When: Thursday 02 April 2009 - 18:00 Ends Thursday 02 April 2009 - 20:00
Community Meeting & Brainstorm on Indian Line Farm, Canton, April 2, 7-9PM
Join park users and members of the community to learn about Indian Line Farm’s rich history and help us brainstorm ways you and your children can enjoy this precious open space! Indian Line Farm, a 44-acre parcel of land within the Blue Hills Reservation on Route 138, is a historic landscape with enormous cultural and natural value. Yet the open fields and woodlands of this parcel remain at particular risk of development. Just last year, a local firm considered building an office complex on the site. This past winter, the town of Canton considered rezoning the land to accommodate development. Before someone else decides what they want on the property – tell us what you want! For more information: 781-828-1805, email, Link Sponsored by: Friends of the Blue Hills and The Trustees of Reservations. Location: Bradley Estate, 2468B Washington St., Canton. Event flyer.
Southern New England Environmental Action Conference
2009 Southern New England Environmental Action Conference, Boston, Sat., April 4
MEET THE EXPERTS – LEARN NEW SKILLS – NETWORK – AND BE INSPIRED. This is New England’s largest conference for citizen activists protecting public health and the environment. The conference will offer over 25 workshops to help you prevent pollution, tackle climate change, ensure clean drinking water, protect open spaces and develop skills and strategies to create healthy and safe communities. Environmental Action 2009 will be a day to share strategies, recognize victories, and be inspired to go back to our communities and continue work to further efforts to protect the environment. The Conference will be held at the Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA. Hosted by Environment Massachusetts, Massachusetts Climate Action Network, the New England Grassroots Environment Fund and the Toxics Action Center. Visit Link for more details, or contact Sam at email or by phone at (617) 747-4362.
When: Saturday 04 April 2009 - 09:00 Ends Saturday 04 April 2009 - 13:00
On April 4th, 2009, the Quincy Environmental Network will host the first ever citywide environmental networking and family event. The Environmental Festival is an Earth Day celebration designed to bring together the diverse groups interested in the environmental health of our City and its citizens. The event will take place in the gymnasium of St. Ann’s School, 1 St. Ann’s Rd., a few blocks south of St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Hancock St.
There will be interactive programs where kids can learn about the environment through games, arts, crafts and educational programs. From noon-1p.m. we will have a New England Aquarium Tide Pool exhibit, and from 1-2:00 pm “Science Made Fun” will conduct Earth-friendly experiments with children. Face painting, balloons, and music will ensure a festive, fun afternoon for all. For more information about the April 4 program, call Steve at (617) 877-5975 or visit Link
When: Saturday 04 April 2009 - 12:00 Ends Saturday 04 April 2009 - 14:00
Moderate walk, some hilly terrain, 4 miles. Walk from St. Moritz Pond to Sawcut Notch, return on Indian Camp Path. Meet at the Shea Rink lot at 351 Willard St. in Quincy.
The Blue Hills Adult Walking Club is a group of adults that meets on a weekly basis for recreational walks. The purpose of these walks is social exercise. There is no fee to join and everyone 16 or older is welcome. Walks are normally 2 to 5 miles. The terrain can vary: EASY (mostly level terrain) MODERATE (hilly terrain) DIFFICULT (strenuous & steep) Walks will be lead by a park ranger or a Walking Club volunteer leader. Occasionally, the Walking Club meets at other DCR sites or car pools to sites within the Blue Hills Reservation. The rangers recommend wearing hiking boots and bringing drinking water on all hikes. Enjoy the programs and keep walking!
When: Saturday 04 April 2009 - 17:15 Ends Saturday 04 April 2009 - 19:15
Woodcock Walk in Fowl Meadow, Milton, Saturday, April 4, 6:15PM
Hike 1 mile with local birder Steve Olanoff to witness the Spring mating flight of the American Woodcock. Bring binoculars. 2 hours. Meet at Paul's Bridge parking lot on Neponset Valley Pkwy. Leader: Steve Olanoff, 781-326-6585. This event is organized by the Friends of the Blue Hills and the Brookline Bird Club.
When: Sunday 05 April 2009 - 12:00 Ends Sunday 05 April 2009 - 13:00
Riding the Range 1 pm Meet at the Houghton’s Pond main parking lot at 840 Hillside Street in Milton. Stirrup some excitement. See a DCR horse and ranger in action! Join us to learn about DCR parks, our mounted park ranger program and why the DCR has horses. All ages welcome. 1 hour
If weather conditions are questionable, please call reservation headquarters at (617) 698-1802
When: Wednesday 08 April 2009 - 18:00 Ends Wednesday 08 April 2009 - 19:30
The City's Recycling Committee meets every second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the DPW, 55 Sea Street, in the conference room (which is through the double door entrance, turn right, and the room is on the left). All are welcome to join the group in their efforts to increase recycling in Quincy. For more information, email: email
When: Wednesday 08 April 2009 - 18:30 Ends Wednesday 08 April 2009 - 20:00
The QEN's Wellness Subcommittee will meet Wednesday, April 8th at 7:30 pm at the Thomas Crane Library atrium area. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Courtney (freckles.1016@yahoo.com).
When: Saturday 11 April 2009 - 12:00 Ends Saturday 11 April 2009 - 14:00
Saturday, April 11 1 pm Ponkapoag Mud Stomp Meet at the Ponkapoag Golf Course at 2167 Washington Street in Canton. Ramble ‘round Ponkapoag Pond. We’ll stomp through mud and puddles along the pond edge and woodlands on this 4 mile trek for ages 8 and up. 2 hours
Things to know before you go • Wear sturdy footgear • Carry drinking water on all hikes • Dress in layers for maximum comfort • We will hike unless the weather is severe • If weather conditions are questionable, please call reservation headquarters at (617) 698-1802 • Reasonable accommodations available. For questions regarding accessibility, please call the park rangers at 617-698-1802. All programs are free!
When: Sunday 12 April 2009 - 12:00 Ends Sunday 12 April 2009 - 13:30
Moderate hike, 3 miles. Walk the Summit Road to the top of Great Blue and loop around Eliot Circle. Return via the red dot and green dot trails. Meet at the Trailside Museum north parking lot at 1904 Canton Ave. in Milton.
Blue Hills Adult Walking Club is a group of adults that meets on a weekly basis for recreational walks. The purpose of these walks is social exercise. There is no fee to join and everyone 16 or older is welcome. Walks are normally 2 to 5 miles. The terrain can vary: EASY (mostly level terrain) MODERATE (hilly terrain) DIFFICULT (strenuous & steep) Walks will be lead by a park ranger or a Walking Club volunteer leader. Occasionally, the Walking Club meets at other DCR sites or car pools to sites within the Blue Hills Reservation. The rangers recommend wearing hiking boots and bringing drinking water on all hikes. Enjoy the programs and keep walking!
Clean Power: Building a New Clean Energy Economy 10:00 am -12:30 pm
When: Monday 13 April 2009 - 09:00 Ends Monday 13 April 2009 - 11:30
Clean Power: Building a New Clean Energy Economy( Wong Auditorium Tang Center, Building E51 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA) Monday, Apr 13, 2009 10:00a - 12:30p Description Keynote Address: "President Obama's Energy Independence and Global Warming Agenda." The Honorable Carol Browner, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change in the Obama Administration.
Session One - Energy and Global Warming: The Scientific and Political Challenges
1) Congressman Edward J. Markey, 7th Congressional District of Massachusetts; Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming (Chair); Energy and Commerce (Chair of Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment)
2) Dr. John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology; Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy; Co-Chair of the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology
3) Dr. Susan Hockfield, President of Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Session Two - Green Energy / Green Jobs
1) Dr. Daniel Yergin, Chairman of Cambridge Energy Research Associates, Inc. (CERA)
2) Dr. Ernest Moniz, MIT Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems; Director of MIT Energy Initiative.
Bill McKibben will be speaking at 4:30
Monday, April 13, 2009 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Wong Auditorium, MIT Bldg E51, 70 Memorial Drive, Cambridge (Map)
Sponsored by the Center for International Studies and its new program: Environmental Vulnerability, Resilience, and Justice | For more info, contact email.
When: Monday 13 April 2009 - 15:30 Ends Monday 13 April 2009 - 17:00
1. Bill McKibben, Mon. the 13th, 4:30pm, at MIT Bill will speak about the 350.org campaign and how you can get to work organizing an action in your community for the global day of action on October 24. Wong Auditorium, MIT Building E51, 70 Memorial Drive, Cambridge Free and open to the public. Event Website: Link
Beyond Weatherization to Deep Energy Retrofits 7:30 pm
When: Wednesday 15 April 2009 - 18:30 Ends Wednesday 15 April 2009 - 20:00
Wednesday, April 15th: Beyond Weatherization to Deep Energy Retrofits
Paul Eldrenkamp, Byggmeister
Following up on the NESEA Building Energy 2009 conference, and on our March forum on achieving first-level efficiency measures, we are very lucky to have Paul Eldrenkamp as our April forum speaker.
Paul will speak on the next level of achieving energy efficiencies, on deep energy retrofits for the real world. How might we reach the goal of Net Zero Energy housing, going beyond new housing construction and examing the questions surrounding the exisiting housing stock? How can we get it ready for 21st century realities of rising energy costs and rising carbon levels? How can one approach this important problem: What does work? What might work? What definitely doesn't work?
Paul Eldrenkamp is well-known in the green-housing industry, serving as a board member at NESEA, and is a frequent speaker at conferences and other venues. Paul came to energy efficiencey housing after a wide range of carpentry jobs and a bachelor's degree in History and Literature of Medieval Europe, founding his construction firm, Byggmeister (Scandinavian for "master builder"), in 1983.
Paul was recently certified as the first Passive House Consultant in New England, one of only fourteen certified consultants in the United States. He is also the chair of the residential sector working group, a subgroup of Gov. Deval Patrick's Zero Net Energy Task Force, that will address ways to overcome barriers to zero net energy homes in the state of Massachusetts.
Read his articles in Paul's World (www.byggmeister.com/articles) and at the NESEA blog (http://www.nesea.org/blog), and be sure to join us on April 15th.
Location� The First Parish in Cambridge Unitarian Universalist 3 Church Street Harvard Square Cambridge, MA
Time� Program begins at 7:30 PM Doors open at 7:00 PM
When: Wednesday 15 April 2009 - 18:30 Ends Wednesday 15 April 2009 - 20:00
The Quincy Conservation Commission meets every other Wednesday at 7:30 PM, in the Conference Room, City of Quincy Park Department, One Merrymount Parkway, Quincy. The public is invited to attend.
When: Saturday 18 April 2009 - 08:00 Ends Saturday 18 April 2009 - 11:00
Friends of Faxon Park are doing a cleanup at Faxon Park, Saturday, April 18 from 9:00 to noon. Faxon Park is really a beautiful, beautiful place. If you haven't had a chance to get up there, this might be your opportunity to do so and to help out a bit. As we approach Earth Day its important that we get ourselves outdoors and in touch with nature again.
Come out and join a bunch of us doing some fun work.
The 6th Annual Earth Day Sustainable Living Festival 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
When: Saturday 18 April 2009 - 09:00 Ends Saturday 18 April 2009 - 13:00
The 6th Annual Earth Day Sustainable Living Festival will be held at the DCR Mary Jeanette Murray Bathhouse, (inside & outside) Nantasket Ave., Hull on Sat., April 18, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Exhibits and information from various companies and organizations include: sustainable energy ideas; wind and solar power; geothermal heat and air; hybrid, biofuel or electric vehicles; recycling info.; passive and active solar designs; green technology; organic gardening and carefree lawns; composting bins; rain barrels; nature connections; kite flying and children eco-activities, entertainment and much more.
Call or e-mail before MARCH 18, 2009 to reserve an 8 foot Table Space, donate a Raffle item, or to be a Sponsor of the 6th Annual Earth Day Sustainable Living Festival. Free Admission. See Link for description of previous year's Festivals. E-mail: email or call 781-925-9066.
When: Saturday 18 April 2009 - 12:00 Ends Saturday 18 April 2009 - 13:30
Moderate walk, hilly terrain, 3 miles. Wolcott Path to Wildcat Notch and return via Halfway Path. Meet at the Houghton’s Pond main parking lot at 840 Hillside St. in Milton.
Blue Hills Adult Walking Club is a group of adults that meets on a weekly basis for recreational walks. The purpose of these walks is social exercise. There is no fee to join and everyone 16 or older is welcome. Walks are normally 2 to 5 miles. The terrain can vary: EASY (mostly level terrain) MODERATE (hilly terrain) DIFFICULT (strenuous & steep) Walks will be lead by a park ranger or a Walking Club volunteer leader. Occasionally, the Walking Club meets at other DCR sites or car pools to sites within the Blue Hills Reservation. The rangers recommend wearing hiking boots and bringing drinking water on all hikes. Enjoy the programs and keep walking!
When: Sunday 19 April 2009 - 08:00 Ends Sunday 19 April 2009 - 09:30
Sunday, April 19 9 am Canines & Coffee Meet at the Houghton’s Pond main parking lot at 840 Hillside Street in Milton. Team up with your favorite pooch and a cup of joe on this early morning ranger –led stroll around Houghton’s Pond. Coffee provided. Dogs must be leashed. 1.5 hour
Things to know before you go • Wear sturdy footgear • Carry drinking water on all hikes • Dress in layers for maximum comfort • We will hike unless the weather is severe • If weather conditions are questionable, please call reservation headquarters at (617) 698-1802 • Reasonable accommodations available. For questions regarding accessibility, please call the park rangers at 617-698-1802. All programs are free!
When: Wednesday 22 April 2009 - 13:00 Ends Wednesday 22 April 2009 - 14:00
TALES FOR THE EARTH WITH DIANE EDGECOMB Celebrate Earth Day with storyteller Diane Edgecomb and Tales for the Earth on Wednesday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Main Library. Meet some interesting characters and learn about water conservation, recycling, rain forests and more with stories such as "What Now, Cloacina?", a hilarious story about a water sprite who travels through the sewage system in search of her pond, and "Kate's Acorn", where Kate learns about the usefulness of earthworms.
This program is for families with children ages 5 and older. No registration required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
When: Wednesday 22 April 2009 - 18:00 Ends Wednesday 22 April 2009 - 19:30
Please join members of the QEN in their efforts to make Quincy a greener city. Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of the month at City Hall, second floor conference room, 1305 Hancock Street. Contact Maura (ogarapratt@comcast.net) for more information.
Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival, Boston, Sat., April 25
Wild & Scenic on Tour brings together a selection of the latest indie films on environmental ideas and stories. This annual Film Festival (in its 7th year) crosses the country and will finally be making its presence felt in Boston! The films include narratives from fascinating people throughout the world who are engaged in protecting natural resources and wild places, funny stories on people and new projects, and beautiful portraits of untouched treasures. The largest environmental film festival in the USA is sponsored by Patagonia, and hosted by "e" inc. The event will be held at Boston's Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT), in their newly refurbished theater. The venue is easily accessible by T and there is also parking available. During the evening there will be short films, a light supper and dessert, special guests, and more! Call us at 617-227-1522 or email at email. Or, visit Link
When: Saturday 25 April 2009 - 08:00 Ends Saturday 25 April 2009 - 12:00
Saturday, April 25 Park Serve Day
Blue Hills Reservation 9 am – 1 pm Call 617-698-1802, ext. 213 to register. Join the DCR Blue Hills staff and the Friends of the Blue Hills to help maintain the trails or lend a hand in our park clean-up. Garden projects at Brookwood Community Farm as well. Fun for all ages.
Wilson Mountain Reservation 9 am–1 pm Work Projects 1-2 pm Refreshments 2 pm Guided ranger hike Call 617-333-7404 to register. Join the DCR and the Trustees of Reservations at scenic Wilson Mountain. We’ll be installing new signage and benches and trimming back the trails. Then join us for refreshments and a moderate hike. Please wear long pants and closed shoes for the work day.
Quincy Environmental Treasures: Life in a Vernal Pool 2:00 pm
When: Saturday 25 April 2009 - 13:00 Ends Saturday 25 April 2009 - 14:30
Life in a Vernal Pool, Saturday, April 25, 2 p.m. Jonathan Twining, Professor of Environmental Science at Eastern Nazarene College, will lead a free tour to explore the exciting life in a vernal pool. Meet at the Shea Rink parking lot in the Blue Hills on Willard St. Rain date: April 26, 2 p.m. Call 617/472-0799 for more info.
When: Sunday 26 April 2009 - 12:00 Ends Sunday 26 April 2009 - 13:30
Moderate walk, some hills, 4 miles. Loop around Ponkapoag Pond on the green dot trail. Meet at the Ponkapoag Golf Course parking lot at 2173 Washington St. in Canton.
Blue Hills Adult Walking Club is a group of adults that meets on a weekly basis for recreational walks. The purpose of these walks is social exercise. There is no fee to join and everyone 16 or older is welcome. Walks are normally 2 to 5 miles. The terrain can vary: EASY (mostly level terrain) MODERATE (hilly terrain) DIFFICULT (strenuous & steep) Walks will be lead by a park ranger or a Walking Club volunteer leader. Occasionally, the Walking Club meets at other DCR sites or car pools to sites within the Blue Hills Reservation. The rangers recommend wearing hiking boots and bringing drinking water on all hikes. Enjoy the programs and keep walking!
When: Tuesday 28 April 2009 - 18:00 Ends Tuesday 28 April 2009 - 19:30
QEN's Green Reads Book Club
This month's environmental book: Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry by Stacy Malkan
When:April 28 at 7:00 pm Where: Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy Center branch, Quincy Room
Pick up a copy at the Thomas Crane Public Library's main desk and join us for an insightful discussion! Call Courtney at 617-770-4127 for more information.
