Bradley Palmer was an avid equestrian. He laid out bridal paths and a four-mile steeplechase race course on his estate. Come see photographs and maps of these historic activities. Drop-in program; come anytime. Best for ages 8 years & up.
Come explore the world of our resident winter birds here at Crane—beyond the Snowy Owl! Bring your binoculars (or borrow ours!) and join us in searching the water for Loons, Long-Tail ducks, Eiders, Scoters, Mergansers, and more! In the trees and sky, we might spot birds of prey, including owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles, alongside hardy songbirds and woodpeckers. A variety of shorebirds round out the viewing possibilities! How do these birds stay warm, find food, and otherwise survive our chilly winters? We’ll learn about bird identification techniques, anatomy, and adaptations, and how to use field guides and birding apps available to anyone with a smartphone.
Joppa Flats Education Center invites families to drop in to meet live caterpillars, moths, and butterflies! Learn how to attract birds and other wildlife to your own yard and safely identify insects. Enjoy a Backyard Bug Hunt with our naturalists, join in a Monarch Migration Relay Race, and take home a fun craft or two.
Get to know the residents of a beaver pond! From tiny insects, to the beavers themselves, we'll use all our senses to look for signs of life! Join Greenbelt and Northshore Nature Programs to learn all about a pond habitat! Who lives there? What do they eat? How do they get around? We'll use our senses to find some answers to those questions and more! Meets at Bailey Reservation in Haverhill.
Plein air painting is experiencing painting and drawing in the landscape. The practice goes back for centuries but was truly developed as an art form by the French Impressionists. Their desire to paint light and its changing, ephemeral qualities, coupled with the creation of transportable paint tubes and the box easel—the precursor to the plein air easels of today—allowed artists the freedom to paint “en plein air,” which is the French expression for “in the open air.” Space is limited to 15. Rain cancels. Co-Sponsored by Friends of Halibut Point State Park.
Maudslay State Park invites you to take a snapshot look at the three stone bridges erected by the Moseleys – and their history. Join the park interpreter on a walk to see the unique stone bridges of the former Moseley Family Estate. Learn about their construction and historical use, plus interesting stories about the family and their property.
It's time to feed our touch tank animals! Assist our animal husbandry intern team with sorting, identifying, and then feeding all our in-house marine creatures as you learn about their fascinating behaviors and unique habitats. You can help us with sea stars, sea urchins, and rock crabs from the rocky shore; moon snails, surf clams, and hermit crabs from the sandy beach; and minnows, mud whelks, and horseshoe crabs from the salt marsh.
Fireflys, also called lightning bugs, appear for only a few weeks in the early summer to delight us with their luminous nighttime dance and light show. In June, the fireflies delight us with their nighttime dance and spectacular light show. Learn about the life of a firefly then go on a walk led by the park interpreter, to observe firefly behavior and see them close up. Bring a net or jar to catch fireflies. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bug spray are recommended.
Maudslay State Park invites you to a twilight hike! Join the park interpreter for an evening walk to view and experience the changes in nature during twilight. A different route each week, so make it a weekly event!
The Trustees of Reservations hosts the Butterfly Encounter in the gardens at Castle Hill Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts. You will hear directly from a giant monarch butterfly puppet, who will recount the adventures growing up in the milkweed patch, metamorphosis and then the amazing journey across continents.
