Join local history buff, Scott Jewell, on a walk around the town of Ipswich and learn about the fascinating history of its former bustling port. Once a hub of maritime trade and commerce, the fate of the port was intricately tied to the rise and fall of the town’s 18th century economy, and the fortunes (and misfortunes) of many of its residents. Part of Trails & Sails.
The Trustees of Reservations invites you Celebrate Japan! at Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardensin partnership with the Japan Society of Boston. Long Hill is collaborating with the Japan Society of Boston again this year to celebrate Japanese culture. The Sedgwick family, who owned and cared for Long Hill from 1916 to 1979, collected Japanese artifacts and Japanese plantings as Mabel Cabot Sedwick was an accomplished gardener and the author of The Garden Month by Month, and her husband, Ellery Sedgwick was a noted author and editor of The Atlantic Monthly. When Mabel passed in 1937, Ellery married Marjorie Russell Sedgwick, a rare plants specialist and the combined creative vision of these two women led to the design of Long Hill’s enchanting gardens. With the many Japanese artifacts and plantings, Long Hill is excited to celebrate Japanese culture through music, arts and much more!
Join butterfly expert, Howard Hoople, on a walk through the trails of Ward Reservation’s forests and fields in search of the butterflies and moths that make this special place home. Even if the butterflies/moths are scarce, you will learn a lot about why they like this beautiful property.
Join us as darkness settles on the farm to immerse yourself in a nighttime adventure, guided only by the glow of the full moon. On our journey, we will learn about both the science and the mystery that the full moon holds, celebrating her presence through a sharing of knowledge. We will venture out into the night to walk in her soft glow and listen for the sounds of nighttime on the farm. We hope to end with a newfound appreciation for the magic that the night sky holds.
Join the Trustees on Saturday April 20th to celebrate Earth Day on the farm! Neighbors, families, and community members will work together to clean up the farm, complete barnyard projects, restore the chicken enclosure, clean up trails, split and stack wood, assist with property enhancements, and get their hands dirty to care for the great outdoors. We have limited space for volunteers, so sign up soon!
The beach is much more than just sand! In this family education program, participants will learn about the diverse habitats of the sandy beach and dunes. Learners discover shells, seaweed, plants, animal tracks, and other signs of life on the beach and in the dunes, get an up-close look at sand to explore its composition and how it formed, and use scientific tools to measure the ever-changing shape of the beach. Learn how The Trustees are managing and protecting our ever-changing coast, and how you can play a role!
Join this Castle Hill education program and scavenger hunt to learn compass, map reading, and orienteering skills, and use these skills to solve challenges around the Castle Hill trails and grounds. Learn about the habitats, history, and culture of the estate while collecting clues to solve our explorer’s challenge! This program involves walking 1-2 miles over grass, gravel trails, and sand with moderate elevation gain.
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!
This event has been cancelled. The Trustees of Reservations invites kids and their families to shake off the winter cold and join us as we celebrate springtime at Long Hill with our very special Spring Egg Hunt Trail! During this fun, family event, you’ll explore the trail and complete an exciting scavenger hunt as you go. Then, spend some time creating a spring-themed craft and visit the petting zoo on site. This springtime celebration is perfect for the whole family.
Visit the historic maple stand and sugar shack at Appleton Farms and learn all about maple sugaring, its history at the farm and in New England, and how you can try your hand at it at home!
