Environment

Nelson Island Tour at Parker River

Tour and discover Nelson Island at Parker River Wildlife Refuge.

Join a ranger for a tour of a beautiful spot that few people visit: Nelson Island. If we’re lucky, we might catch a glimpse of a nesting osprey. Learn about the history of this little known refuge jewel. If weather and tide permits, we’ll take a very short walk along the marsh. (Muddy, wet areas are possible so rubber boots are recommended.) Consider bringing binoculars and/or a camera. *Please note: Those who call and leave messages after hours, your registration is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation call from a refuge staff member.

When: 
Monday, July 17, 2017 10am-Noon

Animal Tracking Program

Kids will learn about animal tracks and behaviors at Parker River Wildlife Refuge.

Many animals live on the refuge, but are hard to find.  They are either active at night, wary of people, or both.  Though you may not see them, their tracks can be just as interesting to find.  Go out on the refuge with intern Dominic Noce as he teaches you how to find and identify tracks of different types of animals.  Meet the program leader in the refuge visitor center auditorium for a brief slide show, after which he’ll lead you on a tracking exploration on the refuge.  Please wear long pants and boots (for tick prevention) and otherwise dress for the weather.  NO preregistration for th

When: 
Sunday, July 16, 2017 10am-Noon

Kids’ Nature Walks - Explore the Refuge

Take your 3-5 year old youngster on a good old fashioned nature discovery walk at Parker River Wildlife Refuge.

Take your 3-5 year old youngster on a good old fashioned nature discovery walk. Meet at the refuge visitor center before driving together to the head of the day's trail on the refuge (no parking fee charged). For each session, a refuge volunteer will lead the children and their caregivers on a walk to explore different aspects of the refuge: beach, dune, marsh, scrub forest, cranberry bog. Come dressed for the weather. If the weather is completely unsuitable for outdoor enjoyment, then an indoor program comprised of a story, activity and craft will be held at the visitor center instead.

When: 
Monday, July 24, 2017 10:00-11:30am

Jr. Conservationist: My Square Woods Afterschool Program

Young Conservations ages 9-11 will learn abou ecology on Cape Ann!

Spring is a time of renewal and growth. After-school activities include lending a hand with conservation work, eco-splorations, journeying as a waterdrop from land to sea, uncovering secret tales, journaling, mapping/orienteering, and hiking our forest, wetlands, and mountainsides. For kids ages 9-11.

Location: 

Preschool Nature Explorers at Parker River NWR

Piping Plover at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newbury Massachusetts!

This is a new series of hands-on nature classes for 4 and 5-year-old children (and their caregivers).   Sign up for individual sessions or the entire series!   Some sessions will be held at the refuge visitor center, while others will be conducted on the refuge at the parking lot 1 visitor contact station.  

When: 
Mondays, May: 9-23, 2016 10-11:15 am

Beach Cleanup at Crane Beach

Help clean up Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts to get it ready for the Summer!

The Trustees seek volunteers to help collect and remove marine debris and litter from the beachfront. Coffee, trash bags, gloves, instructions, and beautiful scenery will be provided. Friends and families are welcome, but please no dogs. Participants will meet in the main parking lot at the middle board walk. 

When: 
Saturday, April 23, 2016 9-11am
Location: 

Earth Day Coastal Clean Up

Earthday for shoreline cleanups at Halibut Point and Coolidge Point Reservation!

The Trustees of Reservations invites you and your kids to come out to one of their most spectacular coastal reservations to celebrate Earth Day 2014. Take this opportunity to teach your children the benefits of stewardship and to have a great time as a family.  At Halibut Point State Park and/or the Coolidge Point Reservation, your help is needed cleaning up the shoreline, building a bird box or a boardwalk, or simply drinking in the beauty of our special places. Call for details. Please register in advance!

When: 
Saturday, April 19, 2014 10am-12noon

Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Family Whale Watch

A whale breaches on Stellwagen Bank off of the coast of Massachusetts.

This is a whale watch with a birding twist! Joppa Flats Education Center invites families on a special excursion offshore to discover the wonder of whales aboard the Captain's Lady III! Play the part of a whale researcher and learn about the lives of whales and the habitats they use to feed, live and breed.

When: 
Sunday, July 7, 2013 8am-1pm

Vernal Pool Safari at IRWS

Amphibian eggs are just part of the natural wonders found in vernal pools.

Have you ever seen a spotted salamander or a mass of frog eggs? Many frogs, toads, salamanders, and macroinvertebrates depend on the vernal pool, a unique seasonal habitat, for their survival. Join us for a fun afternoon exploring the amazing life cycles of the animals of the vernal pool.

When: 
Saturday, Apr 16, 2011 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

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Camp Whirlygig for kids ages 4-10 at the Wenham Museum in Massachusetts

Bruins Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
From February 1 through March 15, Cradles to Crayons®, the Boston Bruins, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and Wonderfund are coming together with organizations in your community to collect new pajamas for local children living in low-income and homeless situations. Together, we are...
7:00 am to 9:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Children's Drop and Shop Consignment Event

Massive Spring Children's Consignment Event. at Pingree School in South Hamilton Massachusetts Children's Drop and Shop
Don't miss the Children's Drop and Shop Spring consignment sales event at Danvers Indoor Sports, for name brand children’s clothing, toys, gear and furniture. Shop for the best bargains on new & gently used Fall and Winter children's clothing, brand name toys and gear, furniture, maternity and...
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Wenham Museum Spring/Summer Sports Sale

Spring & Summer Sports Sale at Wenham Musseum in Massachusetts
Back by popular demand! After a successful inaugural sale in 2024, Wenham Museum’s Spring & Summer Sports Sale returns for its second year. In keeping with the Museum’s former Attic Treasures Sale tradition, the Spring & Summer Sports Sale brings the community together for a fun and...
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes

Walk through the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts with the Trustees under the full moon.
There is almost nothing more peaceful than a evening walk at the Crane Estate, and we would like to invite your family to join us for a unique hiking experience. With the full moon rising over the Atlantic, we’ll start with a sunset stroll along Crane Beach admiring this spectacle before heading...
4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Wednesday, March 26

Wenham Museum Spring/Summer Sports Sale

Spring & Summer Sports Sale at Wenham Musseum in Massachusetts
Back by popular demand! After a successful inaugural sale in 2024, Wenham Museum’s Spring & Summer Sports Sale returns for its second year. In keeping with the Museum’s former Attic Treasures Sale tradition, the Spring & Summer Sports Sale brings the community together for a fun and...
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Thursday, March 27

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Wenham Museum Spring/Summer Sports Sale

Spring & Summer Sports Sale at Wenham Musseum in Massachusetts
Back by popular demand! After a successful inaugural sale in 2024, Wenham Museum’s Spring & Summer Sports Sale returns for its second year. In keeping with the Museum’s former Attic Treasures Sale tradition, the Spring & Summer Sports Sale brings the community together for a fun and...
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Friday, March 28

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Wenham Museum Spring/Summer Sports Sale

Spring & Summer Sports Sale at Wenham Musseum in Massachusetts
Back by popular demand! After a successful inaugural sale in 2024, Wenham Museum’s Spring & Summer Sports Sale returns for its second year. In keeping with the Museum’s former Attic Treasures Sale tradition, the Spring & Summer Sports Sale brings the community together for a fun and...
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Music Together - Friday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Saturday, March 29

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Teen Naturalist Club at IRWS: Spring/Summer Series

Join Mass Audubon for their Teen Naturalist Club at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts!
Explore a variety of local ecosystems, learn more about a wide range of natural history topics, and do real wildlife data collection and conservation projects in this exciting club for teens!
8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Music Together - Saturday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

Nice n' Easy Hike at Breakheart Reservation

Nice and Easy winter hike at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Join the Park Interpreter for this weekly guided hike! Each trip will highlight natural and historic features unique to Breakheart. Hikes are moderately paced and range from 2-3 miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain. Best for ages 8 years and up. Meet at the Visitor Center.
9:30 am to 11:30 am
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