Experience what life is like as the largest rodent in North America. We will examine a beaver mound up close, and then take a walk to see a beaver lodge, dam, and scent mounds. Discover how beavers continue to change the habitats in which they live and how other species of plants and animals benefit. On our return, we will make beaver dioramas out of natural materials.
Eagles, owls, and hawks, oh my! Beat the winter blahs with a high-energy search for birds of prey on Plum Island. We'll start things off at Joppa Flats with a short PowerPoint presentation and some homemade brownies and fruit. Then, we'll bundle up with radios and binoculars and head out to Plum Island to look for snowy owls, bald eagles, and various hawks over the salt marsh, in the dunes, and along the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge road.
Appleton Farms invites families for a self guided Winter quest during holiday break! Grab your snow shoes, hiking boots or cross country skiis and get the family outside between Christmas and New Years to seek out our elusive herd of wooden reindeer sculptures found throughout the Grass Rides. See how many you can find and leave a bell around each one's neck. Bells can be found at the bulletin board.
Step back in time and be inspired by the nightscape at a 17th century saltwater farm. Stroll through the house, lit by candlelight, and imagine life in colonial days. This Open House is offered in conjunction with Ipswich is First...Period, a community celebration of 17th century architecture, and an homage to hearth, home and the celebration of Thanksgiving. A quartet will fill the halls with period music.
This Historic New England walking tour explores Cogswell's Grant as a working farm since 1636 to present. Join us for an in-depth tour highlighting the favorite objects of American folk art collectors Bertram and Nina Fletcher Little, including objects hidden in the cupboards, cabinets, and drawers of Cogswell's Grant.
Ipswich River Sanctuary invites you to come explore! Looking to get off the beaten path and take "the one less traveled?" Haven't yet hiked alll 12 miles of our sanctuary's interconnected trails? Have a yearning to explore places like Hassocky Meadow or White Pine Loop? Come with us as we trek some of the sanctuary's less frequented trails to discover new sights and sounds in these spectacular habitats.
Join ECTA Trail Steward and Topsfield Rail Trail Committee Chairman Joe Geller as he leads us on a bike tour of the Topsfield Linear Common Rail Trail through Topsfield, Wenham, Danvers and Peabody. We will begin at the Town Hall parking lot in Topsfield at 9 a.m. and ride to Lowell Street in Peabody. We'll stop for a short break at Karl's Sausage Kitchen off Lowell Street in Peabody for rest rooms for about 20 minutes before returning to Topsfield. This is a great chance to discover a fantastic and safe multi-use path you never knew was there!!
Rita Gallant, Lead Field Teacher at IRWS will read Festive Occasions - Special Event Rental Equipment by Joanne Ryder. Let's find out what butterflies live in our area. Using sweep nets and hand lenses, we'll observe butterflies in the gardens and fields of the sanctuary. Become a butterfly as we learn about the life cycles of these fluttering marvels.
Salamanders are often found in dark, wet places such as under a rock or log in the soil, while their eggs can be found in vernal pools. We will go for a walk, looking under rocks and logs for salamanders, and visit a vernal pool to discover where they lay their eggs each spring. Each participant will create a clay salamander to take home.
