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Cambridge is home to over 80 species of edible wild plants, some of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. These include native species like Fox Grape and Shagbark Hickory; non-native weeds like Chicory and Burdock; and invasive species like Japanese Knotweed and Autumn Olive. Join expert forager Russ Cohen on a 2.5 hour ramble around Fresh Pond to learn about over two dozen species of edible wild plants. Keys to the identification of each species will be provided, along with info on edible portion(s), season(s) of availability and preparation methods, as well as guidelines for safe, ethical and environmentally-responsible foraging. NOTE that this is an educational walk only: no actual foraging will take place, as that activity is prohibited with in the Fresh Pond Reservation. We will meet at Fresh Pond, in the main parking lot by the ranger station and water department. Russ Cohen is a naturalist and wild foods enthusiast from Weston, Mass., currently in his 52nd year of leading walks and talks about wild edibles. He has led talks for the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the New England Forestry Foundation, and The Trustees of Reservations. Russ' foraging book, Wild Plants I Have Known...and Eaten, is now in its ninth printing. Russ has taken on the role of Johnny Appleseed for edible native species, collaborating with land trusts, cities and towns, and other groups (including one in Cambridge) to plant plants from his nursery in appropriate places on their properties.

A webinar designed to invest in your health, wellness, and longevity. Tailored for all caregivers - such as direct care or caring for a loved one - this session will provide advice for building resilience and managing the physical and psychosocial demands of caregiving. We'll discuss your non-negotiables, defining your vision and strategy, identifying resources, and knowing your payer partners. This event will be held online. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants one hour before the session begins.

What is an endangered species? Why are many animals and their habitats disappearing? Learn about endangered species in the wild here in New England, and around the world, and some things we can all do to help them. Recommended for children ages 4 and up and their caregivers. Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

What is an endangered species? Why are many animals and their habitats disappearing? Learn about endangered species in the wild here in New England, and around the world, and some things we can all do to help them. Recommended for children ages 4 and up and their caregivers. Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Join us for a 60-minute puppet-making workshop following the performance of, Enchanted Castle, by Rosalita's Puppets. For children ages 5 and up and their caregivers. This program can accommodate 30 children. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.

Please join the Cambridge Public Library in welcoming Stephanie Foo, the author of the bestselling memoir What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma, for a reading and discussion of her book. Called "a work of immense beauty" by Publisher's Weekly in a starred review, Foo's memoir about enduring C-PTSD has become an essential document for so many survivors and those that know them. This is a hybrid event and registration is required.

A three-part webinar series designed to invest in your health, wellness, and longevity. Take fear and uncertainty out of the future by being prepared for changes in health. This session will cover topics and tips related to preparing for sudden changes and what you can do to minimize the impact of illness, such as advanced directives, emergency planning, and communication. This event will be held online. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants one hour before the session begins.

Join the Cambridge Public Library for a Teach-In facilitated by the team of Transition Magazine. Contributors to the current issue on Sudan—Fatin Abbas, Alex De Waal, Nisrin Elamin, and Alden Young—as well as members of the local Sudanese community will speak and discuss the present-day conflict in Sudan, its roots, what stands to be lost, and how to move toward a lasting peace. Free copies of the Sudan issue of Transition will be on hand. Registration is required for virtual attendance.

Harvard Book Store, the Harvard University Division of Science, the Harvard Library, and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Dr. Anjana Khatwa—award-winning earth scientist, TV presenter, and advocate for diversity in the geosciences and nature—for a discussion of her book The Whispers of Rock: The Stories That Stone Tells About Our World and Our Lives, a 2025 New Scientist Best Book of the Year. Registration is required.

PanNeubean Steel is a dynamic steelpan guided ensemble delivering vibrant Caribbean rhythms with modern flair. Rooted in tradition and driven by innovation, the band brings energy, precision, and crowd-moving performances to every stage—celebrating culture, community, and the unmistakable sound of steel. PARK SOUNDS 2026 brings free outdoor musical performances featuring local artists to the front lawn of the Cambridge Public Library Main Branch. These events are all-ages. Bring a chair, food, and loved ones to celebrate the summer! Funding is provided by the CPL Foundation in memory of Janet Axelrod.