Ecology

Birds, Bees & Butterflies | Family Nature Series at Cox Reservation

Essex County Greenbelt Association hosts an Exploration Workshop for families at Cox Reservation in Essex Massachusetts!

Essex County Greenbelt Association invites families to Cox Reservation for a fun session that's all about bees! This show-and-tell introduces children of all ages to the importance of bees and other pollinators.

When: 
Saturday, May 17, 2025 10am-1pm
Location: 

Family Owl Prowl

Join a Family Owl Prowl Campout at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Scott Santino

People of all ages love owls, and many species of owls can be found right here in Massachusetts year-round. Experience the excitement of an owl prowl as we take a night hike to look and listen for Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Eastern Screech-owls. Before we head out on our nocturnal adventure, we'll learn fun owl facts in our cozy Barn using real owl mounts, feathers, talons, and a brief slide show. We'll end our evening with an owl-hooting lesson.

When: 
Saturday, February 8, 2025 5:30-7:30pm

Brookwood School Sustainable Future Fest

Brookwood School Future Fest sustainability festival in Manchester Massachusetts

Join Brookwood School in Manchester, MA, for the Sustainable Future Fest—an event bringing together North Shore families, eco-advocates, and local businesses in the spirit of sustainability and community fun! Designed for families and kids aged 3-14, the festival will feature:

When: 
Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10am-1pm
Location: 

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

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Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts

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

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
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

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! “Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is featured in this StoryWalk Series. Younger kids will love this gentle, richly illustrated children’s nonfiction book aimed at preschool–third grade...
7:00 am to 8:00 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

Crane Outdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River

Take a guided kayak paddle adventure on the Castle Neck River with the Trustees of Reservations!
One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a vast barrier...
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Olde Ipswich Days

Olde Ipswich Days brings art, crafts, food and music to the S. Village Green in Ipswich Massachusetts!
On the last weekend of July, artisans and fine craftsfolk from all over New England will show and sell their work on the South Village Green in Ipswich, MA. Olde Ipswich Days is a favorite for all to meet and greet old friends and new, browse the booths and do some early holiday shopping, or make...
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Newburyport Yankee Homecoming Marketplace

Shop to your heart’s content in our open air bazaar-like market place right in the heart of historic Newburyport’s center. Covering two square blocks, this extravaganza of food and great finds is sure to tantalize all your senses.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Art on the Bartlet Mall

For 40 years there has been the Art on Bartlet Mall painting show the first weekend of Newburyport Yankee Homecoming.
For 43 years there has been the Art on Bartlet Mall painting show the first weekend of Yankee Homecoming. Sixty local and regional artist exhibit their dynamic works. This exclusive fine arts show has developed a faithful and enthusiastic following. Whether you are a serious collector, casual...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

North Andover Farmers' Market

North Andover Farmers Market every Sunday Through October 2, 2022
The North Andover Farmers Market is the perfect destination for anyone living in the Merrimack Valley or the North Shore to shop and enjoy locally-sourced products. The market will take place in the center of town at the intersection of First Street and Main Street. The market has become known for...
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Annual National Sand Sculpting Festival

Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting is a free event open to the public and draws crowds from all around the world to Massachusetts.
The Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival is a renowned annual event that transforms the shores of Revere Beach into an awe-inspiring boardwalk and open-air festival. This festival gathers world-class sand sculptors who showcase their incredible talents to hundreds of thousands of...
10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Olde Fashioned Sunday

Find out what "In the old days..." really means in at Olde Fashioned Sunday!
Olde Fashioned Sunday in Downtown Newburyport will be a great day to remember the beginnings of our Yankee Homecoming celebrations. Come enjoy some “new” events to help make future memories for the current younger generations as the past has given some of us the “good ole’ days” to remember.
10:00 am to 3:30 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

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Free Ranger guided tours of the Saugus Iron Works House in Massachusetts
Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.
11:00 am

Long Hill Garden Tours

Tour the Gardens at the Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts!
The Trustees of Reservations invite you to join our expert guides for a tour around Long Hill’s stunning Sedgwick Gardens and learn more about the special plants. Visit Long Hill’s breathtaking gardens and stately historic house for a guided tour. Enjoy the rich history of this grand country estate...
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Greek Food Festival in Newburyport

Newburyport Greek Food Festival - a Yankee Homecoming tradition at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Come to the Greek food Festival at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Chruch in Newburyport during Yankee Homecoming week! We proud to serve traditional homemade Greek entrees, such as gyros, lamb shanks, chicken and lamb kabobs, keftethes (meatballs), spinach pie, pastichio, moussaka, Greek salad as...
11:30 am to 8:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Tours

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
Join the National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the colonial industrial site. On select days, you may be able to stick around and witness pop-up molten iron pour, blacksmithing, waterwheel demonstrations, and take part in hands-on river stewardship activities.
2:00 pm

Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Visit Peabody MA, NorthShore, North Shore Children's Museum
Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

Sundays in Patton Park

North Shore Free Concerts for North Shore Families at Patton Park in Hamilton Massachusetts
Come enjoy community and music each Sunday in Patton Park! Dust off your lawn chairs and bring your picnic down to the park on Sunday evenings. We have a fantastic line up of bands this summer ---presented by Institution for Savings Bank and sponsored by The Community House, Town of Hamilton, HW...
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Summer Concert Series at Lynch Park

Free Summer Concerts hosted by Bev Rec at Lynch Park in Beverly Massachusetts
Enjoy free concerts this Summer at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts!  Families are encourages to grab a chair and a blank and head to the park for a free concert at Lynch Park's ampitheater.
Where: Lynch Park
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park

Compaq Big Band is just one of the perfromers in the Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts!
Come enjoy a Summer evening sea-side concert at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts! The Cape Ann Community Band under the direction of David Benjamin, plays their annual summer concerts Sundays at the at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand, Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester MA.
6:30 pm

Waterfront Concert: Scenes

Enjoy the music of Scenes, formerly Cold Spring Harbor, featuring the songs of Billy Joel at Cashman Park during the Newburyport Yankee Homecoming.
The Yankee Homecoming Waterfront Concert Series invites you to enjoy a varierty of music with Cold Spring Harbor at Cashman Park. Scenes, formerly knwon as Cold Spring Harbor, is New England's premier tribute to Billy Joel, featuring a two-hour, hit filled show featuring classic hits such as "...
7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Tuesday, July 29

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! “Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is featured in this StoryWalk Series. Younger kids will love this gentle, richly illustrated children’s nonfiction book aimed at preschool–third grade...
7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 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

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

Yankee Homecoming Craft Show

Yankeee Homecoming Craft Show (formerly Market Square Day) has been a Newburyport tradition for over 50 years!
The Yankee Homecoming Craft Show (Formerly Market Square Day) features is a juried craft show offering unique, high quality, handmade items from artisans across New England.  Enjoy the free entertainment while you shop in historical Newburyport.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Gloucester Gratis Days at Hammond Castle

Bring your kids to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts during April Vacation
In keeping with John Hays Hammond, Jr's original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum will offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Newburyport Yankee Homecoming Marketplace

Shop to your heart’s content in our open air bazaar-like market place right in the heart of historic Newburyport’s center. Covering two square blocks, this extravaganza of food and great finds is sure to tantalize all your senses.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Yankee Homecoming Road Race

The Yankee Homecoming Road Race has been a tradition Since 1960 and Running Strong through the heart of Newburyport
The tradition continues in 2025 on Tuesday, July 29th as we celebrate the 65th running of the NBPT Lions Yankee Homecoming Race. Imagine a beautiful Summer evening in the seaport town of Newburyport, MA.  Thousands of runners will enjoy our breathtaking 5K and 10 Miles courses along the ocean,...
6:00 pm

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining live music, dancing & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Massachusetts Tuesday evenings!
Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining, live music, dancing at the Take-Out Terrace Stage on the Riverwalk  & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Tuesday evenings!  Each week will feature live entertainment on the Riverwalk, making for a fun evening out for the whole...
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
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