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Gay For Good Volunteer at Work by Dan Soszynski, July 2021
News of the Fells
August, 2021
Don't Miss Out: The Summer StoryWalk® Ends Sunday!
Middlesex Fells StoryWalk®
One Small Place In a Tree
Written by Barbara Brenner
You are invited to participate in this self-led walk through the Fells featuring the book, “One Small Place in a Tree” by Barbara Brenner. Find pages of this beautifully illustrated book posted along the Greenwood Park trail, and read about different ways of looking at nature.
Join Us for a Guided Hike this August
We have five more guided hikes added to our events calendar in August to finish out our Summer Hike series! Space is limited, and pre-registration is still required for all of our 2021 events (no on-site registrations will be permitted), so be sure to act fast!
For more information or to pre-register, click the title of the hike below.
And a reminder: check our Events Calendar regularly for updates!
Nature Walk with Pete Costello
We’ll walk around the High Fells Reservoirs looking for different animal signs and animal habitats. This area has several vernal pools we can investigate, and the reservoirs can be a great place to view summer waterfowl.
Sunday, August 8, 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Flynn Rink parking lot, 300 Elm St., Medford
Family Walk at Long Pond with Winchester Trails
This will be a comfortably-paced walk along the Long Pond Trail in the Winchester section of the Middlesex Fells, looking at meadow, woods, pond and swamp areas. We'll touch on the history and natural history of the Fells and the history of the early Native American inhabitants.
Tuesday, August 10, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Long Pond Parking Lot, South Border Rd., Winchester
Historic 90mm Meadow Walk with Kyle McGrath
We will showcase the findings of recent research, discuss the military base and the historical context to which it belongs, and highlight the meadow's ongoing importance to conservation.
Sunday, August 15, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Medford HS Parking Lot, 489 Winthrop St., Medford
History Stroll Along the Spot Pond Shore with Doug Heath
We will learn about the great stone mansions of Wyoming Estates, including the Botume House, Tudor estate and barn (entry available), James Eaton's mansion, and William Bailey Lang's house. The route will follow the Spot Pond shoreline clockwise to Route 28 and back.
Sunday, August 22, 1:00 PM- 2:30 PM
Botume House Visitor Center, 4 Woodland Rd., Stoneham
Late Summer at Long Pond with Boot Boutwell
There are some wonderful late summer wildflowers in bloom at Long Pond in late August. Join Boot Boutwell for a walk focusing on wildflower ID as well as fun and interesting natural history. We’ll stroll down to Long Pond and also up to one of the fells in the Fells. And just what is a fell anyway !
Thursday, August 26, 9:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Long Pond Parking Lot, South Border Rd., Winchester
DCR's Summer Interpretive Programming Returns to the Fells!
After more than a year's hiatus, the DCR is once again offering their summer educational programming to the Fells Community.
Throughout this August, ranger Brett Power is offering two nature-based programs for children-- Kidleidoscope for ages 3-6, and Animal Adventures for ages 5 and up:
Animal Adventures
Monday, August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM,
Flynn Rink, 300 Elm Street, MedfordAn afternoon safari exploring the animals, plants, and other living things you can find in and around Quarter Mile Pond. This will be a short, ~1/2-mile hike along the shore. Best for ages 5 and up. Meet at the blue blazed trailhead at the northwest end of the parking lot.
Kidleidoscope
Saturday, August 7, 14, and 21
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM,
Greenwood Park, 176 Pond Street, StonehamThis preschool-aged program includes a story and nature exploration. Program is held outside. The topic varies each week, so come every week! For children ages 3-6. Meet under the pavilion at Greenwood Park.
All programs are free and open to the public. Bring water, use sunscreen/bug spray, dress in comfortable layers, and wear sturdy closed toe shoes. An adult must accompany children. Inclement weather cancels outdoor programs.
For more information, visit our events calendar, or email brett.power@mass.gov.
Found in the Fells: August
Bryan Hamlin’s monthly nature guide:
"It may feel that summer is going by all too quickly, but not to worry, there is plenty of flowering time left.
One of the most notable flowers of August in the Fells - noticeable by both its heavy scent and prominent spikes of white flowers - is Sweet Pepperbush, a very common shrub in damp areas."
Become a Volunteer: Volunteers are essential to every aspect of what we do! We have a range of opportunities available year round for individuals of nearly any age, availability, and skills. By volunteering with us, you will help to preserve the history, ecology, and beauty of the Middlesex Fells for generations to come.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Reminder: The Friends of the Fells Board of Directors holds a monthly meeting on the second Tuesday of each month. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing protocols, these meetings are now conducted virtually.
The next meeting will be held Tuesday, August 10th.
If you are interested in participating, please contact friends@fells.org for instructions on how to join us!
Help Us Protect the Fells: For more than two decades the Friends of the Fells has worked to uphold the spirit that honors the precious natural beauty and the wildness of the Fells. Your donation will help us to continue this work for many more years to come!
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Promoting the conservation, appreciation, and
sustainable enjoyment of the Middlesex Fells Reservation.
