Touring the Massachusetts wildflower paradise Garden in the Woods

Volunteer Al Levin shows off the wildflowers and other native plants at Garden in the Woods.

In this video, Al Levin ’56, M.D. ’60, shows off his passion for “doll’s eyes,” “Indian soap,” and other botanical treasures of New England. Levin, a semiretired cardiologist, is featured in an article in the current issue of Harvard Magazine on alumni who volunteer as a kind of second career. For this Web Extra, he agreed to give readers a tour of Garden in the Woods, in Framingham, Massachusetts, where he volunteers as a guide, happily providing colloquial and Latin plant names, information on species native and invasive, and more.

Related topics

You might also like

How AI Is Reshaping Supply Chains

Harvard Kennedy School lecturer on using AI to strengthen supply chains

This Astronomer is Sounding a Warning on ‘Space Junk’

As debris accumulates in low Earth orbit, the danger of destructive collisions continues to rise.

Understanding AI Vulnerabilities

As artificial intelligence capabilities evolve, so too will the tactics used to exploit them. 

Most popular

Harvard art historian Jennifer Roberts teaches the value of immersive attention

Teaching students the value of deceleration and immersive attention

Harvard Weathers a Year of Turmoil

The federal government has launched unprecedented actions against the University. Here’s a guide.

Lafayette’s Unexpected Gift to George Washington: Pheasants

The two birds will be on display at Harvard this summer.

Explore More From Current Issue

University Hall with steps and the John Harvard statue, surrounded by trees and a grassy lawn.

Long-discussed reorganization includes layoffs and the end of the Dudley Community.

Modern building with large glass windows, surrounded by greenery and pedestrians.

A roundup of University news from the summer of 2026

A woman with long, wavy hair wearing a white suit, seated in a bright, modern room.

The Harvard graduate’s roundtable talk show touches on hot button issues from religion to sex.