Past Events - 2011
Monday Night Forum
October 24th, 7 p.m.
Orient Heights Yacht Club
Bill Adler from the Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association
Belle Isle Harvest Festival
Sunday, October 23, 2011 - 1 - 3 p.m.
The Harvest Festival will feature horse-drawn hayrides, pumpkin decorating, live animals with the Creature Teacher, a touch tank, live music and information tables. The festival is free. The public is invited.
Thanks to the following contributors: East Boston Savings Bank, Revere Mayor Thomas Ambrosino, The Tides Restaurant (Nahant) and Century 21 Mario Real Estate.
Jack Markley
A Celebration of Life will be held on October 8th at the Beachmont Yacht Club from noon to 4 p.m. Jack wanted a simple event where people can get together and talk to each other. It's is an event that starts at noon and ends at 4. It's more of a "stop by for a while" event.
Boston Harbor Cruise
Sunday, September 25th - 1 - 4 p.m.
Welcome aboard! This cruise on The Revolution with Captain Tim Gover will depart from the Winthrop Town Landing at 1 p.m. and return at 4 p.m. This will be our first FBIM-sponsored cruise. Invite friends to spend an evening on the water and enjoy this last weekend of the summer. Tickets are $25. Free parking. Watch this website.
2011 Dawn Heron Censuses
Help count the Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Black-crowned Night-Herons and Glossy Ibises. In addition to herons, you'll see other shore and water birds. Bring binoculars, waterproof footware and mosquito protection. The census lasts anywhere from one to four hours.
| Sundays | Time | High Tide |
|---|---|---|
| September 4 | 7:00 AM | 4:40 AM |
Meet at Sireen Reinstein Memorial Boardwalk at the southeast corner of Belle Isle Park.
Parking on Bennington St. across from Suffolk Downs 
station, near Bell Isle Park entrance.
For more information, please call Soheil Zendeh, 781-863-2392.
Belle Isle Marsh Exploration
with Matt Nash
Saturday, August 20th - 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Meet at Excel Academy's parking lot, Saratoga Street, East Boston for a morning of exploring our salt marsh with a DCR educator as our guide. Students and parents invited. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For reservations call 781-485-2804 x 105 or write to matthew.nash@state.ma.us for more information. Identify shore birds, insects and plants that are native to our marsh. Wear boots - you may get wet! Some boots will be available. FREE
The Night Sky
The Full Moon and the Perseid Meteor Showers
Saturday, August 13th - 8:30
Come and learn about constellations and meteors with Chris Farnsworth at Hannaford Park, Winthrop Highlands (at the end of Highland Avenue). Bring a chair or blanket
Packing Boxes for the Troops
at Honan Sign Co.
Monday, August 1st - 6:30 p.m.
For the past several years, Richard Honan and hundreds of volunteers have been sending boxes every month to local service men and women stationed all over the world. If you can spare an hour or so, come to Honan Sign Co., 66 Crest Avenue, Wmthrop at 6:30 to help.
If you would like to donate items, here are some items that are appreciated:
Food & Snacks: Chef Boyardee (Spaghetti, Ravioli, Mac n' cheese, Snows Clam Chowder, Hormel Chili, Spaghettio's, Campbell's Chunky Soups & Stews, Tuna Fish (cans or packages), Beef Stew, Kraft EZ Mac n' Cheese, Campbell's Soup, Individual Drink Packets (Crystal Lite, Kool Aid, Hawaiian Punch, Propel), Energy Bars (Powerbars, Clif Bars, Marathon Bars), Small bags of nuts (salted nuts, mixed nuts, trail mix), Individually wrapped candy (Lifesavers, Tootsie Roll pops, gum), Fruit Cocktail, Apple Sauce, Hard pretzels, Oatmeal, Cereal (Small, individual servings or boxes), Spices, Tabasco sauce, Pete's Red Hot Sauce
Entertainment: Batteries (AA, AAA), DVD's movies (new or used), Video games (X Box -PS 3), CD's of music, Playing cards, Crossword Puzzle Books, Small Board Games ( checkers - Chess), Stationary & envelopes, Nerffootballs I Whiffle balls I Frisbees
Toiletries: Black Socks, Underwear (olive green), Shower Flip-flops, Liquid hand sanitizers, Facial WIpes (Wet Ones, Baby wipes), Gold Bond (type) Powder, Foot Powder, Dr. Scholl's Shoe Inserts, Small Bottles of Pain Reliever (Asprin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen), Eye Drops, Chap Stick, Turns, Cough Drops, Cold Remedies, Band-aids, Vitamins.
8th Annual
Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival
Thursday July 14 – Sunday 17, 2011
As the largest Sand Sculpting Festival on the East Coast, please welcome world-renowned artists and over 300,000 spectators to our sandy shores. With new features including the interactive Kid’s Zone and Learning Center, and the hearty and healthy beachside food pavilion, the weekend is sure to be fun for the whole family! The 2011 Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival is free and open to the public. We encourage everyone to experience the beauty, history and fun that is Revere Beach.
Bike to Deer Island
Sunday, July 24, 10:00 a.m.
Paul Revere Park, Charlestown
or 10:45 am meet up with ride atEast Boston Greenway Caboose
South Bremen and Marginal Streets, East Boston
Ride to the tip of Deer Island in the middle of Boston Harbor, the most isolated connected part of the city. Led by Doug Mink, this 30-mile ride (or 20 miles from East Boston) will be along scenic waterfront, city streets and some off-road paths. Registration recommended. Bike Deer Isle
2011 Dawn Heron Censuses
Help count the Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Black-crowned Night-Herons and Glossy Ibises. In addition to herons, you'll see other shore and water birds. Bring binoculars, waterproof footware and mosquito protection. The census lasts anywhere from one to four hours.
| Sundays | Time | High Tide |
|---|---|---|
| July 24 | 5:00 AM | 6:30 AM |
Meet at Sireen Reinstein Memorial Boardwalk at the southeast corner of Belle Isle Park.
Parking on Bennington St. across from Suffolk Downs station, near Bell Isle Park entrance.
For more information, please call Soheil Zendeh, 781-863-2392.
Urban Wilds
Summer Solstice Celebration at Condor Street Urban Wild
Tuesday, June 216:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Condor and Glendon Streets, East Boston
Join us for an evening event to celebrate the longest day of the year. Children can participate in a scavenger hunt while we listen to live music and enjoy the view of Boston Harbor.
Canoe with Dad!
Father's Day - Sunday, June 19, 2:00 p.m.Registration is required by calling DCR at 617-727-1199, Ext. 410
Canoe Belle Isle Creek
Saturday, May 28, 8:30 -10:30 AM.Meet at Belle Isle
Marsh main parking lot off Bennington Street, East Boston.
Explore the marshes of Belle Isle by canoe.
Paddling experience required.
Pre-registration
required; call 781-485-2803 x 109.
Participants must be at least 10 years old
and be able to swim. Children under 18
must be accompanied by an adult.
Boston Harbor Pilots
sponsored by the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh
Monday, June 13th at 7 PM at the Orient Heights Yacht Club
Andy Hammond will speak about the exciting careers of Boston Harbor Pilots at the Orient Heights Yacht Club, 61 Bayswater Street, East Boston, 7 PM. Free. Public is invited.
Conference on River Monitoring and Climate Change in Massachusetts
Wednesday, Thursday, May 18 - 19Sponsored by Massachusetts Rivers Alliance. Call 857-445-0208 or see www.massriversalliance.org.
Annual Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle
Sunday, May 15, all day.
Sponsored by Mystic River WatershedAssociation. Call 781-316-3438 for more information.
Migrant Madness at Breakheart Reservation
(field trip)Saturday, May 7, 10 AM - 12 NOON.
Meet at Christopher P. Dunne Visitors Center, 177 Forest Street, Saugus. Leader: David Brown. Wear sturdy footwear. About 2 miles will be covered at a slow pace. Bring water, binoculars, and field guides if you have them.
Migrant Madness at Breakheart Reservation
(lecture and video)Friday, May 6, 7 - 8:30 PM.
Meet at Christopher P. Dunne Visitors Center, 177 Forest Street, Saugus. David Brown shares his videotape of many of the colorful warblers that can be seen here during the spring.
April 26, 2011 Community Meeting on Global Petroleum's Proposal
Global wants to upgrade and modernize the railcar unloading facility at its bulk storage terminal located at 140 Lee Burbank Highway (Route 1A) in Revere. The project will enhance Global's ability to receive ethanol and other renewable fuels by rail car.
The meeting will be held at the new Revere Police Station, 400 Revere Beach Parkway, 6 p.m. (near the Suffolk Downs Entrance)Spring Cleanup
Saturday, April 30th 9:30 AM — noon
Volunteers Welcome. Bring Friends.
Bayou Street near Fort Banks School Athletic Field.
Park at the
Belle Isle Cemetery near the Gorman-Ft. Banks School.
Refreshments will be served. Gloves will be provided.
Many hands make quick work.
"Clean Coal" Forum
sponsored by the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh
Monday, April 25th at 7 PM at the Orient Heights Yacht ClubDrew Grande, the Massachusetts Coordinator of the Beyond Coal Campaign of the Sierra Club, will be the featured speaker at a Forum on Monday, April 25th at 7 PM at the Orient Heights Yacht Club. "Coal Country" is a film about the lifecycle of coal from mining, processing, burning, and disposal. The movie will be followed by a discussion of local coal and energy issues. The Forum is free and open to the public.
The Salem Harbor power plant is one of three coal-fired power plants in Massachusetts. Drew Grande said, "Coal is literally killing us by dumping toxic pollution into our air, water, and land. The pollution from these coal plants is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and it's literally making us sick." Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not limited the amount of carbon pollution spewed into the air by power plants and refineries, but by establishing safeguards, the EPA will be able to set reasonable limits on pollution from new and existing polluters. According to the EPA, air toxics are the most hazardous air pollutants. Coal-fired power plants emit mercury, arsenic, lead, dioxin, and acid gases that are known threats to public health. Even in small amounts these extremely harmful air pollutants are linked to cancer and other serious health problems. Millions of tons of air toxics are released into the air annually from manmade sources such as coal-fired power plants, cement and brick manufacturing facilities and other industrial processes.
Drew Grande earned his Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science and Management at the University of Rhode Island. The public is invited to hear Drew Grande's presentation and learn about energy solutions. The Friends of Belle Isle Marsh is an environmental advocacy organization whose mission is primarily educational. This Forum is free. For more information, call 617-846-7418 or 617-567-5072.
Calling all Junior Rangers:
Become a Junior Ranger during school vacation!
April break, Wednesday - Saturday, April 20 - 23, 10 AM - 12 NOON daily.
Geared toward ages 8 - 12; friends and siblings welcome. Attention Scouts: You may earn Merit Badges too! Complete 8 activities and earn your Junior Ranger patch. Come every day, or just join us 1 time. Materials will be provided. Pre-registration required. Call Lynn Hildenbrand at 781-231-1203 for meeting locations and registration.
The Cupid Splash has been rescheduled.
Join us on Saturday, April 2nd at noon for the
1st Splash of Spring to benefit Save The Harbor / Save the Bay
As you know we were forced to postpone the Cupid Splash this year because there was simply too much snow and ice for us to get to the beach.
Though we were all disappointed to have to postpone this traditional winter dip and pledge fundraiser, we are all looking forward to taking part in the 1st Splash of Spring - when the air will be a little warmer - though the water will still be plenty cold!
The extra time will give us the chance to reach out and recruit some more splashers and to raise some more money for a great cause. Of course we are going keep the "Cupid" theme going as well- so don't forget your wings!
We are still planning 8 simultaneous splashes on beaches from Nahant to Nantasket, followed immediately by "warm-up" parties at a nearby tavern in each community sponsored by our friends at Harpoon Brewery. Though we hope you will go "All the Way for Save the Harbor Save the Bay", to participate you have to go in up to your knees - and pledge to raise a minimum of $25 - $100 to support Save the Harbor and our local public beaches.
Birding Belle Isle and vicinity.
Saturday, April 2, 9 AM - NOON.Meet at Belle Isle Marsh main parking lot off Bennington Street, East Boston. We will be searching for early spring migrants in the woodlands in and around Belle Isle. Bring your binoculars. Beginners welcome.
East Boston Greenway Council meeting
Thursday, March 24, 6:30 PM.East Boston YMCA, 215 Bremen Street, East Boston.
All are welcome. For more information contact Candice Cook at 617-542-7696 x 16 or email candice@bostonnatural.org.
Birding Belle Isle and vicinity.
Saturday, March 26, 9 AM - NOON.Meet at Belle Isle Marsh main parking lot off Bennington Street, East Boston. We will be searching for snipe at Belle Isle and waterfowl at the Oasis. Bring your binoculars. Beginners welcome.
Friends of Belle Isle Marsh Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at St. John's Episcopal Church Hall, 222 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop from 2 - 4 PM. The keynote speakers will be Dr. Ellen Douglas and Dr. Paul Kirshen who will discuss "Climate Change and Sea Level Rise in the Boston Harbor Area." Dr. Douglas is an assistant professor of hydrology at UMass-Boston where she is researching strategies to adapt to climate change. Dr. Kirshen of the Battelle Institute in Lexington, is a noted research leader on climate variability and change, the coastal zone and water resources.
The Annual Meeting will include a brief business meeting and election of officers for 2011. Refreshments will be served. The Friends of Belle Isle Marsh is an all-volunteer advocacy organization dedicated to the preservation of Belle Isle Marsh Reservation as a natural environment. Belle Isle Marsh is located in East Boston, Winthrop and Revere and is home to hundreds of species of animals, plants, birds, mammals and insects. Our mission is primarily educational. Annual membership dues are $10 for an individual, $15 for a family, and $5 for Seniors.
The Annual Meeting is free and open to the public. However, only members in good standing may vote. For more information, please call 617-567-5072.
In Memoriam
The Belle Isle Marsh family recently experienced another very great loss with the passing of our friend and treasurer, Heather McClure. Heather could be seen everywhere the organization sponsored an event, whether it was the fall festival, the annual meeting or one of our speaker forums, despite battling cancer for over two years.
Heather was responsible for bringing the Friends into the modern world by implementing a bookkeeping system known as Quickbooks. Before Quickbooks, we took pencil to paper to record all of our many financial transactions in a checkbook. The Friends has several sources of revenue including membership dues, grants, donations and funds set aside for the Reinstein Boardwalk. All accounts were meticulously managed by Heather. She was just a crackerjack for our organization!
Anyone who knew Heather would always find her helpful, friendly and smiling at all of our events....maybe it was because she was always handling the money! She especially enjoyed greeting our long time supporters and newcomers to the marsh at the fall festival, always at the table passing out the snacks and taking in new memberships.
Heather passed away on January 9th, one week shy of her 58th birthday. As a friend and FBIM volunteer, she truly left a mark in the environmental community and she will be missed by all of us.
Interesting New Website
Announcing the debut of a new website The Butterflies of Massachusetts, now available at www.butterfliesofmassachusetts.net! This resource presents new information on the abundance and distribution of Massachusetts butterflies based on Massachusetts Butterfly Club sighting data. It also contains a wealth of historical background on each species, as well as conservation and management information.
Species Accounts will cover all butterfly species normally occurring in Massachusetts. Many Species Accounts are now available. Each Account includes (1) history and abundance in the 1800s and 1900s; (2) host plants and habitat in Massachusetts; (3) chart of relative abundance today, including change since 1986-90 Audubon Atlas; (4) map of distribution today based on MBC sighting data; (5) broods and flight periods in Massachusetts; (6) conservation outlook, including the probable impact of climate warming.
Each Species Account is illustrated with a photograph taken by a photographer associated with the Massachusetts Butterfly Club.
Oceanside Campfire
Constitution Beach, E. BostonSaturday, March 12th, 6pm-8pm
Meet at: Constitution Beach parking lot.
Sponsored by DCR.
Co-sponsored by East Boston YMCA.
Beach Discovery
Wednesday, February 23rd, 11am-12pmChildren will explore signs of life along the beach and learn ways to help keep the area beautiful and safe for wildlife and people. Sponsored by DCR.
Meet at: Reinstein Bandstand, Revere Beach Blvd. near Shirley Ave.
Shore Bird Discovery
Thursday, February 24th, 11am-12pmChildren will learn about some of the birds that visit our beaches and what the DCR is doing to protect rare shorebirds. Sponsored by DCR.
Meet at: Reinstein Bandstand, Revere Beach Blvd. near Shirley Ave.
Cupid Splash Postponed till April 2
Belle Isle Winter Tracking
Saturday, February 129:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, Bennington St., East Boston
Search through the wetlands and nature trails of Belle Isle Marsh for tracks and signs of mammals. Ice permitting, we'll also explore the reedbeds for signs of activity. Sponsored by DCR.
Get Out and Bird
Description
Board the Voyager III and cruise the outer Harbor Islands, Hingham Bay and Weir River estuary on Saturday, January 15.
Park rangers and experienced birders will lead this winter wildlife tour. The boat is enclosed and heated, but there is plenty of deck space for the best viewing opportunities. Reservations are strongly suggested.
Boat Departures from Quincy & Boston
on the following schedule:
Depart Quincy at 10:15 AM
Depart Boston 11:00 AM
Return to Boston: 2:00 PM
Return to Quincy 2:30 PM
When
* 1/15/2011 Sat @ 10:15 am,11:00 am; Length: 4 Hrs 15 Minutes
Where
Non-Island Location
Accessibility
The vessel and docks meet ADA accessibility standards.
Program Fee
All Ages $14.00
Tickets include one complimentary coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or soft drink. A cash snack bar featuring chili, and chowder along with snack fare will be available on-board.
Any non-profit organization that buys 10 or more tickets is eligible to receive a donation worth $4 per person in form of a check to their organization from Boston's Best Cruises. (ex. buy 10 tickets, receive $40, buy 50 tickets, receive $200).
If you would like this donation to benefit the Harbor Islands, please request the donation be directed to Boston Harbor Island Alliance upon purchase.
Reservation Contact Information
Boston's Best Cruises Reservationswork (617) 770-0040
RESERVE NOW
Program Contact Information
Park Ranger: boha_information@nps.gov
work (617) 223-8666
Directions
Boats will depart from Long Wharf, Boston and Quincy Shipyard. Check the event description for the schedule.
Getting to the event - more info
Sponsor:
Additional Sponsors
National Park Service, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, Boston's Best Cruises
© Friends of Belle Isle Marsh 2011 - all rights reserved