Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the North Shore. Joppa Flats' engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!
Everyone is welcome at this Community Summer Solstice Celebration! Collaborate with us on a community craft, enjoy a nature hike around the property together, and finish off the evening with a bonfire by the lake to celebrate the longest day of the year!
Start the summer right by hitting the trail in the dunes and taking in the beautiful scenery of Castle Neck. We’ll take a brisk stroll through some of the unique environments of the dune system and if we’re lucky we’ll spot some seasonal wildlife including Piping Plovers!
The first day of the new year is best spent outside! Join Danielle Sugrue for a First Day Hike at Ward Reservation. Start the new year with a mindful walk to the top of Holt Hill then set intentions for the new year around the solstice stones. Warm up with some hot chocolate and walk in to the this new year with a clear vision.
Join this indoor workshop followed by dune hike to learn tracking basics and identification skills allowing you to experience the outdoors in a new way. Enjoy an indoor presentation on tracking at the Casino at Castle Hill, then reconvene at Crane Beach for a guided dune walk, investigating the trail for footprints, scat, burrows, and other signs left behind by dune dwellers. Via our observations, we will collect clues as to what animals are using this habitat. Bring your sharp senses and observation skills for this learning adventure.
Miss Lisa invites you to join her for some family-friendly seasonal nature walks in the area. Together we will explore the salt marsh, the woods, and more. We will look for birds, mammals, and of course, mushrooms! We'll use our "science eyes" and "nature ears" and learn, play, and discover together. Some mammals store food, grow thicker fur, and make dens or burrows in winter. Let's find out which animals are active and look for their tracks in the snow!
This program has been canceled! Join this interactive program to make music in the peaceful pine grove, learn about the sounds of nature, and about how music has filled the air at The Crane Estate throughout the years. Enjoy a creative lesson and then create your own music using provided instruments, your own brought from home, or your own homemade instrument made from natural objects using the provided materials.
Join The Trustees of Reservations for a sunset paddle in Essex Bay! On this outing into the heart of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, we will be paddling in the protected waters of one of the most scenic sections of the Great Marsh—the largest contiguous salt marsh in New England. We’ll either paddle around Choate Island with a landing on Long Island, or down the Castle Neck River, landing on Castle Neck (varies based on wind/tide conditions on the day of the event). Along the way, we’ll observe the wide variety of wildlife found in the marsh, including egrets, herons, and other shore birds. You can count on making an amazing connection with nature and creating enduring memories as we paddle home into the setting sun.
Take a nice n' easy stroll at Bradley Palmer State Park with your family! Join the Park Interpreter for an easy hike along the Carriage Road or Accessible Trail. Points of interest will be highlighted. The walk will be fully accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. Best for ages pre-K and up.
Join Trustees staff from Appleton Farms and the Ipswich River Watershed Association for a fun and adventurous hike and paddle excursion. We’ll meet at the farm and hike over to the headquarters of IRWA, right on the Ipswich River. IRWA staff will help us get into canoes and kayaks then lead a trip down the river, into downtown Ipswich and back. This unique experience will be a wonderful way to explore the natural surroundings of Ipswich, over both land and water.
