Feature Articles


 

Survey of Candidate Positions on Open Space and the Environment

Newton Conservators has been advocating for Newton’s open spaces for over 60 years. We believe that voters deserve to understand candidate positions on Newton’s open space, conservation, and climate remediation

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Crystal Lake Cyanobacteria Closure Has Ended

Crystal Lake was closed on August 6th to all uses, including swimming, wading, boating, and fishing, due to an outbreak of dangerous cyanobacteria. Read the city’s announcement of the closing

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mosquito at rest
 

West Nile Virus Risk Level Raised to “High” in Newton

As of August 12, 2025, the risk level for West Nile Virus (WNV) has been elevated to “high” in Newton, Brookline, and Boston.   State health officials announce West Nile

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Conservation News



Newton Grant Opportunity!

Did you know that Newton Conservators offers grants to support conservation, stewardship and understanding of Newton’s open spaces and environmental education? Previously funded projects include pollinator habitat enhancements, scholarships for

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Hammond Pond Parkway: Current News and Future Plans

At one of Newton Conservators’ community’s speaker series in June, we discussed The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Hammond Pond Parkway renovation project, currently under construction. This is a

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New Box Steps in Cold Spring Park

The Cold Spring Park loop trail climbs a steep slope as it approaches the Cochituate Aqueduct trail near the Plymouth Road trailhead.  When the trail is snowy or icy, this

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Upcoming Events

Invasives Pulls September 2025

Invasives Pulls September 2025

Monday, 09/01/2025 - 09/30/2025    
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Newton Conservators Invasives Team tackles garlic mustard, buckthorn, black swallow-wort, bittersweet, japanese knotweed, and other problems in many of Newton's open spaces.  Come join [...]
The Many Facets of Cold Spring Park

The Many Facets of Cold Spring Park

Saturday, 09/20/2025    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
$0.00
Tour Cold Spring Park, a woodland and wetland haven in the heart of Newton, and explore some of its natural wonders, mysteries, threats, and possibilities [...]
Hammond Woods Bioblitz – Fall Pollinators and More!

Hammond Woods Bioblitz – Fall Pollinators and More!

Sunday, 09/21/2025    
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$0.00
Come explore the pollinators of late summer and fall at Hammond Woods, Newton’s largest conservation area and improve your insect and plant identification skills. Under [...]
Nature In Your Pocket – An Intergenerational Walk At Edmands Park

Nature In Your Pocket – An Intergenerational Walk At Edmands Park

Saturday, 10/04/2025    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
$0.00
Join Linnea Dunn Rappaport, rising sophomore at Newton North High School and member of the Newton Enviro-Sci Program, and Barbara Bates, a retired Mass Audubon [...]
Up Close With Nature At Kennard Park #1

Up Close With Nature At Kennard Park #1

Sunday, 10/05/2025    
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
$0.00
Outdoor enthusiast and naturalist Jeff Adams will lead a guided nature walk at Kennard Park. Participants will learn how to identify a selection of native [...]
Webinar: Phenology Shows the Biological Effects of Climate Change

Webinar: Phenology Shows the Biological Effects of Climate Change

Thursday, 10/09/2025    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The most sensitive biological indicator of climate change is phenology, the timing of events. As a results of a warming climate, plants and animals are [...]
Up Close With Nature At Kennard Park #2

Up Close With Nature At Kennard Park #2

Saturday, 10/11/2025    
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
$0.00
Outdoor enthusiast and naturalist Jeff Adams will lead a guided nature walk at Kennard Park (this walk is mostly the same as the Kennard Park [...]
Fall Bird Walk With Haynes Miller

Fall Bird Walk With Haynes Miller

Sunday, 10/12/2025    
8:00 am - 10:30 am
$0.00
Nahanton Park offers a mix of woodlands, wetlands, edge habitat, and meadows along the Charles River, making it one of the best birding spots in [...]

Newton Conservators Publications

Newsletters

The Newton Conservators publish a newsletter approximately four times a year. Click to view back issues.

E-Bulletins

Information on nature and environmental events, exhibits, and issues in and around Newton by email.

Trail Guide Book

A 70-page guide containing detailed trail maps and other information about 34 parks and conservation areas in Newton.

Almanac

Spend 12 months getting to know Newton’s parks and conservation areas with your copy of the Newton Conservators Almanac.