Plum Island Lighthouse Tour, Newburyport, Sunday, July 25th
July 16, 2010
When: Sunday, July 25th 2010, from1:00 pm – 4:00 pmWhere: Plum Island, Newburyport (located at northern tip of Plum Island, near the mouth of the Merrimack River)
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.
Family Ecology Cruise Aboard The Yankee Clipper, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Saturday, July 24th
July 12, 2010
When: Saturday, July 24th 2010, from 8:45 am to 10:45 amWhere: Meet at the Newburyport boardwalk (on the Merrimack River in downtown Newburyport)
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.
Introduction To Sea Kayaking, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Saturday, July 10th
July 5, 2010
Where: Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
Cost: $35 for Mass Audubon members; $45 for nonmembers
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.
Exploring The Merrimack River By Kayak, Joppa Flats Education Center & Plum Island Kayak, Newburyport, Thursday, July 8th
July 1, 2010
Where: Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA.
Fee: $100
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.
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Introduction To Butterflying, Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, Tuesday, July 6th
June 30, 2010
When: Tuesday, July 6th 2010, from 10:00 am to NoonWhere: Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA
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.
Science At Sea On The Erica Lee, Merrimack River, Newburyport, Sunday, June 27th, 2010
June 24, 2010
Where: Meet at the Newburyport waterfront near the Black Cow Restaurant (on the Merrimack River in downtown Newburyport).
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”.
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Wednesday Morning Birding, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, June 16th
June 13, 2010
When: Wednesday, June 16th, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pmWhere: Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
Cost: $15
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.
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Biodiversity Celebration, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Saturday, June 5th 2010
June 5, 2010
Where: Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA
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.
Family Ecology Cruise Aboard Yankee Clipper, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, Sunday, June 6th
June 4, 2010
When: Sunday, June 6th, from 8:45 am to 10:45 amWhere: Meet at the Newburyport boardwalk (on the Merrimack River in downtown Newburyport)
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.
Wednesday Morning Birding, Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, June 9th
June 3, 2010
When: Wednesday, June 9th, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pmWhere: Meet at the Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
Cost: $15
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.
Read more
