Conservation

Outdoor Adventures for Families: iNaturalist Nature Walk

Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary is part island, part forest and part marsh!

Fall is a fantastic time to explore our coastline with its rocky tide pools and sandy clam flats. Joppa Flats Education Coordinator Lisa Hutchings will guide families on the identification of creatures, provide small group challenges, and share her vast knowledge and joy for marine life. Sign up for one or all of these educational outdoor adventures.

Joppa Flats will provide all field gear and equipment. This is not a drop-off class; all children must be accompanied by at least one adult. Locations are subject to change.

When:

Saturday, October 31, 2020 2-4pm

Location:

Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary

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Tidepools for Tots

Hermit Crabs, Moon Snails, and Sea Urchins! Come meet these beach creatures in the riverside yard at Joppa Flats. Each family will create their own tide pool model with sand, rocks, seaweed, and salt water. Once each habitat is set up, we'll share our live marine critters with you for you to add to your model tide pool. Your curiosity and wonder will grow as you see how these animals move, hide, and react to each other. Questions and discussion are always welcome!

When:

Thursday, September 24, 2020 10-11am or 2-3pm

Friday, September 25, 2020 10-11am or 2-3pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Imagine, Sing & Learn: Moon and Stars

Kids will learn about the moon and stars at the Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport!

These fun-filled morning programs with “Miss Lisa” are perfect for both you and your active preschooler! Our structured activities include hands-on science, music and movement, a thematic snack, and an outdoor adventure if the weather complies. Keep learning with take-home coloring pages and fun follow-up activities.

When:

Friday, December 20, 2019 10-11:30am

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Winter Wildlife Cinema: Owl Power

Nature Owl Power in the theater at Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport

Enjoy some particularly wonderful wildlife-themed films on the big screen in the comfort of the refuge visitor center’s awesome auditorium...for FREE!Experience for yourself the “cinematic WOW!” created by our state-of-the-art laser projector, with surround sound! The following films will be shown on the following dates. No preregistration; simply show up!

When:

Sunday, March 10, 2019 1:30pm

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Winter Wildlife Cinema: Fabulous Frogs

Nature Fabulous Frogs in the theater at Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport

When:

Sunday, March 24, 2019 1:30pm

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Winter Wildlife Cinema: Raptor Force

Nature Raptor Force in the theater at Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport

When:

Sunday, February 24, 2019 1:30pm

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Winter Wildlife Cinema: Arctic Wolf Pack

Nature Arctic Wolf Pack in the theater at Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport

When:

Sunday, February 10, 2019 1:30pm

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Snowbound: Animals of Winter

Enjoy some particularly wonderful winter wildlife-themed films on the big screen in the comfort of the refuge visitor center’s awesome auditorium…for FREE! See for yourself the cinematic experience created by our state-of-the-art laser projector, with surround sound.

When:

Sunday, Decemeber 16, 2018 1:30pm

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Touch Tank Time

You can look at, AND touch the creatures in Joppa Flats touch tank!

Summer beach days are over, but our 110-gallon tide pool touch tank is still filled with marine life! Drop in for this free program at Joppa Flats and examine the critters you might have discovered on your own visits to the shore. Sea Urchiins, Moon Snails, Sand Dollars, hermits, Horseshoe Crabs, and more! This free programming for folks of all ages includes special features for little ones.

When:

Weekends September 8-23, 2018 12:30-3:30pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Meet a Sandpiper!

Come meet a sanpiper and learn about shore birds at Parker River Wildlife Refuge!

You're invited to Sandy Point State Reservation to celebrate World Shorebird Day. Come see a shorebird up close and personal. Every year, tens of thousands of shorebirds stop over at Parker River to eat and rest on their journey from the Arctic to South America. Refuge biologists are studying how and where these birds migrate. Come learn more about this research and these amazing birds up close. Meet at the Bill Forward Blind. Docents will escort visitors to the banding site on a rotating basis.

When:

Saturday, September 8, 2018 1:30pm

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Lil Kickers Soccer at North Shore Children's Museum

Coach Lex from Danvers Indoor Sports Clinic will engage budding soccer players for a fun morning of active learning through sports! Warm up, run, and work on skill drills during our 9-12 play session.

Where: MarketStreet Lynnfield

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.

Where: Topsfield Fairgrounds

10:00 am to 6:59 pm

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Art in Bloom at MFA - Boston

Celebrate the return of spring with Art in Bloom, the Museum’s annual festival of fine art and flowers. Enjoy exquisite art from across the MFA’s collection paired with magnificent floral interpretations created by New England-area garden clubs. Professional designers delight with creative designs...

Where: Museum of Fine Arts

10:00 am to 3:45 pm

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Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Join The Trustees of Reservations at our new entrance location showcasing contemporary gardens, historical gardens, and our Garden Gateway visitor orientation center at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.

Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.

Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden

10:00 am to 3:59 pm

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Salisbury Beach Carousel - Vacation Hours

Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Monday - Saturday 12 - 7:00 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 5:00 pm Hours of operation are to change.

Where: Salisbury Beach Carousel

12:00 pm to 7:00 pm

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Drop-In Family LEGO at HWPL

Put your imagination and building skills to the test at this self-directed drop-in program. All ages are welcome with a caregiver.

Where: Hamilton-Wenham Public Library

3:15 pm to 4:15 pm

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Friday Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms

Every day has a full list of barnyard chores we need to accomplish to make sure our farmyard friends are happy and healthy. Let’s get to work! Join us for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays and Saturdays! Get on your muck boots – your whole family will get to be...

Where: Appleton Farms

3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

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Salisbury Beach Carousel - Free Friday Hours

Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Friday: 4 pm to 8 pm Saturday: 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm Hours of operation are to change.

Where: Salisbury Beach Carousel

4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

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Tuesday, April 30

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.

Where: Topsfield Fairgrounds

10:00 am to 6:59 pm

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Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...

Where: Appleton Farms

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Wednesday, May 1

Fiddleheads | Preschool Drop-Off Series

Spring has sprung! It is an excellent time of year for exploring and learning on the farm. We will be planting and harvesting in our garden, taking care of our animals and finding all the signs of spring that nature divulges. Join us on Wednesday mornings from 9:30AM to 12:30PM for a preschool drop...

Where: Appleton Farms

9:30 am to 12:30 pm

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Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden

10:00 am to 3:59 pm

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We Walk the Woods!

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.

Where: Harold Parker State Forest

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.

Where: Topsfield Fairgrounds

10:00 am to 6:59 pm

♦ Read More →

Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Mini Movers at North Shore Children's Museum

Mini Movers is an engaging dance and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by experienced instructors, the program introduces young children to the world of dance in a safe and nurturing environment.

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

10:00 am to 11:00 am

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