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Program Updates

Program listings below are for the next several weeks. For a complete schedule of all BNAN programs check our newsletter posted online, or check listings by date using the calendar. Also, download the Boston's Urban Forest Spring 2013 Program Series Schedule and the 2013 Seed, Sow & Grow brochure. To receive BNAN's free, biweekly eNews with program, event and news updates, please subscribe below. For more information or to register for a program (unless otherwise noted) email info@bostonnatural.org or phone 617-542-7696. BNAN programs and events are free, all are welcome.

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GREAT NEWS!
Governor Patrick Commits to Finishing Neponset Greenway!

This past Tuesday, Governor Deval Patrick announced that his administration will fund the $1.9 million needed for designing the completion of the Neponset River Greenway. The Patrick administration also stated that the state Department of Transportation is committed to funding the completion of the project, which is expected to cost between $11 million and $15 million.

Thank you so much to Governor Patrick, EOEEA Secretary Sullivan, DCR Commissioner Lambert, all the Neponset elected officials, the members of the Neponset River Greenway Council and the many residents who have over the past 20 years advocated for the Neponset River Greenway which will, upon completion, provide a 15-mile bicycle/walking path from the Blue Hills to Boston Harbor for all to enjoy. Click here to read complete story.

20th Annual South End Garden Tour
Saturday, June 15
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

This year's rain-or-shine, self-guided Tour will kick off at the South End Branch of the Boston Public Library at 685 Tremont Street at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are $25 or $20 in advance.

The Tour will feature 20 beautiful, private gardens in the South End - from pocket-sized patio spaces to rooftop terraces to Montgomery Park, a gated space usually accessible only to residents. In addition, artists will be painting in the gardens with art work for sale at a reception at the end of the day - free with your ticket.

Buy tickets in advance online now or at selected businesses starting May 27. To purchase online or for a list of stores selling tickets, visit the website: www.southendgardentour.org.

Seed, Sow & Grow
Little City Gardens
Saturday, June 15, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
City Natives, 30 Edgewater Drive, Mattapan

Container gardens and worm composting help yard-less city dwellers make the most of small spaces. Together, we’ll build containers and learn tips for growing food on stairs, balconies and patios. Space is still available. Walk-ins welcome as space allows, we hope to see you there.

Boston Urban Forest Council Meeting
Tuesday, June 25
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
BNAN Office
62 Summer Street, near Downtown Crossing

Please note new date June 25, meeting originally scheduled for June 18. Join fellow tree enthusiasts at the next BUFC meeting. Meetings are open to all. For more information contact Jeremy Dick at 617-542-7696 x14 or email jeremy@bostonnatural.org.

Urban Wilds Council Event
Annual Chelsea River Revels & Summer Solstice Festival
at Condor Street Urban Wild
Friday, June 21
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Condor Street Urban Wild
Condor and Glendon Streets, East Boston

Join BNAN, the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) and Chelsea Creek Action program to celebrate the longest day of the year. Come join us at this family-centered event to enjoy seed starting, worm explorations, family soccer, african drumming, a potluck picnic and even making your own smoothie using a pedal power blender.

New this year- Enjoy the Chelsea River with boat tours running between East Boston and Chelsea! To buy tickets for the boat tours, call 617-418-8241 or 617-889-6080 ext 104.

Global Gardeners
Mehdi Navasser
Wednesday, June 26
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Boston Natural Areas Network
62 Summer Street, Boston

In the first of this Global Gardeners program series Mehdi Navasser, an Iranian asylee will speak about the cultural, social and agricultural heritage of farming in a semi-arid climate. Participants can expect to learn about agricultural techniques that can be transplanted from Iran to Boston area gardens from Navasser, who has over 5 years of agricultural experience. Register via email to casey@bostonnatural.org

Boston Gardeners Council Speaker Series
Author/Artist/Ecologist
Aaron Birk
Thursday, June 27
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
BNAN Office
62 Summer Street, near Downtown Crossing, Boston

Come for the first look inside Birk's newest graphic novel, The Pollinators' Corridor, Volume 2. Follow the continuing story of three heroic teenagers fighting to transform a crumbling urban neighborhood into an ecologically sustainable landscape. Free and open to all. RSVP to dana@bostonnatural.org.

Seed, Sow and Grow
What's That Bug?
Saturday, June 29
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
City Natives
30 Edgewater Drive, Mattapan

Bugged by aphids? Can’t figure out what’s eating your collards? In this participatory workshop, we’ll learn to identify common garden pests and take action with garden practices and homemade remedies.

Registration required, to register call 617-542-7696 or info@bostonnatural.org.

Download 2013 Seed, Sow and Grow schedule here.

Stony Brook Summer
Discovery Day
Saturday, June 29
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Olsen Pool, 95 Turtle Pond Parkway, Hyde Park

Celebrate summer at DCR Stony Brook Reservation. Enjoy free family fun and educational activities for all. Have fun in the sun as we explore the great outdoors. Activities include: woodland safari, seasonal nature activities, environmental games and of course, the pool and spray deck are open! Sponsored by MA DCR.

Urban Agriculture
Citywide Rezoning Initiative
June 3 - July 31, 2013, evenings
Various Boston neighborhood locations

Join your neighbors in a series of 11 Boston neighborhood meetings to talk about urban agriculture and access to healthy food. The City of Boston is developing a new section of the zoning code, Article 89, to address the growing interest in urban agriculture. Come to your neighborhood meeting to discuss commercial ground level and rooftop farms, farmers markets and farm stands, aquaculture, hydroponics and aquaponics, farm composting, farm soil safety and conditions for backyard keeping of hens and bees.

For more information and the schedule of neighborhood meetings, go to http://tinyurl.com/brarezoneurbanagriculture.

Job Announcement
Youth Conservation Corps 2013
Adult Staff Positions Available

Over 640 teens have participated in the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) since it began, and BNAN is anticipating another 60 youth will serve in the program in 2013, its 19th year of operation. This year, four teams of youth age 15-17 will work along the Neponset River Greenway in Dorchester and Mattapan, the East Boston Greenway and in Stony Brook Reservation in Hyde Park.

Youth Conservation Corps employs teens as stewards of the natural environment in their own neighborhoods working cooperatively to complete conservation projects while earning much-needed income. BNAN is looking for committed, energetic adults with a passion for the outdoors to work with YCC teens this year. Deadline has been extended to April 5, 2013. For more information on ADULT STAFF POSITIONS click here.

Now Part of Boston Natural Areas Network!
Discover Boston’s
South End and Lower Roxbury Community Gardens

In two of Boston’s most densely populated neighborhoods 16 community gardens and pocket parks serve more than 30,000 diverse residents representing a broad range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. These green spaces are sources of neighborhood pride, turning neighbors into friends and creating bonds that are difficult to establish in cities. These community gardens and parks reflect the ethnic, linguistic, and economic diversity of the neighborhoods. To learn more click here to download the South End and Lower Roxbury Community Gardens Map and Resource Guide.

Urban & Green Newsletter

The summer 2013 issue of BNAN's Urban & Green Newsletter is available online. Included in the newsletter is the BNAN calendar of summer events and programs. Read it to find out what's happening in Boston's Community Gardens, Urban Wilds and along the Neponset and East Boston Greenways. Click here for current and past newsletters