Discovery

You're invited to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge to learn about the endangered birding as part of Trails and Sail. Plum Island is a bird magnet. We will walk from the salt marsh to the dunes overlooking the ocean using the Hellcat Boardwalk, then go out on the dike to see many of the habitats in the Great Marsh and the birds that are there in the late fall. Plum Island is an important stopover for birds migrating back south after breeding in the Arctic tundra and the forests of Canada and northern New England, providing food to fuel their onward journey to avoid the cold and dark of winter. We will have an easy walk of about a mile over two hours.

Come to Joppa Flats this summer to enjoy some live animal encounters both outdoors in our riverside yard and indoors in our air conditioned lobby! You'll rotate through different live animal stations at your own pace, and may choose to spend your time handling tide pool creatures such as sea urchins and sea stars, meeting moon snails and hermit crabs from the sandy beach, and/or learning about minnows and horseshoe crabs from the salt marsh. We'll also introduce you to our 'seasonal specials' that our interns are raising for release. You might even see praying mantis hatchlings, monarch caterpillars, or American toadlets! Family friendly activities, self-guided science stations and take-home nature crafts - something for everyone!

Maudslay State Park has created this program for their youngest crowd! For the young set that loves nature, the park interpreter will lead a three-part preschool aged program that includes a story, craft & walk that involves outdoor exploration. A different nature topic each week so come every week!

What kinds of fascinating creatures live in or visit the ponds? Come and visit with the Park Interpreter to see if any creatures are stirring, and if any plants are flowering. Best for ages pre-K and up. This is a great family activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult.