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.

Related posts:

1. Plum Island, A Natural History, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport, Saturday, February 20th When: Saturday, February 20th, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am...
2. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, Newbury/Newburyport Will Be Closed on Monday, May, 24th 2010 When: Monday, May 24th 2010 Where: Parker River National Wildlife...
3. The Big Picture, Plum Island Plant Life, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport, Sunday, June 20th When: Sunday, June 20th, 9:00 am to 10:00 am Where:...

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Plum Island Lighthouse Tour

On Sunday, July 25th you can tour Plum Island Light and enjoy a panoramic view of Salisbury, Newburyport, and the Isles of Shoals while learning about the history of the Plum Island Lighthouse.

To aid ships entering the river, local mariners at first built fires on the beach and erected poles holding torches. This proved inadequate, and the General Court of Massachusetts authorized the building of “two small wooden lighthouses on the north end of Plumb Island” in 1787. They were finished the following year. The present Plum Island Lighthouse was first lighted on September 20, 1898.

On clear days, the lighthouse offers views as far off as Cape Ann and the Isles of Shoals. You can also see Mt. Agamenticus in York, Maine.

Tours are free. However, donations to support the Friends of Plum Island Light, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and restoring the lighthouse, are appreciated.

Wear comfortable shoes. Climbing a steep ladder is required.

Related posts:

1. Isles of Shoals Adventure by Kayak, Joppa Flats Education Center and Plum Island Kayak, Newburyport, Sunday, July 11th When: Sunday, July 11th 2010, from 7:00 am to 5:00...
2. Clipper City Rail Trail Walking Tour, Newburyport, Sunday, July 25th When: Sunday, July 25th, 10:00 am to 11:30 am Where:...
3. Isles of Shoals Adventure by Kayak, Joppa Flats Education Center and Plum Island Kayak, Newburyport, Sunday, August 1st When: Sunday, August 1st 2010, from 7:00 am to 5:00...

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On Saturday, July 24th, Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, is offering a family ecology cruise aboard the Yankee Clipper.

Lisa Hutchings of Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and the crew of Harbor Tour’s Yankee Clipper will host this exploratory cruise of the ecosystem of the lower Merrimack River that runs through Newburyport, Amesbury and Salisbury.

You’ll conduct hands-on science as we collect water samples, live specimens, and plankton. We’ll also look for wading birds, seals, and waterfowl on every trip. Your family will have a wonderful time exploring and learning about this vital part of the area’s natural history.

The tour is being offered from 8:45 am to 10:45 am. This is a nice way to see and learn about the ecology of the lower Merrimack River ecosystem.

Preregistration is required for this program. To register, please call 978-462-9998.

Where To Meet:

Meet at the Newburyport boardwalk (on the Merrimack River in downtown Newburyport)

Cost:

Adults: $20 for Mass Audubon members; $27 for nonmembers
Children: $16 for Mass Audubon members; $19 for nonmembers

Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, located at One Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport, is a natural history education center that is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and on Monday holidays, 8:30 to 4:00 pm.

Related posts:

1. Family Ecology Cruise Aboard The Yankee Clipper, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Saturday, July 10th When: Saturday, July 10th 2010, from 8:45 am to 10:45...
2. Family Ecology Cruise Aboard Yankee Clipper, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, August 22nd & 23rd When: Saturday, August 22nd, from 11:45 am to 2:15 pm;...
3. Family Ecology Cruise Aboard Yankee Clipper, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, September 6th When: Sunday, September 6th, from 8:45 am to 10:45 am...

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On Saturday, July 10th, Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, and Plum Island Kayak, Newburyport, are co-hosting an Introduction To Sea Kayaking course from 9:00 pm to 12:30 pm.

Participants will learn the basics of sea kayaking with an evening outing in the Plum Island estuary. Kayak and equipment rental are included in the fee.

Preregistration is required for this program. To register, please call 978-462-9998.

Where To Meet: Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA.

Cost: $35 for Mass Audubon members, $45 for non-members.

Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, located at One Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport, is a natural history education center that is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and on Monday holidays, 8:30 to 4:00 pm.

Related posts:

1. Introduction To Sea Kayaking, Joppa Flats Education Center, Friday, August 14th When: Friday, August 14th, from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm...
2. Saturday Morning Birding, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Saturday, April 10th When: Saturday, April 10th, from 9:30 to 11:30 am Where:...
3. Saturday Birding, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Saturday, October 10th When: Saturday, October 10th, from 9:30 to 11:30 am Where:...

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EXPLORING THE MERRIMACK RIVER BY KAYAK

If you ever wanted to explore the Merrimack River by kayak and/or observe wildlife on the river between Haverhill and Newburyport, Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Plum Island Kayakare offering an all day kayaking trip exploring the Merrimack River on Thursday, July 8th.

The Merrimack River is a wonderful place to observe wildlife from a kayak. During this all-day program, you will explore the river from scenic Rocks Village in Haverhill to Cashman Park in Newburyport.

Participants will explore the islands, mud bars, salt marshes, and shoreline of this beautiful river during a leisurely paddle. It is usually a great opportunity to see egrets and herons, waterfowl, ospreys, shorebirds, and many other species.

Instruction in kayaking techniques and safety procedures is provided.

The fee covers single kayak rental. Subtract $10 per person for double kayak rental and $20 per person if you use your own kayak.

No experience required; but some stamina is required.

Paddling time: 4 hours with a 1-hour lunch break.

Fee: $100. Pre-registration is required. To register, please call 978-462-9998.

Related posts:

1. Shorebirding By Kayak, Joppa Flats Education Center & Plum Island Kayak, Newburyport, Saturday, July 24th When: Saturday, July 24,2010, from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm....
2. Full Moon Evening Paddle, Joppa Flats Education Center & Plum Island Kayak, Newburyport, Saturday, July 24th When: Saturday, July 24,2010, from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm....
3. Isles of Shoals Adventure by Kayak, Joppa Flats Education Center and Plum Island Kayak, Newburyport, Sunday, July 11th When: Sunday, July 11th 2010, from 7:00 am to 5:00...

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INTRODUCTION TO BUTTERFLYING

Go on a field trip and learn how to identify butterflies and discuss life cycles, host plants, and behaviors. Children age 8 and up welcome. Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center is offering a two hour program, Introduction To Butterflying, for children ages 8 to 16 on Tuesday, July 6th, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

After a short indoor introduction to some of the most common species of butterflies, we’ll search local fields, meadows, and gardens to see what we can find. We’ll talk about field identification, life cycles, host plants, and flight times while we learn to appreciate the delicate beauty of such wonderful creatures as American ladies, swallowtails, great spangled fritillaries, pearl crescents, monarchs, skippers, and more.

Location: Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport.

Fee: $7. No pre-registration required.

Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats, located at One Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport, is a natural history education center that is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays, 8:30 to 4:00 pm.

Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center website.

Related posts:

1. Introduction To Butterflying, Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, Tuesday, July 20th When: Tuesday, July 20th 2010, from 10:00 am to Noon...
2. Introduction To Butterflying, Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, Tuesday, June 22nd When: Tuesday, June 22nd 2010, from 10:00 am to Noon...
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If you want to have a fun time exploring and learning about the Merrimack River and the the nearby coastal waters in the Gulf of Maine off Greater Newburyport, you may want to sign up for this four-hour program, Science at Sea on the Erica Lee, being sponsored by Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport and BOAT CAMP, Inc. of Newburyport.

Time for families to get salty aboard the Erica Lee and join the staff/crew of the Erica Lee and Lisa Hutchings of Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center for a fun day on the water! You’re invited to join them for this special day of hands-on science for would-be marine biologists of all ages.

On the Merrimack River, you’ll watch for feeding terns, harbor seals, and shorebirds. Out at sea, you”ll tow for plankton and trawl the ocean floor for lobster, flatfish, and more.

We’ll discuss sustainable fishing practices as we cast our rods. Water chemistry demonstrations and sampling equipment will help us study our “catch of the day”.

Preregistration is required for this program. To register, please call 978-462-9998.

Cost:

Adults: $20 for Mass Audubon members; $27 for nonmembers
Children: $16 for Mass Audubon members; $19 for nonmembers

This program is suitable for children ages 7 – 14 yrs. Children must be accompanied by adults.

Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, located at One Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport, is a natural history education center that is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and on Monday holidays, 8:30 to 4:00 pm.

Related posts:

1. Focus On Merrimack River Birds, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Sunday, January 17th When: Sunday, January 17th, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm...
2. Family Ecology Cruise Aboard Yankee Clipper, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Sunday, June 6th When: Sunday, June 6th, from 8:45 am to 10:45 am...
3. Family Ecology Cruise Aboard Yankee Clipper, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Sunday, September 27th When: Sunday, September 27th, from 8:45 am to 10:45 am...

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When

The Mass Audubon Society’s Joppa Flats Education Center offers a Wednesday Morning Birding program from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

If you’re one of the lucky ones that has time available during the week, join Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director Bill Gette and USFWS veteran David Weaver for this weekly birding field trip in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. It’s a great way to observe birds in the area and identify some of the better locations for finding them when on your own.

The center conducts its field trips to birding hot spots in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. The focus for its programs will be the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Plum Island), the Merrimack River estuary, Cape Ann, and other productive areas in Essex County.

Related posts:

1. Wednesday Morning Birding, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, June 9th When: Wednesday, June 9th, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm...
2. Wednesday Morning Birding, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, December 16th When: Wednesday, December 16th, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm...
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It’s Time to Celebrate Biodiversity at Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats on June 5th!

Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, will be busy with lots of outdoor activity on Saturday, June 5th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. celebrating Biodiversity Day.

The Biodiversity Free-for-All features lots of animals, plants, and insects to showcase the diversity of wildlife in the lower Merrimack Valley region.

Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center has teamed up with the Parker River Clean Water Association to provide helpful information, hands-on learning, and several family-friendly activities, including exploring a backyard grid, handling beach creatures at the tide pool touch trays, and investigating the “magnification museum.”

As a special feature, there will be a gathering of all who painted nature tiles for the Joppa Flats Tile Project to celebrate and unveil the finished product at 1:00 pm.

The free activities for adults and families will be held all day, rain or shine.

“The Newburyport area has so many diverse habitats, from butterfly gardens to salt pannes. Our biodiversity celebration is all about taking an in-depth look at nature and its relationships and adaptations while developing our awareness of all the different species around us,” says Lisa Hutchings, Teacher-Naturalist for Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center.

“Biodiversity celebrations have become an important tradition across Massachusetts,” states Hutchings. “Residents of Newburyport and its surrounding towns can come to the Biodiversity Celebration Free-For-All to learn something new about the natural world, see live animals up close, or discover ways to live a ‘greener’ life. It’s an opportunity for all ages to discover, or rediscover, the incredible range of wildlife that can be found here – birds, plants, coastal invertebrates, insects, and more – and why it’s important that we all protect as much of the natural world as we can.”

Lisa Hutchings seeks out caterpillars in the Joppa Flats butterfly garden with two young helpers.

About Mass Audubon:

The Massachusetts Audubon Society is the largest conservation organization in New England, concentrating its efforts on protecting the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife.

Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, located at One Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport, is a natural history education and visitor center that is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays, 8:30 to 4. Call 978-462-9998 for additional information about programs and events, or visit Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center website.

Related posts:

1. Saturday Birding, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Saturday, October 17th When: Saturday, October 17th, from 9:30 to 11:30 am Where:...
2. Saturday Birding, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Saturday, September 5th When: Saturday, September 5th, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m Where: Meet...
3. Saturday Morning Birding, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Saturday, December 12th When: Saturday, December 12th, from 9:30 to 11:30 am Where:...

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When

On Sunday, June 6th, Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, is offering a family ecology cruise aboard the Yankee Clipper.

This is a nice way to see and learn about the ecology of the lower Merrimack River ecosystem.

Lisa Hutchings of Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and the crew of Harbor Tour’s Yankee Clipper will host this exploratory cruise of the ecosystem of the lower Merrimack River that runs through Newburyport, Amesbury and Salisbury.

The tour is being offered from 8:45 am to 10:45 am

Preregistration is required for this program. To register, please call 978-462-9998.

Where To Meet:

Meet at the Newburyport boardwalk (on the Merrimack River in downtown Newburyport)

Cost:

Adults: $20 for Mass Audubon members; $27 for nonmembers
Children: $16 for Mass Audubon members; $19 for nonmembers

Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, located at One Plum Island Turnpike in Newburyport, is a natural history education center that is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and on Monday holidays, 8:30 to 4:00 pm.

Related posts:

1. Family Ecology Cruise Aboard Yankee Clipper, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, September 6th When: Sunday, September 6th, from 8:45 am to 10:45 am...
2. Family Ecology Cruise Aboard Yankee Clipper, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Sunday, October 4th When: Sunday, October 4th, from 8:45 am to 10:45 am...
3. Family Ecology Cruise Aboard Yankee Clipper, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Sunday, September 27th When: Sunday, September 27th, from 8:45 am to 10:45 am...

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