Ecology

Predator vs. Prey | Family Nature Series

Essex County Greenbelt teams up with North Shore Nature Programs for a wildlife hike in Ipswich Massachusetts!

Look for signs of our local predators on the prowl and learn about how prey animals have evolved to evade them in this family-friendly walk. Appropriate for all ages - we’ll talk scientifically about what types of animals are predators or prey, without going into especially gory details.

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2024 10:30-Noon

CraneExplorer: Animals in the Estuary

Families are invited to join us for an exploration of the Castle Hill grounds in Ipswich Massachusetts

Take in beautiful views of the Crane Wildlife Refuge while learning about estuary flora and fauna and environmental conditions at the Crane Boat Dock. Families will conduct measurements of water quality and weather, census native vs. Non-native crabs, collect and observe plankton using field microscopes, and observe the ever-shifting tides. Join this program to discover a lesser-known area of the Crane Estate, on the backside of Crane Beach along the picturesque Castle Neck River.

When: 
Saturday, October 20, 2024 10am-Noon
Saturday, November 11, 2024 10am-Noon

COASTSWEEP Cleanup | Short Beach Nahant

CoastSweep shoreline beach cleanup at Short Beach in Nahant, Massachusetts!

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to come to Short Beach, Nahant (located opposite the corner of Nahant Road and Castle Road) to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the shore in Lynn and Nahant Massachusetts. Special two hour permits will be given out at our tables at the Lowlands Parking Lot on Ward Road to avoid parking tickets.  

When: 
Sunday, October 6, 2024 11am

CoastSweep Cleanup at Salisbury Beach

CoastSweep seashore beach cleanup at Salisbury Beach Massachusetts

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to come to Salisbury Beach State Reservation to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the shore in Salisbury, Massachusetts. Trash collected will be measured and analyzed, and the data will be sent to Washington DC to aid the government in creating legislation to minimize trash in our oceans!

When: 
Saturday, October 5, 2024 11am

ECGA Family Series - Spooky Animals

Essex County Greenbelt Association and North Shore Nature Programs team up for a hike in search of Spooky Animals!

Canceled - The Essex County Greenbelt Association and North Shore Nature Programs to meet some of our favorite critters! Some critters get a bad rap! But there is lots to love about the creepy, wiggly, and crawly creatures in our woods! We'll look for spiders, bugs, centipedes and millipedes, as well as signs of cool predators like owls, coyotes, and weasels.

When: 
Saturday, October 21, 2023 3-4:30pm
Location: 

CoastSweep: Sandy Beach & River Street

Come help with the Coastsweep cleanup of the Sandy Beach and River Street in Danvers, Massachusetts!

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the shore in Danvers Massachusetts. Trash collected will be measured and analyzed, and the data will be sent to Washington DC to aid the government in creating legislation to minimize trash in our oceans.

When: 
Sunday, September 23, 2023 8am

CoastSweep Cleanup at Collins Cove Beach

CoastSweep Cleanup hosted by Salem Sound Coastwatch at Collins Cove Beach in Salem Massachusetts

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach CleanupSalem Sound Coastwatch encourages volunteers to come to Collins Cove Beach to help in the statewide effort to keep the Massachusetts coastline clean. COASTSWEEP is the annual statewide cleanup of Massachusetts coastal and riverine environments. Over more than 20 years, COASTSWEEP has engaged thousands of volunteers in cleaning hundreds of miles of shoreline and riverbanks.

When: 
Saturday, September 14, 2024 10am

Exploring Salisbury’s Ancient Saltmarsh

Learn about the prehistoric oceanfront of the North Shore in Salisbury Massachusetts

Did you know that there’s a massive prehistoric saltmarsh peeking out of the sands at Salisbury Beach? Join MRWC’s John Macone on a low tide walk as we explore this fascinating remnant of a time when sea levels were much lower than today. We’ll also talk about the prehistoric oceanfront, the “paleo Merrimack River,” and the remnants of the last glacial age — all visible thanks to special maps that we’ll bring with us. The one-mile round trip hike will last about an hour. Be prepared to wade into the surf about 18 inches.

When: 
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 5:30-6:30pm

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Camp Whirlygig for kids ages 4-10 at the Wenham Museum in Massachusetts

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Spring Bloom Fest at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Spring Bloom Fest at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
Join The Trustees of Reservations  for the start of Spring at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens with a celebration of bulbs at our Spring BloomFest weekend! Stroll through our beautiful gardens with budding tulips, daffodils, and other spring bulbs while enjoying the crisp spring air and...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Pajama Story Time at Manchester Public Library

Kids are invited to the pajama time book reading at the Public Library in Manchester by the Sea Massachusetts.
Join Miss Audrey for a cozy pajama storytime and craft the first Thursday of every month from 6-7. This program is for kids ages 4 and up and their families. 
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 3

Spring Bloom Fest at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Spring Bloom Fest at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
Join The Trustees of Reservations  for the start of Spring at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens with a celebration of bulbs at our Spring BloomFest weekend! Stroll through our beautiful gardens with budding tulips, daffodils, and other spring bulbs while enjoying the crisp spring air and...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

North Shore Nature Fair | Glen Urquhart School

Celebrate nature at GUS with a variety of hands-on activities and nature-based projects led by GUS educators and partners from across the North Shore. This free, family-friendly event, is open to the public.
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Square-Foot Gardening Workshop

Celebrate sustainable living with Backyard Growers Program in Gloucester MA
In this workshop, the Backyard Growers team will introduce you to the Square-Foot Gardening Method, which helps gardeners make the most of often limited growing space, and grow the most food possible for a household. We'll show you how to do this by using gridded square-feet instead of rows. You'll...
9:30 pm to 11:00 pm

Sunday, May 4

Todd Farm Market

Come to Todd Farm on Sunday - A classic New England Fleas Market in Rowley Massachusetts!
From early Spring to late Fall, Todd Farm is a great Sunday destination for families!  Head to the farm and explore the outdoor award-winning Market featuring up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York!
5:00 am to 3:00 pm

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Step up for Colleen 5k

The Step up for Colleen 5k is a memorial fundraiser in memory of Colleen Ritzer a beloved North Shore Lacal Teacher.
The friends and family of Colleen Ritzer have created this 5K walk/run to celebrate Colleen’s life and her commitment to help and inspire others. Through the Step Up for Colleen event, organizers hope to enhance a sense of community and overall goodwill as we come together to honor Colleen and the...
8:30 am

Tulip Festival at Cider Hill Farm

Come cut your own tulips at Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury Massachusetts
A gorgeous, fan-favorite variety of 100k tulips are scheduled to bloom in early May. Welcome spring with this multi-weekend festival featuring free live music, self-guided blooming orchard walks, outdoor hard cider bars, food trucks, fitness n' family activities and cut-your-tulips. General...
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Newburyport Farmers' Market

Newburyport Farmers find organic locally grown produce, meat, dairy Newburyport
The Newburyport Farmers Summer Market celebrates local fresh produce every Sunday morning rain or shine!  Start your Sunday browsing fresh North Shore local produce, meats, cheeses, and seafood in an open air market atmosphere! Food and beverage vendors offer fresh hot coffee, breakfast treats and...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Twin Lights Half Marathon

Twin Lights Half Marathon starts at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester and follows a route along the Gloucester's beautiful back shore.
Come enjoy beautiful ocean views as you run along the scenic coastline on Cape Ann and race towards our huge finish line arch! The Twin Lights Half Marathon offers a spectacular course with the seashore visible for much of the race's 13.1-mile route. Runners will also enjoy an up-close look at many...
9:00 am
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