Friends of the Boston Schoolyards

08/12/2026

summer

07/13/2026

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07/12/2026

the mighty dawn redwood
in a sea of blue

07/12/2026

The season opens itself. Spring blooms — forsythia, lilacs, azalea — give way to the deeper green and long light flickers through leaves. Our summer issue moves you through the warmer months, to the steep hillsides of Bosnia & Herzegovina in search of cones of the endangered Serbian spruce, to the feral, fruiting magic of the Boston Harbor Islands, to a garden of oddities in Italy. Plus, an exploration of what landscape can fill in when there are gaps in the archive, and the wisdom in the old trees. Cone and leaf, trunk and stem, root and branch and plum, this gathering of photography, essay, dispatch, article, and poetry, keeps you attuned to the shifts, subtle and not, in the world that grows around us.

PRESENCE OF THE PAST

A group of Harvard students in Professor Tiya Miles’s history seminar “Slavery, the Environment, and Public History” used the Arnold Arboretum to explore the life of a Black landowner who lived on what is now Arboretum land some two hundred years ago. Beyond exploring his life and work, the students raise questions about what landscape — what the trees and hills and sweeps of field — can tell us about a person, a community, a neighborhood, a history. What answers can nature give when there are absences in the archive?

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NO TREE IS AN ISLAND

A photographer, conservationist, and forager named Charlie Nutting gave himself the project of visiting each of the thirty-four Boston Harbor Islands, taking pictures as he went (and foraging sea beans, berries, and sumac). He documented the islands’ wild beauty and also discovered two varietals of apple there—and got to name them for his efforts.

Each issue of Arnoldia is full of ranging, exploratory stories and art examining our entanglements with trees and plant life locally and globally. Want to find the magazine in your mailbox four times a year? Subscribe by becoming a member of the Arboretum, and join a growing community of readers nearby and far-flung engaged in an ongoing conversation on the nature of trees.

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Members of the Arnold Arboretum receive Arnoldia in their mailboxes, along with a host of other benefits. Join today to support the Arboretum!


Do you have a favorite memory from the Arboretum? An unexpected encounter? A noteworthy moment of contact? A blast of inspiration? A look that made you gasp? Tell us your favorite memories in 100 words or fewer and we’ll share them in newsletters to come.

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The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130

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07/09/2026

In just 7 days, we’re bringing the fun, music, movement, and community back to Franklin Park for the Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park Concert Series!

06/22/2026

Please enjoy reading our June newsletter. We feature the Boston Teacher's Union school.

Email from Friends of the Boston Schoolyards See what's new in our schoolyards! June 2026 Outdoor Learning Highlights BTU School Joy We are grateful to the teachers, students, and schools who have ope

06/21/2026

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As lovers of native plants, we often share about the critical role they play in supporting pollinators and wildlife, strengthening biodiversity, and creating plant communities adapted to local conditions. However, we also understand that many home gardeners may have favorite non-native plants that help contribute a certain structure, seasonal interest and sense of continuity in their garden.

How can we reconcile these two interests? Learn how in our online Zoom class, Balancing Native and Non-Native Plantings, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 from 5:30-7 PM.

Hear practical, approachable tips for incorporating native plants into your landscape alongside non-native favorites, and learn how to integrate them for a balanced, thriving landscape. Register here: https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/balancing-native-and-non-native-plantings/

Photo: Plants at Nasami Farm, by / Melissa Blackall

04/04/2026

Boston Nature Center

April 2026

Greener Good Market

Saturday, April 4 • 11:00 am-3:00 pm

Find unique, eco-friendly treasures at the return of BNC's Greener Good Market! Browse local vendors offering upcycled art, natural skincare, and zero-waste essentials—every purchase supports a greener future. Then refresh your wardrobe at the free clothing swap and get creative at the block printing station.

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Upcoming Programs at BNC

Wednesday Morning Birding at BNC

Wednesdays, April 15 & 29 • 8:00-10:00 am

Adults

Explore our unique urban sanctuary with a naturalist guide looking for year-round residents, migrating visitors, and breeding species. We may see Ruby Crowned Kinglets, Killdeer, Eastern Phoebes, Pine Warblers, and more!

Family Birding

Saturdays, April 4, 11, & 18 • 10:00-11:30 am

Families with children of all ages

Learn to identify Boston's birds as a family, building field confidence through observation and attention to detail. All equipment provided, beginners welcome.

Nature Journal Club

Sundays, April 5 & 12 • 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Families with children of all ages

Slow down on the trails, sketch what catches your eye, and discover new ways to capture the natural world in your journal alongside others who love observing nature too.

Nature and Wellness: Wildflower Identification and Making Natural Remedies

Saturday, April 11 • 1:00-2:30 pm

Adults

Step into the world of traditional herbal medicine as you identify and forage spring wildflowers from the Clark Cooper Community Garden. Brew fresh tea from what you’ve gathered and craft a take-home remedy for seasonal wellness.

Woodcock Watch

Wednesday, April 16 • 6:30-8:00 pm

Adults

Experience the charisma of the elusive American Woodcock and witness their spectacular courtship flights overhead.

Boston Compost Certificate Program

Saturdays, April 18, 25, & May 2 • 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Adults

Learn hands-on composting, soil science, and sustainable practices through this free three-day Boston Compost Certificate Program featuring field trips to local farms and expert-led sessions.

Spring Bird Walks

Various Dates and Times

Adults

Whether you're new to birding or an experienced enthusiast, our expert guides will help you identify spring birds by sight and sound against the beautiful backdrop of the season's landscapes. Coming up: birding along the Neponset River, at Millennium Park, Fowl Meadows, and BNC.

Introduction to Bird Photography

Sunday, April 19 • 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Adults

Master bird photography settings, composition, and technique while exploring the Boston Nature Center with professional photographer Michael Bryant, who provides real-time guidance as you practice. All skill levels welcome.

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Around Mass Audubon



Statewide Volunteer Day

Give back to the spaces you love by lending a hand on April 25.

© Gretchen Ertl

Camp is Calling!

Secure your spot to spend summer outdoors.



Bring Nature to the Ballot

Help create a permanent fund for nature.



April's Outdoor Almanac

Find out what's happening this month.

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Boston Nature Center

500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan, MA 02126

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