Friends of the Blue Hills news and comments

We've moved! (Virtually...)

2011-07-01T10:25:00.006-04:00

We're moving our blog! To continue to learn the latest about the Blue Hills events and happenings, visit the location of our new blog:

Later today, we'll post the winners of the photo contest and you'll be able to see all the great photos (like the one above) that were submitted. See you on our new blog address: http://friendsofthebluehills.org?cat=8!

Help maintain trails next week!

2011-06-30T10:10:00.000-04:00

Maura O'Gara of Quincy said that her 8-year-old daughter Rayne took this photo for the photo contest. “She’s a big fan of getting up close to investigate, even if it smells like skunk.” To help make sure our children will continue to explore the Blue Hills, join us to help maintain the trails!

On Thursday, July 7 from 9am-1pm, join the Friends of Blue Hills Trail Crew in sprucing up the trails. Includes a hike to the work sites. Wear long pants and gloves. Tools, water, snacks and lunch provided. Email trailwork@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org for details.

Celebrate Sundays!

2011-06-17T12:48:00.001-04:00

Hike, bike or stroll along Chickatawbut Road every Sunday all summer long. The Department of Conservation and Recreation will be closing the road to traffic – and opening it to you! Here are the details:

June 18 through August 29, DCR will close Chickatawbut and Wompatuck Roads to vehicle traffic on Sundays each weekend from Saturday evening at 8:00 pm until Monday morning at 7:00 am between June 18 and August 29. The DCR Blue Hills Reservation roadway will be reserved for road bicycles, walkers, and quiet recreation.

Parking: Shea Rink parking lot at 651 Willard St, Quincy.
Additional parking (a few spaces): intersection of Rt 28 and Chickatawbut Rd, Milton.

Contact DCR for details: 617-698-1802.

Explore Blue Hills Plants this Saturday

2011-06-06T09:31:00.005-04:00

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Consequences:
Plants that Harm and Plants that Help in the Blue Hills
Half-day Exploration with ecologist from the New England Wildflower Society
June 11, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Join Ted Elliman of the New England Wildflower Society for an introduction to a invasive species in the Blue Hills. We’ll start inside with slides and photos and then head outside to see the plants up-close. Join us for lunch and learning!

Meet at Brookwood Farm, 11 Blue Hill River Road, Canton.

Please RSVP: biodiversity@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org org.

Photo Credit: Brendan McGowan.

Summer Job with FBH!

2011-06-06T09:14:00.004-04:00

Friends of Blue Hills

Volunteer Coordinator

The Friends of the Blue Hills is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the Blue Hills Reservation in its natural state and serve as a watchdog of activities that might adversely affect it.

The Volunteer Coordinator will be responsible overseeing and supporting as needed FBH’s volunteer-led programs, which include nature walks, pulling weeds and trail maintenance.

Responsibilities include:
• Coordinating with existing volunteer event leaders
• Increasing participation at FBH programs, including publicizing programs before and after events
• Coordinating programs with staff at the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation.
• Coordinating programs and collaboration with Boy Scout staff at Camp Sayre
• Collecting data on populations of people that are not attending FBH events

Qualifications:
• Experience working with volunteers and developing volunteer leaders.
• Self motivated.
• Available to work weekends and some evenings.
• Ability to work without close supervision.
• Interest in the Blue Hills or land protection desired.

Hours: Approximately 15 hours/week
Rate: $10/hour

This is a temporary position, starting immediately and ending in September 2011. Depending on available funding, the position may continue.

To Reply: Send cover letter and resume to: info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org.

The Friends of the Blue Hills is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, national origin, ethnic background, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

Volunteers Improve Trails

2011-06-06T08:53:00.002-04:00

A big thank you to all of the volunteers who helped maintain the trails last Saturday on National Trails Day!

Your personal tour of the Blue Hills Butterflies

2011-06-03T08:47:00.007-04:00

The Butterflies and Caterpillars of Great Blue Hill with Sam Jaffe Saturday June 18, 10:00 am (Rain date Sunday June 19)
Join the Friends of the Blue Hills to discover why the Blue Hills Reservation is one of the best places in the whole state for seeing butterflies. We'll explore Great Blue with ecologist Sam Jaffe to see these beautiful creatures and learn about why some types of butterflies in the Blue Hills are so endangered. With Sam as your guide, you’ll spot many types of butterflies and caterpillars of all shapes and sizes.

Meet at the Great Blue Hill Ski Slope entrance - at the south end of the southern Trailside Museum parking lot at 10:00 am. Bring supportive shoes, hats, water bottles, and binoculars, if you have them. RSVP: info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org or 781-828-1805.

Photo Contest Finalists Announced

2011-06-01T06:46:00.004-04:00

Who won the Capture the Blue Hills Photo Contest and was awarded $300? Who won the REI backpack? You decide!

Judges chose the top ten Finalists -- and now you help decide the winner!

Click here to view the Finalists -- and vote for the one you like best!

Birds to look for in the Blue Hills

2011-05-29T15:21:00.013-04:00

Photos taken by Ladislav Honsa of some of the more interesting birds they saw on Steve Olanoff's bird walk. They saw or heard at least 36 species!

left: Blue winged warbler

Above: Northern Waterthrush

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Above and below: Yellow Warbler

Photo Voltaic Array on Chickatawbut

2011-05-24T11:27:00.003-04:00

The Department of Conservation and Recreation is having a ribbon cutting for the PV array on top of the education center on Chickatawbut.

Here's their announcement:

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Commissioner Edward M. Lambert Jr. and Elected Officials

invite you to attend the

Chickatawbut Hill Photo Voltaic Array Ribbon-cutting Ceremony
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
12:00 noon

DCR’s Blue Hills Reservation
Norman Smith Environmental Education Center
Chickatawbut Hill, Quincy , Massachusetts

For details: (617) 626-4973

Directions: Take Route I-93 to exit 5B (Milton, Rt. 28 North). Follow the exit ramp to the first set of traffic lights. Take a right at the traffic lights onto Chickatawbut Road . Proceed 0.3 miles and take a right at the sign for the Norman Smith Education Center.

FBH Member Performs a Rare Feat

2011-05-19T07:00:00.001-04:00

A Rare Accomplishment
By Robert Romeri

In 2010 Friends of the Blue Hills member Robert J Mazairz II completed a feat that few people accomplish in their lifetime. It had nothing to do with academic or financial prowess but was a “True Grit” accomplishment of physical stamina mixed with mind over matter.

As many of you who have spent a couple of miserable days hiking in what I’ll call “inclement” weather knows, it can wear a soul down to the point of weeping. Now put together 180 plus days (6 months) on the trail with the knowledge that after an especially miserable day the next day and possibly the next day may not be any different and there is no “going home” to end it. Fortunately in this feat there is the breath taking days of scenic views and unforgettable relationships and companionships (probably some forgettable).

Bob's accomplishment was the through-hike of the Appalachian Trail from mid April 2010 to early October 2010.

When possible, Bob documented some of his trail experiences along the way with selected emailing. We enjoyed his emails and could only attempt to envision what he did not include.

With some clever planning by another FBH volunteer, Dexter Robinson, Bob was intercepted during his trek by several FBH members in West Hartford, VT. We supplied him with some beverages of sustenance on a beautiful August day overlooking the Vermont and New Hampshire borders. In a fitting tribute, an Adirondack chair located on an overlook provided Bob a comfortable dining seat for lunch and conversation.

Bob’s accomplishment is documented in the May – June Appalachian Trail Conservancy magazine “Journeys” and this October at a special ceremony in North Adams, MA.

Below is Bob’s Appalachian Trail listing and a picture of him on October 6, 2010 on Mount Katahdin the northern terminus of the trail.

Bob is active in FBH and a premier trail maintainer. Great job Bob!

- Bob Romeri

Blue Hills Hiking Conditioning Series

2011-05-17T18:04:00.002-04:00

The joint AMC/FBH conditioning series, now in its seventh week has been a huge success getting us all ready for the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Every week gets a little easier. This week we did 3.5 miles with 1450 feet of elevation gain. This diverse group of participants have been real troopers with six out of the last seven Tuesday’s being somewhat less than sunny. Some folks are calling it the Wet and Hilly Series! Today was quite a challenge with windswept rain and slippery footing at times. All in all, having a great time in the Blue Hills while making some great relationships with some pretty wonderful folks.

Best Hike in May

2011-05-11T21:47:00.000-04:00

Ready for some May flowers? Take a tip from long-time hiker and FBH Board members Steve Olanoff and check out the mountain laurels on the aptly named Laurel Path.

For nature’s best flower show, head for the hills the third or fourth week of May. Park at the small parking lot on Chickatawbut Road just off of Route 28. Pack enough water and snacks for a four mile walk along mostly flat terrain.

From the parking lot, take Braintree Pass Path, turning left at Hemlock Bound Trail (marker 3092). This narrow trail ends with a steep descent to Laurel Path at marker 3122. Continue down through the stand of shady hemlocks and look for a hidden brook that Steve says disappears and mysteriously reappears later to empty into the Great Cedar Swamp.

The trail turns back up to Laurel Path where you start heading north for your return route. Along the path on your left the hill will be covered with mountain laurel’s white flowers tinged with pink. When you’ve enjoyed the flowers’ splendor and sweet fragrance, continue until marker 3111 and take a left onto an unnamed, beautiful, narrow trail. When you hit Bouncing Brook Path, take a left and follow it until you rejoin Braintree pass path. Take Braintree Path to the right and you are headed back to your car. Expect your walk to take a couple hours and your senses to be refreshed.

Archaeology for High School Students this Summer

2011-05-11T18:23:00.004-04:00

The Wakefield Estate is Blue Hills' neighbor, right across the street from the Trailside Museum. They're offering a great opportunity for high school students.

Wakefield Estate
Summer Archaeology Institute 2011
Session I: June 20—July 1
Session II: July 5—15

Participate in a real on-going archaeological excavation at the historic Wakefield Estate in Milton. The Summer Archaeology Institute is for high school-aged students who love history and want to know what archaeology is all about. Have fun outside this summer making new friends and unearthing the past. The Summer Archaeology Institute is one of the few programs of its kind in the entire country!

For more information and to obtain an application, call 617-333-0924 or visit www.wakefieldtrust.org.

Deer and Deer Ticks

2011-05-09T11:35:00.009-04:00

Channel 5 News reported on deer and problems with deer ticks in the Blue Hills. Here's an excerpt from the article:

An area inside Blue Hills Reservation may look like nothing more than a bunch of dried out, broken plants, but Tom O'Shea of the Division of Wildlife and Fisheries said it's been ravaged by an overpopulation of deer that feed on the vegetation.

"The forest loses the ability to regenerate itself, and a lot of younger forest might not regenerate and come up," said O'Shea. Now the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation, which owns Blue Hills, is considering a controlled hunting program to bring down the deer population. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is advising them.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation emphasizes they are only studying the possibility of deer hunting in and around Blue Hills. There are other solutions on the table, including fencing.

Read more.

On the other hand, Sunday's Boston Globe ran an article where ecologist Richard Ostfeld questions the effectiveness of reducing deer populations in controlling Lyme disease.

“I’m not ethically opposed to hunting deer at all,” says Ostfeld. “I would argue that deer are a public-health menace in the sense of car accidents, and I know as an ecologist that they can cause enormous damage to forest health. So there are a number of legitimate reasons for controlling deer populations. But the scientific evidence as I’ve reviewed it, without any preconceived notion or political agenda or any other agenda, does not support the notion that tick numbers and Lyme disease risk are strongly correlated with deer numbers, and the data do not suggest that if you manage deer by hunting, you’ll reduce the number of Lyme cases.”

Others in the article support reducing deer populations, but point out that it's a long-term strategy. Sam Telford, a professor of biomedical sciences at the Cummings School, says there are no quick fixes:

“for people to believe that if they start doing something now they’ll see a return on their investment tomorrow is unwise. This thing took 30 years to develop, and it may take 10 years for any effects to be seen.”

The article continues with Telford's thinking:

Reducing the deer population from 50 to 10 per square mile, research suggests, would lower the tick population by 80 percent within 10 years. “It’s not a linear effect, but a threshold effect.” And, Telford points out, no one has been able to study the impacts of open hunting as opposed to controlled kills, which measure pre- and post-hunt deer and tick counts, because of a lack of funding.

If one thing is clear in the muddled battle against Lyme disease, it’s that scientists – even those, like Telford, who support hunting as tick control – believe the approach must be multi-pronged and include efforts by homeowners and those who spend time outdoors to protect themselves.

To read the full article, click here.

Patriot Bruschi Trains in Blue Hills for Kilimanjaro Climb with Wounded Vets

2011-05-06T10:06:00.003-04:00

From the May 5 edition of the Army Times:

"NFL figures, wounded vets to climb Kilimanjaro

By Rachel Cohen - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday May 5, 2011 15:24:23 EDT

Tedy Bruschi started his training for Mount Kilimanjaro by working out on the stair-climber and treadmill in his hiking boots.

The retired New England Patriots star linebacker, former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher and former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Chad Lewis will take on Africa’s highest mountain next week. They’ll be joined by four injured service members to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project.

“I’ve never done anything — and I mean anything — remotely like this,” Bruschi said in a phone interview with The Associated Press.

The goal is to summit the more than 19,000 feet of Kilimanjaro from May 13-19 after a day of acclimatization in Tanzania.

Bruschi was such a novice he didn’t even know what to do with all the straps on the pack sent to him by sponsor Under Armour. He started his hiking with his wife in the Blue Hills outside Boston — top elevation 635 feet — wearing a weighted vest.

He’d go to a nearby high school and run on the track and up the bleachers wearing the boots and that vest. From the NFL Draft, Bruschi had to call his wife to ask her to buy him some trekking poles.

Bruschi got some more serious training on the peaks of New Hampshire. His guides were longtime friend Randy “Zip” Pierce, a fervent Patriots fan who’s an accomplished hiker despite being blind, and Pierce’s guide dog.

Disappointed he couldn’t take part in an NFL USO tour to Afghanistan, Bruschi had told league officials to keep him in mind for future projects. When he got the call a few months ago, “it was just something I couldn’t pass up.”

Current employer ESPN gave him the time off, and Bruschi started to do his research into mountain climbing.

He’s learned that the altitude affects each person differently, so there’s no way to predict whether his group will reach the summit. The three NFL alums will be joined by Bryan Wagner of Exeter, Calif., and Ben Lunak of Grand Forks, N.D., who each lost a leg; Mike Wilson of Annapolis, Md., who struggles with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury; and Nancy Schiliro of Hartsdale, N.Y., who lost an eye.

The group will meet in New York on Monday to visit ground zero.

Bruschi is already beginning to understand how people get hooked on hiking. The big climb hasn’t even started, and Bruschi suspects it might be the first of many mountains for him.

“I got in touch with some of my friends,” he said, “and said I may be close to getting addicted to this.”"

Children at Blue Hills enjoying Creepy Crawly Critters

2011-05-02T15:08:00.005-04:00

Korina Farwell (above) was one of the young people who made bugs at our craft table at Blue Hills Trailside's Creepy Crawly event this past weekend. (Korina's critter is clipped to her hat.) Children who visited our table colored invasive plant species and created frogs, dragon flies -- and some rather exotic flying bugs.

For more photos, see our FaceBook page.

Canton and Milton Residents Highlight Lyme Disease Concerns

2011-04-25T11:16:00.002-04:00

Healthy populations of deer mean that deer populations are about 10 deer per square mile. According to Sonja Christensen from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the deer population in the Blue Hills is closer to 30 deer per square mile.

That was just one piece of information that about 100 Canton and Milton residents learned when they attended last night's meeting at the Blue Hills Trailside Musem.

Canton resident, Denise Swenson, organized the meeting after researching the issue for the last year. After she and others in her family contracted Lyme disease she realized that others in her neighborhood also were suffering from this debilitating disease.

Several studies have linked a decrease in tick populations when deer populations are decreased, deer populations are not the only culprit. Speakers stressed how Lyme disease is linked not only to deer populations, but many other factors as well. For example, ticks pick up the disease from the white-footed mouse, which is the species that carries the disease.

Several government officials attended the meeting, including Bob McKenzie from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Marion McEttrick from the Milton Board of Selectman.

When one participant noted that nothing could be done about the deer populations without the cooperation from DCR, Bob McKenzie explained that the DCR did not currently have a position on the issue. Current regulations prohibit deer hunting and there are no population studies in the Blue Hills on which to base policy.

Marion McEttrick acknowledged the problem was one that state and town agencies would need to address the issue "within the year."

Swenson will be forming a working group to continue to work on this issue.

Growing a 'mile-a- minute' this invasive vine is already sprouting in the Blue Hills

2011-04-25T07:00:00.001-04:00

Staff from the Department of Conservation and Recreation has already seen the mile-a-minute vine growing in the part of the Reservation around Greenlodge Street in Canton. If you see it in other places (like, let's say your backyard...) please report it to DCR Natural Resource Specialist Alexandra Echandi: Alexandra.Echandi@state.ma.us.

Here's a photo of the seedlings that you can look for now. And here they are later in the season:

Monday: Community Discussion on Deer in Blue Hills

2011-04-24T19:49:00.004-04:00

We've learned about a community meeting that Canton resident Denise Swenson is organizing tomorrow, Monday, April 25, 7:00 pm at the Trailside Museum. She's concerned about deer populations in the Blue Hills and their link to the increase in Lyme disease.

Check our FaceBook page for links to articles and videos detailing the Blue Hills' neighbors concerns about the issue.

A Birthday Party for the Blue Hills 'Mayor'

2011-04-21T18:57:00.003-04:00

Photo by TC Fitzgerald

FBH volunteer Eddie DeSantis celebrated his 90th birthday in the park he loves. His birthday party bash included a hike through the Blue Hills and drew over 40 hearty well-wishers. Read more about Eddie in the Boston Globe.

The Ledger has a great story on the hike. And here's another article on the Ledger's age blog.

For additional photos, visit our FaceBook page.

Park Serve Day - Invasive Weed Busting at Ponkapoag

2011-04-16T16:01:00.007-04:00

Many thanks to Kelly Meehan for organizing the Scouts of Pack 42 Quincy and their parents at the Park Serve Day Weed Busting event. Today we pulled garlic Mustard at the AMC Cabins in Ponkapoag. With twelve energetic folks, we managed to pull three large trash bags of this species. Garlic Mustard poses a severe threat to native plants and animals in the Reservation. Once it has established itself in an area, it out-competes native plants by monopolizing light, nutrients, soil and space. Thanks for a terrific day kids!

Parks Budget Slashed in House Budget

2011-04-15T05:37:00.005-04:00

The Environmental League of Massachusetts reported that earlier this week the House Ways and Means Committee released its recommendations for the FY 2012 budget; the environmental agencies saw additional deep cuts. Between FY 2008 and the House Ways and Means FY 2012 budget, the environmental agencies have been cut by 23%--almost a quarter of the environmental budget has disappeared!
There have been particularly large decreases in funding to the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) which manages state and urban parks (including the Blue Hills Reservation).

The DCR budget has been cut by about 30% since FY 2008! ($96.8 million in 2008 compared to $69.77 in the proposed budget for FY 2012.

If you care about safe, clean parks and stewardship of our state parks, write to your state Representative in support of amendments that will increase funding for DCR.

Amendments are due today and debate on the House budget will take place the week of April 25th.

Volunteer opportunity this Saturday

2011-04-13T11:58:00.003-04:00

Want to help maintain the park? Come to this year's Park Serve event this Saturday to clean up Houghton's Pond, maintain trails, pull weeds - and lots of other activities!

Go to the DCR website to sign up.

Hope to see you there!

Even for birders the woodcock is a tricky bird to find

2011-04-06T07:00:00.004-04:00

On Sunday evening in Fowl Meadow, FBH Board member Steve Olanoff led a group in search of the American Woodcock. Steve assured us that if we ever hear one, "we're in for a treat." The male has a rather unusual mating ritual which includes a low nasal call. He then flies in a spiral up 100 - 200 feet and descends in the same spiral manner.

We didn't spot any on Sunday, but several other birders said they've been seeing them in Fowl Meadow. So if you'd like to see them - that's still the place to try! In general, you're best bet is going out at dawn and dusk.