For many in the Northeast, a typical winter day might consist of hunkering down next to a wood stove or careening across mountain slopes. But out there in the cold, dark woods, our native flora and fauna undergo bizarre transformations, embark on remarkable journeys, and withstand extreme conditions until longer days arrive.

This class is designed for those who wish to embrace the cold — to explore, understand, and appreciate the subtleties of the winter world that are so often overlooked.

Students will learn to read Vermont’s winter landscape, from the ice age relics that still inhabit our alpine summits, to the warming waters of Lake Champlain. The course will feature one day of instruction at North Branch Nature Center, followed by a day in the field exploring the Woodbury Mountain Wilderness Preserve on snowshoes.

Classroom topics will include an overview of New England’s climate and geography, a discussion of plant and animal survival strategies, and a brief tutorial on how to remain safe, warm, and comfortable while exploring the woods in winter. Field topics will include snow science, winter tree ID, and an introduction to wildlife tracking. While it may seem like an eternity before the woods come alive again with songs of warblers and the buzz of bumblebees, once we know where to look, there’s much that we can learn from the tenacity and resilience of the year-round inhabitants that call the winter world home.

Part of NBNC’s Biodiversity University series