Conservation Area

Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary’s diversity of habitats, including meadows and woods, attract numerous birds including pileated woodpeckers, winter wrens, and Louisiana waterthrushes.

This site also serves as our North Shore Conservation Advocacy office, which works with interested citizens and municipal and regional officials to provide greater protection of the region’s wildlife habitats.

Although there are no walking trails, the public is welcome to stop in and learn more about our conservation advocacy efforts on the North Shore.

Willowdale Mill

Willowdale Mill is the site of a 19th century textile mill constructed that produced various textiles until it was destroyed by fire in 1884.   Remnants of the mill are still evident as is the sluiceway that channeled water from the Ipswich River to power the mill. The sluiceway is dry now, but still runs from one end of the property to the other. The surrounding woods are dotted with white pine, with fine broad paths carpeted in layers of pine needles for walking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and  horseback riding.

Carter Fields

Greenbelt acquired this 85-acre property, which is located on the Boxford/North Andover town line, in 2004. Carter Fields is located in an area with a significant base of conserved land owned by the town of North Andover, including the Mazurenko Farm (104 acres), Carter Hill (27 acres), and Barker Hill (55 acres). All of these parcels and Carter Fields are part of the Lake Cochichewik watershed, North Andover's sole source of drinking water.

Arthur Elwell Reservation

The Ewell Reservation consists of old field, and young and mature white pine stands. The open field is leased to the Rowley Riding and Driving Club, which maintains the field in return for the use of the property. This upland is situated next to Upper Mill Pond, part of the Mill River system. The Ewell Reservation is a prime location to enjoy the splendor and beauty of waterfowl during the spring migration when the ducks are courting. Bring your binoculars!

Rowley River Salt Marshes

Greenbelt parcels in the Rowley Marshes total about 175 acres, with the largest parcel being the 105-acre Alexander Salt marsh. The Rowley Marshes are part of The Great Marsh, which extends from Southern New Hampshire to Gloucester, and is the largest salt marsh ecosystem in the Northeast. The salt marsh is the single most important habitat in New England for the production and maintenance of life.

Actitivities include: hiking, birding & nature study, cross country skiing & snowshoeing.

Sawyers Island

Sawyer's Island sits in the marshes of Plum Island Sound, one of the most pristine marsh systems in the United States. Much of the land surrounding the island is protected by Greenbelt or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If you're adventurous you can drop a canoe or kayak into Mud Creek, and paddle out into Plum Island Sound. We recommend the months of October or November, when the insects have departed, and when you can float among the scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, goldeneyes, mergansers, and possibly harbor seals.

Pages

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties

Story Walk |This Is the Nest Robin Built

Kids will enjoy this self-guided story based tour of the Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts! Photo by Bill O'Connor
Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise at Halibut Point State Park ! Join us on the grounds of the for a self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture book This is the Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. A wonderful story awaits! For...
8:00 am to 4:00 pm

All Family Field Trip | Early Spring Walk in the Woods

Come explore the woods with Joppa Flats and see if you can find the signs of Spring in Newburyport Massachusetts
Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore. Our 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....
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Friends of Abbot Library Moving/Book Sale

The Abbot Library is holding a moving & book sale in Marblehead Massachusetts! Image is AI generated
The Abbot Library is holding a moving & book sale in Marblehead Massachusetts! The Friends of Abbot Public Library will be having a moving sale from Monday, March 25 through Saturday, March 30! Stop by the Sail Away Book Shop located in the gym space at Abbot Public Library's interim location...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Tabletop Gaming for Teens at APL

Abbott Library in Marblehead Massachusetts invites teens to an afternoon session of board gaming!
Need a break from your console? Hang out at the library for an hour of analog tabletop gaming to meet new friends and discover a favorite new thing to play. 
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Read to a Dog at APL

Kids are invited to read to a dog at Amesbury Massachusetts Public Library. Image generated with AI.
The Amesbury Public Library invites kids to come read to a dog at the Library! Gus, a mixed lab and certified reading partner dog, would love to hear you read aloud!
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Post Secondary School Fair at Landmark

Landmark School hosts a post secondary school fair for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities.
Meet representatives from college and university admissions and student support services, gap year programs, technical schools, and other non-traditional options. We have more exhibitors this year than ever before and we're very excited to welcome you to our high school campus!
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Felted Bunny Craft at Salisbury Library

The Salisbury Massachusetts Library hosts a crafting session featuring felted bunnies.
The Salisbury Library invites kids to join Rachelle for a fun craft night featuring fellted bunnies! Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For kids aged 8 and older (we'll be using sewing needles). Sign-up is required and space is limited.
6:00 pm

Intermediate Sourdough Bread Workshop at Appleton Farms

Learn the ins and outs of sourdough bread at Appleton Farms in in Ipswich Massachusetts!
Have you taken the Sourdough Bread Baking class and want to learn more? Level up your bread baking skills with this workshop led by Culinary Manager Jess Porter. Participants will learn to make a variety of sourdough breads using one base dough. We’ll discuss how to incorporate whole grains,...
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Wednesday, April 3

Abbot Library Story Time A-Go-Go

Abbot Library in Marblehead Massachusetts story time for kids aged 1-4.
Children are invited to a weekly Wednesday program with stories and movement led by early childhood educator Debbie Leibowitz. Story Time A-Go-Go is for children ages 1-4 years old in the Program Room, or outside depending on the weather.
10:30 am to 11:00 am

Thursday, April 4

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Star Gazing, The Moon, & Eclipses with the NSAAC

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in a to learn about Astronomy at the Hamilton Wenham Public Library
Earth's Moon: How it Came to Be and Why We Have Solar and Lunar Eclipses. In this 30 minute presentation, with North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club (NSAAC) Star Party Coordinator, Brewster LaMacchia, we'll start with a look at the event 4.5 billion years ago, referred to as the Big Splat, that led to...
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Friday, April 5

Story Walk |This Is the Nest Robin Built

Kids will enjoy this self-guided story based tour of the Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts! Photo by Bill O'Connor
Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise at Halibut Point State Park ! Join us on the grounds of the for a self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture book This is the Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. A wonderful story awaits! For...
8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Friday Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Every day has a full list of barnyard chores we need to accomplish to make sure our farmyard friends are happy and healthy. Let’s get to work! Join us for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays and Saturdays! Get on your muck boots – your whole family will get to be...
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Salisbury Beach Carousel - Free Friday Hours

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Friday: 4 pm to 8 pm Saturday: 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm Hours of operation are to change.
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Saturday, April 6

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Vernal Pools | Family Nature Series

Vernal Pools - Family Nature Series with Essex County Greenbelt and North Shore Nature Programs
Greenbelt and North Shore Nature Programs team up for this event for all ages! What sound do frogs make? Turns out, they make a lot of different sounds! Come meet the residents of the vernal pools to learn who says ribbit, quack, chirp, peep and more!
10:00 am to 11:30 am

Tailwinds Raptor Education at Parker River NWR

Learn about and meet birds of prey at Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport!
Curious about birds of prey? Come to a  live raptor program with educators and avian ambassadors from Tailwind Raptor Center to get up close and personal with these special species.
11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Dungeons and Dragons at SFL

Dungeons and Dragons for 5th-12th grade at the Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester Massachusetts. Image generated using AI.
Embark on a grand adventure with Dungeons & Dragons at the Sawyer Free Library! Create your character and venture on an epic quest with Dungeon Master Ephraim Weaver. All experience levels are welcome. Free pizza lunch will be provided. Space is limited. 5th-12th grade.
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Subscribe to Conservation Area