Workshops & Outings
Woody Plants in the Field – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPart of NBNC's Biodiversity University series.
Tree ID & Natural History – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLearning about trees can be a powerful way to connect to your local landscape. They are big, charismatic, and always around us. Knowing who they are provides a baseline ecological understanding for the rest of our surroundings.
Vermont Master Naturalist for Educators
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThis course for middle and high school educators is a unique collaboration between North Branch Nature Center and Vermont Master Naturalist. It is a place-based, integrated training in interpreting the local landscape and applying that training to 5th-12th grade classrooms and curricula. Each day immerses in a different ecosystem, exploring the pieces, patterns, and processes driving local ecology. We’ll practice field-based activities and classroom-based extensions aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Proficiency-Based Learning frameworks.
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!
Butterfly Ecology & Identification – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontDesigned for naturalists and scientists of varied abilities and interests, this seminar covers butterfly taxonomy, biology, behavior, and identification.
ECO Institute: Nature-Based Routines for Outdoor Classrooms
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontFor elementary and middle school teachers. The purpose of this ECO introductory course for elementary and middle school educators is to apply integrated academic curricula beyond the classroom, while immersing in and participating with nature as a learning partner.
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.
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!
Peatlands Rich and Poor – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontInstructors: Brett Engstrom & Jerry Jenkins July 20-21, 2024 | $285 Course size: 12 students Financial support available (contact us) Part of NBNC's Biodiversity University series. More Information & Registration
ECO Institute for Early Childhood Educators
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontFor preschool and kindergarten educators. This course applies early childhood learning curricula beyond the classroom, while immersing in and participating with nature as a learning partner. The course provides inquiry-based learning through intensive experiential lessons, provocations and discussions held entirely outdoors.
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.
Monitoring and Managing Ash Trees Workshop
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLearn how to participate in the Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA) program to enable detection of "lingering ash" that can be used to breed trees resistant to the emerald ash borer, providing hope for ash conservation.
But Why?: Signs of Summer
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPodcast host and author Jane Lindholm and our naturalist special guest will be front and center to discuss woodland creatures - big and small, and summer time ecology.
The Pantanal – Birds and Wildlife of Brazil
The huge lowland plains of the Mato Grosso in Brazil, seasonally inundated during the rainy season, is known as the "Pantanal." It is the shrinking of the wetlands during the dry season that creates the spectacular concentrations of wildlife for which the area has become world famous.
Mushroom Identification & Ecology – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontDesigned for naturalists and scientists of varied abilities and interests, this seminar covers butterfly taxonomy, biology, behavior, and identification.
Native Pollinators – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontWhen it comes to pollination, honeybees get all the attention, but most of the credit belongs to a diverse group of organisms that call New England home. There have been over 350 species of wild bees identified in Vermont to date, and they – along with myriad moths, butterflies, wasps, beetles, flies, and birds – are responsible for pollinating ~80% of flowering plants and ~66% of food crops.
Champlain Beach & Delta Botany by Boat – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontInstructors: Grace Glynn & Jerry Jenkins August 30-31, 2024 | $285 Course size: 12 students Financial support available (contact us) Part of NBNC's Biodiversity University series. More Information & Registration
Old Forest Ecology- Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontOld forests capture a special place in our imagination, and they provide important ecological functions, especially in a changing climate. In this course, we will visit some of the few remaining patches of old forest in Vermont.
Nature Illustration with Susan Sawyer: Observation with Pencil & Brush
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontWhat can we as artist-naturalists see if we stop and look? We will walk, sit, draw, and paint, and come away with images of nature in autumn.
All We Can Save: book club & discussion seminar (virtual)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin us for a virtual, afternoon, climate change themed fall book club to read All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, a 2020 anthology of climate change essays edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson. Described as “provocative and illuminating writings from women at the forefront of the climate movement who are harnessing truth, courage, and solutions to lead humanity forward,” this book offers a very human look into climate change, how it impacts us, and why it really matters to us.
Public Owl Banding Demonstration
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin NBNC biologists as they capture, tag, and release these pint-sized predators. NBNC naturalists and educators will also discuss the highlights of recent research here and across the country, then share what’s been discovered about this mysterious little owl.
Public Owl Banding Demonstration
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin NBNC biologists as they capture, tag, and release these pint-sized predators. NBNC naturalists and educators will also discuss the highlights of recent research here and across the country, then share what’s been discovered about this mysterious little owl.
Public Owl Banding Demonstration
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin NBNC biologists as they capture, tag, and release these pint-sized predators. NBNC naturalists and educators will also discuss the highlights of recent research here and across the country, then share what’s been discovered about this mysterious little owl.
Public Owl Banding Demonstration
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin NBNC biologists as they capture, tag, and release these pint-sized predators. NBNC naturalists and educators will also discuss the highlights of recent research here and across the country, then share what’s been discovered about this mysterious little owl.
Data Art for Yarn Lovers
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin Michale Glennon, organizer of the Wool and Water Project currently on view in the NBNC gallery, to learn how to create knitting and crochet projects that represent scientific data in beautiful and approachable ways.
Lake Champlain Data Art – Hands-On Workshop
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin Michale Glennon, organizer of the Wool and Water Project, for a fun, hands-on workshop on translating watershed data into art. Participants will use felt balls to visually represent data from the lake while learning about the Lake Champlain watershed.
Japan’s Winter Birds & Culture
Winter in Japan is a fairytale of stunning birdlife, fascinating wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and magnificent culture.
Hide Tanning Demonstration
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLearn about the art, science, history, and practice of hide tanning.
Red Tent: Healing in Nature with Visiting Teacher-Naturalist Dr. Opeyemi Parham
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontWomen in the United States have a love-hate relationship with their bodies — consequently it is vital to create safe, sacred spaces to discuss the things we don't normally talk about. Join Visiting Teacher-Naturalist Dr. Opeyemi Parham for this day focused on women's reproductive health and healing.
Winter Tracking in Downtown Montpelier
montpelier senior activity center 58 Barre Street, MontpelierHave you ever wondered what creatures roam the sidewalks of Montpelier after dark? This free, group tracking walk is your chance to explore the city in a new way by learning about animal tracks and sign.
Winter Wildlife Tracking 101
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontFrom bobcats to hawks, all animals leave sign of their activities. Join NBNC naturalist and tracker Ana Maria Arroyo as she introduces you to the fundamentals of tracking and awareness to better understand the stories animals leave behind.
Winter Tracking in Downtown Barre
barre city elementary & middle schoolThis free winter tracking outing will explore the Barre City bike path in search of animal tracks and sign. Participants can expect to stay on the established trails with plenty of stops to study animal tracks or sign.
Teen Wildcrafting Circle – Weaving with Natural Materials
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThe Wildcrafting Skills Circle is a place for youth 13+ to learn ancestral skills, connect with peers, and explore their creativity. Each session is led by NBNC naturalist educators who guide students through a different skill.
Snow Season “Spooning” – Woodcarving with Ken Benton
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLearn the story behind the wood as we go from log to spoon. By the end of the day you’ll come away with a nearly finished spoon with a built in story to tell dinner guests while serving food.
Wildlife Tracking Club
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontExplore with NBNC naturalists and fellow nature lovers in search of wildlife tracks and sign every Sunday morning in January and February.
Youth Wildlife Tracking Workshop
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontHave you ever wanted to walk in the footsteps of a fox? How about lay in a coyote bed or study the tiny toes of a field mouse? In this new winter break program for students ages 9 and up, we will spend the day exploring wildlife tracks and signs.
Winter Wildlife Tracking 101
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontFrom bobcats to hawks, all animals leave sign of their activities. Join NBNC Teacher-Naturalist Dave Muska as he introduces you to the fundamentals of tracking and awareness to better understand the stories animals leave behind.
SOLO Wilderness First Aid Course
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontMarch 8 - 9 9 am - 5 pm | $225 (plus $45 for CPR certification) Group Size: 20 max | Ages 18+ | Register Here This 16 hour, 2-Day entry-level course is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts looking for basic first aid training and backcountry medical skills. Led by a SOLO instructor, this course will…
Teen Wildcrafting Circle – Wood Carving with Fire
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThe Wildcrafting Skills Circle is a place for youth 13+ to learn ancestral skills, connect with peers, and explore their creativity. Each session is led by NBNC naturalist educators who guide students through a different skill.
Amphibian Road Crossing Program – Ecology & Training Night (Virtual)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin North Branch Nature Center scientists to learn about our Amphibian Road Crossing program, and find out how you can help Vermont’s frogs and salamanders safely cross the road during their annual spring movements.
