North Shore Nature Programs

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North Shore Nature Programs North Shore Nature Programs is an environmental education organization dedicated to helping students of all ages fall in love with nature. Nature is everywhere!

Our Philosophy:
It is easy to forget that humans are an integral part of a worldwide ecosystem and that we depend on our environment for our survival. North Shore Nature Programs’ goal is to restore this lost connection to nature. We believe the best means for changing attitudes towards nature is through environmental education. It is our belief that environmental education can instill a love of nature in others and, in so doing, develop a cadre of stewards for our planet. Our ultimate goal is to create an environmentally literate generation of individuals who will make rational, informed decisions that balance the needs of humans and the planet. This includes providing students with a basic understanding of their local natural history, related ecological concepts, and the ability to understand how local issues are connected to global issues. What We Do:
At North Shore Nature Programs, we provide programs for schools, groups, and people of all ages to help them better understand the world around them. Our school programs are designed to compliment what is already being learned in the classroom. Each program is based on the Next Generation Science Standards to insure that our program time is enhancing the science curriculum, not detracting from it. All of our programs are inquiry-based and involve hands-on activities that allow students to engage their critical thinking skills with an emphasis on observation skills and data collection. Most importantly, we actively encourage our students to explore their immediate surroundings. All of our school programs occur on school grounds. We also provide out-of-school programming. Whether we are working with homeschool groups, afterschool programs, or simply curious individuals, we are always happy to design a program that highlights the natural wonders in your neighborhood. Who We Are:
North Shore Nature Programs was founded by Andrew Prazar, a veteran environmental educator. During his 10 year career in the field, he has spent thousands of hours in the field and worked for organizations such as Mass Audubon and Merrohawke Nature School. He obtained his Master's degree in environmental education from the University of New Hampshire in 2013. A life-long lover of nature, he is dedicated to exploring the North Shore area and sharing his knowledge of local ecosystems.

With the recent rain fungi have been making up for lost time and are sprouting mushrooms everywhere. Today we found a HU...
09/30/2026

With the recent rain fungi have been making up for lost time and are sprouting mushrooms everywhere. Today we found a HUGE porcini (which was unfortunately past its prime), a couple destroying angels (deadly as the name implies), and some puffballs (which are edible and were delicious). As always, never eat a mushroom unless you are 1000% sure of its identity. I typed an extra 0 there but I’m going to leave it for emphasis. Get outside and check out the mushroom explosion!

We're still buzzing after another amazing summer of camp. This year we opened a second location in Topsfield and welcome...
09/22/2026

We're still buzzing after another amazing summer of camp. This year we opened a second location in Topsfield and welcomed a total of 420 campers over the summer. In other camp-related news, Andrew has decided to step down as camp director after holding that role for the last 10 years. But fear not, camp will continue per usual! Click the link for the full story.

https://mailchi.mp/northshorenatureprograms/nsnp-fall-newsletter

NSNP is looking for help with our after school programs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays. Hours are roughly 3-5...
09/18/2026

NSNP is looking for help with our after school programs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays. Hours are roughly 3-5pm. Pay $16-20/hr based on experience. You'd be working with an NSNP staff member and kids who are 6-10 years old. Contact Andrew at [email protected] to learn more!

Sound up! Have you heard this cacophony in your neighborhood recently? Large flocks for common grackles (sometime accomp...
09/17/2026

Sound up! Have you heard this cacophony in your neighborhood recently? Large flocks for common grackles (sometime accompanied by red-winged and rusty blackbirds) are moving through the tree tops foraging for acorns. Forming large flocks helps with protection and finding food (more eyes to spot predators and acorn-laden trees). Grackles have a special keel in their bill which helps them saw through the hard shells of acorns (see the example in my hand). These acorns will provide the grackles with the protein, carbohydrates, and fats they need for their southward migration.

Well, that’s a wrap on the third annual Camp Olympics and the 2026 camp season. Thank you to everyone who participated! ...
08/14/2026

Well, that’s a wrap on the third annual Camp Olympics and the 2026 camp season. Thank you to everyone who participated! We have the best camper families and feel privileged to work with some amazing kids. And most importantly, a HUGE thank you to our amazing staff. The counselors are the ones who put in the long hours and create lasting memories for all our campers. There were many tearful goodbyes today and we look forward to 2027! But first - we rest…

The 2026 Camp Olympics kicked off on Monday with a parade of nations. I scored a personal victory by convincing a handfu...
08/11/2026

The 2026 Camp Olympics kicked off on Monday with a parade of nations. I scored a personal victory by convincing a handful of campers to participate in nature naps.

Our first full summer at Hood’s Pond was a huge success! A very special thank you to our amazing staff (as well as some ...
08/07/2026

Our first full summer at Hood’s Pond was a huge success! A very special thank you to our amazing staff (as well as some awesome campers) for making these past six weeks special!

Despite the rain, it’s been another fun week at camp! Hard to believe there will only be 2 weeks left after tomorrow…
07/30/2026

Despite the rain, it’s been another fun week at camp! Hard to believe there will only be 2 weeks left after tomorrow…

The Cult of Little Stevie continues to grow…Don’t worry - not all of camp is this weird. But it often is…Back to nature ...
07/27/2026

The Cult of Little Stevie continues to grow…

Don’t worry - not all of camp is this weird. But it often is…

Back to nature pics tomorrow.

Address

38 North Street
Topsfield, MA
01983

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