Whiny Wednesdays is a recurring series that focuses on giving caregivers fun ideas to do locally. The result being that Whiny Days are no more! We are always looking for guest posters for this series, please email us if you’re interested. talk@newburyport-today.com
Newburyport Mother’s Club, a local all-volunteer social club that boasts over 700 area families as members, is excited to contribute to “Whiny Wednesdays”! We will be providing information about community events and things to do, as well as our exclusive events for NMC members. To find out more about joining Newburyport Mothers Club, visit us ONLINE .
Spring Ahead!
Yay! Spring is here. Let’s hope the weather comes with it. It’s time to put the sleds, skates and skiis away and get ready for April showers! The kids are itching to get outside just as much as we are and of course, there are tons of great places in our area to enjoy the nature of the Seacoast.
My son’s class just took a field trip to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. I had no idea it was even there! It’s just a quick trip down Route 1. The Ipswich River is the Mass Audubon’s largest sanctuary. It offers more than 10 miles of interconnecting trails that invite you to explore the forests, meadows, and wetlands.
In April, listen for the chorus of American toads and pickerel frogs. Watch for river otters, painted turtles, and great blue herons at various times throughout the year. Climb the drumlin and esker, landscape features created by a glacier 15,000 years ago. Huge rocks and exotic trees and shrubs that were part of a former arboretum provide an adventurous walk along the Rockery Trail.
And this summer the excitement continues! You can canoe along eight miles of the Ipswich River that run through the sanctuary and camp on Perkins Island, located a half-mile up the river. Members of the Mass Audubon can rent canoes and also rent a cabin that is conveniently located close to the sanctuary’s office and program facilities and sleeps four.
The Ipswich River Sanctuary is kicking off the season just next week with Early Spring Terrific Toddlers Program. The Signs of Spring program is held on Wednesdays, March 24 or March 31 or Thursday, March 25. Class is held from 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM. To sign up, email ipswichriver@massaudubon.org
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
87 Perkins Row
Topsfield, MA 01983
978-887-9264
ipswichriver@massaudubon.org
www.massaudubon.org/ipswichriver
Right in Newburyport we are so lucky to have the Joppa Flats, also part of the Mass Audubon. The Joppa Flats Education Center is located at the gateway to one of the country’s most productive, year-round, wildlife viewing areas—the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Plum Island estuary. Highlights for visitors are the many species of birds that utilize the area’s extensive salt marshes, mudflats, rivers, bays, and coastal waters. During local area field trips, Joppa Flats program participants have recorded over 300 species of birds including the bald eagle, snowy owl, many warblers, shorebirds, and waterfowl. The new visitor center overlooking the Merrimack River includes second-floor observation areas—one indoors and one outdoors—a conference center, a guest services area, and interpretive displays.
Joppa Flats Education Center holds year round educational programming that shouldn’t be missed.
Just this week enjoy Parent/Child Walkabouts AM: Birding for Beginners on Friday, March 19 at 10 AM or 1 PM. Classes are 90 minutes long and the cost is $10 for Mass Audubon members and $14 for non members. The fee covers one adult and one child. Additional siblings: $8/member, $12/nonmember. The class is not recommended for children under 3.
Other programs coming up are Family Flybys: The Wonder of Whales. The program will be held on Saturday, March 20 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Children must be accompanied by adults but the program is free for adults and only $3.00 for members and $5.00 for non members.
Or for older children (ages 6-9 years old) check out next week’s program Investigate, Create, & Learn: In Search of Seals on Wednesday, March 24 from 3:30 to 5 pm. The class is $10 for members and $14 for non members.
The Newburyport Mother’s Club is planning two upcoming events to celebrate Spring at Joppa Flats.
NMC Event: Imagine, Sing, Learn – All About Owls In The Snow
Friday, March 26, 10 – 11 AM
Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, $7/child
IMAGINE being able to see, hear and fly like an owl! SING about snowy owls hatching from their egg! LEARN how owls protect themselves, find their prey, survive the winter, and more!
This program is designed
for the creative and curious child ages 3-6. This 60-minute program offers a structured series of activities including original songs, movement, dramatic play, story time, and a take-home craft. You’ll go home with coloring pages and stickers for continued fun and learning!
NMC Event: Imagine, Sing, Learn – Amazing Eagles
Wednesday, Mar 31, 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport, $7/child
This parent/child program is designed
for the creative, curious, and active child ages 3-6. This 60-minute
program offers a structured series of activities including original songs, movement, dramatic play, story time, and a take-home craft.
You’ll go home with coloring pages and stickers for continued fun and learning!
To register for the NMC member events, log on to the NMC registration program. To register for the Joppa Flats programs that are open to Mass Audubon members and non members, call 978-462-9998.
Joppa Flats Education Center
1 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-9998
joppaflats@massaudubon.org
www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats
