In 2014, Friends of the Blue Hills will celebrate its 35^th year and in honor of this milestone, the organization is launching a yearlong series of events commencing with their Annual Celebration on Thursday, October 10, from 7-9 p.m. at Fuller Village. Milton resident Jack Murray, the newly appointed Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, will be the keynote speaker. Tickets for the event are $35 if purchased by October 4 and $40 at the door.  Tickets are available on the website www.FriendsoftheBlueHills.org/celebrate .

DCR Commissioner Jack Murray

There will also be a special raffle as part of the festivities: a once-in-a-lifetime dinner for six at the top of the Blue Hills Observatory, the oldest continually operating weather observatory in the country. The winner will enjoy breathtaking views of the Boston skyline and the ocean while dining on an elegant meal catered by local chef Joyce White. Tickets for the raffle are $15 each or 3/$35 and can also be purchased on the Friends of the Blue Hills website.

Since 1979, the Friends of the Blue Hills has been working to preserve and protect the Blue Hills Reservation’s natural beauty, diverse natural habitats, and many recreational opportunities. The organization does this in a number of ways, including ensuring that the trails are safe and accessible for hikers, advocating for legislation that protects the vulnerable habitats and ecosystems, strengthening the health of the forests by removing invasive plant species, and educating adults and children about the wonders of the Reservation.