ROXBURY – “A Knight in the Woods: All About Porcupines” will be the first of this season’s Wild Saturday programs at John Burroughs’ Woodchuck Lodge May 7 at 1 p.m.

Sponsored by Quarltere’s Nursery and Garden Center, the program is free; donations are most welcome. Woodchuck Lodge is located at 1633 Burroughs Memorial Road, Roxbury.

Patti Rudge, nature educator and author of a young reader’s book “A Knight in the Woods,” will delve into the natural history and cultural significance of these spiny creatures. She’ll relate local lore and legends from the first people, and offer tips on how to live in peace with porcupines.

Patti, who is also a trustee of John Burroughs’ Woodchuck Lodge, will have a porky snack, quills to touch, black birch to chew on, a fisher pelt and a craft for the kids.

This will be the first weekend of free tours of the Lodge for the 2016 season. Tours are offered the first weekend of each month through October on Saturday from 11 to 1 and 2 to 3; and Sun., from 11 to 3. Wild Saturday programs are held at 1 p.m. on the first Saturday.

Burroughs books (hard bound and the audio variety), along with keepsakes from nature are offered in the Lodge gift shop.

Woodchuck Lodge was the summer home from 1910 to 1920 of famed naturalist and writer John Burroughs, who was born in 1837 in the family homestead just up the road. Burroughs died in 1921 and is buried at John Burroughs Memorial State Historic Site a short walk from the Lodge.

To become a member of the non-profit Woodchuck Lodge and to learn more about the man and his life in Roxbury, visit Woodchucklodge.org.