Step into the fun world of fungi on this guided mushroom walk through Boston Nature Center.

Naturalist Jef Taylor leads the way, sharing his expertise and passion for mushrooms along the trail. You'll learn how to spot and identify local species, uncover their surprising life histories, and understand the powerful roles they play in forest ecosystems.

From common lookalikes to mycelial networks, you'll leave with a new lens for reading the landscape.

An amazing opportunity to learn about Franklin Park Zoo’s new status as an accredited arboretum! Click the contact link to join the Urban Nature Walk mailing list and register for this event.

Discover nature's hidden wonders on expert-led nature walks! Whether you're searching for tiny critters, spotting birds, or exploring local plant life, these guided experiences are perfect for nature lovers of all levels.

To learn more about this event, join the Urban Nature Walk mailing list by clicking Contact, above.

Whether edible or not, flashy or tiny, on trees or in the soil, mushrooms come in so many fascinating varieties—more than you might realize. Take a walk through the sanctuary with an experienced mycologist in search of local fungi, from polypores and gilled mushrooms to species that defy easy categorization.

Learn about where different fungi grow, what ecological roles they play, and how to begin identifying them in the field using key distinguishing features. You'll leave the walk with a permanent shift in how you view the forest floor.

To learn more about this event and register, click here.

All-Day Activities: Bioblitz, Nature-Inspired Art Exhibition, Summer Scavenger Hunt, Face painting, Partner Organization Tables

10:00 AM—11:00 AM: The Magical Mycelian World of Mushrooms & Fungi with Dedhamite Naturalist Jef Taylor

Join Jef Taylor on a brief but fascinating walk to learn all about mushrooms and fungi! Jef is a Dedham-based naturalist who leads Boston Urban Wilds walks & mushroom walks for Mass Audubon. He also maintains the Franklin Park Biodiversity Project, where he works providing ecologically responsible pest management solutions.

More than 500 species of plants have been observed as part of the Franklin Park Biodiversity Project. This includes plants native to our region, plants brought in intentionally, and weedy plants that found their way in through other means. Join plant expert Brianne Walker and Naturalist Jef Taylor as we explore the park looking at plants and discussing how they came to be in the park, and how indigenous people and European settlers traditionally used them
This is a free event! To learn more and register click here.

Click the contact link to join the Urban Nature Walk mailing list to learn about the events before they happen!

Whether edible or not, flashy or tiny, on trees or in the soil, fungi come in so many fascinating varieties—more than you might realize. Take a walk through the sanctuary with an experienced mycologist in search of local fungi, from polypores and gilled mushrooms to species that defy easy categorization.

Learn about where different fungi grow, what ecological roles they play, and how to begin identifying them in the field using key distinguishing features. You'll leave the walk with a permanent shift in how you view the forest floor.

From workshops to community gatherings, here's what we have coming up. Mark your calendar—we'd love to see you there.

An interactive session for makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.