Ecology

Bound for Butterflies

Joppa Flats Education Center will have Free indoor and outdoor activities for kids and families!

Join the park interpreter and special guest Russ Hopping on a walk to view and identify various butterfly species at Maudslay. Russ is an active member of the Massachusetts Butterfly Club and enjoys sharing his knowledge of butterflies with others. Russ is the Ecology Program Director for The Trustees of Reservations. He has worked for The Trustees since 1997, overseeing the stewardship of ecological resources at The Trustees’ more than 26,000 acres.

When:

Saturday, August 11, 2018 10am-Noon

Location:

Read more about Bound for Butterflies

Butterflies & Bugs Free-for-All

Drop in at Joppa Flats and meet live caterpillars, moths, and butterflies! You’ll learn smart practices to attract birds and wildlife to your own yard as well as how to safely identify insects. Enjoy a "Backyard Bug Hunt' with our naturalists, join in a "Monarch Migration Relay Race," and take home a fun craft or two.

When:

Sunday, July 22, 2018 10am-3pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

Read more about Butterflies & Bugs Free-for-All

Eco-Art: Turtle Time

Learn about turtles through art at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.

Turtles like to live in ponds surrounded by cattails, reeds, and shrubs. We'll take a walk to a pond and observe the different types of turtles living there, and then create our own turtles out of clay.

When:

Thursday, July 19, 2018 9-11 am

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Read more about Eco-Art: Turtle Time

Eco-Art: Summer Time

Experience a sensory adventure as we explore the trails at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield, Ma.

Experience a sensory adventure as we explore the trails using our eyes, ears, nose, hands, and even taste. Then, make a nature collage using found materials to decorate your home.

When:

Thursday, August 2, 2018 9-11 am

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Read more about Eco-Art: Summer Time

Eco-Art: Nesting Time

Families will learn about bird nests at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Robin's Nest Bill O'Connor

Families will examine our collection of bird nests to study how they're built and what materials were used in their construction. We'll explore the trails looking for nests and places where birds might build them. On our return, we will create our own nests using natural materials.

When:

Thursday, July 12, 2018 9-11:00 am

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Read more about Eco-Art: Nesting Time

Endangered Species Day at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Explore Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and learn about endangered species like the piping plover!!

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge invites people of all ages to celebrate Endangered Species Day at the Refuge Visitor Center. Endangered Species Day was designated to educate the American public on the importance of protecting endangered species and highlight the everyday actions that individuals can take to help protect our nation’s wildlife, fish and plants.

When:

Saturday, May 19, 2018 1-4pm

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Read more about Endangered Species Day at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Free Fun Family Films: Moana

Kids are invited to PArker River Wildlife Refuge for a free showing of Moana!

Enjoy top-rated and otherwise GREAT “Hollywood” movies on the visitor center’s BIG SCREEN, featuring our state-of-the art laser projection and surround sound system. In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches Moana's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the Demigod to set things right. (2016; PG; Runtime: 1 hr, 47 mins.)

When:

Sunday, March 18, 2018 1:30pm

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Read more about Free Fun Family Films: Moana

To Bee or Not to Bee

Come to newburyport Library for a gardening presentation focused on pollinators and how to plant to attract them. Photo by Bill O'Connor

We had such a great reaction to last year's program "The Role of the Honeybee in Our Environment" that we decided to offer another bee based program. This time, gardening guru Andi Ross will present her new program, "To Bee or Not to Bee." Landscaping to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects as well as birds and butterflies is not only trendy, its critical to our own survival. This lecture will explore what plants will attract beneficial wildlife to your gardens with slides of glorious gardens filled with wildlife.

When:

Saturday, February 24, 2018 | 11am-12:30pm

Location:

Newburyport Public Library

Read more about To Bee or Not to Bee

Seaside Sustainability Internships

Seaside Sustainability Intern Molly and Francie Caudill of Manchester Coastal Stream Team collect data for Salem Sound Coastwatch

Seaside Sustainability is looking for part-time interns in high school and college to work on a diverse and challenging array of projects and initiatives. Our interns engage in focused learning experiences where they receive guidance and resources to apply newfound knowledge and skills to their emerging professional lives. Seaside Sustainability programs and initiatives encourage members of the community young and old to build and nurture a relationship with local land and seascapes. We believe that environmental challenges are rooted in a societal neglect to instill ethical and social responsibility into our existence. We address these issues by illuminating the heavy costs of environmental degradation, and providing resources to develop skills, solutions, and community involvement to counterbalance that impact.

Location:

the office in Rockport

Read more about Seaside Sustainability Internships

Riverbend Open House

Ipswich River Watershed Association Open House at Riverbend as part of Trails and Sails!

The Riverbend Open House hosted by the Ipswich River Watershed Association will include games and activities for children and family geared towards teaching them about water use, the watershed, and the river. Guest will be able to explore the trails and gardens on the Riverbend property and participate in short paddles departing from the Riverbend dock. While guest may choose to bring their own kayaks/canoes/paddleboards they are invited to use the organization’s canoes and kayaks. Attendees should dress for being out of doors, bringing sunblock, water bottles and hats.

When:

Sunday, September 17, 2017 2-4pm

Location:

Ipswich River Watershed Association