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Natural Resources

Fourteen great secrets for enjoying nature

butterfly

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ometimes we wonder why our ancestors ever settled in New England. The soil is rocky, the landscape hilly, the climate unpredictable. Then it hits us: Those are the very things that make ours the most beautiful region in America. And one of the best things about our city is how easy it is to get out of, for a quick dash to the beaches or the mountains or the forests. Pressed for time? Here are some secret places to enjoy nature right here, without even having to get in the car and screw it all up by spewing greenhouse gases all over the place:

1

A smart escape hidden on a suburban campus

2

The hidden forest where football meets nature

3

A wildlife sanctuary where eagles dare

4

Escape from civilization—right smack in the middle of it

5

A former quarry that’s a rock-climbing mecca

6

A little-known escape along the Charles

7

A hidden-away park with unrivaled city views

8

A social workout on the river

9

A running route with flora, fauna, and great views

10

A lofty, peaceful place to see the city

11

A hidden garden in the midst of crowded Beacon Hill

12

An unexpected urban park you can walk, run, or ride

13

A hilltop refuge for a picnic, a workout, and the view

14

See sea shells by the seashore—without leaving town.

14

A local farm where you can pick your dinner