Trustees of Reservations

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate in search of the American Toad in Ipswich, Massachusetts! Ever wonder what that screeching sound is on damp spring evenings? The cacophonous chorus of toads and Spring Peepers means winter is finally coming to an end. In the early evening darkness we’ll quietly make our way through the dunes to the bogs and puddles that serve as breeding pools for the American Toad, and hope to catch a glimpse of them (and other species too!) as they call to find a mate. These are the toads you most often see around your yard – but there’s a lot to learn about them! Come with us as we get up close and personal with these awesome amphibians!

This ‘back-to-basics’ series provides a comprehensive approach to the fundamentals of cooking as we explore traditional culinary methods & techniques to enhance your knowledge, skill, and understanding in the kitchen.  Each workshop will focus in-depth on a particular skill set, with guided hands-on practice as we prepare seasonal dishes applying specific techniques. Proper knife skills, measuring, and kitchen tools will also be discussed, and all workshops include chef instruction, printed recipes, and a light lunch in the farmhouse! 

An outdoor adventure for the whole family!  An easy rambling walk that will take us along the Cedar Point Trail to Steep Hill Beach with naturalists from The Trustees of Reservations. We’ll take note of how winter has changed the landscape, and how plants and animals adapt to survive this “dormant” season. Our wander will end in the Pine Grove, where we’ll warm up with hot chocolate around a campfire.

Join Appleton Cooks! and chef Carolyn Grieco this winter for our winter culinary workshop series. With seasonal ingredients as our inspiration, these classes bring together the farm’s winter bounty and professional chef instruction to inspire, improve, and support your culinary endeavors at home.