Have you ever seen a muskrat swimming or a beaver slapping its tail in alarm? We'll look for these elusive mammals while canoeing along the Ipswich River at dusk. Discover some of the clues—such as chewed trees, lodges, or burrows on the riverbank--that they leave behind as we paddle.
Explore our wetlands in search of these fascinating reptiles. Walk about a half mile to visit areas where turtles like to nest and bask in the sun, look at and touch real turtle shells, and, with a little luck, get an up-close look at a painted turtle. Conclude with a trip to the Rockery to see if we can summon our resident snapping turtle, Godzilla. For kids ages 4-10.
Explore the sanctuary's vernal pools, ponds, and woodlands to search for amphibians active during this season. If we're fortunate, we might discover Wood Frog and Spotted Salamander eggs, and we may even catch a few adults to observe closely before releasing them.
Wetlands are home to many fascinating creatures, including beavers. These elusive animals are mainly active at dawn and dusk. As the sun sets, we will visit wetlands in search of beavers, explore an active beaver lodge, and listen for the slap of a tail on the pond. While walking through the wetlands we can also listen for frogs, search for turtles and maybe even spot a Great Blue Heron on the hunt.
Have you ever visited a beaver lodge or had an opportunity to see the resident beaver itself? Join in for an evening walk to a beaver lodge on the sanctuary and discover how busy beavers really are. You will learn to recognize some of their favorite trees, see how a lodge is constructed, and listen for the slap of a tail on the pond.
Each spring, on the first warm, rainy night, frogs and salamanders emerge and begin an extraordinary journey to the vernal pools where they breed.
Greenbelt and North Shore Nature Programs team up for this event for all ages!Join expert naturalists to learn all about vernal pools and the creatures that live there!
With radios in hand, we will carpool to Bald Eagle viewing spots along the Merrimack River and walk short distances to spot eagles with our binoculars and birding scopes. We will be watch for fishing, and courtship displays. Stay warm and active with small group activities that feature raptor sound effects, role play, and unique props to do the 'talon challenge'!
Visit the historic maple stand and sugar shack at Appleton Farms and learn all about maple sugaring, its history at the farm and in New England, and how you can try your hand at it at home!
In the winter, many people hunker down to stay indoors, but at Appleton Farms, we make the most of the cold, quiet season. There is no better place to spend winter farm days than in exploring in the snow and learning to love the outdoors in all seasons! This program is for kids who are looking to make friends, explore the forests and fields of the farm, and learn about life in New England in winter, including learning about a type of winter farming – maple sugaring! Every day will include an outdoor adventure of hiking, snowshoeing, or other farm explorations.
