong part of New England heritage today. This tasty delight is produced during a four to six week period that lasts from early March into April.

Traditionally, maple syrup is made by allowing to sap fall into buckets, which are then collected and brought to a sugar house, an outdoor shack containing a cauldron in which the sap is simmered for hours, reducing moisture and condensing the sap into pure syrup. More modern farms are coming up with advanced techniques that use plastic piping that runs from the grove of the sugar maples tress to the sugar house.

Be a part of DCR’s winter maple sugaring activities and experience this process first hand, from start to finish. Come learn, taste, and explore the natural sweetness of New England.

For all maple sugaring programs please wear sturdy footwear and warm clothing. These activities are open to participants of all ages. Most programs are free, unless otherwise noted. For details on events go to http://www.mass.gov/dcr/DCRMapleSugaring.htm.

Hope to see you there!

Weekly outdoor events - 2/27/12

Madeleine Barr
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
View Madeleine's Bio

On Tuesday, please join the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife’s chief of Hatcheries, Ken Simmons, for a discussion about Trout Stream Insects.  This talk will be especially pertinent for those interested in fly fishing and/or marine habitats.  This event will take place at the South Foxborough Community Center. 

Also, don’t forget that pre-registration is still going on for the Maple Sugarin’ event in mid-March at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus.  This will be a unique opportunity to make your own maple syrup! 

We have a little less going on this week in terms of planned activities, but that does not mean you should feel confined to your houses.  Grab a pair of binoculars and visit one of the many state parks to scout for birds that stick around New England all winter. 

Or visit a local winter farmers market and try a new recipe with some local seasonal food.   Many local farmers can continue growing root vegetables, such as beets and potatoes, throughout the winter.  Food that is grown locally is better for the environment because it does not need to travel as far nor consume as many pesticides as food grown on large-scale farms far away. 

Weekly outdoor events - 2/20/12

Madeleine Barr
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
View Madeleine's Bio

In honor of George Washington’s love for nature, we have a plethora of events, workshops and activities to get you outside this week!  The Department of Conservation and Recreation is hosting a variety of workshops to turn you into a skilled naturalist.  Animal tracking can be a lot of fun, especially in the winter when paw prints mark up the snow or freeze in the mud.  Join us in Hingham, North Easton, or Foxboro for a lesson on how to become an expert tracker.

A few activities better suited for the younger ones may be one of the animal workshops offered in Revere. From Wednesday through Friday there are a series of three one-hour lessons that will engage you and your child in the wonderful animal world.  Featured lessons are “Bats in your Backyard,” “Sea Turtle Surprises,” and “Sweet Honeybees.”

If you would prefer not to spend any time indoors this February break, then join us for ice fishing in Hopkinton or Beach Comber’s Bingo in Waquoit.  We can’t wait to see you there!        

Sweet potato valentines and keeping healthly in 2012

Commissioner Scott Soares

Commissioner, Department of Agriculture Resources (DAR)

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Last month, DCR Commissioner Lambert and I blogged about a new partnership to encourage people to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout 2012.

To this end, I made a personal pledge to lose twenty pounds over ten months – in time for an autumn-planned 2K run at a DCR state park or farm location. I’m happy to report that so far – via increased physical activity and eating healthier portions of food – I’m four pounds closer towards my goal!

Fortunately, as it relates to eating, healthier choices are becoming ever easier thanks to the growing number of year-round farmers’ markets in Massachusetts.  For example, the Somerville or Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Markets offer apples, root vegetables, fresh bread, artisan cheeses, seafood, meats, poultry, eggs, local wines, and more. And if you don’t have to lose 20 pounds like I do, there is an appetizing array of baked goods and locally-made specialty foods like Coutts’ preserves, applesauce, and relishes.  Our MassGrown & Fresher website offers a complete listing of winter farmers’ markets throughout the state.

This month, MassGrown & Fresher, in collaboration with ChopChop Magazine and Mass in Motion is featuring the sweet potato – a “sweet” and healthy treat for that someone special you know. One of the local farms that grow sweet potatoes is Red Fire Farm in Granby and whom we’ve spotlighted on our Faces of Massachusetts Agriculture page. Red Fire Farm is also a CSA (community Supported Agriculture).  If you haven’t already, find out more about the benefits of being a part of a CSA so you can enjoy weekly shares of fresh, local produce during the growing season.

And of course following your healthy Valentine’s Day meal, don’t forget some of the great suggestions made by DCR in our last blog such as the many Healthy Heart Trails located in over 70 state parks across the state! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Weekly outdoor events - 2/13/12

Madeleine Barr
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
View Madeleine's Bio

The Department of Conservation and Recreation and MassWildlife are offering you a week of wintry wildlife exploration!

On February 18 and 19, the staff of MassWildlife will be holding a county show in Danvers where you can learn tips about how best to interact with the wildlife in your neighborhood.  Come with specific questions for our experts or just an open-minded interest and take a look around at what we have to offer. 

Hopefully, we will have some snow for a sledding party in Wellesley!  If there is not an adequate amount of snow for this snow-centered activity, we can still all join up for a winter campfire taking place in South Carver.  On Saturday bring your little ones to Nature’s Mysteries, a learning exploration at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus about the lives of adult animals.  This will be an hour-long session, best for children ages 5-11.  The class is offered both at 10am and 1pm.