Topsfield

Join watercolorist Brenda Sloane at IRWS for this program that combines nature and art. In this class, we will learn all about wetlands, their importance, and what can be found there. Then we will walk to the sanctuary wetlands and discover what can be found living in them, such as dragonfly larvae, backswimmers, frogs, and birds.

Join us as we share a children's nature story before we explore the woods, fields, and wetlands of the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.  This month we'll focus on the birds of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.

If you're a junior high or high school student interested in nature, this is the program for you! Spend the day birding and paddling the Ipswich River, a great place to observe spring migrants. We will join Drumlin Farm's Becky Gilles and her Peregrine Birders in hopes of getting close looks at herons, hawks, and warblers. Leave mom and dad behind and meet some other teens who share the same interests as you!

The members of the North Shore Rock & Mineral Club (NSRMC) of Massachusetts, have been producing this highly successful, family-oriented show for 49 years.

"The show is a wonderful way for the family to connect over an exciting array of beads, jewelry, mineral specimens, fossils, gemstones, crystals, natural oddities and fascinating antiquities; indoors, and in a safe, family-friendly environment.", said Donna Lee Hanlon, Co-Chair of the show.

Undoubtedly, one of the fondest memories anyone can have in astronomy is the moment an individual takes in a first view of the Moon through a telescope. You know, of course, that its surface is covered with craters. But did you also know that there are mountains, valleys, and more exotic features?  Join North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary for a close up look

An early-spring evening tantalizes all the senses. You can watch woodcocks spiraling high into the fading light and hear spring peepers chorusing from the wetlands, while the smell of moist earth permeates the air. Join us for an evening of outdoor exploration during which we will put all our senses to the test. We will begin indoors with activities designed to heighten our senses of touch and smell, and then hit the trails for a short night hike to listen for the hoots of owls and see if breath mints really spark when you bite them in the dark!

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.

Come hike to the Rockery Pond to observe a beaver lodge. Then as a group, we will attempt to build our own lodge. Along the way, we will investigate other animal homes including bird and squirrel nests, chipmunk holes, and tree cavities, and discover who made them and how.

Today we'll learn about one of nature's tastiest treats: maple syrup. We'll discover how to distinguish a sugar maple from all the other trees in the forest and tap one to collect the sap. After a visit to the sugarhouse, we'll know how sap is converted into syrup and try some on our very own pancakes. We'll see who can tell the difference between store-bought syrup and the real stuff!

With the lush green fringe of plants and lily pads gone, the winter pond looks deserted. Where did all the turtles, frogs, and insects go? Come learn about the amazing adaptations these animals have developed to survive winter and some cool things about ice. We will stroll along the boardwalks at Waterfowl Pond to see who is around in the winter and who has gone into hibernation. On our return, we'll enjoy a delicious cup of hot chocolate.