Featured Posts
20 Family-Friendly Fall Foliage Hikes in the Berkshires
When it comes to fall foliage, nothing beats the spectrum of colors on display in the Berkshire hills. Leaf peepers rejoice as the forested landscape erupts into shades of copper, cornelian, cranberry, gold, and every hue in between. From late September to October, this prismatic flash in the pan transforms any regular, old weekend hike into a dream-like ramble.
Join Us For a Heritage Walk This September!
The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area announces the 19th annual autumn Heritage Walks...
Top Hikes for Accessibility in the Berkshires
Being outdoors and in nature is beneficial in so many ways. From healing health benefits, building...
2nd Annual Pines Community Clean Up Day
Help Make "Happy Land" Happy Again!When: Saturday, May 15th 10 a.m. – Noon Where: “Happy Land” or...
Field Trip — Westfield’s Stanley Park
Where We Went: Stanley Park, Westfield, MA. When We Went: August 2021 Difficulty (Boots 1 -...
10 Books to Celebrate Fall
Books are a great way to ring in a new season. In the fall, there's the added bonus of cuddling up...
So Nice, We Hiked It Twice – Natural Bridge State Park
Where We Went : Natural Bridge State Park (North Adams, MA) When We Went : Early June - both...
State of Nature Interview with Amy Kirkcaldy — South Shore Family Adventures
Amy Kirkcaldy, is the co-founder of South Shore Family Adventures, along with her brother Jim. She...
Twitcher’s Paradise — Eugene D. Moran Wildlife Management Area
Where We Went: Eugene D. Moran Wildlife Management Area, Windsor MA When We Went: July &...
State of Nature Interview with Lissy Perna — Get Outside Cape Cod
Lissy Perna, is the founder and CEO of Get Outside Cape Cod. She is a homegrown Cape Codder and...
Leave It To Beaver – Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Where We Went : Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary / Lenox, MA When We Went : End of...
State of Nature Interview with Sarah Katan — Whale of a Trail Adventures
Sarah Katan, is the founder and CEO of Whale of a Trail Adventures. Based in Hudson, New York,...
Diamond In The Rough – Steven’s Glen
Where We Went : Steven’s Glen - Richmond / West Stockbridge, MA When We Went : Mid-June Difficulty...
Walking Classroom — John Lambert Nature Trail
The John Lambert Nature Trail located on the main campus at Berkshire Community College was made by environmental students and faculty.
The Caveman Cometh – Tory Cave Falls
Where We Went: Tory Cave Falls - October Mountain State Forest, Lenoxdale, MA When We Went:...
Field Trip — Shelburne Falls & Bridge of Flowers
Where We Went: Shelburne Falls/Buckland, MA When We Went: Annually since 2015 (Temporarily...
Bird Brains – Anting Antics Activity
Bird beaks are perfect for nabbing ants, crushing them and rubbing them on their wings. Investigate how this adaptation works with this fun activity you can do at home.
Bird Brains – Bird Behavior Bingo
The bird world is full of some wacky stuff. From Anting to Drumming, there are so many things to discover when you take a moment and observe.
Read a bit about some of these behaviors and then take it outside! Print out the Bird Behavior Bingo worksheet and see how many of these behaviors you can spot on a walk around your neighborhood, local park, or wildlife sanctuary.
All About the Angles — Wild Acres Conservation Area
Sitting on the banks, marvel at how many poles have been cast into these waters over the last 92 years. Take a moment and think about the complicated relationships we have with public green spaces. Why it always seems to fall on virtuous citizens to champion for upkeep and outreach, yet the moment it’s deemed “of use” for an urban expansion project, the government comes clamoring. When it comes to money, it’s always about the angles and never about the anglers.
Ticked Off
Once springtime hits and the first flutters of mild weather breeze in, we're all ready to get...
Bird Brains – Geese Lessons
Lately, the nights have been loud with katydids and I’ve been grabbing a sweatshirt for my morning walks. Fall is definitely in the air. The geese flocks in our nearby ponds are getting restless, somehow sensing the southward journey. As the days become shorter, instinctively they’ll know it’s time to migrate.
We’re all familiar with the breathtaking sight of a flock of geese winging overhead in that “V” formation but did you know that it is a pretty perfect example of teamwork?
Warner Hill: The Ballad of Cora Couch Lovell
Still, there is a legend to be told. to The story of a tireless woman who once walked this stretch of Appalachian Trail in the pitch dark at 2 a.m. for a newspaper scoop.
Gold Diggers & Cave Crawlers – Widow White Reserve
Where We Went : Widow White Reservation - Lanesboro,...
Bog Trotting for Beginner’s — Hawley Bog
“The fields and the woods are a great deal like the books we read: the more we become familiar with printed page or forest path, the oftener we return to certain thoughts and trails that lead us back to scenes and associations enjoyed before.”
Pooh Sticks Paradise – Margaret Lindley Park
When we visited in May, we didn’t think to much of the swimming area in regards to the global pandemic. It was too early to swim and Covid still seemed like a temporary inconvenience that would be sorted in no time at all. Cut to August and everything’s still closed, we’re gearing up for remote learning, and our Berkshire bubble is a maze of masked mortals waiting for the other shoe to drop. The only thing I could do without these days is the constant reminder of all the things we took for granted before the pandemic.
Hike & Seek the Seven Spring Sisters
Put to it to list the first seven wildflowers that signal spring in New England, seven botanists...
20 Open-Air Spaces for Berkshire Families
With every aspect of our lives suddenly disrupted, nature and outdoor activities provide essential...
Spring-O! Indoor Nature Connections Day 5
It's officially Spring and nature is bursting with change! Tree buds are on the verge of opening...
Borland, Bulkeley, & Bartholomew’s Cobble
“Too many of us go through life without really looking, blind to the world around us.” — Hal Borland
Red Flags of Spring — Free Printable!
As March marches on towards spring, we may think our late-winter environments look pretty blah. But on closer inspection, you may just find these red flags. Look for these clues that spring is on its way and learn how to make Sumac Lemonade!
Great Spot! – Kennedy Park
Today my Iphone photos reminded me that we did this hike April 13, 2019. And here I sit, one year...
Kid-Tinted Glasses — The Bidwell House Museum & Trails
Re-framing the outdoors through kid-tinted glasses.
Sorry For Grousing – Dorothy Frances Rice Wildlife Sanctuary
Where We Went : Dorothy Frances Rice Wildlife Sanctuary - Peru, MA When We Went : June 1st...
Hindsight is 2021: Calm Against Confusion — Diane’s Trail
It’s been one year since these photos were taken.
After this hike, as we sat in the warmth of the close-quartered and crowded Harvest Barn, munching on pastries and cake, mask-free. How could we know that in a few short weeks this simple moment shared with family would be something we took completely for granted.
Branches, Buds, & Bark — Winter Tree Week
Being able to identify common trees is not only fun, it also helps to connect us to our...
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
I took this picture on a recent hike and didn‘t think twice about it. I was going through my...
Morgan Bulkeley’s Big Berkshire Trees — Winter Tree Week
Between 1968-1970, Bulkeley implored readers to contribute to a list of the largest and most notable trees in the Berkshires. Responses were steady and 100+ trees were ultimately recorded.
Conifer Confusion — Winter Tree Week
Spruce, Pine, or Fir? Not gonna lie, for the longest time I called all evergreens pine trees....
Go For A Sky Swim — Winter Tree Week
When you were a kid maybe you passed a summer afternoon laying on your back, without a care in the...
Let’s Go Burl-lunking! — Winter Tree Week
Tree Warts, as my 7-year old calls them, are actually burls. And what exactly is a burl, you ask?...
Winter Tree Week
“If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees.”
Hal Borland
Take a Walk on the Wild Side with Berkshire Natural Resources Council
Enjoy a family self-guided StoryWalk® at Wild Acres Conservation Area in Pittsfield
Printable Nature Valentines
Craft nature Valentines with a free printable! February is right around the corner and we created...
Where There’s a Hill, There’s a Way – Constitution Hill
Where We Went: Constitution Hill, Lanesborough MA When We Went: Late February Difficulty (Boots 1...
Roots Both Bitter & Sweet – Longcope Park
Where We Went: Longcope Park - South Lee, MA When We Went: Early January Difficulty (Boots 1 -...
Wolf Trees on a Wolf Moon – Road’s End Wildlife Sanctuary
Where We Went: Mass Audubon Road's End Wildlife Sanctuary / Worthington When We Went:...
First Week Hikes 2021
The past few years we’ve celebrated the turn of a new year with a First Day Hike. Read about the changes for 2021 below and then check out this list of family-friendly winter hikes to help you plan your own First Week Hike adventure.
12 Winter Hikes for Families
Winter is a wonderful time of year to hike. Blankets of snow and the crisp, cold air bring a fresh perspective to many of our favorite, familiar places. Views are clearer and unobstructed, bugs are a non-issue, and animal tracks turn us all into snow detectives. Check out some of our favorite spots for Winter family hiking. Pile on the layers and get out there already! Be sure to have the cocoa ready for your return…
Trekollections 2020
What a year.
We had set a goal to do 50 hikes & we went way beyond that, doing over 65 hikes in 2020!
Cold Weather Walk – Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary
Where We Went : Mass Audubon Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary / Pittsfield, MA When We Went :...
Benefits of Beavers & Bloedel – Field Farm
Where We Went : Field Farm, Williamstown When We Went : Mid- November Difficulty (Boots 1 -...
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Meet the Loehrs
Hey there! Our mission is to help and inspire you to get your own family outdoors for many happy and healthy adventures together.
