March 2019
Amazing Ecuador – FULL
Immerse in the avian wonders of Southern Ecuador! This itinerary focuses on ecological reserves owned by the Jocotoco Foundation, one of Ecuador’s premier conservation organizations. Over 50 endangered bird species and over 100 regional endemics can be found on these reserves. Some, like El Oro Parakeet, are found nowhere else on earth.
Find out more »Amphibian Ecology and Amphibian Road Rescue Training
Salamanders and frogs migrate by the thousands from forests to wetlands each spring, often crossing our roads at great peril. These seldom-seen amphibians radiate charisma, inspiration, and moxie on even the rainiest April nights. But they need our help! Join NBNC biologists for an evening program featuring local amphibian ecology. Then learn how you, your family, or your students can participate in our Amphibian Road Crossing citizen science project this spring. This project recruits local community members to rescue thousands of amphibians…
Find out more »April 2019
From Blue Bin to Beyond: Recycling Like a Pro
Are you ready to improve your recycling game? You’ll have all your recycling questions answered in this in-depth workshop. Come learn the overview of Vermont’s recycling laws, what goes in/what stays OUT of your recycling bin, and what “additional” recycling is and how to do it right and how to avoid “wish cycling.” Join Jan Lloyd, Zero Waste Outreach Coordinator at the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District to start recycling like a pro immediately! No registration required. See you…
Find out more »April Break Camp (for children K – 3rd grade)
Spring is a great time to explore the Nature Center. Time to get out and play! Join us for 1, 2, or 3 days of spring nature adventures and activities. Activities will flow with the weather. The day could include making art with natural materials, cooking and eating wild edibles, celebrating Earth Day with tree plantings, going on a treasure hunt to find the Secret of the Snow Goose, or possibly travelling to another time to investigate winter mysteries. This…
Find out more »Compost Basics
Love Food, Hate Waste? This workshop will show you some easy ways to get started composting and do it successfully, and we’ll review other ways to keep your food scraps out of the trash. You’ll learn strategies for jump-starting an old pile, and how to keep smells down, and animals out. Join Cassandra Hemenway, Outreach Manager at the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District, graduate of the UVM Master Composter program, and certified compost facility operator. She’ll talk to you about managing…
Find out more »Timberdoodling (a.k.a. Woodcock Watch)
It's spring and love is in the air! We will listen and watch for the mesmerizing courtship flight of the American Woodcock (a.k.a. Timberdoodle), which nests along the North Branch of the Winooski near our nature center. With luck, we may also be serenaded by Wilson's Snipe and a chorus of Spring Peepers. This springtime spectacle has awed nature lovers across the northeast for centuries. Familes welcome! Fee: $5/$10 (members/non-members), paid at the door. RSVP required. RSVP HERE
Find out more »Art Gallery and Poetry Reception: Endangered Medicinal Plants by Jesse LoVasco
Art gallery reception and poetry reading featuring the work of Jesse LoVasco, herbalist, artist, and poet. This reception showcases her work with endangered medicinal plants with United Plant Savers as their 2018 Ecological Art Fellow.
Find out more »Birding Basics Class
Become a better birder! In this class, you’ll develop a breadth of knowledge and skills to better appreciate Vermont’s common and not-so-common birdlife. Identify species from sight and sound by scrutinizing field marks and decoding birdsong. Understand avian ecology and interpret behavior by exploring a wide range of habitats and natural communities. Participate in Vermont bird conservation by immersing in local avian research programs. Whether you are a backyard birdwatcher ready to expand your knowledge, or a passionate naturalist seeking…
Find out more »“Young Adventurer’s Guide” Book Launch and Party
Join us for a wilderness outdoor activity fair, book reading, and presentation to celebrate the launch of "The Young Adventurer's Guide to (Almost) Everything: Build a Fort, Camp Like a Champ, Poop in the Woods - 45 Action-Packed Outdoor Activities" with author Ben Hewitt, contributor Penny Hewitt, and illustrator Luke Bushee!
Find out more »May 2019
Friday Morning Spring Bird Walks
Weekly trips to birding hot spots around Montpelier searching for spring migrants like warblers, vireos, thrushes, and waterfowl. Led by NBNC's expert birders. Free for members. $10 non-members. See below for meeting locations: 5/3 - North Branch Nature Center 5/10 - TBD 5/17 - Berlin Pond (Meeting at public access point, Brookfield Road, Berlin VT) 5/24 - TBD 5/31 - North Branch Nature Center
Find out more »Spring Wildflower Walk with the GMC
After months of black, grey, and brown, we will search the Waterbury-Stowe valley in search of Vermont’s first spring colors. Learn how to identify common ephemeral wildflowers, and explore the fascinating ecology of early-season flora. Hosted by the Green Mountain Club, and led by NBNC's Staff Naturalist, Sean Beckett. Location: Kirchner Woods, Stowe, VT Register at the Green Mountain Club HERE
Find out more »World Series of Birding (For Youth and Teens)
From midnight to midnight on Saturday, May 11th, competing birders will swarm southern New Jersey seeking as many bird species as possible in 24 hours. The World Series of Birding is the country's largest and most prestigious birding competition, and this year marks the 20th year that North Branch Nature Center's youth teams have been competing! Cape May County is an internationally-recognized birding hotspot that boasts a staggering array of birdlife and habitat diversity. Our youth team will head down to Cape…
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