No images? Click here
More Guided Hikes Added to our Calendar for October and November
Our fall guided hike series continues strong this month, with a number of upcoming outings now available for registration in October and November!
Highlights include three nature walks led by Boot Boutwell, two walks hosted by Winchester Trails, and series of community science events with Earthwise Aware.
Be sure to regularly check our events calendar for updates, as more fall guided hikes are coming soon!
IMPORTANT: Please note that space for all guided hikes is strictly limited, and pre-registration will be required for all group events in the Fells this fall (no on-site registrations will be permitted).
For more information on any event, click on the "PRE-REGISTER HERE" link provided:
Autumn at Long Pond with Boot Boutwell
We will take a walk to Long Pond searching for plants that are still in flower as well as plants that are in fruit. We’ll also look for winter weeds, those hardy herbaceous (non-woody) plants whose skeletons decorate the autumn and winter landscape. The walk will focus on plant ID as well as fun and interesting natural history. Perhaps we’ll see a few witches and skeletons getting ready for Halloween!
Friday, October 29, 9:15 AM- 11:30 AM
Long Pond Parking Lot, South Border Rd., Winchester
Nature Walk on the North Side of Long Pond with Winchester Trails
The area offers a varied landscape, with wooded hills, open spaces, and Long Pond. We'll look for signs of fall such as late flowering plants, mushrooms, migratory birds, and waterfowl. We'll pay particular attention to the various habitats and plant communities found near and in the pond.
Monday, November 1, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
North Reservoir, 100 Hillcrest Parkway, Winchester
Autumn Family Walk: How the Forest Gets Ready for Winter
The hours of daylight are shortening, air temperatures dropping and winter is on the way!
What are the ways creatures and plants of the forest prepare for winter and the spring to come. We will look and listen closely as we follow the Long Pond Trail and discuss these extraordinary strategies.
Tuesday, November 9, 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Long Pond Parking Lot, South Border Rd., Winchester
Autumn Nature Walk at Greenwood Park with Boot Boutwell
Nature is getting ready for winter. Most of the flowers have gone by and most of the deciduous plants have lost their leaves, but there is still a lot to see in the natural world. This walk will focus on plant ID with a good helping of natural history thrown in.
Monday, November 15, 9:15 am - 11:30 am
Greenwood Park parking lot, 176 Pond St., Stoneham
INFORMATION ON EARTHWISE AWARE EVENTS: For all Earthwise Aware events, please note that space is strictly limited, and pre-registration is required for all group events ⚠ no on-site registrations will be permitted.
Event registration can be found at the Earthwise Aware Eventbrite page:
For more information on any event, click on the "MORE INFORMATION" link provided:
Plant & Wildlife Monitoring with Earthwise Aware
The Earthwise Aware's naturalist team introduces how to document the Fells' ecological communities at risk in a fast-changing world. Join us!
This is an opportunity to get introduced to their community science program and team. You will help the team record bird movement, observe seasonal phases on fauna and flora, monitor bio-pollution, and map habitat fragmentation. It's also a chance to learn new skills and join the team & effort ツ
Friday, November 12, 2021, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Long Pond Parking Lot, S. Border Rd., Winchester
Forest Explorations with Earthwise Aware
Join Claire O'Neill & Kathy McGlathery for a lovely Biodiversity walk in the Fells exploring how seasons pass and shape our plants and wildlife in our beautiful urban forest. We'll enjoy, observe and record the flora and fauna in various locations of the woods, starting from the Flynn Rink parking lot.
Saturday, November 13, 2021, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Greenwood Park Parking Lot, 176 Pond St., Stoneham
Nature Documentation with Earthwise Aware
Join brothers and Earthwise Aware (EwA) citizen scientists, Joe and Bill MacIndewar, for a casual walk focusing on observing and recording the incredible biodiversity of the Middlesex Fells Reservation. With these walks and through the EwA photo documentation using the iNaturalist platform, we contribute to biodiversity science while enjoying together the outdoors in this beautiful urban park.
Saturday, November 27, 2021, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Sana Access Rd (GPS location in Registration)
To ensure the safety of all group work, DCR has established new guidelines for group projects/events in the parks. We will adhere to these guidelines for the foreseeable future:
- Groups will be limited to a maximum of 15 individuals (including participants, staff, and instructors)
- Pre-registration will be required for all events (no onsite registration will be offered).
- In order to allow other interested individuals to attend our hikes, please contact us to cancel registrations as soon as possible if schedules change.
- Projects/events will not exceed 2 hours in duration
- Face masks or face coverings are recommended, and
- Participants must adhere to social distancing guidelines and attempt to remain 3 feet apart
For more information and resources regarding these guidelines, please visit the DCR’s Volunteers in the Parks page.
The Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation is dedicated to the
protection and harmonious use of the Fells; promoting awareness,
policies, and programs to honor and preserve the ecological, historical, and
recreational resources of this urban forest reservation.
