Ecology

CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk

Come explore the dunes on Castle Neck and Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts to learn about winter wildlife.

A CraneOutdoors Family Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much less explored world unto themselves. They offer one of the most accessible dune landscapes in New England and trails that provide a firsthand look into the delicate and ever-changing dune habitat. This includes numerous lookouts offering stunning views of Choate Island and the varied ecosystems of Castle Neck, including Pitch Pine forests and naturally occurring cranberry bogs.

When: 
Sunday, January 5, 2025 1-3pm
Sunday, January 19, 2025 1-3pm
Sunday, February 2, 2025 1-3pm
Sunday, February 16, 2025 1-3pm
Sunday, February 22, 2025 1-3pm
Sunday, March 2, 2025 1-3pm
Sunday, March 16, 2025 1-3pm
Sunday, March 22, 2025 1-3pm
Sunday, March 30, 2025 1-3pm

Family Owl Prowl

Join a Family Owl Prowl Campout at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Scott Santino

People of all ages love owls, and many species of owls can be found right here in Massachusetts year-round. Experience the excitement of an owl prowl as we take a night hike to look and listen for Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Eastern Screech-owls. Before we head out on our nocturnal adventure, we'll learn fun owl facts in our cozy Barn using real owl mounts, feathers, talons, and a brief slide show. We'll end our evening with an owl-hooting lesson.

When: 
Saturday, February 8, 2025 5:30-7:30pm

Brookwood School Sustainable Future Fest

Brookwood School Future Fest sustainability festival in Manchester Massachusetts

Join Brookwood School in Manchester, MA, for the Sustainable Future Fest—an event bringing together North Shore families, eco-advocates, and local businesses in the spirit of sustainability and community fun! Designed for families and kids aged 3-14, the festival will feature:

When: 
Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10am-1pm
Location: 

Predator vs. Prey | Family Nature Series

Essex County Greenbelt teams up with North Shore Nature Programs for a wildlife hike in Ipswich Massachusetts!

Look for signs of our local predators on the prowl and learn about how prey animals have evolved to evade them in this family-friendly walk. Appropriate for all ages - we’ll talk scientifically about what types of animals are predators or prey, without going into especially gory details.

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2024 10:30-Noon

CraneExplorer: Animals in the Estuary

Families are invited to join us for an exploration of the Castle Hill grounds in Ipswich Massachusetts

Take in beautiful views of the Crane Wildlife Refuge while learning about estuary flora and fauna and environmental conditions at the Crane Boat Dock. Families will conduct measurements of water quality and weather, census native vs. Non-native crabs, collect and observe plankton using field microscopes, and observe the ever-shifting tides. Join this program to discover a lesser-known area of the Crane Estate, on the backside of Crane Beach along the picturesque Castle Neck River.

When: 
Saturday, October 20, 2024 10am-Noon
Saturday, November 11, 2024 10am-Noon

COASTSWEEP Cleanup | Short Beach Nahant

CoastSweep shoreline beach cleanup at Short Beach in Nahant, Massachusetts!

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to come to Short Beach, Nahant (located opposite the corner of Nahant Road and Castle Road) to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the shore in Lynn and Nahant Massachusetts. Special two hour permits will be given out at our tables at the Lowlands Parking Lot on Ward Road to avoid parking tickets.  

When: 
Sunday, October 6, 2024 11am

CoastSweep Cleanup at Salisbury Beach

CoastSweep seashore beach cleanup at Salisbury Beach Massachusetts

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to come to Salisbury Beach State Reservation to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the shore in Salisbury, Massachusetts. Trash collected will be measured and analyzed, and the data will be sent to Washington DC to aid the government in creating legislation to minimize trash in our oceans!

When: 
Saturday, October 5, 2024 11am

ECGA Family Series - Spooky Animals

Essex County Greenbelt Association and North Shore Nature Programs team up for a hike in search of Spooky Animals!

Canceled - The Essex County Greenbelt Association and North Shore Nature Programs to meet some of our favorite critters! Some critters get a bad rap! But there is lots to love about the creepy, wiggly, and crawly creatures in our woods! We'll look for spiders, bugs, centipedes and millipedes, as well as signs of cool predators like owls, coyotes, and weasels.

When: 
Saturday, October 21, 2023 3-4:30pm
Location: 

CoastSweep: Sandy Beach & River Street

Come help with the Coastsweep cleanup of the Sandy Beach and River Street in Danvers, Massachusetts!

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the shore in Danvers Massachusetts. Trash collected will be measured and analyzed, and the data will be sent to Washington DC to aid the government in creating legislation to minimize trash in our oceans.

When: 
Sunday, September 23, 2023 8am

CoastSweep Cleanup at Collins Cove Beach

CoastSweep Cleanup hosted by Salem Sound Coastwatch at Collins Cove Beach in Salem Massachusetts

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach CleanupSalem Sound Coastwatch encourages volunteers to come to Collins Cove Beach to help in the statewide effort to keep the Massachusetts coastline clean. COASTSWEEP is the annual statewide cleanup of Massachusetts coastal and riverine environments. Over more than 20 years, COASTSWEEP has engaged thousands of volunteers in cleaning hundreds of miles of shoreline and riverbanks.

When: 
Saturday, September 14, 2024 10am

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Summerquest Camp for kids aed 5-14 at the Crane Estate in Ipswich 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

Tower School Tower Tots

Tower School Tower Tots: PARENT & TODDLER WORKSHOPS Marblehead Massachusetts
Our free Parent and Toddler Workshops are teacher-led, interactive, fun and open to everyone! Each workshop has its own unique theme—incorporating music, art, read-aloud stories and sensory explorations—selected to delight children aged 2–4.
9:00 am to 10:00 am

Salem's So Sweet Festival

Salem Massachusetts' retailers have some sweet surprises in store during the Salem's So Sweet Weekend Festival
Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce invite you to come enjoy the annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival – a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping! Now in its 23rd year, the signature elements of...
9:00 am to 10:00 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

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Bradley Palmer State Park
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Animal Adventures Series: Inside & Out

Come learn about your favorite animals and their habitats at the Joppa Flats Center in Newburyport Massachusetts! Photo: Kathy Crane, NOAA Arctic Research Program
Joppa Flats Education Center invites families for family fun about your favorite animals with hands-on science, songs, a take-home craft and outdoor time, weather permitting. This is a three-week series for young "naturalists" and their adventure-loving adult to learn about animals together. Please...
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Saturday, February 8

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

Salem's So Sweet Festival

Salem Massachusetts' retailers have some sweet surprises in store during the Salem's So Sweet Weekend Festival
Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce invite you to come enjoy the annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival – a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping! Now in its 23rd year, the signature elements of...
9:00 am to 10:00 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

CraneExplorer: Valentine's Coastal Craft

Make Valentines crafts from materials that we find along the shore at the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts
The Trustees of Reservations invites ages 12 and up to a valentine craft making workshop! This Valentine’s Day, give a gift from the sea! From seaweed pressings to shell collages, beach treasures make beautiful greetings and keepsakes. Join this workshop to learn fun craft ideas and make marine art...
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

All Family Field Trips - Coastal Winter Wildlife

Joppa Flats Education Center host an outing at the Salisbury Beach State Reservation in search of coastal wildlife.
Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore. Our engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors....
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

First Aid, CPR & AED Training at ESM

Get First Aid, CPR or AED Certified in this workshop at Essex Shipbuilding Museum in Massachusetts
Take a CPR, First Aid, and AED Certification Course hosted by the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum at the charming Museum School House. Gain essential life-saving skills and the confidence to handle emergencies with ease.
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Children's Maple in the Barnyard at Appleton Farms

Visit Appleton Farms' sugaring operation and learn about making maple sugar syrup!
Maple Season is here! This special program for ages 3-11 & their families will focus on the magic of maple from start to finish. We will discover this tradition by observing trees, tasting sap, learning the tools involved, and finally, tasting the sweet product. We will make sure to have time...
10:45 am to 3:00 pm

Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!

Find out the story behind the history of granite quarrying at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, Massachusetts!
Halibut Point State Park is also a granite quarry with a history that goes back billions of years! Over one hundred years ago, the Rockport Granite Company quarried granite stone here.
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
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