Ecology

Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center

Drop-in Open House at the Bradley Palmer State Park Nature Center in Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts

Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand. Open rain or shine. For ages Pre-K and up. This is a great family activity.

When: 
Friday-Sundays & Mondays, June-October 7, 2024 12:30-2:30pm

Salt Marsh Boat Tour with Parker River NWR

Learn how Plum Island and the Great Marsh were formed and how important they are on this boat tour of the estuary.

Pristine beauty, wide open space, gorgeous views, and the chance to float up and down the peaceful, winding creeks of the world's second most productive ecosystem. Learn how Plum Island and the Great Marsh were formed and how important they are. Boat tours are offered through a private outfitter.  More information can be found by visiting the Yankee Clipper Harbor Tours website or by sending an email to info@harbortours.com

When: 
Saturday, June 8, 2024 11:30am-1:30pm
Thursday, June 21, 2024 10:30-12:30pm

Birds, Bees & Butterflies - Family Nature Series Cox Reservation

Essex County Greenbelt Association hosts an Exploration Workshop for families at Cox Reservation in Essex Massachusetts!

Essex County Greenbelt Association invites families to Cox Reservation for a fun session that's all about bees! This show and tell event introduces children of all ages to the importance of bees and other pollinators. Fun and educational activities scattered around the property.

When: 
Saturday, May 18, 2024 10am-1pm
Location: 

Salamander Meander

What kind of Salamanders will we find at Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary? Photo: Mass Audubon

April is the month when frogs, toads, and salamanders return to wetlands and lay their eggs. We'll search the sanctuary's vernal pools, ponds, and woodlands for a variety of amphibians that are the on the move. If we're lucky, we might see Wood Frog and Spotted Salamander eggs and catch a few adults to observe up close and then release.

When: 
Saturday, May 4, 11 & 18, 2024 10-11:30am

Big Night at IRWS

Come explore the vernal pools of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary with Mass Audubon!

Each year on the first warm rainy night of spring, wood frogs and mole salamanders begin a mass migration to the vernal pools where they breed. If you happen to be out on one of these evenings, the experience can be like a spectacular amphibian celebration. It's called "Big Night!" For families and kids ages 4 and up.

When: 
Saturday, April 13, 2024 6-8pm

CraneExplorer: Cold Weather Feathers

Come explore the world of our resident winter birds here at Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

Join The Trustees of Reservations to explore the world of our resident winter birds here at Crane—beyond the Snowy Owl! Bring your binoculars (or borrow ours!) and join us in searching the water for Loons, Long-Tail ducks, Eiders, Scoters, Mergansers, and more! In the trees and sky, we might spot birds of prey, including owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles, alongside hardy songbirds and woodpeckers. A variety of shorebirds round out the viewing possibilities!

When: 
Thursday, March 24, 2024 10am-Noon

Youth Shorebird Art Contest Crafting Day

Stop by the Visitor's Center classroom to join Refuge staff and local artist Patricia Lane Evans for a morning of shorebird art! Our annual Youth Shorebird Art Contest is currently accepting submissions from students grades K-12. We need your help to spread the word about shorebird conservation- so stop by anytime this morning to learn more about the contest and get started on your own original artwork.  We will provide art materials and information about all the amazing shorebirds who use our beaches, as w

Stop by the Visitor's Center classroom to join Refuge staff and local artist Patricia Lane Evans for a morning of shorebird art! Our annual Youth Shorebird Art Contest is currently accepting submissions from students grades K-12. We need your help to spread the word about shorebird conservation- so stop by anytime this morning to learn more about the contest and get started on your own original artwork.  We will provide art materials and information about all the amazing shorebirds who use our beaches, as well as some tips and tricks for how to draw birds!

When: 
Saturday, March 30, 2024 10am-Noon

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Art Academy Summer Program at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly MA

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 15th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, MA. Pingree . The exhibit will open in early September with more than 50 temporary works on display in addition to the 20 pieces in the permanent collection of Pingree School. The exhibit ...
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Turkey Trot at Breakheart Reservation

Come to Breakheart Reservation for a pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Saugus Massachusetts!
Breakheart Reservation invites you to a Thanksgiving run/walk! Join us for the annual Breakheart Turkey Trot, a fun-filled event for runners and walkers of all ages! Lace up your sneakers and get ready to hit the scenic trails of Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, MA, USA. Whether you're a seasoned...
9:30 am to 12:00 pm

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Come to Hammond Castle for the 6th annual Deck The Halls holiday celebration. Hammond Castle Museum will be dressed for the holidays inside and out. Delight in the enchanting ambiance of Christmas and White Birch trees, meticulously arranged garlands, festive wreaths, and the warm embrace of...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Swampscott Thanksgiving Farmer's Market

The Swampscott Farmers Market hosts a special Thanksgiving market in Massachusetts
The outdoor markets are done for the season but we will have one last indoor Thanksgiving Market on Sunday, November 19th at Swampscott High School Cafe. Stock up with fresh produce for your Thanksgiving table and get your Christmas shopping started early with our crafters!
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Essex Turkey Trot 5K Race & Fun Walk

The Essex Massachusetts Lions host their annual 5k Turkey Trot!
The Essex Lion's Club hosts the annual turkey trot in beautiful Essex Massachusetts!
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Cat's Meow at the Crane Estate

Kids will have a blast exploring the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts!
Our imagination is one of our greatest assets. Imagine living in 1929 and visiting the Crane family at their summer home in Ipswich. The house is so big and Mrs. Crane’s kitty, Ptolemy, has gone missing just before the party! Can you help a family servant find our mischievous Siamese? Once he’s...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Sea Festival of Trees | Sundays

Experience the joy and excitement of Salisbury’s most popular holiday tradition with glittering trees, indoor ice skating, Santa visits and more - Massachusetts
As one of New England’s must-see holiday traditions, the 12th Annual SeaFestival of Trees fundraiser opens Saturday, November 23, at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, MA. With over 135 extravagantly themed trees, a full-size indoor skating rink, a spectacular giant sand sculpture, and Santa...
11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Amesbury Market Daze

Amesbury Market Daze happens every Sunday indoors at Barewolf Brewing in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
Welcome to Amesbury Market Daze at BareWolf Brewing, a vendor market where local surrounding Amesbury talent and community spirit converge.
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Thursday, November 28

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Run for the Pies in Ipswich

Burn some calories before the Thanksgiving Feast at Ipswich's Run for the Pies!
Start your turkey day by burning off some calories with a run or walk along the Ipswich River! Every 10th adult finisher receives a large Russell Orchards pie; every child Fun Run finisher receives a 4" Table Talk pie. and you'll have a chance to win a ready-to-bake pie! Racers, runners, walkers or...
8:00 am

Wild Turkey 5 Mile Road Race

Run like a turkey through downtown Salem MA on Thanksgiving Day! Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem.
Join the fun for the annual Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run in downtown Salem Massachusetts Thanksgiving morning and raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem! This is the largest race on the North Shore, now in its 21st year, with 2,000 anticipated participants.
8:00 am

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 15th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, MA. Pingree . The exhibit will open in early September with more than 50 temporary works on display in addition to the 20 pieces in the permanent collection of Pingree School. The exhibit ...
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Middleton Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5k Race in Middleton Massachusetts
Bringing the Middleton community together on Thanksgiving Morning since 2018! Registration is now open for our 7th Annual Middleton Turkey Trot! Our 7th Annual Middleton Turkey Trot will be held on Thanksgiving Morning at 8am.
8:00 am

WCRC Wild Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk

Winner's Circle Running Club Annual Thanksgiving 5k in Salisbury Massachusetts
Cool weather Fall running is back! This year the Winner's Circle Running Club has moved our annual 5K to Salisbury! It will be run Thanksgiving morning November 23rd. Registration opens at 7:00 a.m. and the race starts promptly at 8:30. We feature runner and family friendly trails and post race...
8:30 am to 10:00 am

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Come to Hammond Castle for the 6th annual Deck The Halls holiday celebration. Hammond Castle Museum will be dressed for the holidays inside and out. Delight in the enchanting ambiance of Christmas and White Birch trees, meticulously arranged garlands, festive wreaths, and the warm embrace of...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Friday, November 29

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 15th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, MA. Pingree . The exhibit will open in early September with more than 50 temporary works on display in addition to the 20 pieces in the permanent collection of Pingree School. The exhibit ...
8:00 am to 6:00 pm
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