NEWBURYPORT — Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, is a natural history education and visitor center that is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and Monday holidays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mass Audubon members receive discounts on programs. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the website at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats. Groups meet at the education center unless otherwise noted.
FOCUS ON EARLY SPRING MIGRANTS
With winter ducks still around, and migrating songbirds coming into the woodlands, this is an especially exciting time for birding in the Newburyport/Plum Island area.
Saturday, March 31, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fee: $25; registration is required.
SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING
Weekly trip with experienced leaders in search for avian activity in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. For beginners and birders of all skill levels.
Saturday, March 31, April 7, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fee: Adults, $10; children ages 8 and up, $7; registration is not required.
ECOGAMES FREE-FOR-ALL: SUSTAINING THE SEA
A full day of marine conservation-oriented fun for families with children of all ages. Drop in anytime for games, art projects and lots of science-oriented activities that demonstrate where our seafood comes from. Registration is not required.
Saturday, March 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fee: Free
INTRODUCTION TO BIRD-WATCHING
Get the basics on field identification, birding locations and field guides. Start an exciting, lifelong learning experience.
Sunday, April 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fee: $39; registration required.
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE: HARBOR SEALS
Joppa Flats teacher Lisa Hutchings takes you and your family to the banks of the Merrimack River to see harbor seals. For families with children ages 7 and up.
Sunday, April 1, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fee: $8 for children, $11 for adults; registration is required.
BECOME AN EDUCATION VOLUNTEER AT JOPPA FLATS
Learn to assist children's educator Lisa Hutchings in coastal ecology and birding programs in the field and at schools. No experience necessary. Full reimbursement with post-training commitment of two half-days per month.
Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; April 3, maritime forest; April 10, tide pools; and April 24, bird banding and the beach. Fee per session: $20; registration is required.
WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDING
Join Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director Bill Gette and USFWS veteran David Weaver for this weekly birding field trip in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Appropriate for all birding levels.
Wednesday, April 4, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fee: $17; registration is not required.
AFTERSCHOOL AT JOPPA: SURPRISING SEABIRDS
Children in grades 1 to 4 are invited to engage in wildlife learning experiences with a different theme each week. Come for one or sign up for the series, which runs through April 11.
Wednesday, April 4, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Fee: $16; registration is required.
IMAGINE, SING AND LEARN: WHALES BENEATH THE WAVES
Active play and learning with Joppa Flats teacher-naturalist Lisa Hutchings for preschoolers ages 3 to 5, with a favorite adult. Choose one of four sessions. Fee includes one adult and one child.
Thursday, April 5, 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 2:30 p.m.; Friday, April 6, 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 2:30 p.m. Fee: $16; registration is required.
JOPPA FLATS CLOSED APRIL 8
BECOME AN EDUCATION VOLUNTEER AT JOPPA FLATS
Learn to assist children's educator Lisa Hutchings in coastal ecology and birding programs in the field and at schools. No experience necessary. Full reimbursement with post-training commitment of two half-days per month.
Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; April 10, tide pools; and April 24, bird banding and the beach. Fee per session: $20; registration is required.
AFTER SCHOOL AT JOPPA: SURPRISING SEABIRDS
Children in grades 1 to 4 are invited to engage in wildlife learning experiences with a different theme each week. This is the final session in the series.
Wednesday, April 11, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Fee: $16; registration is required.
WEDNESDAY EVENING LECTURE: THE WONDERS OF KENYA
Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director Bill Gette takes you on a virtual trip to see the wildlife of Kenya.
Wednesday, April 11, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fee: $4; registration is not required.
HOME-SCHOOL STUDY SESSION: CETACEANS
Monthly focus topics for home-schoolers, ages 7 to 12, each with an on-site study session and an exciting field trip; taught by Lisa Hutchings. This month's subject is whales, and the field trip is to the Seacoast Science Center on April 26.
Thursday, April 12, 1 to 3 p.m. Fee: $17; registration is required.
PARENT/CHILD WALKABOUT: EARLY SPRING PONDING
Come outside to explore the ecology, sights and sounds of ponds in the spring. A fun, energetic format for families with children ages 3 to 6 led by teacher-naturalist Lisa Hutchings. The fee covers one adult and one child.
Friday, April 13, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meet at Mill Pond Recreation Area in West Newbury
Fee: $16; registration is required.
ON EXHIBIT AT JOPPA FLATS:
Through April 29: "As I See It," wildlife photographs by Jim Fenton
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