Join Marion's Natural History Museum on Wednesdays this summer for a series of nature-based programs. All will be held from 1 - 4 p.m.

July 12: Children’s Nature Journaling Workshop: Learn the art of observation with Artist and Naturalist Tricia Cassady. This is a great way to introduce the students to the world of journaling. Students will make a small sketch book and then go outside to learn different ways to observe and draw from nature.

July 19: Rain Gutter Regatta with engineer Mark Whalen. Participants will be developing a vessel to "race the clock" as well as each other. The program includes pre-event discussion and demonstration of sailboat engineering and design: buoyancy, stability, lift and drag forces. Program is limited so please register early.

July 26: Tour of Bird Island with Carolyn Mostello, biologist with the MA Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Marion Harbormaster. We will be learning a little about the birds that need the island for nesting and the important habitat restoration work that has been done to the island over the winter. This program has limited space so please register early.

August 2: Exploring Fresh Water ecosystems at Washburn Park. Students will be exploring vernal pools, woods and bogs. They’ll spend the afternoon looking at plants and soils, netting amphibians and fish, and looking for birds and signs of other types of wildlife.

August 9: Exploring soils with USDA soil scientist – Maggie Payne. Come and learn about the soil beneath your feet. The Natural History Museum will conduct experiments to determine different soil types, explore the life in the soil, and learn about what makes and keeps soil healthy and productive

Coastal Explorations: July 10- July 21, 2017, 9:00am - Noon, Monday – Friday. This program will feature explorations of our rocky inter-tidal shoreline, salt marshes, estuaries as well as freshwater riverbanks, swamps, ponds and bogs. Students will take trips to look for the birds, amphibians, fish and invertebrates that make these areas so special. This program is intended for students entering grades 3 - 5. The fee for our Coastal Exploration Program is $200 for museum members, $250 for non-members, and registration is limited to 15.

All of these programs are designed to be small groups, and registration is limited. To register for any of these programs please go to www.marionmuseum.org, fill out the registration or submit this form with payment to: Marion Natural History Museum, 8 Spring Street, Marion, MA 02738. Please call the museum if you have any questions at 508-748-2098, and please visit the museum during our open hours this summer.