Our purpose:

1. to discover and identify the plants and animals living amongst us

2. to learn their habits and survival requirements

3. to implement landscaping and other wildlife accommodations, such as nest boxes, feeders, brush piles, rock piles, tree snags, ponds and other water features.

 

Meetings will alternate between trips to public greenspace and private homes. We'll search for plants and animals and learn how they function in our ecosystem. We'll take turns visiting meetup members' homes to evaluate their habitat potential and discuss improvements. 

A knowledge of plants--their identification, nutritional value to wildlife, and cultural requirements--will serve a major role in our endeavor, since they are an ecosystem's foundation. All animals require plants--specific plants--for their survival. Even carnivores rely on plants to nourish their prey. We'll learn and share many techniques for creating habitat, but landscaping is key. 

This meetup is chiefly intended for nature lovers who are upset to see wilderness vanish, and want to become actively involved in making a difference--starting with their own backyard (and frontyard, too!). Many of you have enough greenspace around your homes to make an impact.  There are also many amongst you that really haven't got much more than a couple windowboxes or a single tree beside your apartment. While your options are limited, an opportunity remains.

All suburban properties are landscaped to some extent; owners recognize the improved appearance and property value. Yet, the plants chosen are too often non-native, produce sterile blossoms, inedible fruit, situated in monocultures. Some of the problem lies with limited availability from nurseries and garden centers; the rest with uninformed consumers. So let's get informed! With a little insight, plants offering greater wildlife benefit can be substituted, and look just as beautiful.

 

ps. Read the "Recommended Reading" entry (it's down a little lower).



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Suburban Naturalists

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Recent Meetups

  • February 11 at 1:00 PM, 6 Subnats attended

    Lichens are Everywhere! A Friends of Fresh Pond Program

    They rated it 5.00 5.002 (2 ratings)

    Elizabeth Kneiper, a naturalist with a special interest in lichens, will introduce us to the characteristics and biology of the plant worlds' most interesting composite... Learn more

  • January 28 at 11:00 AM, 3 Subnats attended

    Webster Conservation Area

    They rated it 5.00 5.002 (2 ratings)

    The largest conservation area in Newton is wooded, with noted rock outcroppings of Roxbury Puddingstone, brooks, ponds, wetlands, fields, and an historic woodland garden... Learn more

  • January 7 at 11:00 AM, 4 Subnats attended

    Cutler Park Reservation

    They rated it 5.00 5.003 (3 ratings)

    “

    A fun and informative way to spend an afternoon. ...

    —Benjamin

    “

    A nice walk around the pond, and a chance to meet some new members. Ice on shaded parts of pond already surprisingly thick.

    —jennifer

  • November 5, 2011 at 7:00 PM, 8 Subnats attended

    THE MOON: FACT, FICTION, AND LORE

    They rated it 5.00 5.001 (1 ratings)

    THE MOON: FACT, FICTION, AND LORE 7 to 9 pm Astronomer Joshua Roth and naturalist Barbara Strell will lead activities addressing everything from the moon's origin to its... Learn more

  • October 23, 2011 at 11:00 AM, 2 Subnats attended

    Hike Prospect Hill and look at how nature has taken back the ski slope.
    Regional community park of natural woodlands with over 250 acres of undeveloped land. Park includes picnic sites, walking trails and scenic vistas of Boston's skyline... Learn more
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Suburban Naturalists http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/c/8/7/global_20936455.jpeg
Newton, MA 02458
Founded Feb 10, 2008
20080210
Organizers:
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