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Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild Community Tour

Join Friends of Mattahunt Woods, City Staff, and neighbors for a guided community tour of the recently renovated Urban Wild!

May 9, 2026
Event Date2026-05-09T10:00:00 - 2026-05-09T12:00:00

The tour will start at the Itasca Street entrance (249 Itasca Street) and conclude with a social hour and refreshments at the Colorado Street entrance (206 Colorado Street). 

WHAT TO BRING

Comfortable clothing for the trails, curiosity, and any stories from Mattahunt that you may have.

This event will occur rain or shine, except in cases of severe weather such as thunderstorms. 

May 9, 2026
Event Date2026-05-09T10:00:00 - 2026-05-09T12:00:00

Nira Rock: Volunteer Tree Planting

Join Urban Wilds Program staff, and neighbors to lend a hand at Nira Rock Urban Wild. We will focus our efforts on planting native trees and shrubs.

May 9, 2026
Event Date2026-05-09T10:00:00 - 2026-05-09T13:00:00
  • The event will happen, rain or shine. We will cancel in the case of extreme weather such as thunderstorms.
  • We strongly encourage that you bike, walk, take public transit, or carpool. There is very little parking available.
  • Wear close-toed shoes and clothes for working outdoors. Expect to be digging, raking, and maybe even kneeling/crouching. 

Meet at: 10 Grotto Glen Rd, Boston, MA 02130 (end of Grotto Glen Rd, near Jefferson Playground)

May 9, 2026
Event Date2026-05-09T10:00:00 - 2026-05-09T13:00:00

Willowwood Rock Urban Wild Spring Cleanup 2026

Join neighbors and Urban Wilds Program staff in helping to take care of Willowwood Rock, one of Boston’s oldest Urban Wilds. 

May 2, 2026
Event Date2026-05-02T09:00:00 - 2026-05-02T12:00:00

We will begin with an educational site walk, and then care for new tree plantings and clean up debris. 

No experience necessary! Tools and instruction provided by Urban Wilds Program staff. Please wear sturdy footwear and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Long sleeves and pants recommended. 

May 2, 2026
Event Date2026-05-02T09:00:00 - 2026-05-02T12:00:00

Bussey Brook Meadow Clean Up

Join the Arboretum Parks Conservancy, Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and the Urban Wilds Program at our annual Earth Day Clean Up at the Bussey Brook Meadow at the Arnold Arboretum. 

April 25, 2026
Event Date2026-04-25T10:00:00 - 2026-04-25T12:00:00

Join us to celebrate Earth Day and work on the following tasks:

  • Invasive plant removals within the woodland areas adjacent to the Blackwell Footpath and South Street to improve the ecology of these areas and build upon efforts from previous volunteer events. 
  • Litter clean up between Bussey Brook and the train tracks, as well as along the South Street wall.

Tools and gloves will be supplied, but if you have a favorite pair of work gloves, feel free to bring them!

* Please note that the event will be rain or shine!

Meeting Point: The South Street Gate entrance to the Blackwell Footpath. There is plenty of parking on nearby Flora Way and this entrance is within walking distance from the Forest Hills T Station.

April 25, 2026
Event Date2026-04-25T10:00:00 - 2026-04-25T12:00:00

Neighborhood Cleanup at Franklin Park Playstead

The Mayor’s Office of Civic Organizing is facilitating a neighborhood cleanup for youth and families on Saturday, April 18, 2026, starting at 9 a.m. at Franklin Park Playstead.

April 18, 2026
Event Date2026-04-18T09:00:00
2026-04-18T09:00:00

Interested volunteers are asked to register for the annual cleanup online:

Register for the event

April 18, 2026
Event Date2026-04-18T09:00:00
2026-04-18T09:00:00

Cozy and Cost Cutting: Energy Efficiency Basics for Boston Homeowners

April 9, 2026
Event Date2026-04-09T19:00:00 - 2026-04-09T20:00:00

Have your energy bills been wicked high this winter? Join experts from the Boston Home Center, the Environment Department, and Abode Energy Management to learn about simple, high-impact ways to reduce your energy bills and make your living spaces more comfortable in every season.

Get answers to your energy questions and learn about the resources available to you through the City of Boston. See you there! 

REGISTER HERE

 

¿Sus facturas de energía fueron altísimas este invierno? Únase a expertos del Centro de Vivienda de Boston, el Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Abode Energy Management para aprender formas sencillas y efectivas de reducir sus gastos de servicios públicos y hacer que los espacios donde vive sean más cómodos en todas las estaciones.

Taller virtual: 9 de abril de 2026, de 7:00 a 8:00 p.m.

Èske bòdwo enèji ou yo te monte wo anpil sezon livè sa a? Rejwenn ekspè ki soti nan Sant Lojman Boston yo, Depatman Anviwònman, ak Abode Energy Management pou aprann sou fason senp, ki gen gwo enpak pou redui depans pou sèvis piblik yo epi rann espas w ap viv yo plis konfòtab nan chak sezon.

Atelye vityèl: 9 avril 2026 soti 7 è rive 8 è P.M.

Hóa đơn năng lượng của quý vị có tăng cao trong mùa đông này không? Hãy tham gia cùng các chuyên gia từ Trung tâm gia đình Boston, Sở Môi Trường và Abode Energy Management để tìm hiểu những giải pháp đơn giản nhưng hiệu quả cao giúp giảm chi phí tiện ích và cải thiện sự thoải mái cho không gian sống của quý vị trong mọi mùa.

Hội thảo trực tuyến: Ngày 9 tháng 4 năm 2026, từ 7 giờ đến 8 giờ tối

Bu konta di inerjia ten stadu altu nes invernu? Djunta ku spisialista di Boston Home Center, di Departamentu di Anbienti y Abode Energy Management pa prendi forma sinplis y di grandi inpatu di raduzi si kustu ku sirbisu públikuy torna bu kasa mas konfortavel na tudu stason di anu.

Workshop Virtual: 9 di Abril di 2026, di 19 óra ti 20 óra di noti.

今年冬天您家的能源账单是不是贵得离谱？快来加入由波士顿住宅中心、环境部门及 Abode Energy Management 专家们共同举办的研讨会，学习简单高效的方法，降低公用事业开支，让居住空间四季舒适宜人。

线上研讨会：2026 年 4 月 9 日晚上 7 点到 8 点

今年冬天您家的能源帳單是不是貴得離譜？快來加入由波士頓住宅中心、環境部門及 Abode Energy Management 專家們共同舉辦的研討會，學習簡單高效的方法，降低公用事業開支，讓居住空間四季舒適宜人。

線上研討會：2026 年 4 月 9 日晚上 7 點到 8 點

April 9, 2026
Event Date2026-04-09T19:00:00 - 2026-04-09T20:00:00

Community Volunteer Day in Franklin Park

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department's Urban Wilds Division is inviting you to join us in removing non-native plant species and build habitat walls at our first volunteer event of the year!

April 18, 2026
Event Date2026-04-18T10:00:00 - 2026-04-18T12:00:00

This natural area is home to beautiful rock outcrops, heritage trees, and attractions like the Bear Dens. However, it needs our help to stay healthy and remain an important park for us and future generations. We hope that by bringing people together to work towards restoring the ecological health of the Long Crouch Woods, we can showcase this area's beauty and potential.

Urban Wilds Volunteer Day Photo

For this event, there is no experience necessary! The focus is to clean up trash and glass from the site, clean up trails, remove invasive understory plants, and build habitat walls with the brush generated; all of which are done to improve overall forest health and increase visibility into the woods. There will be lots of learning opportunities for residents of all ages and backgrounds. 

Urban Wilds Volunteer Day Photo

The event will happen, rain or shine. We will cancel in the case of extreme weather such as thunderstorms. Staff will provide all the tools, supplies, and instruction needed for the project(s). Please dress in comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing, as well as wearing closed toe shoes. We recommend participants bring their own water, snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray. All ages are welcome, we just ask to note if any children will be joining for the day!

For the understory plant removal aspect, expect to be utilizing hand cutting tools like loppers and pruners, moving brush, raking, and maybe even kneeling/crouching. Please let us know in the form if you have any special accommodations or needs in order to joyfully participate!

There is limited street parking near the entrance we are meeting at,  but it can be limited, so we also encourage you to bike, walk, or take public transit. There is also public parking at the Playstead and Giraffe Gate of the zoo, which is about a 10 minute walk to the school street entrance.

We hope to see you there, and we would also love to hear your ideas for future projects! Be sure to fill out our Google Form to sign up.

Urban Wilds Volunteer Day Photo

April 18, 2026
Event Date2026-04-18T10:00:00 - 2026-04-18T12:00:00

Emerald Necklace Walking Tour

Join the Boston Park Rangers as we offer FREE environmental education through guided tours and nature-based programming intended for ALL AGES. 

September 20, 2026
Event Date2026-09-20T10:00:00 - 2026-09-20T16:00:00

Walk the legendary Emerald Necklace from Boston Common to Franklin Park. On this guided journey, follow the green ribbon designed by Frederick Law Olmsted as it winds through historic parks, scenic waterways, and hidden landscapes across the city. Discover the parks that connect Boston—one park at a time. Please bring plenty of water and comfortable shoes. There will be stops for restroom breaks and a 30-minute lunch break (lunch is not provided). 

  • Meeting location will be outside the Boston Common Visitor Center located at 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111
  • Ending location will be at the William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park located at 1 Circuit Dr, Boston, MA 02121
  • For ages 15+
  • Registration is not required at this time

For more information visit the Boston Park Rangers homepage or call (617) 635-7383.

 

September 20, 2026
Event Date2026-09-20T10:00:00 - 2026-09-20T16:00:00

Stable Tour

Join the Boston Park Rangers as we offer FREE environmental education through guided tours and nature-based programming intended for ALL AGES. 

September 3, 2026
Event Date2026-09-03T16:00:00 - 2026-09-03T17:30:00

Join the Boston Park Rangers on a tour of our stable as we introduce you to our equine partners. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how the Boston Park Rangers operate their stable.

  • Please dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes
  • For all ages 
  • Tour length 1 - 1.5 hours
  • Parking is available onsite

For more information visit the Boston Park Rangers homepage.

 

September 3, 2026
Event Date2026-09-03T16:00:00 - 2026-09-03T17:30:00

Franklin Park Ruins Tour

Join the Boston Park Rangers as we offer FREE environmental education through guided tours and nature-based programming intended for ALL AGES. 

August 8, 2026
Event Date2026-08-08T14:00:00 - 2026-08-08T15:00:00

Explore the hidden history of Franklin Park on a guided walking tour through its forgotten ruins. Discover overgrown stonework, lost structures, and the stories behind the park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Perfect for curious locals, history lovers, and urban explorers. Uncover the secrets hiding in Boston’s largest park.

  • Please dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes
  • For ages 15+
  • Event time range 1 - 1.5 hours

For more information visit the Boston Park Rangers homepage.

 

August 8, 2026
Event Date2026-08-08T14:00:00 - 2026-08-08T15:00:00
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