• gray tree frog on branch

    Natural Selections — an evening of poetry, prose, music, and photography

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States
    $20 – $50

    An evening featuring poets Scudder Parker (The Poem of the World) and Angela Patten (Feeding the Wild Rabbit), short readings from essayist and field naturalist Bryan Pfeiffer, and music by D. Davis and Marc Gwinn.

    monthly bird outing chickadee by tyler pockette

    Monthly Birding Outing (at Berlin Pond)

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States

    A casual morning of birding for all interests and experience levels facilitated by NBNC staff and guest leaders.

    Spring Afterschool Program

    Spring Afterschool Program
    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States
    $540

    Let your kids be kids at NBNC. Our "Treksplorers" program offers kids a program fully immersed in nature, exploring the woods, fields and streams near NBNC. Play stealth and awareness games, learn outdoor skills and develop a sense of community with peers.

    White-backed Vulture painting by Susan Bull Riley

    Art Gallery Reception: A Critical Balance

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States

    From huge flamingos, eagles, vultures, and cranes to tiny warblers and shrikes, A Critical Balance features birds from Kenya's Amboseli National Park, chosen from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and are portrayed life size in striking detail. These portraits reach beyond data and policy to show both the beauty and vulnerability of these birds as well as the urgent need to protect them.

    Spring Afterschool Program

    Spring Afterschool Program
    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States
    $540

    Let your kids be kids at NBNC. Our "Treksplorers" program offers kids a program fully immersed in nature, exploring the woods, fields and streams near NBNC. Play stealth and awareness games, learn outdoor skills and develop a sense of community with peers.

    milky way and stars on dark night in Plainfield VT

    A Dark and Starry Night: Why and How to Preserve Dark Skies in Vermont

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States

    What is light pollution, how does it impact organisms (including humans), and what are the principles of responsible outdoor lighting? Astronomer George Springston will discuss steps for reducing light pollution and protecting our remaining dark skies. A stargazing event follows the presentation.

    Friction Fire Skills Circle for Teens

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States
    $10

    We will learn how to build a fire kit, practice using them by ourselves and with partners and discover what materials can be used to coax your coals to life. At the end, we will admire our hard work and enjoy some hot tea and treats over the fire.

    April Break Camp

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States
    $80 – $235

    Explore spring at North Branch Nature Center! Children grades K-3 are invited to join us for three days of spring nature adventures and explorations. We'll make art using natural materials, explore the fields and forest for signs of wildlife, try our hands at wild edible cooking, and give back to the land in celebration of Earth Day.

    Earth Day Dinner: Wild Cooking and Foraging for 6th-9th Graders

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States
    $10

    We’ll start out on a foraging walk, learning safe practices and ID of common spring forageables like fiddleheads and ramps. Then we’ll start a fire and learn to cook our food over an open flame. We will share gratitude for the earth and enjoy our meal accompanied by the sunset calls of the American timberdoodle!

    family planting a tree in field on earth day

    Earth Day Tree Planting

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States

    Our third annual Earth Day tree planting event! We will spend time together giving back to the earth by planting trees and shrubs to restore our riparian floodplain. Our efforts will improve habitat for the many species who frequent this area and buffer against flood damage and erosion.

    children in woods building fire

    ECO Homeschool Late Spring Session

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States
    $510

    Inspired by ECO, our full-day ECO Homeschool program provides a meaningful and fun learning environment based in environmental education and a mentorship model.

    Nature Poetry Two-Part Workshop with Toussaint St. Negritude

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States

    A paired workshop series that allows participants to build on their writing within a small group cohort of 12 nature writers and poetry lovers. Explore and connect with the natural world, find inspiration, be guided through the poetry process, and workshop nature-based poems together over two exclusive workshops with Toussaint. Meets April 28 AND April 30 from 10 am to noon.

    Spring Afterschool Program

    Spring Afterschool Program
    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States
    $540

    Let your kids be kids at NBNC. Our "Treksplorers" program offers kids a program fully immersed in nature, exploring the woods, fields and streams near NBNC. Play stealth and awareness games, learn outdoor skills and develop a sense of community with peers.

    An Evening of Poetry with Toussaint St. Negritude: Poems for Collective Liberation

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States

    Toussaint will read several poems and share his writing process, followed by a deep dive into how the poet finds inspiration for poetry and music in nature, in Vermont, and across the seasons. Join us for an inspiring evening of poetry, music, and reflection on collective liberation. Part of NBNC's spring Visiting Teacher-Naturalist Program.

    Marine Ecology Fundraising Dinner

    North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT, United States
    $25

    Join our Marine Ecology class for an evening of student science and great food at this fundraising dinner. Hosted by our passionate high school Marine Ecology students, this special event raises the money they need for their upcoming summer research trip to Bermuda.