Workshops & Outings
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Birding Basics Class
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontBecome a better birder! In this three-part class, you’ll develop a breadth of knowledge and skills to better appreciate Vermont’s common and not-so-common birdlife. Instructed by Chip Darmstadt
Teen Wildcrafting Circle – Spoon Carving Basics
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.
Earth Day Tree Planting at NBNC
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontGive back to the land in celebration of Earth Day! Join us as we plant small trees and shrubs to an area along the North Branch river in need of habitat restoration.
Spring Birding (Locations Vary)
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).
The Northern Forest Atlas Traveling School of Botany & Ecology
White Creek Field School White Creek, NY, United StatesThe school will be part course and part seminar: We will teach plant identification through classes and field work, and study ecology as a group by exercises and discussions. Our field sites will be about a dozen wild Northern Forest habitats: rich woods, ledges, fertile coves, rich and poor fens, cedar swamps, boreal forests, granite hills, a large acid bog and a giant raised one, a river delta and swamp forest, and a dry-rich ledgy hill. It will we staffed by Jerry Jenkins alongside a rotating pool of five instructors—the best botanists in the north woods.
Cape May Spring Migration- Northeast Birdwatcher’s Paradise
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontBirding in Cape May and southern New Jersey during spring migration is legendary! With over 430 total species observed, and over 330 species seen this time of year, Cape May is home to some of the greatest avian biodiversity in the northeast. May in southern New Jersey offers an abundance of everything: migratory warblers in the shrubs and forests, birds of prey cruising overhead, and shorebirds along the beaches and backwaters.
History on the Land – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontDiscover how to “read” old forested farmscapes and agricultural architecture to trace 300 years of land use history in Vermont.
Field Trip: Barre City “Cow Pasture”
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin retired archaeologist Mark Martin and naturalist Ken Benton as we explore the history of the Barre City Cow Pasture. We'll walk a 1.5 mile loop trail through the property, as we examine stone walls, gaze into stone lined springs, and observe remnants of historical agricultural and recreational use.
Spring Mushroom Outing
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin NBNC naturalist and educator Dave Muska for a morning mushroom outing to learn about local fungi and mushrooms, what they’re up to, and how you can contribute to the Fungi of Vermont Community Science program.
Forestry for Naturalists – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontHow can cutting down a tree be a radical act of compassion? This course explores the complex, nuanced, and sometimes contradictory world of ecological forestry from a naturalist's perspective.
The Northern Forest Atlas Traveling School of Botany & Ecology
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThe school will be part course and part seminar: We will teach plant identification through classes and field work, and study ecology as a group by exercises and discussions. Our field sites will be about a dozen wild Northern Forest habitats: rich woods, ledges, fertile coves, rich and poor fens, cedar swamps, boreal forests, granite hills, a large acid bog and a giant raised one, a river delta and swamp forest, and a dry-rich ledgy hill. It will we staffed by Jerry Jenkins alongside a rotating pool of five instructors—the best botanists in the north woods.
The Art & Science of Nature Observation – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThe not-so-simple act of observation is a lost art. Join accomplished artist Libby Davidson and naturalist and writer Heather Fitzgerald to practice slowing down, nurturing your creativity, deepening your understanding of the natural world, and strengthening your connection to place.
Glacial Geology of Central Vermont & the Champlain Valley – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThis class explores the science, geology, and field sites that illustrate the Pleistocene history of Central Vermont and the Champlain Valley.
The Caterpillar Lab @ NBNC
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCaterpillars take over the Nature Center! The Caterpillar Lab is a traveling world-class education organization that transforms nature centers into a spectacular living museum, zoo, research laboratory, incubator, circus, art studio, classroom, and all-around nature party.
The Caterpillar Lab @ NBNC
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCaterpillars take over the Nature Center! The Caterpillar Lab is a traveling world-class education organization that transforms nature centers into a spectacular living museum, zoo, research laboratory, incubator, circus, art studio, classroom, and all-around nature party.
The Northern Forest Atlas Traveling School of Botany & Ecology
Groton State Forest Groton, VT, United StatesThe school will be part course and part seminar: We will teach plant identification through classes and field work, and study ecology as a group by exercises and discussions. Our field sites will be about a dozen wild Northern Forest habitats: rich woods, ledges, fertile coves, rich and poor fens, cedar swamps, boreal forests, granite hills, a large acid bog and a giant raised one, a river delta and swamp forest, and a dry-rich ledgy hill. It will we staffed by Jerry Jenkins alongside a rotating pool of five instructors—the best botanists in the north woods.
Educator 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.
