Do your Kids Love Animals?

We did something so memorable for my girls' 5th birthday. We went to Animal
Adventures on Sugar Road in Bolton (right off 495).
It was pricey ($17 per person), but we took an hour and a half personal,
hands-on tour. Stacey, our guide, was so great! My girls got to hold and pet so
many creatures, both furry and rough, and because it was just our family, they didn't have to take turns with a huge group of kids or raise their hands to ask questions.
My girls played with a hedgehog (so cute!), gave a chinchilla a dust bath, cuddled a
skunk, fed crickets to a huge toad, kissed a snake (I know...germs!), and so much
more. You've got to meet Hagrid and Louigi. Very cute!
We really felt that the $85 was worth it because Stacey opened all of the cages
and gave us one-on-one attention.
If you're interested, vist animaladventures.net. They offer formal birthday
parties, nocturnal nights out, school programs, and birthday parties in your
own.

WEEKEND PICK: Visit the New Baby Animals At Davis' Farmland

There's a Baby Boom At Davis' Farmland. These soft and cuddly babies come in all shapes and sizes. This year's bumper crop is especially adorable. A few of our favorites are highlighted below.
* Baby Alpaca -"Cocoa" was born Sunday, April 27 and her mom's pregnancy lasted almost 1 year.
* Baby Llama-"Llama Bean" was born Tuesday, April 29, and is tallest llama ever born at Davis Farmland measuring in at 4 feet tall.
* Emu Babies- "The Brady Bunch-Greg, Peter, Bobby, Marsha, Jan & Cindy" After sitting on the eggs for a whopping 60 days, dad Ernie is pleased to debut his 6 babies at Davis Farmland.
* Miniature Sicilian Donkey- Born Tuesday, April 29, this is the first donkey born at Farmland in 10 years. After a 13 month long pregnancy, Mom Dora the donkey is proud to display him every day. Name to be determined in contest.
* St Croix Sheep triplets- "Abby Cadabby, Chatty Cathy & Mr. Wiggles" St Croix sheep are the only pure white breed of sheep and unlike other sheep, have hair instead of wool.
* Tunis Sheep Babies-"Paris & Nicole" These large, gentle sheep from Tunisia have an unusual red color.
* Nigerian Dwarf Goat Babies -Kids can walk right in and play with "Flip & Flop," Farmland's newest friendly and cuddly Nigerian Dwarf Goats.

Davis' Farmland is part of a seven-generation family farm, operating in Sterling since 1846. Pet, cuddle & feed North America's largest sanctuary of endangered farm animals in Farmland's Animal Showcase. Explore and play in Imagine-Acres and cool off in Adventure Play & Spray, New England's largest, zero-depth water sprayground. It's hands on family fun! Adults are only admitted into this Children's Discovery Farm with a child 12 years or younger. For more information visit www.DavisFarmland.com or call 978-422-MOOO (6666). Davis' Farmland is open from now through October.

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WEEKEND PICK: Pandas Arrive at Davis' Farmland

Davis' Farmland welcomes it's newest breed today ... PANDAS! Actually, they are Miniature Panda Cattle. Best of all, the family of three has now expanded to a family of four. On Tuesday, June 3rd a beautiful baby panda was born! There are only 47 panda cows in the world. Consider making a a visit to the farm this weekend,to see the miniature panda cattle.

Miniature Pandas are a new breed of cattle, making them extremely rare. The breed originates from Washington State in North America. This small-sized breed of cattle is colored black and white like a panda. They are a mixture of 75% Irish Dexter (small size), and 25% Belted Galloway (black and white color). The Mom's name is O'Malley, the Dad's name is Orlando, and they have a daughter named Ling Ling.
Their new baby girl is just one of the many babies born here this season. She will join our new Miniature Sicilian donkey "Donkey-Odie", baby alpaca "Cocoa," and baby llama "Llama Bean," in Farmland's Animal Showcase.

CONTEST: The baby panda's name will be determined by a Name the Baby Contest. Name suggestions can be made while visiting Davis' Farmland or online at http://www.davisfarmland.com/ under "General Store - Contest." The contest winner receives a 2008 season's pass.

About Davis' Farmland: It is part of a seven-generation family farm, operating in Sterling since 1846. Farmland is North America's largest sanctuary of endangered farm animals. Pet, cuddle, and feed these rare animals in farmland's animal showcase. Explore and play in Imagine-Acres and cool off in Adventure Play & Spray, New England's largest, zero-depth water spray ground. Its hands on family fun! Adults are only admitted into this Children's Discovery Farm with a child 12 years or younger. Please visit www.DavisFarmland.com or call 978-422-MOOO (6666).

Opening of Powisset Farm in Dover planned for Sunday, June 8

The Trustees of Reservations will hold a Grand Opening of Powisset Farm on Sunday, June 8th. The farm located at 37 Powisset Street in Dover, is the 99th property to be added to the Trustees’ extensive, statewide reservation system.
Powisset Farm is also celebrating its second year in operation as a Community Supported Agriculture farm.
Powisset Farm features a classic old barn, pond, pigs “Tink” and “Molly,” chickens, 104 acres of fields, and more than a mile of new hiking trails.
Visitors are invited to stop by the farm on opening day at 1 p.m. for a welcome and ribbon-cutting, chance to enter-to-win one of three Winter community-supported agriculture farm shares, and opportunity to meet the farmer, walk the trails, greet the animals, and enjoy some tasty treats with friends and family.
Come discover what makes this a special place in Dover, including the new Powisset trail. Meanders through the front pasture, past the vegetable fields, and into the back wildflower meadows before linking to a network of trails running through Hale Reservation.
Also new to the farm this year is an expanded pick-your-own flower garden, benches, and picnic tables for all to enjoy.
For more information, please call 508.785.0339 or visit The Trustees at http://www.thetrustees.org/

About The Trustees of Reservations Statewide: The Trustees are 100,000 people like you, from every corner of Massachusetts, who share a deep set of similar values — a love of the land, the outdoors, and the distinctive charms of New England—as well as a shared vision of celebrating and protecting these special places for everyone, forever. Founded in 1891 by Charles Eliot, an open space visionary and protégé of the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, The Trustees of Reservations are the nation's oldest statewide land conservation trust and nonprofit conservation organization. With 99 reservations, comprising nearly 25,000 acres—all open to the public—Trustees properties are tremendously diverse. From mountains, open meadows and parks, to working farms, stately homes and gardens, 70 miles of stunning coastline, and five National Historic landmarks, Trustees reservations offer something for everyone. The Trustees also hold perpetual conservation restrictions on more than 16,000 acres—a total larger than any other conservation organization in Massachusetts—permanently protecting scenic and natural areas from development, and have worked with communities and other conservation partners to assist in the protection of another 16,000+ acres around the state. The Trustees’ volunteers, members, donors, staff, and governing board all “hold in trust,” and care for nearly 100 places of cultural, natural, and historical significance, called "reservations." Statewide, The Trustees employ 165 full-time, 46 regular part-time, and 350-400 seasonal staff with expertise in ecology, education, historic resources, land protection, conservation, land management, and planning.
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WEEKEND PICK: Stone Zoo's New Black Bear Exhibit Opens Saturday

Stone Zoo’s brand new black bear exhibit will be unveiled to the public this Memorial Day weekend! The new exhibit will be located on the same site that was previously home to Stone Zoo’s beloved polar bear, Major, who passed away in 2000.
Zoo New England has built a naturalistic habitat for the black bears – using the foundation of Major’s former home, filling in the moats and creating an engaging and stimulating space for the bears. The exhibit is located within the zoo’s Yukon Creek section, an area of the zoo highlighting North American animals including bald eagles, Canada lynx, gray fox, and porcupine.
The bears, Smoky and Bubba, are two-year-old brothers that join Stone Zoo from the Appalachian Bear Rescue in Tennessee.
WHEN: Saturday, May 24
WHERE: Stone Zoo in Stoneham
TICKETS: Adults $9, Children (2-12) $60, Senior Citizens (62+) $8, Children under 2 free.
SUMMER HOURS: April 1 – Sept. 30 Weekdays, 10 AM – 5 PM; Weekends & Major Holidays, 10 AM – 6 PM
Visit http://www.stonezoo.org/
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CONTEST: Win A Jeff Corwin Experience DVD

Bay State Parent magazine has teemed up with Genius Products to giveaway copies of the soon-to-be released DVD The Jeff Corwin Experience Season 2, which is available to the public on May 20.

In the DVD families, can join wildlife biologist and Jeff Corwin on a globe-spanning quest and ‘experience’ the world’s most interesting and diverse animals and locations. In a vivid adventure beginning in Florida and California and branching out to Guyana, Australia and Tanzania, The Jeff Corwin Experience Season 2 from Animal Planet is both hilarious and educational as its charismatic host ventures up cliffs and through caves to find nature’s most treasured and even most dangerous wildlife from Bighorn Sheep and Giant Anteaters, to Flying Foxes and the Tasmanian Devil.

To enter, visit http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html and fill out the survey form. Please pull down OTHER In the pull down bar and in additional comments write JEFF CORWIN.

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The contest is open Massachusetts residents only. DVDs will be mailed to winner, upon verification. Winners' names will also be posted on this blog.

The deadline to enter is July 25.

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Friday, may 2: Family Fun at the Farm

On Friday May 2, Mass Audubon will celebrate all its spring births at Drumlin Farm. From the squealing piglets and peeping chicks to the leaping lambs, the farm is abuzz with all things spring. New this year are the calves, born just a few weeks ago. And it’s not just about the animals, come learn about veggie babies and insect babies too! The event will feature a passport for collecting stamps at our many learning stations and a surprise treat to decorate and eat.

The farm will close to all visitors at 3:30 p.m. and re-open at 4 p.m. for the special Bringing Up Baby event, which runs until 6 p.m.
Pre-registration is suggested but not required.Please call 781-259-2206 to register.
Admission is $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Children under 3 are admitted free.

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass Audubon’s only working educational farm, practices sustainable farming that supports native habitat. As a leader in environmental education, the sanctuary strives to build awareness of the interdependence among people, land, and wildlife. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary is located at 208 South Great Road (Rt. 117) in Lincoln. To learn more about our programs, call 781.259.2200 or visit http://www.massaudubon.org/drumlinfarm.

Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 33,000 acres of conservation land, provide educational programs for 200,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at local, state, and federal levels. Mass Audubon’s mission and actions have expanded since our beginning in 1896 when our founders set out to stop the slaughter of birds for use on women’s fashions. Today we are the largest conservation organization in New England. Our statewide network of 45 wildlife sanctuaries welcomes visitors of all ages and serves as the base for our conservation, education, and advocacy work. To support these important efforts, call 800-AUDUBON (283-8266) or visit www.massaudubon.org.

WEEKEND PICK: Earth Day Celebration at The Roger William Zoo in Providence, R.I.

Celebrate Earth Day in Providence, R.I. at the Roger Williams Zoo on Sunday, April 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There is an Environmental Fair with themed displays, giveaways, and demos from local environmental organizations
Ten31 Productions giant butterfly puppet, from noon to 2 p.m.
Peace Flag Project: Create your own peace flag with your personal wish for the planet, from 11 a.m. t 1 p.m.
Environmentally themed chalk art drawing by Michael Macaulay
Environmentally themed tape art mural by the TapeArt Group
Will Machin, Environmental Artist, will run demos on how to make birdhouses from found objects
Animal Encounters - 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in Australasia
Year of the Frog Education Station on the Wetlands trail, weather permitting (indoor location TBD). What is Year of the Frog? Click here to learn more.
Hear a talk by Lou Perrotti, RWP Zoo's Conservation Coordinator, at 1 p.m. about the amphibian crisis and what we are doing to help.
"How the Zoo Recycles" by our building & grounds crew; noon to 2 p.m.
Watch a Conservation Connection recycling skit by the WILD Bunch on the Farmyard stage at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Check out the animal enrichment program:
10 a.m.: Moon Bears & Snow Leopards
11 a.m.: Wild Dogs
noon: tropics
1 p.m.: Gibbons
2 p.m.: Elephants
3 p.m.: Kangaroos & Emus

The Roger Williams Zoo is visited by more than 650,000 people annually and is the state's #1 tourist attraction. The zoo is open every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Thanksgiving. It is conveniently off exit 16 off interstate I-95, about one hour from Boston or Worcester. General admission is $12 for adults, $6 for children (3-12) and $8 for seniors (62+). For additional information visit: http://www.rwpzoo.org/visit/main.cfm