Exploration

What kid doesn’t like playing in the water? There’s many creatures that live there that we may not know about. Come join the interpreter for this interactive exploration into the pond and its many denizens. Appropriate for families with children. Wear clothes that can get wet and appropriate shoes. Meet at the park headquarters on Curzon Mill Rd.

Got milk? We do! On this special program designed especially for our toddler friends, we'll enjoy calf close encounters, a cow story and costume, milking in the dairy barn and more! For ages 2-5 with an accompanying adult. Please pre-register. For older kids, check out Meet the Cows at Appleton Farms.

We will be exploring the tide-pools of Sandy Point to learn about the relationships between the water, plants, and animals that live in this habitat. We will learn how to search and handle a wide variety of intertidal animals including  snails, mussels, crabs, and other small invertebrates. We plan to play a game that shows what life in a tide-pool is like, sing some songs and get a little wet too!

Come to Joppa Flats to celebrate our incredible variety of birds, beach creatures, fish, horseshoe crabs, insects, and plants with a day of indoor and (hopefully) outdoor activities for all ages!  This full-day family event will feature an exciting mixture of indoor and outdoor activities that encourage participants to learn more about biodiversity.

Come to Joppa Flats Education Center where adults and children can learn about the transitional habitat of the mud flats at Joppa and spend quality family time in the great outdoors finding, observing, and admiring local wildlife. Excursions include a group game to burn off some steam, an on-the-water scavenger hunt, or a guided tour. We'll observe, investigate, and compare coastal environments and their inhabitants, both on- and offshore.

As the weather warms, our fields become alive with activity. Spend an early June afternoon chasing butterflies, grasshoppers, and crickets with nets while taking some time to closely observe these amazing insects. We may also encounter some predators of the field, such as leopard frogs and garter snakes! This will be a hands-on experience the entire family can enjoy.

Late spring is a great time to experience on-the-water ecology, and kayaking is the perfect way to capture every moment. From wading birds to waterfowl, the salt marshes provide the backdrop to sights and sounds that are uniquely available from the water. Kayaking quietly on the calm waters of the Plum Island Sound, we'll visit secluded areas where we can witness wildlife without disturbing their activities. We may even see horseshoe crabs mating!

Explore and discover as we look for and learn all about Lady's Slippers - unique, delicate orchids, found among our rocky and woody Ravenswood landscape. Recommended for ages 10 and older. Meet at Ravenswood parking area.

Come to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary to join in the reading of a children's nature story followed by an exploration in the woods, fields and wetlands of the sanctuary.

Join watercolorist Brenda Sloane in a monthly program that combines nature and art. We will start with a walk on the sanctuary to observe the topic of the month. We will then return to the Nature Center to create a follow-up work of art.