Hi everyone. NESW is working to develop fun and useful activities for our community of science writers. Because we are spread around the region, you can expect some events to be remote, and some to be in person at interesting places.  Please share your feedback in our short survey!

Click here to sign up for our mailing list here.
(Note that you might need to create an account with our membership service Member Planet before registering with NESW.)

Want to help us with ideas or an event?
Email us at newenglandsciencewriters@gmail.com.

NESW is heading to the Blue Hills for another guided hike. Join your fellow science writers on Sunday, May 21 at 10 am for a light hike, guided by Don McCasland, program director of the Blue Hills Observatory and Science Center.

Don led a small group of NESW members on a similar hike this past fall and it was a big hit among attendees, so much so, we thought we’d do it again. (If there’s interest, we might even make it a seasonal event!)

Don is knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, and geology of the region. Everyone who attended last time said they learned something new – even those who were well acquainted with the Blue Hills.

Don will also be offering another guided tour of the observatory for those who missed the last one. The science center has an extensive collection of historical meteorological equipment, much of which is still in use today.

Join us for the hike, the observatory tour – or both. Partners, spouses, friends, and kids welcome. Attendance is free for members and $5 for non-members.

RSVP for details about where to meet and what to bring.

https://www.memberplanet.com/events/nesw/neswspringhike

Send any questions to NoelleSwan@gmail.com.

Check out photos from our last trip on the New England Science Writers Facebook page. (Look in photos/albums.)

The NESW steering committee has been hard at work planning the IGNITE THE NIGHT press party for February 18 at the Cyclorama Boston. The evening is coming together nicely but now we need your help!

With hundreds of members of the global press in town covering the 2017 AAAS Annual Meeting, we’ll need a robust crew of NESW volunteers to show them a warm welcome.

We need about a dozen volunteers during the party to fill 1-2 hour shifts as:

• Greeters – check people in and sell drink tickets
• Bus wranglers–  to help direct people to buses both at the Convention Center

And we still need some help tying up loose ends leading up to the party, from coordinating decorations to making a BJ’s run.

Let us know how you’d like to help out!

Email volunteer coordinators Victoria Wilcox (VictoriaWilcox@verizon.net ) and Elizabeth Thompson (thomson@mit.edu) to volunteer.

We hope to see you all on February 18!

— The NESW Steering Committee

Established in 1977, New England Science Writers is an independent group of about 250 members with a mutual professional passion for communicating about science in print and online, and by audio, video, and more. Our group is led by member-volunteers and a regional affiliate of the National Association of Science Writers. This month, the informal steering committee is changing, and with the change comes new opportunities for you to shape the group’s activities and to get involved. If you want to help out with events or volunteer in any way, please contact: Deborah Halber, dhalber (at) writingreality dot com. We’re excited about the coming year.

NESW steering committee changes:

* Deborah Halber has accepted a bid to become NESW president, replacing Carol Cruzan Morton, who will serve at-large on the steering committee;
* Many thanks and best wishes to long-time treasurer Peter Spotts, who is moving on to Albuquerque.Jeff Hecht has assumed command of the spreadsheets and will be the chief NESW number cruncher.
* Noelle Swan is stepping into the role of membership chair, replacing Halber in warmly welcoming new and renewing members.
* Tom Ulrich keeps the NESW twitter account humming along (https://twitter.com/NEsciWriters), is working on re-energizing the web site (neswonline.com), and will take the lead in planning a new favorite event, the fall reception for science writing students.
* Long-time social director Richard Saltus will carry on organize the popular summer and winter socials.
* Past president Neil Savage is not resting on his laurels, and will continue to be the point person for the NESW Facebook group (join and post here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NewEnglandScienceWriters/) and send out job openings and other announcements.
* Haley Bridger will continue at large.
* Tim De Chant serves as the NESW steering committee liaison to Science Writers in and Around Cambridge, Mass. (SWINACAMA), an informal monthly meet-up group.