A Walk on the Wild Side: Guided Meditation Hike at Julia Bird Reservation

Overview:

Join Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light (MassIPL) and North Shore SING (Spirituality in Nature Group) for a contemplative morning hike through the beautiful Julia Bird Reservation in Ipswich, MA.

About the Hike

We'll meet at the Ipswich River Watershed Association headquarters and set out on a 2-mile gently rolling trail through the adjacent Julia Bird Reservation — a 59-acre gem featuring mature swamp white oak, red oak, and red maple, including old-growth trees. Along the Ipswich River, eastern hemlocks shade steep banks. In spring, vernal pools come alive with salamanders, nymphs, and fairy shrimp, and the mature forest canopy draws a rich variety of breeding birds.

Guided Hike and Spirituality in Nature

All are welcome to join us! This is not just a hike — it's a meditative, spiritually grounded experience in nature open to people of all faith traditions or none. Kent will guide us along the trail, drawing our attention to the ecology and beauty around us while weaving in prompts for reflection, times of intentional silence, and moments of group discussion. We'll walk with intention, opening ourselves to the wisdom of the Creator in the midst of creation and sharing that experience with others as part of a multifaith experience. Whether you come from a specific faith tradition or simply feel drawn to the sacred in the natural world, you are welcome.

Your Guide: Kent Harrop

Our guide for the morning will be Kent Harrop, founder and coordinator of North Shore SING. Kent is an avid hiker and kayaker and a recently retired pastor in the Christian tradition with a deep commitment to interfaith collaboration and environmental advocacy. He is joined by the NS SING Leadership Team, which plans and hosts monthly outdoor programs for spiritual deepening in nature.

About MassIPL

Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light is a nonprofit representing more than 200 houses of worship across Massachusetts. Our mission is to inspire and support people of faith and conscience to respond to climate change and care for the environment — through prayer, action, and mobilization around climate as a matter of justice and morality. Our website is www.massipl.org.

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