Boston Harbor Islands

https://www.nps.gov/boha/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Harbor_Islands_National_Recreation_Area The Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is situated among the islands of Boston Harbor of Boston, Massachusetts. The area is made up of a collection of islands, together with a former island and a peninsula, many of which are open for public recreation and some of which are very small and best suited for wildlife. Attractions include hiking trails, beaches, the Civil War-era Fort Warren on Georges Island and Boston Light on Little Brewster Island, the oldest lighthouse in the United States. Georges Island and Spectacle Island are served seasonally by ferries to and from Boston and Quincy, connecting on weekends and summer weekdays with a shuttle boat to several other islands, Hull, and Hingham. . . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, visit historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking or swimming-all within reach of downtown Boston. Youth programs, visitor services, research, wildlife management, and more are coordinated on the park's 34 islands and peninsulas by the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership. There are many ways to enjoy Boston Harbor Islands and many ways to get there. For more information on how to get to the park by ferry, car, or private boat, please visit www.bostonharborislands.org. Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center Located on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center offers visitor information and serves as a waypoint before beginning your journey to the Boston Harbor Islands. Georges Island Visitor Center The Visitor Center on Georges Island occupies a 1906 historic brick building that originally stored and serviced mines for the minefield located in Boston Harbor. The Visitor Center has a ranger-staffed desk, island and harbor information, a short informative movie about Fort Warren, an exhibit on the island's history, and restrooms. All are available during operating hours. Peddocks Island Visitor Center The former Guardhouse for Fort Andrews, the Peddocks Island Visitor Center is located near the dock. An information desk and seating are available with restrooms located on the lower level. Spectacle Island Visitor Center The Spectacle Island Visitor Center has a staffed information desk, a small island exhibit and informative island movie, and restrooms. Beach Dancing A child dancing on the beach at dusk A child dancing on the beach at dusk Kayaking Boston Harbor Islands A man on a kayak in Boston Harbor Kayaking in Boston Harbor Islands National Recreational Area Sunset Over Boston An image of the sun setting over the Boston skyline from the Islands Watch the sunset from Boston Harbor Islands Come Explore The Islands Children looking out at Boston from the Harbor Islands Looking out at the city from the Boston Harbor Islands Fort Warren Historic Fort Warren on Georges Island Visit historic Fort Warren on Georges Island in Boston Harbor National Park Getaway: Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Imagine a place where you can explore tide pools, walk through a Civil War-era fort, climb a lighthouse, hike lush trails and salt marshes, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming... all within reach of downtown Boston. What better place to start than Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area? Kids sitting around table with park ranger. Citizen Science in the Digital Age With well over 100 citizen-science based apps now available for smartphones, there is no lack of opportunity for people of all ages and affectations to significantly add to the collective knowledge base about many aspects of the natural world. The phrase “there is an app for that” has perhaps never been more true for natural resource monitoring. Students use microscopes to identify pond species at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP Bioblitz. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, Massachusetts Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. low relief island Designing the Parks: Learning in Action The Designing the Parks program is not your typical internship. Each year since 2013, this program at the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation has introduced a cohort of college students and recent graduates to NPS design and planning professions through projects related to cultural landscape stewardship. In the internships, made possible by partner organizations, participants focus on an in-depth project that directly engages with a national park unit. A group of young people stand on forest trail and listen to two maintenance employees The Positive Side of Zero For something that essentially represents "nothingness", the number zero carries a lot of weight when collecting data. a stone zero What’s the Buzz? How Bees Interrelate with Birds, Wildflowers, and Deer Ecosystems are complex and intricate and sometimes have a surprising web of relationships. Learn how deer, bees, birds, and wildflowers connect in the park ecosystems of the northeast. A bee pollinates a wildflower Wild, Wacky, and Weird Weather. What the? A look at the difference between weather and climate. A Vermont blizzard. Species Spotlight - Crazy Snakeworm Because of the scouring action of the ice age, earthworms are not native to the northeast. One species in particular, the crazy snake worm, has the potential to greatly alter the natural forest ecosystems in our region. An earthworm held in a person's hand Species Spotlight - American Oystercatcher American Oystercatchers are one of the many coastal breeding bird species that citizen scientist volunteers help to monitor among Boston Harbor Islands NRA. Learn more about this fascinating bird and how it is fairing off the coast of a large eastern seaboard city. Volunteers help to monitor coastal breeding birds off the coast of Boston. NPS photo. Red, Green and Blue: Identifying Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ Historic Places The National Park Service is committed to preserving and interpreting the history of all Americans in all of its diversity and complexity. However, even some of the nation’s most important historic sites have found their history leveled by the wrecking ball. How, then, can communities preserve sites that witnessed the history of minority groups, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and queer persons (LGBTQ+)* or others struggling for equality? Historic brick building sits among the trees. NETN Field Note: Deer, Worms, and Invasives When too many deer, earthworms, and invasive plant species work i concert, detrimental effects happen to the health of northeastern forests. Forest health monitoring NETN Species Spotlight - Sharp-shinned Hawk About the size of a Blue-Jay, Sharp-shinned Hawks are aerial acrobats and are the smallest of three North American agile hawks known as the accipiters (ah-sip-it-ers). Learn more about this amazing and oft misunderstood hawk. Sharp-shinned Hawk perched on a branch Preserving Places of Captivity: Civil War Military Prisons in the National Parks During the Civil War, over 400,000 Union and Confederate soldiers were held prisoner at more than 150 diff erent prison sites. Approximately 56,000 of these died in captivity. Although Andersonville is the most famous Civil War prison, it is only one of many Civil War military prisons that are preserved by the National Park Service. Disability History: The NPS and Accessibility The National Park Service strives to make its parks, monuments, and historic sites available to all. Programs, services, and products, such as Braille alternatives of print material, sign language interpretation of tours, accessible camping sites and trails, ramps and elevators make parks more accessible. These are essential to allowing the public to fully enjoy NPS resources. exterior of a log cabin Third System of Coastal Forts How should a country protect its borders? The United States had to consider this question when the War of 1812 ended in 1815. One year later, the federal government believed it had an answer. The nation created a broad national defense strategy that included a new generation of waterfront defenses called the Third System of Coastal Fortifications. Seacoast Ordnance Cannon manufactured for use in Third System forts are called seacoast ordnance. These were some of the largest and heaviest cannon available at the time. Cannon at forts Pickens, McRee, Barrancas, Massachusetts, and Advanced Redoubt fell into three categories: guns, howitzers, and mortars. Each had a specific purpose. A cannon is mounted over a brick wall, an American flag is flying to the left. Rocky Intertidal Research in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Along coastlines, where the land meets the sea, is an area known as the intertidal zone -- the region between the lowest low tide and the highest high tide. How do relationships between organisms affect where different species are found, and how important are local environmental conditions in controlling the distributions of species? Drs. Jane Lubchenco and Bruce Menge, two marine ecologists, set out to answer these questions. A rocky shoreline surrounded by blue ocean water with white sea birds and boat in the distance Safe Harbor: The Maritime Underground Railroad in Boston During the years preceding the American Civil War, Boston served as one of the most important stops on the Underground Railroad. Many of the freedom seekers escaping slavery came to Boston by stowing away on ships from southern ports. Painting of ships in Boston Harbor with the sun rising. Series: Disability History The Disability History series brings attention to some of the many disability stories interwoven across the National Park Service’s 400+ units and its programs. “Disability stories” refer to the array of experiences by, from, and about people with disabilities represented across our nation. People with disabilities are the largest minority in the United States, but their stories often remain untold. Statue of FDR in his wheelchair Series: National Park Service Geodiversity Atlas The servicewide Geodiversity Atlas provides information on <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geoheritage-conservation.htm">geoheritage</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geodiversity.htm">geodiversity</a> resources and values all across the National Park System to support science-based management and education. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1088/index.htm">NPS Geologic Resources Division</a> and many parks work with National and International <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/park-geology.htm">geoconservation</a> communities to ensure that NPS abiotic resources are managed using the highest standards and best practices available. park scene mountains Series: Parks in Science History Parks in Science History is a series of articles and videos made in cooperation with graduate students from various universities. They highlight the roles that national parks have played in the history of science and, therefore, the world's intellectual heritage. A woman looking through binoculars The Precambrian The Precambrian was the "Age of Early Life." During the Precambrian, continents formed and our modern atmosphere developed, while early life evolved and flourished. Soft-bodied creatures like worms and jellyfish lived in the world's oceans, but the land remained barren. Common Precambrian fossils include stromatolites and similar structures, which are traces of mats of algae-like microorganisms, and microfossils of other microorganisms. fossil stromatolites in a cliff face Proterozoic Eon—2.5 Billion to 541 MYA The Proterozoic Eon is the most recent division of the Precambrian. It is also the longest geologic eon, beginning 2.5 billion years ago and ending 541 million years ago fossil stromatolites in a cliff face Green Island Plants Plant list for Green Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Georges Island Plants Plant list for Georges Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Grape Island Plants Plant list for Grape Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Great Brewster Island Plants Plant list for Great Brewster Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Hangman Island Plants Plant list for Hangman Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Calf Island Plants Plant list for Calf Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Deer Island Plants Plant list for Deer Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Langlee Island Plants Plant list for Langlee Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Outer Brewster Island Plants Plant list for Outer Brewster Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Ragged Island Plants Plant list for Ragged Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Slate Island Plants Plant list for Slate Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Rainsford Island Plants Plant list for Rainsford Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. World's End Plants Plant list for World's End surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Little Calf Island Plants Plant list for Little Calf Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Long Island Plants Plant list for Long Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Middle Brewster Island Plants Plant list for Middle Brewster Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Lovell Island Plants Plant list for Lovell Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Little Brewster Island Plants Plant list for Little Brewster Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Nut Island Plants Plant list for Nut Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Raccoon Island Plants Plant list for Raccoon Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Spectacle Island Plants Plant list for Spectacle Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Sheep Island Plants Plant list for Sheep Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Sarah Island Plants Plant list for Sarah Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Peddocks Island Plants Plant list for Peddocks Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Snake Island Plants Plant list for Snake Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Webb State Park Plants Plant list for Webb State Park surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Thompson Island Plants Plant list for Thompson Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Bumpkin Island Plants Plant list for Bumpkin Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Button Island Plants Plant list for Button Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Invasion of the Biome Bashers Invasive plants are a concerning and growing issue for eastern national parks. Learn what is spreading, and how some parks are seeing success in managing them. Glossy buckthron Gallops Island Plants Plant list for Gallops Island surveyed during a two-year project funded by the Island Alliance to study the vegetation of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area. Unfinished: America at 250 Unfinished: America at 250 is a partnership of historical and cultural institutions, National Park Service sites, historians, and changemakers. This partnership harnesses the stories of the past and activates historic spaces to provoke community conversations about the ongoing American Revolution. Unfinished: America at 250 graphic with people along the bottom Species Spotlight - Deer Tick Deer ticks are an increasing problem in the northeast. Learn more about why they are increasing, the way they spread Lyme disease, and how to prevent getting a tick bite. And there are also lizards. Warm lizard. Pollinators in peril? A multipark approach to evaluating bee communities in habitats vulnerable to effects from climate change Can you name five bees in your park? Ten? Twenty? Will they all be there 50 years from now? We know that pollinators are key to maintaining healthy ecosystems—from managed almond orchards to wild mountain meadows. We have heard about dramatic population declines of the agricultural workhorse, the honey bee. Yet what do we really know about the remarkable diversity and resilience of native bees in our national parks? Southeastern polyester bee, Colletes titusensis. Species Spotlight - Dragonflies Dragonflies have incredible powers of flight and vision. Learn how they use these to catch just about anything they want on the wing. Dragonfly nymph. Species Spotlight - Oaks Oaks appear so often in the story of humanity that it could scarcely have been written without them. Learn more about this amazing trees species and how it has shaped cultures across the world. A white oak branch with acorns American Elm Learn about phenology, or the changing of seasons, through monitoring American Elms at the Charlestown Navy Yard. bright green serrated leaves Black Walnut Trees Learn about the Black Walnut. long green ridged leaves coming out of branches Pin Oak Learn about phenology, or the changing of seasons, through monitoring Pin Oaks at the Charlestown Navy Yard. green pointed, lobed leaves Eastern Red Cedar Learn about phenology, or the changing of seasons, through monitoring Eastern Red Cedar at the Charlestown Navy Yard. scaly evergreen leaves of the Eastern Red Cedar American Basswood Learn about phenology, or the changing of seasons, through monitoring American Basswoods at the Charlestown Navy Yard. heart shaped dark green leaves with bunches of light green fruits. Horse Chestnut Learn about phenology, or the changing of seasons, through monitoring Horse Chestnut Trees at the Charlestown Navy Yard. green paddle-shaped leaves meeting at a central point. Tuliptree or Tulip Poplar Learn about phenology, or the changing of seasons, through monitoring Tuliptrees at the Charlestown Navy Yard. large broad leaves with pointed lobes and a v-shaped notch at the top Red Maple Learn about the Red Maple. tri-pointed green leaves with slightly serated edges Tree Phenology at the Charlestown Navy Yard Learn about phenology, or the changing of seasons, through monitoring Horse Chestnut trees at the Charlestown Navy Yard. green paddle-shaped leaves growing from a central point. Species Spotlight - Flying Squirrels Tiny and cute, flying squirrels are efficient gliders with a few surprises tucked away under their furry sleeves. A Southern Flying Squirrel. Series: Geologic Time—Major Divisions and NPS Fossils The National Park System contains a magnificent record of geologic time because rocks from each period of the geologic time scale are preserved in park landscapes. The geologic time scale is divided into four large periods of time—the Cenozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Paleozoic Era, and The Precambrian. photo of desert landscape with a petrified wood log on the surface Species Spotlight - Red Fox Legendary for their cunning cleverness, red fox are equally at home in the trackless wilderness as they are in a tract-housing development. It has established itself world-wide, and it's very particular set of skills makes it a nightmare for hapless meadow voles. A Red Fox.