Backyard Ecosystem Education (BEE)
Backyard Ecosystem Education (BEE) Program Registration
The Backyard Ecosystem Education (BEE) Program is an interactive program for Massachusetts residents and business owners to design and create a native, biologically diverse habitat at their property. The BEE Program consists of five themed workshops and one field day giving participants the skills to:
- Attract wildlife and plant life to their habitat;
- Support their habitat through climate change and other ecological stressors;
- Plan and design their backyard habitat with professional practitioners; and
- Be considered a Backyard Ecosystem Advocate
Upon successful completion and attendance of the BEE Program, participants will be considered a “Backyard Ecosystem Advocate”. Franklin residents and business owners, and their habitats once established, will have the opportunity to become “Certified Wildlife Habitats” through the National Wildlife Federation.
The format for Workshops 1 to 4 are available in person and on Zoom, however Franklin resident and business owner participants are encouraged to attend the workshops in person to maximize engagement. Due to the small group planning and design aspect of Workshop 5, it it highly recommended this workshop is attended in person. If you are a Franklin resident or business owner and absolutely unable to attend Workshop 5 in person, please let us know by answering the last question on this form. The Field Day is available in person only.
Franklin non-residents or business owners are eligible to attend the Workshops 1 through 4 via Zoom only, with the Field Day available in person.
While the Field Day is open to everyone, transportation is for BEE Program participants only. For those looking for a more casual involvement, the Zoom presentations from all Workshops and Field Day recordings will be available for viewing after the BEE Program ends. Certification will be only available to the Franklin resident and business owners that participate in the entirety of the Program. Also note that all habitats must be located within Franklin to be certified through the BEE Program.
Please note that many presenters are professional practitioners and are commuting from other regions to support this initiative and engage with Franklin residents and business owners. There are a limited number of spots available for registration so if you are a Franklin resident or business owner please consider your availability before committing to the BEE Program. The Conservation Department is collaborating with FPS – STEM to excuse up to five students for the scheduled field day, so students – please apply if you are interested! If you cannot participate this year, please considering registering the next time the Program is available.
Registration Details
Registration is open on a first come, first serve basis. Registration for habitat certification is open to all Franklin residents, renter or owner, Franklin business owners, and Franklin Public Schools students. Remote registration for Workshops 1 through 4 and registration for the field day is open to anyone. Please let us know if your situation changes and you are unable to participate so we can open the registration to the waitlist.
Workshop 1: Wildlife
April 3, 2024
4p – 6p
Franklin Public Library
(Available in person and on Zoom)
Residents will learn common wildlife species that they may find in their backyard habitats and/or how to attract these wildlife species to their habitats.
Workshop 2: Plant Life
April 10, 2024
4p – 6p
Franklin Public Library
(Available in person and on Zoom)
Residents will learn common native and wildlife friendly plants and common invasive plants they may plant and/or find in their backyard habitats.
Workshop 3: Landscapes and Regional Context
April 17, 2024
4p – 6p
Franklin Public Library
(Available in person and on Zoom)
Residents will learn to identify what landscape they live in, its regional context, and how to design a habitat suitable for their surroundings.
Workshop 4: Climate and Other Ecological Stressors
April 24, 2024
4p – 6p
Franklin Public Library
(Available in person and on Zoom)
Residents will learn how to plan their habitat for climate change, design their habitat considering climate resilience, and mitigate future environmental stressors and disturbance events.
Workshop 5: Planning and Design
May 1, 2024
4p – 6p
Franklin Public Library
(Available in person)
Residents will be able to sit down in small groups with professional practitioners to design their own specific backyard habitat applying all lessons learned in previous workshops.
Field Day and Graduation Luncheon
May 10, 2024
10a – 2p
Franklin Public Library
(Available in person)
Residents will be bussed around Town for a tour of raingardens, biodiversity areas, turtle nesting habitats, regenerative forests, gardens, and more. Lunch and a graduation ceremony will be provided
