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News Archive

Just published! Our winter edition of "Dogwood Lane" exploring the revelations we've discovered as we rebound

Friday, 19 February 2021 13:38

Enjoy the winter edition of "Dogwood Lane"- exploring the revelations we've discovered as we rebound.

To read it online, click here.

For a printable copy of this or any prior issue of Dogwood Lane, click here or visit the news tab on this website.

2021 Winter Stone Soup Continues 2/24 with "Discovering the Stories of the Land"

Friday, 19 February 2021 13:25

For this winter's Stone Soup Speakers Series, we will focus inward to reacquaint our followers with the history, landscape, and program vision that led to our renaming this year as the Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum. Through storytelling and photos, we hope to engage participants in a conversation that increases people's understanding and attachment to this beautiful and unique cultural landscape nestled in the Blue Hills. The Stone Soup Speakers Series is normally a convivial gathering around homemade soup, but this year will be conducted virtually via Zoom.

The February Stone Soup session on Feb. 24 at 6:30 pm will explore the cultural landscape that existed before Mary May "Polly" Binney Wakefield developed her arboretum over a 50-year period. Much of this information was gained by researchers through a series of photographs, maps, archeological evidence and archival papers. Debbie Merriam will discuss the evolution of the landscape and Polly's life-long work to transform it into the formal gardens and nurseries we see today. To receive the zoom link for the Feb. 24th session, please register here or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

School Vacation Virtual Field Trips for kids 2/16 & 2/18

Thursday, 11 February 2021 10:52

School Vacation Virtual Field Trips for kids

February 16th and 18th, 1:00 pm by Zoom

Many families usually enjoy a "get-away" during February school vacation week. Most likely that won't be happening this year for many of us. If you have elementary-aged children that might enjoy a fun way to visit a beautiful place, sign up for our school vacation virtual field trips.

On Tuesday, February 16th, we will explore the many signs of animals in winter and try to identify them by their "tracks."

On Thursday, February 18th, we will focus on baby animals, looking back at some of ours when they were just babies.

To receive the zoom link for the virtual field trip, register using the link below.

Tuesday, Feb. 16th field trip @1:00 pm, please register here.

Thursday, Feb. 18th field trip @1:00 pm, please register here.

For more information, call 617-333-0924 x22.

Additional zoom field trips will be scheduled for April vacation.

New online series continues 3/10: Our Arboretum Through a Magnifying Glass: "Winter Wildlife"

Wednesday, 03 February 2021 15:16

This online series shines a spotlight on important elements in our garden that are often overlooked but are instrumental in the ecological cycles happening all year long. This month's talk on March 10 will focus on Winter Wildlife and highlight species adaptations that allow mammals, reptiles and insects to survive winters in New England. The February snow cover reveals clues to these adaptations.To register for this session and receive the zoom link, click here.

Save the date for the final session in this series:

April 7: The movement of water in the landscape will look at hydrology, a key factor in the life and health of the arboretum. Natural and manmade systems have altered the flow of water over hundreds of years. This presentation will take a closer look on how water moves from Great Blue Hill through the arboretum's landscape and into the Neponset River watershed. To register for this session, click here.

The first session, "The Wonderful World of Bark," was held Wednesday, February 10th, and focused on the fantastic variety of barks in our collection and the role that bark plays in protecting the tree, photosynthesis and habitat for other species. Upon request, you can view the recorded session via a link.

News Archive

Just published! Our winter edition of "Dogwood Lane" exploring the revelations we've discovered as we rebound

2021 Winter Stone Soup Continues 2/24 with "Discovering the Stories of the Land"

School Vacation Virtual Field Trips for kids 2/16 & 2/18

New online series continues 3/10: Our Arboretum Through a Magnifying Glass: "Winter Wildlife"

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