• South Shore Insider
  • Posts
  • From Ospreys to Earth Day: Spring Is Starting to Show on the South Shore

From Ospreys to Earth Day: Spring Is Starting to Show on the South Shore

Spring is starting to show itself across the South Shore, bringing a mix of wildlife sightings, community stories, and seasonal events. This week features everything from a live osprey cam in Hull and a major wetland restoration in Plymouth to new local business initiatives in Pembroke and outdoor living trends in Hingham. In Scituate, residents came together for the “Gregory’s Run 4 Hope,” while Quincy turned an everyday gas station stop into a surprise classical music performance. As spring break approaches, families can look forward to seal watches, Earth Day activities, museum programs, and hands-on nature experiences all week long. It’s a perfect time to get outside and explore everything happening right in our backyard.

This Week on the South Shore

Headlines

  • Hingham: A new trend in outdoor living is taking root in Hingham, where Outdoor Personia is integrating residential greenhouses into backyard spaces to blend gardening, design, and year-round home living. The company says the installations are part of a growing demand for functional, lifestyle-focused outdoor environments on the South Shore. - Bachart

  • Hull: A pair of ospreys known as Weir and Willow are back in their Hull nest, now visible to the public through a newly installed motion-activated camera. The live setup is giving locals a front-row seat to their nesting behavior while also highlighting ongoing conservation efforts in the Weir River Estuary. - AOL

  • Pembroke: Big Y Foods has launched a “Local Vendor Discovery Tour” to recruit farmers, artisans, and small businesses for its new Pembroke supermarket, aiming to expand its local product offerings and strengthen partnerships with regional producers. - WWLP

  • Plymouth: A former Plymouth cranberry farm has been transformed into one of Massachusetts’ largest wetland restoration projects, now serving as a living laboratory for climate and biodiversity research. The success of Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary is helping shape statewide efforts to convert retired cranberry bogs into thriving natural ecosystems. - Kare11

  • Quincy: A Quincy gas station brought live classical music to the pumps, hiring four violists to serenade customers as they fueled up. The unexpected performance turned an everyday stop into a feel-good community moment designed to brighten the routine of getting gas. - Boston25 News

  • Scituate: Around 250 people took part in Scituate’s “Gregory’s Run 4 Hope,” a 5K honoring Gregory Shea and raising awareness about substance use disorder and fentanyl-related deaths. The event also supports the 143 Gregory Foundation, which provides resources for families and scholarships for local students. - Boston25 News

Spring Break on the South Shore

Family Fun, Fresh Air & School Vacation Adventures

Spring break is the perfect excuse to get out and explore the South Shore as the weather slowly turns. From hands-on nature walks and kid-friendly performances to outdoor adventures and local attractions reopening for the season, there’s no shortage of ways to keep everyone entertained. Whether you're looking for a relaxed day outside, an interactive activity for the kids, or something new to try close to home, this week is full of easy, family-friendly options. It’s a great time to shake off winter, enjoy the longer days, and make the most of school vacation right in your own backyard.

  • WDC Seal Sighting: Tuesday, April 21, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Marshfield: Join Whale & Dolphin Conservation for a guided seal watch along the coast, where experts share insights on local species, their role in the ecosystem, and how to spot them in the wild. A fun and educational outing for all ages. – 133 Ocean St

  • Talking Trees: An Earth Day Celebration: Wednesday, April 22, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Milton: Discover the hidden world of tree communication on this guided 1.1-mile walk at Blue Hills Reservation. Learn how trees “talk” and connect while enjoying a fun, family-friendly outdoor experience. – Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center

  • Vacation Music Jam at Sing Explore Create: Wednesday, April 22, 9:30 AM – 12:15 PM – Hanover: A fun, inclusive music session where kids and teens can play instruments, sing, and dance in a supportive environment designed for individuals with autism and related disabilities. Caregivers can connect nearby while participants enjoy this engaging, therapist-led program. – The Arc South Shore

  • Flower Planting Party: Wednesday, April 22, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Kingston: Celebrate Earth Day with a hands-on planting activity where kids can decorate their own flower pot, fill it with soil, and plant seeds to take home and grow. A fun, family-friendly way to learn about nature and caring for the planet. – Kingston Collection Food Court

  • April Vacation Kids Matinee: The Lorax: Wednesday, April 22, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Plymouth: Enjoy a family-friendly screening of The Lorax followed by a hands-on planting activity where kids can grow their own bean plant to take home. A fun mix of entertainment and Earth Day inspiration. – Plimoth Patuxet Museums

  • Vacation Week Trailside Explorers: Herpetology: Thursday, April 23, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM & 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Milton: Explore the world of amphibians and reptiles through stories, crafts, and a live animal encounter at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. A hands-on, family-friendly vacation week program perfect for young nature lovers. – Blue Hills Trailside Museum - 10 AM & 12:30 PM

Instagram Post
Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming Events

  • “The Cape Cod and Southeast MA Rabies Management Program” Presentation: Thursday, April 16, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Virtual: Learn how rabies has been successfully managed and eliminated from Cape Cod during this informative virtual talk led by regional experts. The free presentation includes insights into the program’s impact and a live Q&A session. – Wildlands Trust

  • Revolutionary Ideas Started Here: From 1620 Pilgrims to 1776 Patriots: Thursday, April 16, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Virtual: Explore how Plymouth’s early history helped shape the ideas behind the American Revolution in this engaging online lecture led by a senior historian. This free program offers insight into the lasting impact of the Mayflower era on American identity. – Plimoth Patuxet Museums

  • Tinsley Ellis – “Labor of Love” Tour: Friday, April 17, 7:00 PM (doors) – 8:00 PM (show) – Plymouth: Renowned blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis brings his “Labor of Love” tour to the stage with a powerful solo acoustic performance. Expect raw vocals, masterful guitar work, and a deep dive into roots blues from one of the genre’s modern greats. – Spire Center for Performing Arts

  • South Shore History Symposium 2026: Saturday, April 18, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Plymouth: Explore the role of the South Shore in the American Revolution through a series of engaging talks from local historians. This year’s symposium highlights themes of independence, with presentations covering everything from warships to town meetings. – Spire Center for Performing Arts

  • Redbrook Earth Day: Saturday, April 18, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Plymouth: Celebrate Earth Day with local vendors, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities including live animal education and sustainability-focused exhibits. Hosted by Wildlands Trust, this community event brings together farms, artisans, and eco-conscious organizations. – Redbrook

  • Live Music with Andrew Geano: Saturday, April 18, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Scituate: Enjoy live music in the taproom with local performer Andrew Geano, bringing an easygoing evening of acoustic tunes and good vibes. – Untold Brewing

  • Liz Longley: Saturday, April 18, 7:00 PM (doors) – 8:00 PM (show) – Plymouth: Nashville-based singer-songwriter Liz Longley brings her powerful vocals and emotionally rich blend of folk, pop, and Americana to the stage. Known for heartfelt songwriting and a captivating live presence, her performances resonate long after the final note. – Spire Center for Performing Arts

  • “An Introduction to The American Revolution by Ken Burns” Screening: Saturday, April 18, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM – Plymouth: Get a first look at the upcoming documentary series from Ken Burns with a special preview screening followed by a discussion on the Revolutionary era. This engaging program explores the people, ideas, and conflicts that shaped the nation’s founding. – Plimoth Patuxet Museums

  • UB Cycling Club Ride: Sunday, April 19, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Scituate: Join the UB Cycling Club for a group ride starting from the Scituate taproom, open to riders of all experience levels. Participants are encouraged to complete a waiver in advance before joining the ride. – Untold Brewing

  • Sunday Serenades: Melissa White & Miki Sawada: Sunday, April 19, 2:00 PM (doors) – 3:00 PM (show) – Plymouth: Grammy-winning violinist Melissa White joins pianist Miki Sawada for an elegant afternoon of classical music. This Sunday Serenades performance offers a refined and uplifting matinee to close out the series. – Spire Center for Performing Arts

  • Concerts at the Crane: Arneis Quartet: Sunday, April 19, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Quincy: Enjoy an afternoon of dynamic chamber music with the Arneis Quartet, known for their expressive performances and eclectic repertoire. This free concert highlights both classical favorites and contemporary works. – Richardson Building

  • VolunTuesday – Willow Brook Farm: Tuesday, April 21, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Pembroke: Lend a hand with Wildlands Trust to help manage invasive plants and support local ecosystems at Willow Brook Farm Preserve. All experience levels are welcome for this hands-on volunteer work day. – Willow Brook Farm Preserve

Know about a cool event? Let us know! Email it to [email protected]  and we might feature it.

Sharing is caring! Tell your friends and family about the South Shore Insider newsletter in case they are not signed up yet! It's a great way to stay up-to-date on local events, news, and fun things to do. You'll find a little note below that you can easily forward to them!

Hey! I thought you might like this newsletter. It's called the South Shore Insider, and it's full of cool stuff happening around here. It tells you about events, local news, and fun activities. You can sign up for free here: https://southshoreinsider.beehiiv.com/subscribe - Check it out!