Community Events
Montpelier PLACE – Montpelier Underfoot (Presentation)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontDiscover how Montpelier’s local geologic and geographic setting has shaped the city’s modern infrastructure, architecture and personality. Led by Sean Beckett of North Branch Nature Center. This two part event includes a Friday evening presentation followed by a field outing on Saturday morning. Attendance at one day of the event is not mandatory for participation in the other. The field outing will include less than ½ mile of walking on mostly flat, wide trails.
This event is part of the Montpelier PLACE program, a series of community events celebrating the sites and stories in Montpelier’s unique heritage and ecology. Join us this fall on a citywide exploration to discover what makes our Capital City so special! All events are free with no registration required.
Montpelier PLACE – Montpelier Underfoot (Field Walk)
Discover how Montpelier’s local geologic and geographic setting has shaped the city’s modern infrastructure, architecture and personality. Led by Sean Beckett of North Branch Nature Center. This two part event includes a Friday evening presentation followed by a field outing on Saturday morning. Attendance at one day of the event is not mandatory for participation in the other. The field outing will include less than ½ mile of walking on mostly flat, wide trails.
Travelers Circle Storytelling & Potluck
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin us for a casual evening of stories and a shared community meal. We encourage everyone to contribute a short story of their travels (though there is no pressure to speak), and "travel" may entail a trip to the store or a trip across the world! The experience is a bit like jamming on musical instruments: what you hear inspires what you share. The evening will start with a potluck at 5:30, and storytelling will begin around 6. Please bring your own dishes and silverware.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontRobin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature. Guided by the idea that children need to spend ample time outdoors, we offer a community experience in the world of nature and will model ways the natural environment can be used as a tool for learning and play.
Art Gallery Reception – Phillip Robertson & Ed Epstein
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlease join us at North Branch Nature Center for an afternoon celebrating Phillip Robertson’s relief prints and Ed Epstein’s charcoal drawings. Tour the gallery, meet the artists, and enjoy some refreshments. A portion of artwork sales will support NBNC in our mission of Connecting People with the Natural World.
Upstream–Downstream: A River Resilience Film Festival & Panel Discussion (Montpelier PLACE)
Pavilion Building Auditorium 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont, United StatesA community celebration of Montpelier’s watershed and our place within it. From the Winooski headwaters to Lake Champlain, we’ll travel upstream and downstream showcasing endeavors in conservation, education, and recreation along our local waterways. We’ll begin the evening with a series of 5- to 40-minute films, then transition into a discussion about the health of our local rivers with panelists who bring different perspectives about our waterways.
Winter Discovery Hike for Families
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCome explore nature in a new way! Imagine yourself as an ant and take a "microscopic" hike into the leaf litter. Explore your sense of touch by "meeting a tree." Expand your sense of hearing by adopting "deer ears" in the forest. Test your hiding skills with the game of camouflage. Families will connect with one another and with the natural world in these fun and engaging programs led by NBNC Teacher-Naturalist Fiona Modrak.
Winter Discovery Hike for Families
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCome explore nature in a new way! Imagine yourself as an ant and take a "microscopic" hike into the leaf litter. Explore your sense of touch by "meeting a tree." Expand your sense of hearing by adopting "deer ears" in the forest. Test your hiding skills with the game of camouflage. Families will connect with one another and with the natural world in these fun and engaging programs led by NBNC Teacher-Naturalist Fiona Modrak.
Upstream–Downstream: A River Resilience Panel Discussion (Online)
Online(Note: This panel discussion, originally scheduled to follow January 19th's film festival, was postponed due to severe weather). A community celebration of the Winooski watershed and our place within it. This discussion about the health of our local rivers features panelists who bring different perspectives about our waterways. The panelists will be addressing river-related questions and concerns submitted by over 100 community members during our January film festival.
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 Saturday morning in February.
Learn to XC Ski at NBNC
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontSpend the morning outside exploring the beautiful cross country ski trails at NBNC! Together we will learn the basics of cross country skiing, then set out on the trails to adventure along the river and through the woods on skis. No experience necessary and all equipment will be provided! registration required.
Art Gallery Reception – Beyond the Plovers, Flat Clouds by Gabrielle Dietzel & Howard Norman
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlease join us at North Branch Nature Center to celebrate Gabrielle Dietzel and Howard Norman's collaborative exhibit Beyond the Plovers, Flat Clouds. This exhibit presents three-dimensional collages and shadow boxes created by collagist Gabrielle Dietzel as a visual response to literature about birds collected by writer Howard Norman.
Natural Selections: an evening of celebration and reflection about wild and human nature
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontFriday, April 7th | 7 - 9 pm A fundraiser for North Branch Nature Center. Suggested Donation: $15 - $30. Register Here Featuring: Poetry by Scudder Parker Readings by Bryan Pfeiffer Music by D. Davis Presented by NBNC as part of PoemCity, the Kellogg-Hubbard Library's celebration of National Poetry Month. Register Here
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 from our tree nursery to an area along the North Branch river in need of habitat restoration.
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 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).
Art Gallery Reception – Hilary Ann Love Glass
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlease join us at North Branch Nature Center for an evening celebrating Hilary Ann Love Glass's artwork. Tour the gallery, meet the artist, and enjoy some refreshments.
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).
Birding at the Barre City Cow Pasture
A casual, morning birding outing at a local hidden-gem natural area, facilitated by NBNC staff. For all interests and experience levels. This outing is about enjoying, learning from, and spending time with wild birds.
Queer Birding at NBNC
Join us on a spring bird outing at NBNC! This outing, led by Bex Waterman (she/her) and Catherine Griset (she/her), is reserved for folks who identify as Queer and who are interested in birding with a welcoming community. We’ll spend about 2 hours in the fields and forests along the North Branch River. We’ll bird our way along the generally-flat perimeter of NBNC’s trails before crossing the bridge and exploring the habitats of North Branch River Park.
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).
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).
Travelers Circle Storytelling & Potluck
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin us for a casual evening of stories and a shared community meal. We encourage everyone to contribute a short story of their travels (though there is no pressure to speak), and "travel" may entail a trip to the store or a trip across the world! The experience is a bit like jamming on musical instruments: what you hear inspires what you share. The evening will start with a potluck at 5:30, and storytelling will begin around 6. Please bring your own dishes and silverware.
Biodiversity Jamboree!
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCelebrate birds, bugs, plants, pollinators, and all the other creatures that call Vermont "home" in this summer festival. North Branch Nature Center and the Vermont Center for Ecostudies will be co-presenting this day full of field outings, nature exhibits, kids activities, live birds, music, food, and more!
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!
POSTPONED – Habitat Restoration Volunteer Day at NBNC
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThis summer we are continuing to restore habitat by removing invasive plant populations, caring for newly planted trees, and maintaining beaver deterrents. Look forward to meeting and learning about plants native to our riparian habitats and enjoy caring for the land in the company of fellow nature lovers. We will need plenty of volunteers to help get this work done!
NBNC Member Night
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlease join us for our first ever 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.
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!
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!
Art Gallery Reception – Patty Meriam: The Longest Branch
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlease join us at North Branch Nature Center for an evening celebrating Patty Meriam's artwork. Tour the gallery, meet the artist, and enjoy some refreshments.
Summer Birding with NBNC
A casual morning of birding suitable for all interests and experience levels. Meet fellow bird enthusiasts, kindle new friendships, and enjoy a supportive environment where questions and shared discoveries are encouraged.
Summer Nature Romp
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontWeekly on Sunday Mornings — June through August 10 am - noon | Adults and families welcome FREE | No registration required This new, weekly gathering is about exploring nature together and sharing in the discoveries offered up by the landscape. Each outing features a different loose theme, facilitated by rotating NBNC staff. The outing…
Inclusive Kayaking Outing with Northeast Disabled Athletics Association, South Hero Land Trust, and NBNC
This adaptive kayaking series is an opportunity for community members who want to learn about kayaking or get back out on the water, but can’t use a standard kayak, to use an adaptive kayak with support. Naturalists from North Branch Nature Center will join the outings to help create a deeper experience for the paddlers.
Monarch Butterfly Tagging (Cancelled)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin NBNC naturalists as we search for monarch butterflies around the nature center. Learn about their amazing migration and life cycle while we tag and measure the butterflies as part of Monarch Watch, the nationwide community science project that monitors this declining species.
Fungi Fest!
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontFungi Fest is a full day community celebration of all things fungi. Join us for mushroom walks and forays, children's games, activities, & crafts, learn how to identify mushrooms, get involved with the VT Mycoflora community science project, and attend presentations by regional professionals. In the evening, enjoy a reception and celebration at the Fungi Themed Art Show featuring local artists from across the state of Vermont.
Art Gallery Reception – Fruits of the Forest Floor
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlease join us at North Branch Nature Center for an evening celebrating our fall art exhibit, Fruits of the Forest Floor. This mushroom-themed group show includes painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, fiber arts, ceramics, jewelry, and more by artists from across New England!
Fall Birding at North Branch Nature Center
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontA 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). All fall outings take place at NBNC.
NBNC Trails Grand Opening Celebration
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontSeptember 30 | 11 am - noon American Sign Language interpreter provided RSVP Requested | RSVP HERE Please join us for the grand opening of our new Universal Access Trail and even-newer Nature Connection Trail! We will gather at 11 am for a ribbon-cutting and refreshments, and then invite folks to explore at their own…
Mason Goes Mushrooming (FULL)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontAfter a short mushroom meander on the trails, Melany Kahn offers an animated reading of a first-of-its-kind children’s foraging adventure book, Mason Goes Mushrooming. The reading will be followed by an interactive Q&A. Melany will have a selection of wild and cultivated mushrooms available for the kids and their adults to discover. They will be able to touch, smell, and learn the different traits of mushrooms. A cooking demo and tasting with Melany sharing how to get that delicious umami flavor will round out the afternoon.
Queer Owl Banding Night
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontSeptember is Pride Month in Vermont, but nobody told the owls! Every October NBNC biologists capture, tag, and release Northern Saw-whet Owls as part of a national network of scientists working to better understand their migration. Join them to meet these pint-sized owls and nerd out with local LGBTQ+ nature enthusiasts.
