Residents invited to help ‘Green Up the Blue Hills’
By Canton Citizen
A volunteer digs amongst the daffodils to rid the area of garlic mustard.
Want to make a difference in the Blue Hills and have fun doing it? Join the Friends of the Blue Hills (FBH) and more than 50 park protectors for Green Up the Blue Hills — the annual spring stewardship event dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the Blue Hills Reservation. This year’s event will focus on removing garlic mustard, an invasive plant that threatens native species.
Families, nature enthusiasts, and volunteers of all ages are encouraged to participate in this rewarding, hands-on conservation effort. Garlic mustard releases chemicals into the soil that prevent native plants from thriving. Fortunately, it is easy to remove by hand, and with the help of dedicated volunteers, we can restore balance to the forest ecosystem.
Green Up the Blue Hills will take place on Sunday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ponkapoag Pond. Participants will meet in the parking area at Fisherman’s Cove and check in at the Acton Path entrance before walking approximately three-quarters of a mile to the AMC cabins. Gloves, bags, and training will be provided by FBH and DCR staff, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gardening gloves and wear close-toed shoes or boots for safety.
After the cleanup, attendees are invited to bring along a picnic to enjoy at the AMC lodge. The Friends will bring the desserts, which have been donated by Fratelli’s Pastry Shop in Quincy. It’s a great way to relax and connect with fellow nature lovers after a fulfilling day of stewardship.
This event is sponsored by FM Generator in Canton. “The Blue Hills mean so much to my family,” said Julia Nanigan, the company’s contract specialist. “Hiking there helped us survive the pandemic. It also means a lot to Mike Molway, the owner of FM Generator. Mike lives in Canton and can be found hiking the Ponkapoag Pond Trail just about every day.”
By participating in Green Up the Blue Hills, you’ll be playing an essential role in protecting the park’s delicate ecosystem and ensuring a healthier future for native plants and wildlife.
Sign up today at friendsofthebluehills.org/event/greenup2025. For more information, contact Melissa Nelson at melissa@friendsofthebluehills.org or 781-205-0238.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=131454
Posted by Canton Citizen
on Apr 25 2025. Filed under Featured story.
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