Below is a partial listing of organizations with a presence in Essex County and whose mission, at least in part, is to conserve and restore the natural resources of the county and its surrounding area. Information in italic on each is taken directly from their website or provided by the organization.
Massachusetts Audubon Society (MAS)
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. We protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries.
Presence in Beverly - Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary. See their events calendar for bird and nature walks, educational events and more.
The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR)
The Trustees of Reservations protects and shares the Massachusetts places people love for their exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value. For their trails, their history, their gardens, their beaches. For the simple reason that nature and culture can soothe the soul and improve our lives.
Presence in Beverly - Long Hill and Moraine Hill. See their events calendar for bird and nature walks, educational events and more.
Essex County Greenbelt Association (ECGA)
Greenbelt protects natural land and working farms across Essex County forever, helping to conserve healthy ecosystems, clean water, local food supplies, scenic landscapes and free, accessible places for all to benefit from nature.
Presence in Beverly - Alt Reservation and Beverly Commons Conservation Area, along with conservation restrictions in other areas in the City. See their events calendar for bird and nature walks, educational events and more.
Salem Sound Coastwatch - Salem Sound Coastwatch is a non-profit coastal watershed organization that works with government agencies, businesses, other non-profit organizations, and individuals, through municipal partnering, scientific investigation, education, and stewardship.
Presence in Beverly - Educational programming, coastal clean ups, invasive marine species monitoring and annual seabird census. See their events calendar.
Manchester Essex Conservation Trust (MECT) - The Manchester Essex Conservation Trust (MECT) is an almost 60-year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving ecologically important land and wildlife habitat in Manchester and Essex, Massachusetts, and promoting its use for quiet recreation, education and research.
Presence in nearby communities - Manages part of Wenham’s Western Woods open space which is adjacent to Beverly’s Pole Swamp Road area. See their events calendar.
North Shore Water Resilience Task Force - aims to identify and advance long-term solutions to improve water supply resilience and ecosystem health in the Ipswich River Watershed.
Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA) - The Ipswich River Watershed Association is a group of residents, scientists, businesses and community leaders concerned about the health of the Ipswich River and its watershed. Our aim is to protect nature and make sure there is enough clean, safe, reliable water for people, fish and wildlife.
Presence in nearby communities - The Beverly Salem water supply is partially drawn from the Ipswich River watershed. See their events calendar.
Essex County Trails Association (ECTA) - Essex County Trail Association is dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of open trails throughout six towns in Essex County, Massachusetts for the purpose of passive recreation and for the benefit of the public. We work with landowners, conservation organizations, town officials, and trail users to ensure that access to natural places and open spaces remains a part of Essex County’s rich heritage.
Presence in nearby communities - Many trails are located in adjacent communities. See their events calendar.
CREW - Climate Resistance to Extreme Weather is a network of local leaders building grassroots climate resilience through inclusive & hands-on education, service, and planning. Together, we are working to equip families & communities with the resources and capacity to prepare for and respond to local climate changes equitably, sustainably, & collaboratively.
In association with CREW, the Beverly Public Library holds an annual Climate Preparedness Week every September.
Greenscapes North Shore Coalition - works with Massachusetts communities to promote and protect beautiful landscapes for clean and plentiful water and provide a unified voice and consistent environmental outreach and education to our Greenscapes Municipal Partners, their residents, commercial businesses, developers and industrial institutions.
Mass. Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield and Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport have shops that carry a large collection of books, equipment and supplies.
Wild Birds Unlimited - Danvers
Bird Watchers Supply and Gifts - Newburyport
Essex County Coop - Topsfield
Aubuchon Ace Hardware - Beverly
Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)
DCR manages state parks and oversees more than 450,000 acres throughout Massachusetts. It protects, promotes, and enhances the state’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources. The health and happiness of people across Massachusetts depends on the accessibility and quality of our natural resources, recreational facilities, and great historic landscapes. DCR continues to improve the vital connection between people and the environment.
Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG)
The Department of Fish and Game works to preserve the state's natural resources. We exercise responsibility over the Commonwealth's marine and freshwater fisheries, wildlife species, plants, and natural communities, as well as the habitats that support them.
USFWS - Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (PRNWR)
The refuge was established in 1941, and today consists of more than 4,700 acres of diverse upland and wetland habitats including sandy beach and dune, maritime shrubs and forests, cranberry bogs, man-made impoundments, salt marsh and associated creek, river, and mud flat. These refuge habitats support varied and abundant populations of resident and migratory wildlife including more than 300 species of birds and additional species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and plants. The refuge also provides critical habitat for the federally threatened piping plover.
Plum Island Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research (LTER - PIE)
The Plum Island Ecosystems LTER (PIE) is an integrated research, education, and outreach program with the goal of developing a predictive understanding of the long-term response of watershed and estuarine ecosystems to changes in climate, land use, and sea level and to apply this knowledge to the wise management and development of policy to protect the natural resources of the coastal zone.
NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation
Protecting and restoring habitat to sustain fisheries, recover protected species, and maintain resilient coastal communities and ecosystems.
NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division
US Army Corps of Engineers/New England District - The missions of the New England District are many and varied. They include environmental remediation; flood risk management; natural resource management; streambank and shoreline protection; navigation improvements and maintenance; disaster and emergency assistance; regulatory administration; and engineering and construction management support to other agencies.
Bay Circuit Alliance (BCA) - The Alliance focused on linking segments of the trail to provide a place for recreation by adding more “pearls” to the “emerald necklace”. That work resulted in what we now call the BCT.
Cape Ann Climate Coalition - Cape Ann Climate Coalition is an inclusive grassroots community-based organization whose mission is to mobilize widespread action on Cape Ann.
Coastal Trails Coalition - CTC is composed of citizens and communities in the Lower Merrimack Valley who work together to advocate for and develop the Coastal Trails Network, a public system of interconnected bicycle and pedestrian trails that is enhancing local recreation, conservation, education, and tourism opportunities.
Essex County Community Foundation / Land and Environment Initiative - ECLEI seeks to improve the quality of life for Essex County residents by promoting the conservation and stewardship of land as open and green spaces in Essex County.
Greencrab.org - GreenCrab.org’s mission is to build culinary markets for European green crab while spreading awareness of its invasive impact.
Kinship Farm - Cultivating ideas and projects related to spirituality, relationships and the environment. Striving to love God and all creation as ourselves. Working in interfaith, ecumenical, and non-partisan ways.
Massachusetts Oyster Project - Oysters have the potential to be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change and other environmental challenges. We’re dedicated to increasing native oyster populations in Massachusetts by restoring oyster reefs throughout our coastal ecosystems to improve water quality, coastal resilience, and biodiversity.
New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) - Through the application of our core expertise in conserving forestland and advancing Exemplary Forestry, New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) helps the people of New England to sustain their way of life, protect forest wildlife habitat and ecosystem services, and mitigate and adapt to climate change.
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project - An initiative of the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, works locally in Massachusetts, regionally, and across the country to strengthen local food systems by supporting new farmers. We serve and collaborate with the people, communities, and organizations across these areas.
PIE-Rivers Restoration Partnership - The PIE-Rivers Restoration Partnership is the first cross-watershed collaborative in Massachusetts. We implement partner-driven measures that promote clean water and healthy ecosystems.
Salem Alliance for the Environment - SAFE advocates for a just, equitable and sustainable future for our city. In our work, we center environmental justice to ensure that those who have suffered most from the pollution of fossil fuels benefit from a green energy future.