Join our Photo Group, Favorite Trail Deadline Extension, Upcoming Events

Share your photos with us!

Have you been taking photos in the Blue Hills Reservation? Consider sharing them with the world by posting them to our new Flickr group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/bluehills/). Flickr is a website where you can post photos and videos. You need to become a member to post but they do have free membership plans. Best of all, when you post photos to the Friends of the Blue Hills Flickr group, they are automatically put into rotation on our organization's new front page (http://www.friendsofthebluehills.org/).

We already have almost 100 photos from all over the Reservation, from Ponkapoag Pond to Great Blue Hill (Flickr even has a Mapping feature (http://www.flickr.com/groups/bluehills/pool/map?mode=group) to show you where all the photos were taken). But we know there are more FBH members out there taking great photos and we'd love to see more of what you're up to! So take a moment to check out http://www.flickr.com/groups/bluehills/ and consider sending a few photos our way!

Your Favorite Trails Contest - Deadline Extended to June 30

You still have time to win an FBH T-shirt through our Favorite Trails contest. We have extended the submission deadline; you now have until June 30, 2008 to submit a brief description of your favorite trail and be entered into a raffle for a free FBH T-shirt. Go to http://www.friendsofthebluehills.org/trailsurvey.html today to enter the raffle and submit your description today! If you would like to include a photo, email the photo with your name, phone number and hike description to: fbhphotos@gmail.com. We will share your favorite hikes by posting them on our website and include a selection in our newsletter.

Events

Saturday, June 7, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm - National Trails Day Event

Take a few hours to help improve the trails for the park we all love! We’ll supply tools and training; you supply the energy and enthusiasm. Together we will clear dirt from drainage ditches and remove branches from the trails. A great opportunity to meet new friends and explore the Blue Hills Reservation. Meet at Houghton’s Pond main parking lot. To register call 781-828-1805.

Saturday, June 7, 2:00 pm - FBH Board and Member Hike to Wakefield Estate

Enjoy a hike in the Reservation with FBH Board members and learn more about the Reservation’s new neighbor, the Wakefield Estate. Meet at the Trailside Museum North parking lot for a short hike that will lead us to Wakefield Estate, where we’ll enjoy snacks and a private tour of this legacy estate established by a pioneering horticulturalist. If you’re not up for the hike, feel free to join us at the Wakefield Estate at 3:30 pm for refreshments and the tour; please call for directions and parking information. For details, call 781-828-1805.

Ranger Position Opening at DCR South Region

The Department of Conservation and Recreation, South Region is advertising a full-time Ranger I position, based out of the Blue Hills Headquarters in Milton. For a brief description, see below. For details about the position and how to apply, visit:

https://jobs.hrd.state.ma.us/recruit/public/31100001/job/job_view.do?postingId=J14902&code=search.public&companyId=53

Agency Name: Dept. of Conservation and RecreationOfficial Title: Ranger I
Functional Title: Ranger - South Region
Salary Range: $30,786.08 to $41,246.92 Annually
Facility Location: DCR Division of Urban Parks and Recreation, South Region, 685 Hillside Street, Milton, MA 02186
Application Deadline: 05-27-2008

Description
The Department of Conservation and Recreation seeks qualified applicants for the position of Ranger I. The Ranger I will patrol assigned park(s) to promote compliance with regulations, provide visitor information,provide for the safety of visitors and protection of the natural and park resources, prepare and conduct educational programs, lead walks, participate in special events and any other duties to carry out the mission of the Bureau of Ranger Services.

May 17 Park Serve Day

Join Friends of the Blue Hills on DCR Park Serve Day
Saturday, May, 17 - 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Park Serve is a state wide celebration of our parks and open spaces. This is a terrific opportunity to join together with neighbors, friends and family to lend a hand in helping out with a variety of "spring cleaning" projects. There's something here for everyone, and people of all ages and abilities are invited to join in the work, and fun! Projects include clean up around Houghton's Pond, tree planting on Hemenway Hill and trail maintenance. Meet: Houghton's Pond Recreation Area. Call 617-698-1802 to RSVP and for details.

Job Openings at AMC Ponkapoag Camp

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Ponkapoag Camp is seeking candidates for the following positions:

Ponkapoag Summer Manager
AMC’s Ponkapoag Camp is looking for potential candidates for this summer’s management position. This position requires the manager to live at camp for the duration of the summer season (10 weeks, from June 21st to Labor Day). The manager is paid a salary ($500 per week), and lives, free of charge, in one of the Camp cabins. The manager is expected to be on-duty, in the office, for several hours each morning and is “on-call” for emergencies at other times throughout the day. A family with kids may enjoy the opportunity to live free at Camp while sharing the tasks that keep it up and running. It is a great way to teach kids respect for both nature and community. If you think you might be interested, or know someone else who might be perfect for the job, please contact Henry Barbaro at 617-524-7510.

Ponkapoag Lifeguard
AMC’s Ponkapoag Camp is looking for someone(s) to be the Camp’s lifeguard for the summer (June 21st to Labor Day). We would prefer someone who knows about the Camp, is a self-starter, and loves working with kids. The job pays very well at $12 an hour. We often hire two lifeguards who split the full-time hours but we are also willing to offer all the hours to one lifeguard. Of course, our lifeguard must be certified. If you are interested but are not yet certified, Ponkapoag would be willing to reimburse the cost of a lifeguard certification class. Classes are offered on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the Spring in various locations. You must be at least 15 years old to get certified. If you are interested, please contact Darlene Dowd at 617-323-2654.

Trail Description Contest

Got a favorite trail? Let us know!

Members who responded to our survey overwhelmingly told us that they would like to see descriptions of recommended hikes on our website. And who would know more about the Blue Hills than our members themselves?

Help us collect trip descriptions to please any park visitor by telling us about your favorite trail in the Reservation. Whether you bike, horseback ride, run, hike or saunter – let us know your favorite route!

To submit a description, complete the form at: http://www.friendsofthebluehills.org/trailsurvey.html. If you would like to include a photo, email the photo with your name, phone number and hike description to: fbhphotos@gmail.com. Descriptions received before May 1, 2008 will be entered into a raffle for a free FBH T-shirt. We will share your favorite hikes by posting them on our website and including a selection in our newsletter.

Upcoming events

The Blue Hills Trailside Museum 11th Annual Auction
Saturday, March 29, 2008, 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm
The Lantana, 43 Scanlon Drive, Randolph

Join the Trailside Museum for this annual extravaganza! You'll enjoy yourself - and support improvements in the museum's outdoors exhibit area. The evening's events will include a silent auction followed by dinner and a live auction. A cash bar will be available. Some auction items include a baseball autographed by Red Sox Star Jonathan Papelbon, tickets to a Red Sox game, Patriots tickets, fine wine, jewelry,and stimulating educational opportunities. Be sure to arrive on time to have time to check out the silent and live auction items. Tickets are $75 per person.
Auction information: http://massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Blue_Hills/news.php?id=934

Take Action for the Environmental Bond!
Wednesday, April 9, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sponsored by the Coalition for the Environmental Bond
Check in: Appalachian Mountain Club’s Cabot Auditorium, 5 Joy St, Boston
(After check-in, participants will walk to the State House.)

Join the Coalition for the Environmental Bond to help pass the Bond Bill by participating in the Environmental Bond Lobby Day. At the State House, you will hear from Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Bowles, Representative Frank Smizik and others (possibly including Governor Patrick) and then meet with your Senators and Representatives in their State House offices. For more information about the Bond Bill and the Coalition, visit: http://www.envirobond.org/.

Kick-off Advocacy Committee Meeting

Kick-off Advocacy Committee Meeting
Monday, April 7, 7:00 pm, 67 Vose Hill Rd, Milton

Want to help protect the Blue Hills, but don’t know how? Interested in learning more about the threats to the Reservation and steps you can take to safeguard our park? Join us for this meeting to kick-off FBH’s Advocacy Committee! Meet other people who care about the Reservation – and learn about one-time and on-going volunteer opportunities.

RSVP and questions: info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org or 781-828-1805.