Programs & Events
Spring & Summer 2013
Help us to accomodate you!
Call 802-229-6206 for more info and to pre-register
If you are having trouble using the Google Calendars feature,
Scroll Down to see our current program offerings below
Living in Harmony with Streams
Thursday, May 23,
6:00, 6:45 and 7:30 p.m. (at Montpelier High School)
Fee: free
In the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, there were lots of questions about how to manage our streams. Should we dredge? Should we armor the banks? How do dredging and armoring banks impact the aquatic life? How do they impact downstream communities? The river flume demonstrates basic principles of river behavior that helps us understand these actions and others. For all questions, please contact Ann Smith at 882-8276 or info@winooskiriver.org.
Spring Migration Bird Walks
Fridays & Saturdays, 7:00 - 8:30 a.m.
Fee: $10, free for members
Explore NBNC and other local birding hot spots for spring migrants, such as warblers, vireos, thrushes and waterfowl. Call for directions to meeting locations.
Friday, May 24 Sparrow Farm-carpool from NBNC
Friday, May 31 New Shelter, Hubbard Park
Friday, June 7 North Branch Nature Center
BirdFest 2013
Saturday, June 1, 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Fee: $10 adults, free for kids!
Join us for our second annual birds & birding festival! For a detailed schedule of events, visit the BirdFest website.
Bug Walks
Tuesdays, June 11 & 25, Jul 9 & 23, Aug 13 & 27
Arrive any time between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m.
Fee: free for members, $5 adults, $3 kids
Our most abundant group of animals at NBNC are the insects. They’re fun to catch, easy to observe, and offer endless opportunities for new discovery. Bring your net and join us for a bug walk at NBNC!
Rediscovering our Lost Ladybugs
Wednesday, June 19, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Fee: $5 adults, $3 kids
The small, shiny, brightly-colored beetles we call “ladybugs” serve a very important role in our ecosystem. Yet many of our native species are disappearing. Join us as we learn how to catch and identify lady beetles as part of a nationwide citizen science project.
Peregrine Falcon Foray
Saturday, July 6, 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Fee: $25 members, $30 nonmembers
The Peregrine Falcon, once absent from the east coast, was recently removed from the Endangered Species List. However, Peregrines still face numerous challenges and are monitored at their breeding sites on sheer cliffs. Join us as we monitor the pair at Marshfield Mountain.
Live Caterpillar Day!
Saturday, July 13, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $5 nonmembers, $3 for members
Come see hundreds of native caterpillars at the North Branch Nature Center. Naturalist/Photographer and caterpillar expert Sam Jaffe will be here to show off and tell us about dozens of species including some of the LARGEST, spiniest, WACKY, WEIRD, and deceptive species you never knew were hiding in your own backyards. Sam has shown the caterpillars at museums in and around Boston and now he's coming to NBNC!
Nature at Night: Mesmerizing Moths
Wednesday, July 24, 8:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Fee: $5 adults, $3 kids
Moths come in an amazing diversity of colors and patterns. In honor of the 2nd annual National Moth Week, NBNC will host a family-friendly moth night. We’ll check bait stations to look for colorful underwing moths and see what nocturnal beauties show up at our UV light.
Bird Banding Demonstration
Saturday, July 27, anytime from 7:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Fee: donations welcome
Get a behind the scenes glimpse of banding in action. We catch, measure and band a variety of songbirds to study their survivorship and reproductive success. A rare chance to see beautiful birds up close.
Harvesting and Preparing Wild Edibles
Saturday, July 27, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
$40 for members, $45 for nonmembers
Come and learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare common wild edibles that grow at the North Branch Nature Center; including amaranth, milkweed, plantain, dandelion, lamb’s quarters, wild carrots and others. We will prepare and enjoy lunch together. This program is lead by Sage Zelkowitz, community herbalist and educator with over 10 years of experience.
Nature at Night: Coneheads & Katydids
Wednesday, August 14, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Fee: $5 adults, $3 kids
We’re used to identifying birds by their songs, but did you know that you can identify some types of “singing” insects. We’ll look, listen for, and learn about singing Sword-bearing Coneheads, Texas Bush Katydids, Allard’s Ground Crickets and more.
Monarch Butterfly Tagging
Wednesdays, starting August 21, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Fee: $5 adults, $3 child
Drop by any time between from 3:30 on to catch, tag
and release some migrating monarchs. We’ll look for other butterflies and bugs as well! We have nets to share, but bring a net if you have one.
Forest Preschool
Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting September 3,
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
(students can attend one or both days)
Fee: $420 for one day, $800 for both days, for 12 weeks
Forest Pre-K is a “drop-off” program for students between the ages of 3.5 and 5 years old. The fall session runs for twelve weeks from Sept. 3rd to Nov. 21st. Forest Preschool is an outdoor, exploratory, play-based program that empowers children to be active in their own learning process, while providing them the means to connect to one another and the natural world in a caring way.
Forest School
Fridays, starting September 13th, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Fee: $1,560 members (payment plans available)
The new Forest School is a “drop-off” program for students aged 6-8 that meets on Fridays from 9am to 2pm from September 13th to June 6th. This program uses seasonal and emerging curriculum to meet each child’s innate desire to learn about the world. As a community of learners, we strive to create a place for an authentic discovery of one’s self, each other and the natural world.
Please call 229-6206 for more info and to register |
What's
Next
Register Now for
Summer Camp!
 Woods and water explorations, games, hikes, live animals, nature study, crafts, friends and fun! The North Branch Nature Center has been offering fun, exciting and educational nature camps for children for nearly 15 years. Catching frogs, watching hawks, following grasshoppers, making new friends - isn’t this just what a child’s summer should be?
Camps are filling fast!
Visit the camps page to register and for current availability .
BirdFest!
Saturday, June 1, 2013
at the North Branch Nature Center
Bird walks, bird banding demos, Kid's Activity Tent, bird carving demos and workshop, traveling watershed exhibit, storytelling... and more!
Plus, two great keynote presentations:
Vermont's Peregrine Falcons with Margaret Fowle
"Naturally Curious" with Mary Holland
For a full schedule, visit the BirdFest page!
 Buy "Bird-Friendly"
Order your bird-friendly coffee through NBNC and save on shipping! You'll be supporting the Nature Center, the birds, and the farmers who grow this sustainably produced product. All orders can be picked up from the Nature Center. Click here to download an order form.
Family Bird Quest has Begun!
 Complete birding-related activities to earn points, and points can be redeemed for prizes. This new, innovative program makes birding exciting and gets families outside together to discover the joy of birds. Visit the FBQ website and to get started today!
Make an Online Donation
and learn more ways you can support NBNC
|
