A Nature Year at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Immerse yourself in a full year of local natural history. With a skilled Mass Audubon naturalist as your guide, experience the cycle of the seasons at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield. Gain extensive natural history knowledge, form a community with like-minded, curious adults, and receive the many benefits of spending time outdoors.

Each month, you will focus on a special topic, natural community, or seasonal phenomenon. In winter, learn about wildlife tracking, owls, and trees in winter including maple sugaring. During spring, explore vernal pools, songbirds, and amphibians and reptiles. Spend the summer delving into the world fireflies, wetland wildflowers, and butterflies. Finally, in autumn, we'll explore mycology (mushrooms and other fungi), waterfowl, and wildlife winter survival.

We will usually start inside with an introduction and then head out for our adventure in the field which will be at least 90 minutes outside. We'll travel mainly on trails and boardwalks, actively exploring and experiencing various habitats and sanctuary spots.

12 sessions, 2 hours each

Second Saturday of each month, January - December 2026.

Usual time will be 10 am-noon, plus two evenings, in February and July.

• Sat, January 10, 10:00-noon: Wildlife Tracking
• Sat, February 14, 7pm-9pm: Owls
• Sat, March 14, 10:00-noon: Sugaring/Maples/Winter Twig ID
• Sat, April 11, 10:00-noon: Vernal Pools
• Sat, May 9, 10:00-noon: Songbirds
• Sat, June 13, 10:00-noon: Amphibians and Reptiles
• Sat, July 11, 7:30-9:30pm: Fireflies
• Sat, August 8, 10:00-noon: Wetland Wildflowers
• Sat, September 12, 10:00-noon: Butterflies
• Sat, October 10, 10:00-noon: Mycology (mushrooms and other fungi)
• Sat, November 14, 10:00-noon: Waterfowl
• Sat, December 12, 10:00-noon: Wildlife Winter Survival