Community Events
Floodplains & Watersheds Field Workshop
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontHow does our rain and river shape the valley? Why and where does it flood? How does flooding support clean water and build soil in the watershed? Why are functional floodplains important to the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors? We will look at riverside soils, plants, and other signs to discern the shapes and power of water in our lives.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup – CANCELLED
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
Vermont Almanac Vol. IV: Book Launch & Celebration
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin us to celebrate the release of Volume IV of the Vermont Almanac! Meet the editors and many of the book’s contributors, listen to readings from the book by authors, and enjoy a panel discussion on the year that was in rural Vermont. Registration Required.
Pride Hike: Snowshoeing with Audubon Vermont and Pride Center VT
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLGBTQIA2S+ hikers are coming together for our first winter outing! Depending on the conditions, we will either hike or snowshoe around the trails. After our outing, we will gather back at the Nature Center for some hot drinks to warm back up!
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
63rd Annual Plainfield/Montpelier Christmas Bird Count
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin the nation's largest and longest-running citizen science project. The Christmas Bird Count, organized by the National Audubon Society, has been getting birdwatchers outside recording species in their backyards and towns for over a century! One of the oldest circles in Vermont, this count has occurred annually since 1960!
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontRobin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
Art Gallery Reception – All’s Wool That Ends Wool
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlease join us at North Branch Nature Center for an evening celebrating our winter art exhibit, All’s Wool That Ends Wool. Tour the gallery, meet the artists, and enjoy some light refreshments.
POSTPONED TO 2/20: Getting to 30 by 30: The Science and Stories of Conserving Land with Gus Goodwin (IN PERSON)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, Vermont(IN-PERSON) | The science and strategy that guides The Nature Conservancy to pursue the places, projects, and partnerships that make Vermont such a remarkable state.
Getting to 30 by 30: The Science and Stories of Conserving Land with Gus Goodwin (IN PERSON)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, Vermont(IN-PERSON) | The science and strategy that guides The Nature Conservancy to pursue the places, projects, and partnerships that make Vermont such a remarkable state.
Wildlife Tracking Club
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontExplore with NBNC naturalists and fellow nature lovers in a casual search of wildlife tracks and sign every Sunday morning in February.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup (Winter Session)
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
Educating Children Outdoors Book Launch and Art Gallery Reception
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin us to celebrate the release of Educating Children Outdoors: Lessons in Nature-Based Learning by former NBNC Director of Education Amy Butler! We’ll also be celebrating the opening of our spring art show, featuring work from the book by local artist and illustrator Nick Neddo.
Natural Selections: a NBNC fundraiser
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontAn evening of poetry, prose, music, and photography featuring poets Scudder Parker (Safe as Lightning) and Marjorie Ryerson (The Views from Mount Hunger), short readings from essayist and field naturalist Bryan Pfeiffer, and music by D. Davis (guitar) and Ruth Einstein (violin).
Earth Day Tree Planting at NBNC
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin us for a fun morning of giving back to the land to celebrate Earth Day! We will be transplanting small trees and shrubs to an area along the North Branch river in need of habitat restoration.
Peents n’ Peeps – Spring Sounds at NBNC
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontAn evening of up close and personal listens and looks at springtime's most impressive crepuscular performances. We'll attempt to creep up on spring peepers by following an individual peep amid the cacophonous chorus and try to pinpoint the peenting of american woodcocks before they lift off to perform their skydance.
Spring Birding at North Branch Nature Center
A casual morning of birding for all interests and experience levels facilitated by NBNC staff and guest leaders. These outings are about enjoying, learning about, and spending time with wild birds. No binoculars? No ID guide? No problem! The only requirement is an appreciation of birds (though we do have binoculars for those who would like them).
Spring Birding at Sodom Pond
A casual morning of birding for all interests and experience levels facilitated by NBNC staff and guest leaders. These outings are about enjoying, learning about, and spending time with wild birds. No binoculars? No ID guide? No problem! The only requirement is an appreciation of birds (though we do have binoculars for those who would like them).
Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontA casual search for spring wildflowers along the NBNC trails in celebration of Mother's Day.
Spring Member Night at NBNC
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlease join us for a special NBNC Member Night! This free event will be a casual, fun evening for members to get to know each other and NBNC staff and board members.
Open Studio Hours with Visiting Teacher-Naturalist Noelani Jones
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCome visit with our first Visiting Teacher-Naturalist at NBNC, Noelani Jones, ask questions, and view their work and process while they are printing and/or weaving at NBNC!
Spring Birding at Catamount Outdoor Family Center
A casual morning of birding for all interests and experience levels facilitated by NBNC staff and guest leaders. These outings are about enjoying, learning about, and spending time with wild birds. No binoculars? No ID guide? No problem! The only requirement is an appreciation of birds (though we do have binoculars for those who would like them).
Open Studio Hours with Visiting Teacher-Naturalist Noelani Jones
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCome visit with our first Visiting Teacher-Naturalist at NBNC, Noelani Jones, ask questions, and view their work and process while they are printing and/or weaving at NBNC!
Spring Family Nature Discovery Hike
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCome explore all the activity happening around NBNC on a Spring Discovery Hike. We'll listen to birdsong at a Sit Spot, see if we can find tadpoles or frogs in vernal pools, and look for flowers in the field as we take in all that spring has to offer.
Eco-Printing Workshop (morning) with Visiting Teacher-Naturalist Noelani Jones
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLearn how to eco-print on cloth with natural plant dyes!
Eco-Printing Workshop (afternoon) with Visiting Teacher-Naturalist Noelani Jones
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLearn how to eco-print on cloth with natural plant dyes!
Spring Birding at Berlin Pond (South Side)
A casual morning of birding for all interests and experience levels facilitated by NBNC staff and guest leaders. These outings are about enjoying, learning about, and spending time with wild birds. No binoculars? No ID guide? No problem! The only requirement is an appreciation of birds (though we do have binoculars for those who would like them).
Spring Birding at North Branch Nature Center
A casual morning of birding for all interests and experience levels facilitated by NBNC staff and guest leaders. These outings are about enjoying, learning about, and spending time with wild birds. No binoculars? No ID guide? No problem! The only requirement is an appreciation of birds (though we do have binoculars for those who would like them).
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontRobin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
Biodiversity Jamboree!
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontBack again by popular demand, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and North Branch Nature Center present a summer nature festival for all ages!
Yurt Dedication & Juneteenth Celebration
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlease join us to dedicate “Dot’s Place” and to celebrate Juneteenth in a ceremony featuring drumming and dancing by Shidaa, and music by the New Alpha Choir. Then enjoy a community potluck/picnic – bring your picnic dinner and/or a dish to share. Beverages and dessert will be provided.
Songs and S’mores — CANCELLED
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCome join us for an evening of songs and s’mores as we gather around the campfire to share each other's company and revel in the joy of summer! This is a family friendly event and we welcome people of all ages!
Moth Lighting With The Caterpillar Lab
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThe Caterpillar Lab will guide us on an investigation of our awe-inspiring nocturnal neighbors: the huge, tiny, regal, absurd, furry, shiny, gorgeous, perplexing, audacious and outrageous moths that Vermont has to offer!
Art Gallery Reception – Rachel Mirus
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlease join us at North Branch Nature Center for an evening celebrating Rachel Mirus' art exhibit An Artist's Collection of Curiousities. Tour the gallery, meet the artists, and enjoy some light refreshments.
Nature’s Rainbow Family Art Workshop
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontMany mushrooms and lichens can be used to make paints! Learn a few paint-making processes for both plants and fungi, then make your own artwork with the colors. For ages 6 and up with a caregiver.
POSTPONED: Pride Hike with Audubon Vermont at NBNC
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLGBTQIA2S+ hikers are invited for a leisurely summer walk at North Branch Nature Center this July!
Nature’s Rainbow Natural Paint Workshop
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontMany mushrooms and lichens can be used to make paints in a spectrum of earthy reds, oranges, and browns, while plants round out the spectrum with blues and purples. Learn a few paint-making processes for both plants and fungi, then make your own artwork with the colors!
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontRobin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
Songs and S’mores
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCome join us for an evening of songs and s’mores as we gather around the campfire to share each other's company and revel in the joy of summer! This is a family friendly event and we welcome people of all ages!
Nature Night Hike
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontDiscover nature in the dark! Come catch moths, uncover caterpillars under UV light, and learn all about what local critters are up to at night. We'll let our eyes naturally adjust to the moonlight as we hike, play games, and explore the nature center after dark.
