Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, 2010 Drive On Surf Fishing Program Changes
August 17, 2010
The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (PRNWR) has made changes to its 2010 Drive On Surf Fishing Program as a result of significant beach erosion conditions on the refuge and to help protect the delicate dune habitat.
A total of 50 permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis starting on Monday, August 16th.
Drive On surf fishing will begin Wednesday, September 1st. Access will only be from Beach Buggy 1. A total of 1.5 miles of Refuge beach will be open for vehicles (from 0.5 to Mile Marker #2).
Due to unusually high tides, the beach will be closed to vehicles from September 8th to 10th and on October 8th and 9th. Other closures may result due to high winds and storms.
How To Obtain A Permit: Permits can be obtained only at the Refuge gatehouse. For more information, please contact Refuge Headquarters at 978-465-5753.
Tidepool Adventures, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, Friday, August 27th
August 14, 2010
When: Friday, August 27th 2010, 9:00 to 10:30 a.mWhere: Meet at Parking Lot 7, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, Newbury, MA
The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (PRNWR) is offering a free, 90-minute program for children, Tidepools for Kids!, on Saturday, August 27th. Children will enjoy discovering what lies beneath the ocean surf while tidepooling with PRNWR staff. You’ll learn about and interact with a remarkable variety of species that lives in this delicate ecosystem.
The program, which is for children ages 4 to 12, will explore the beaches and tidepools of Plum Island. They will learn about hermit crabs, periwinkles and urchins and other inhabitants of local tide pools.
This free outdoor program is a great way to introduce a child to the wonderful world of tide pools. Participants will be walking in rocky and wet areas, so parental supervision and sturdy shoes are a must.
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Parent/Child Walkabout, Tide Pool Treasures, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Friday, August 13th
August 11, 2010
Where: Meet at the Sandy Point State Reservation at the southern end of Plum Island.
Cost: $10 for Mass Audubon members; $14 for nonmembers
On Friday, August 13th, Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, is offering a Parent/Child walkabout that will explore the tide pools on Plum Island.
The 90 minute morning walk, which starts at 8:30 am, will explore the ecology, sights, and sounds of Plum Island in a fun, energetic format. The walk will be led by Teacher-Naturalist Lisa Hutchings.
The event is for families with children ages 3 to 6. The fee covers one adult and one child.
Preregistration is required for this program. To register, please call 978-462-9998.
History of Plum Island, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport, Monday, July 26th
July 20, 2010
When: Monday, July 26th 2010, from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pmWhere: Parker River Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA
History of Plum Island
If you want to learn about the history of Plum Island, on Massachusetts’s North Shore, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport is hosting a presentation by Mike Bulger on Monday, July 26th that will explore the history of Plum Island.
The free, one hour Power Point presentation by Mr. Bulger will take you on a trip back into history and you’ll learn about the beginnings of Plum Island in the late 1800s and early 1900s… when people first arrived, the Plum Island Hotel, the early cottages, the new roads and bridges, the lighthouses, and some of the people who first invested in the small barrier island.
This informative and free presentation will take place Parker River National Wildlife Refuge’s auditorium, located in the visitor center at 6 Plum Island Turnpike at 7:00 pm.
Coffee and refreshments will be available for purchase starting at 6:30 pm.
The Big Picture, Plum Island Plant Life, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport, Sunday, June 20th
June 19, 2010
When: Sunday, June 20th, 9:00 am to 10:00 amWhere: Meet at the Pines Trail, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, Newbury, MA
Want to learn about the plants on Plum Island?
The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport is having a one hour program/walk, The Big Picture, tomorrow from 9 to 10 am. The program will discuss the plant life on Plum Island.
Participants should dress for the weather and meet at the Pines Trail on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge,
All programs are free, but space is limited, and advance registration is required for all programs, unless otherwise indicated.
How To Register: Call 978-465-5753 to register.
Beach Cleanup With BOAT CAMP, Plum Island, Newburyport, Sunday, June 13th, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 am
June 13, 2010
When: Sunday, June 13th; 9:30 am to 11:30 amWhere: Meet at playground at northern end of Plum Island, Newburyport, MA
Looking for an excuse to head out to the beach this cloudy Sunday morning?
If you would like to help with a Plum Island beach cleanup, BOAT CAMP Inc, Newburyport, is looking for volunteers of all ages to help them with their beach cleanup.
BOAT CAMP Inc. has adopted the stretch of Plum Island beach that spans from Captain’s Fishing Parties’ pier to the South Jetty as it runs along the Merrimack River.
Where To Meet: Meet at the playground on the northern end of Plum Island; BOAT CAMP will provide the gloves and bags. This is a great–and rewarding–way to welcome spring along the Merrimack River’s entrance.
Volunteers of all ages are welcome.
For more information, visit the BOAT CAMP Inc website or call 978-463-2233.
Kids Fishing Day, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, Newburyport, Saturday, June 12th
June 10, 2010
When: Saturday, June 12th, 9:00 am to 3:00 pmWhere: Meet at Parking Lot 1, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, Newbury, MA
The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is hosting Kids Fishing Day on Saturday, June 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Kids will learn how to cast a line, identify local fish and do some fishing. Poles and bait will be provided in limited quantity.
All family members are encouraged to attend, no registration is required.
Where To Meet: Meet at Parking Lot 1, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, Newbury, MA
Horseshoe Crabs By Kayak, Plum Island, Memorial Day Weekend, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Sunday & Monday, May 30th & 31st
May 29, 2010
When: Sunday, May 30th, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm; or Monday, May 31st, from 11:30 to 4:30 p.m.Where: Meet at Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA.
If you ever wanted to kayak and explore the waters around Plum Island looking for horseshoe crabs, check out the five-hour kayaking adventure being offered by Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport on Sunday and Monday, May 30th and 31st.
Go for a kayaking excursion in the calm waters around Plum Island to secluded areas where horseshoe crabs are visible during the springtime mating season.
This event is co-sponsored by Plum Island Kayak, Newburyport.
Choose one of two sessions.
- Sunday, May 30, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 31, 11:30 – 4:30 p.m.
This event is for families with children ages 7 and up.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, Newbury/Newburyport Will Be Closed on Monday, May, 24th 2010
May 23, 2010
When: Monday, May 24th 2010Where: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Plum Island, MA
The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge will be closed due to construction on Monday May 24, 2010.
The visitor center located at 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport will still be open.
The refuge will re-open on Tuesday May 25, 2010.
Discovery Day At Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Saturday May 22nd, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
May 21, 2010
When: Saturday, May 22nd, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pmWhere: Mass Audubon’s JoppaFlats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA
Discovery Day Destination — Joppa Flats, Newburyport, Birding and Seashore Adventures: A Nature Free-For-All!
Discover birding on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, hunt for treasures on Plum Island’s seashores, and hold live sea creatures from our touch tank aquarium.
10 am to 3 pm
Come to the Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport for a full day of free nature activities!
Go birding around Newburyport area hotspots; play the Great Migration Game; explore our salt marsh with Joppa Flats naturalists; or hold live sea creatures from the Center’s touch tank aquarium.
Call in advance to sign up for the 9:30 to 11:30 birding excursion (adults and families with children age 12 and up).
Otherwise, drop in for an hour or stay all day. No preregistration required.
Instructions and Directions: Please dress for the weather, since some activities will take place outdoors.
Where To Meet: Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center.
