Join watercolorist Brenda Sloane in a monthly program that combines nature and art. We will start with a walk on the sanctuary to observe the topic of the month. We will then return to the Nature Center to create a follow-up work of art.
Join The Trustees of Reservations and Essex River Basin Adventures (ERBA) for a guided kayak paddle of Crane Wildlife Refuge in Essex Bay. This introductory paddle teaches participants the basics of sea kayaking before setting out to explore what Yankee Magazine called "the best place to kayak in New England."
Bring your young naturalist to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary for a day of butterfly banding! The annual migration of eastern monarch butterflies to central Mexico and back is one of the most remarkable events in nature. Cindy Dunn has been tagging monarchs at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton for many years. Join her for an afternoon of tagging monarchs on the sanctuary. Learn about the fascinating life history of these butterflies and find out how you can help monarchs in your own backyard.
Adults and children can spend quality family time in the great outdoors finding, observing, and admiring local wildlife. Excursions with Joppa Flats Education Center include a group game to burn off some steam, an on-the-water scavenger hunt, or a guided tour. We'll observe, investigate, and compare pond habitats and their inhabitants, both on-and offshore. Participants play out the roles of biologists, researchers, birders, and botanists. Thisadventure will leave your family excited to come back for more!
Join Greenbelt for a monthly "experience" on the water. Bring your own kayak or canoe, or use a Greenbelt loaner. We'll depart from Greenbelt's Cox Reservation Headquarters and paddle the Essex River. Please RSVP and let us know if you need a loaner and life jackets. Dress for the weather. Hat, sunscreen, bug spray, camera and binolculars recommended. NOTE: as of August 21, 2013 this event no longer has loaner kayak or canoes available!
What lives in the mud, grass, and water of a salt marsh? How is the marsh like a sponge? We'll use nets and trowels to look for mussels, clams, oysters, hermit crabs, and other marsh critters. Watch egrets in flight and participate in a snail race as you explore the hidden wonders of the salt marsh. Prepare to get muddy!
Curiosity companions explore the woodlands of Bungalow Hill, Clarke's Pond, and meadows of Ocean Lawn - discovering the wonders of nature while using all your senses. Song, stories, and puppets included! This program is for young children accompanied by their favorite adult. Learn about the conservationists who provided this community gift. This program is for young children accompanied by their favorite adult. Pre-registration required. Join us for all five sessions Pre-registration required.
Enjoy a morning at the beach during low tide and discover the living wonders of the rocky shore and sandy coastline. We will look for crabs, starfish, shorebirds, and other seashore animals. Explore the wrack line and sandy beach to compare and sort the natural materials and seaweeds that have washed ashore. We will preserve our memories of the day by creating our own beach collages.
Essex County Greenbelt Association invites you to enjoy a captivating two-hour boat tour of the Essex River Marshes aboard the Essex River Queen I. View migratory and shore birds, nesting osprey, and all sorts of salt marsh creatures and features. Space is limited - RSVP is appreciated.
Come to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary to join in the reading of a children's nature story followed by an exploration in the woods, fields and wetlands of the sanctuary.
