Exploration

Family Wildlife Walks: Tide Pooling at Sandy Point

Have a tide pooling adventure at Sandy Point with a Mass Audubon Naturalist!

Did you know that our seafood does not begin its ife in the sea? Have you ever wondered what makes the round hole in seashells on the beach? When was the last time you looked for horseshoe crabs? Now is your chance for your family to learn together about the wonders of nature. Each program will focus on conservation updates, animal and plant interrelationships, changing environmental conditions, and an appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our surroundings. Each experience will leave you excited for the next one!

When: 
Sunday, June 5, 2016 4:30-7pm

Spring Wildlife Safari: Amazing Animal Families

Kids will learn about animal families that live at the IRWS

Spring is a time when many baby animals are born. How much do these animals depend on their families for survival? Come learn how some mammal, bird, amphibian, and insect families will spend their Mother's Day. We will walk through different habitats and investigate which young animals stay with their families and which go it alone.

When: 
Saturday, May 7, 2016 1:30-3pm

Amazing Amphibians

Search for frogs, salamanders and their eggs at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Spring is the season when frogs, toads, and salamanders return to the wetlands to lay their eggs. After a short introduction in our Nature Center where we will learn about the life cycles of these amazing creatures, we will search the sanctuary's wetlands and woodlands for amphibians on the move. If we're lucky, we might be able to catch a few of them! We'll also be sure to swing by our vernal pool where we should be able to find large masses of wood frog and spotted salamander eggs.

When: 
Saturday, April 23,2016 1:30-3pm

Make Your Own Stamp-Quest Fest!

Kids and families will learn all about questing on an exploration in Ravenswood!

At this Family Quest Fest you'll learn all about Questing--clue-based treasure hunts discovering stories about this very special place--while on an expetition to find a treasure box!  You'll make your own stamp, grab a passport, and participate in the fastest growing family recreational activity this side of the Atlantic. 

When: 
Friday April 22, 2016 1-3pm
Location: 

Follow Footsteps--Animals and a Hermit!

From 1884 – 1917, Mason A. Walton lived a hermit's life in Ravenswood Park

Adventures in Animal Tracking at Ravenswood Park--just like our Hermit did, over 100 years ago!  From 1884 to 1917, Mason Walton lived as a "hermit" in Ravenswood.  He closely observed, wrote, and drew about wildlife and animal behaviors.  He published a book in 1903.  We will walk the hermit's footsteps, share tales from his book, and along the way we will closely observe wildlife signs and determine animal behavior. A Hermit's Wild Friends, only available used from Amazon: [amazon 1290053391 inline] or check it out from the Sawyer Free Library.

When: 
Friday, April 25, 2014 1-3pm
Location: 

Fairy Shrimp, Salamanders, and Frogs--Alive!

Ramona Latham - Directory of the Discovery Center at Ravenswood park in Gloucester, holds a yellow spotted salamander for closer inspection.

Venture to vernal pools where survival of fairy shrimp, salamanders, and wood frogs are crucial.  We will explore pools, learn how to protect them, and meet these creatures that depend on these pools.  This program is instructive to participants, so you can take home the techniques, forms, and methods to certify pools in your neighborhood...or back yard.  This is a family-friendly opportunity, so exploration is an important--and fun!--element in the program.  Directions to pre-registrants.

When: 
Saturday, April 16, 2016 1-3PM
Location: 

100th Day Celebration at IRWS

The Rockery at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary circa 1950.

This year Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries turn 100! Join us on Saturday, April 9 - the 100th day of the year - for a special "100th Day Celebration." Visitors of all ages are welcome - free of charge - to explore our trails in celebration of 100 years of wildlife sanctuaries with Mass Audubon.

When: 
Saturday, April 9, 2016 10am-2pm

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Sea Festival of Trees family fun by the beach at Blue Ocean Event Center Salisbury Massachusetts

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

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 15th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, MA. Pingree . The exhibit will open in early September with more than 50 temporary works on display in addition to the 20 pieces in the permanent collection of Pingree School. The exhibit ...
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Music Together - Wednesday

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...
9:30 am to 11:15 am

We Walk the Woods!

Walk the trails in a group at Harold Parker State Forest Every Wednesday at 10am
Walk the trails with a group at Harold Parker State Forest every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. – Meeting location varies weekly. Email trek.reef@mass.gov for location.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Come to Hammond Castle for the 6th annual Deck The Halls holiday celebration. Hammond Castle Museum will be dressed for the holidays inside and out. Delight in the enchanting ambiance of Christmas and White Birch trees, meticulously arranged garlands, festive wreaths, and the warm embrace of...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night
The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later.  When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs
7:00 pm

Saturday, December 7

NEER North Holiday Open House

NEER North Holiday open house to celebrate the holidays and with our adopted animals!
NEER North invites you to their Holiday Open House! Swing by NEER North for our fourth annual Holiday Open House event.
Where: NEER North
11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Marblehead Christmas Walk Parade

The Christmas Walk parade in Marblehead Massachusetts is a a holiday tradition for the entire town!
The Marblehead Christmas Walk Parade takes place after Santa Arrives in Marblehead. The Parade begins at 11:45 and the route takes approximately one hour, traveling from Front St., State St., Washington St., Five Corners, Atlantic Ave. Gerry Street, down Pleasant St. and concluding at the National...
11:45 am

Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting in Rockport

Santa comes to Rockport Ma by lobster boat to kick off the Holiday season in Rockport Massachusetts!
Where else can you see Santa arrive by lobster boat? Santa will arrive at Rockport’s T-Wharf on Rockport Harbor following a brisk lobster boat ride across Sandy Bay. Then Santa will climb up onto a Rockport Forest Fire truck and proceed along T-Wharf and Broadway to the First Baptist Church, led by...
12:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Santa-by-the-Sea!

Santa will arrive at Masconomo Park by lobster boat at 1 pm on December 2, 2017
Come to the the annual Jingle Bell Walk in Manchester! Santa will arrive at Masconomo Park by boat and lead the children in a parade around the park and then be available for pictures. There will also be a petting zoo, crafts, face painting, a candy cane hunt, refreshments and a visit from Mrs.
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Amesbury Holiday Parade

Enjoy the tradition of the Amesbury Massachusetts Holiday parade with your family!
Enjoy the tradition of the Amesbury Massachusetts Holiday parade with your family! This year’s theme for the Amesbury Holiday Parade is Musical Notes and Holiday Floats. The parade will begin at 3:30pm from the intersection of Sparhawk and Greenleaf Street, and finish up with the Amesbury Holiday...
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Trustees Winterlights at Stevens Coolidge Place

The Trustees of Reservations Winterlights at the Stevents-Coolidge Place North Andover North Andover.
Winterlights is back! Join the Trustees for a magical outdoor experience at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, and see the gardens aglow with your favorite light installations as well as marveling at new components. Bring the whole family for a fun and safe outdoor experience. Winterlights runs...
4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Sunday, December 8

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 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

Marblehead Christmas Walk

The Marblehead Christmas Walk is several days of local Holiday events in Marblehead Massachusetts
The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce invites you to Marblehead to enjoy several days of holiday festivities, family events and activities!  Come for one or all days with highlights that include Santa's arrival by lobster boat,Festive shopping, Tree Lightings, a holiday parade, Artisan Markets,...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

2024 Marblehead Gingerbread Festival

The Marblehead Gingerbread Festival is part of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Walk, and the proceeds will go to benefit the Marblehead Family Fund and the Marblehead Historical Society.
Come see over 100 locally and professionally made gingerbread creations on display at the historic Jeremiah Lee Mansion in Marblehead, MA during this year's Marblehead Christmas Walk. Community members, businesses, and families are building and donating dozens of gingerbread houses, boats and local...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
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