Ecology

Back River Cruise

Cranes are just one of the types of shore birds that you'll see on this cruise

Lisa Hutchings Teacher-Naturalist from Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center and the crew of Newburyport Harbor Tours Inc.'s Yankee Clipper invite you and your family for an exciting exploration of the lower Merrimack River ecosystem. We'll practice hands-on science, use interactive propgs, and look for seabirds, seals, and waterfowl on every trip. Enjoy cruising and learning about this vital part of the area's natural history.

When: 
Saturday, June 20, 2019 8:45 am - 10:45 am

Woodcock Walk at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Explore Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and lear about the American Woodcock!

Each spring American woodcocks engage in one of nature’s most fascinating courtship displays. Here’s your chance to witness this “sky dance” up close and in-person! This program is appropriate for ages 8 and older. Meet the ranger on the deck of the visitor contact station at parking lot 1. Bring binoculars and a flashlight. Program is limited to 15 participants. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to the program start time.  Preregistration required.

When: 
Friday, April 12, 2019 7:15pm
Friday, April 26, 2019 7:30pm

Touch a Boat at Merrohawke Nature School

Come check out the Merrohawke Nature School at the 'Touch a Boat' Open House event in Newburyport!

We've all heard of touch a truck events, and Merrohawke Nature School is taking it to the water with their 'Touch a Boat' Open House. Come meet the skippers and crews that man the boats used by Merrohawke to create unique and engaging experiences that kids will remember for a lifetime! Check out the school and act quickly to register for one of their You do not have access to view this node before they run out of space!

When: 
Saturday June 1, 2019 10am-1pm

Winter Wildlife Cinema: Owl Power

Nature Owl Power in the theater at Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport

Enjoy some particularly wonderful wildlife-themed films on the big screen in the comfort of the refuge visitor center’s awesome auditorium...for FREE!Experience for yourself the “cinematic WOW!” created by our state-of-the-art laser projector, with surround sound! The following films will be shown on the following dates. No preregistration; simply show up!

When: 
Sunday, March 10, 2019 1:30pm

Winter Wildlife Cinema: Fabulous Frogs

Nature Fabulous Frogs in the theater at Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport

Enjoy some particularly wonderful wildlife-themed films on the big screen in the comfort of the refuge visitor center’s awesome auditorium...for FREE!Experience for yourself the “cinematic WOW!” created by our state-of-the-art laser projector, with surround sound! The following films will be shown on the following dates. No preregistration; simply show up!

When: 
Sunday, March 24, 2019 1:30pm

Winter Wildlife Cinema: Raptor Force

Nature Raptor Force in the theater at Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport

Enjoy some particularly wonderful wildlife-themed films on the big screen in the comfort of the refuge visitor center’s awesome auditorium...for FREE!Experience for yourself the “cinematic WOW!” created by our state-of-the-art laser projector, with surround sound! The following films will be shown on the following dates. No preregistration; simply show up!

When: 
Sunday, February 24, 2019 1:30pm

Winter Wildlife Cinema: Arctic Wolf Pack

Nature Arctic Wolf Pack in the theater at Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport

Enjoy some particularly wonderful wildlife-themed films on the big screen in the comfort of the refuge visitor center’s awesome auditorium...for FREE!Experience for yourself the “cinematic WOW!” created by our state-of-the-art laser projector, with surround sound! The following films will be shown on the following dates. No preregistration; simply show up!

When: 
Sunday, February 10, 2019 1:30pm

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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

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 pm

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Fearless | The Taylor Swift Experience

Fearless Taylor Swift Experience at the Sea at Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury MA
Bring your Swifties to Fearless | The Taylor Swift Experience in Salisbury for Fearless | The Taylor Swift Experience—a high-energy, family-friendly tribute that celebrates the music so many kids (and adults) love.
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Friday, February 27

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Saturday, February 28

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 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

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Maple Stroll at Appleton Farms

Appleton Farms has their own sugar maple syrup production facilities to service their abundant suplly from their many sugar maples
Visit the historic maple stand and sugar shack at Appleton Farms and learn all about maple sugaring, its history at the farm and in New England, and how you can try your hand at it at home!
11:00 am to 2:15 pm

Winter Family Field Trip: Raptor Road Trip

Families are invited to Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts to learn about eagles and their behaviors. Photo: Bill O'Connor
With radios in hand, we will carpool to Bald Eagle viewing spots along the Merrimack River and walk short distances to spot eagles with our binoculars and birding scopes. We will be watch for fishing, and courtship displays. Stay warm and active with small group activities that feature raptor sound...
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Sunday, March 1

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 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

Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

Tour the WWII era observation tower at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts.
Meet at the Halibut Point State Park visitors center to learn about the role Halibut Point has played in America’s military history. One day after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, U.S.
11:00 am to 12:30 pm

CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk

Come explore the dunes on Castle Neck and Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts to learn about winter wildlife.
A CraneOutdoors Family Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much...
1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
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