Workshops & Outings
- Events
- Workshops & Outings
Late Season Grasses – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThe grasses are our most diverse plant family in settled areas, and our second most diverse, after sedges, in forests, glades, and wetlands. They are interesting and rewarding: graceful, intricate, ecologically sensitive. If you don’t know them, you are missing a lot. If you are meeting them for the first time, you are in for a treat.
The Craft of Timber Framing
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThis course will teach participants how to craft and use pegged mortise and tenon joinery to build timber frame structures. We will focus on traditional hand-cut joinery and the art of the square rule system. The course is led by master artisans Seth Kelley and Skip Dewhirst, who have been teaching timber framing together for over 20 years.
Forest Bathing with Nature Connection Guide Duncan Murdoch
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontExperience nature with the art and practice of Forest Bathing. Give yourself this time to unplug, slow down and (re)connect as we begin to transition from summer to autumn in Vermont. Follow your certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide Duncan Murdoch through a series of sensory connection invitations designed to facilitate your immersion that includes time in solitude and in group. A locally foraged tea will be served to complete your experience.
Shorebirding and Fall Migration at Plum Island with Chip Darmstadt
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlum Island and the 4,662 acre Parker River National Wildlife Refuge near Newburyport, MA offers amazing birding almost any time of year. With a list of 365 species documented on the refuge, Parker River NWR is one of the 10 "birdiest" hotspots in the United States! In mid-September migrating warblers, thousands of Tree Swallows and a wealth of shorebirds and waterfowl fuel up at the refuge. Our trip is timed to observe an exciting range of the diversity Parker River NWR has to offer.
Montpelier PLACE – Ecology of North Branch River Park
North Branch River Park Poolside Drive, Montpelier, VT, United StatesJoin field naturalist Erica Hample to learn about the ecology that makes our local park special. Erica has been engaged in a new ecological assessment of the park, uncovering a fascinating story of seeps, trees, and insects. 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.
Cape May & Delmarva Birding Trip with Chip Darmstadt
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontExplore this extraordinary birdwatching paradise during one of its most exciting times to visit. With over 430 total species observed, and over 330 species seen this time of year, Southern New Jersey and the Delmarva Peninsula are home to some of the greatest avian biodiversity in the northeast.
Montpelier PLACE – Queen Bee Day Brunch at Barr Hill
Barr Hill 116 Gin Lane, Montpelier, VT, United StatesIn collaboration with Caledonia Spirits’ Bee's Knees Week, come sip on some cocktails and enjoy local honey-infused donuts with pollinator ecologist Jason Mazurowski who will share his expertise on the nearly 400 native bees species found in Vermont. 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.
Nature Journaling Club
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontOctober 1, 15, and 29 ($40 for all three sessions) | Explore the art and practice of nature journaling with NBNC Teacher-Naturalist Fiona Modrak. Using the practice of nature journaling, we will sharpen our observational skills, practice being curious, and learn new ways to explore nature. Using activities and prompts from John Muir Laws, we will come together in nature to share and learn from one another about different styles and approaches to nature journaling. Welcome to nature journalers new and old. No experience necessary. This club will meet three times in October. We ask that participants interested in registering attend at least two of the dates.
Nature Illustration with Susan Sawyer: Seeds, Stems, & Leaves
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontDrawing helps us to slow down and see the life around us. At the end of the growing season, what’s here to draw are some very interesting plant shapes and structures — twined tendrils, spent and eaten leaves, pods ripe or empty. Working both inside and out, using artist’s graphite pencils, the class will work on drawing skills including gesture, line, value, and composition, observing and learning about patterns, form and function in the nature center’s diverse plant life (and whatever invertebrates we happen on). A bonus will be the addition of touches of color to a graphite drawing. Some drawing experience is helpful but not required. All materials except your sketchbook will be provided.
Montpelier PLACE – History on the Land: Hubbard Park
Hubbard Park Parkway Street, Montpelier, VT, United StatesPeel back the layers of Hubbard Park with landscape historian Samantha Ford. Discover Montpelier's history and the origin of the conservation movement using hidden clues in the form of stone walls, witness trees, barbed wire, and more. 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.
Public Owl Banding Demonstration
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontNBNC is part of a national network of scientists working to better understand the migration of the Northern Saw-whet Owl, a common yet elusive member of our Vermont forests. Join NBNC biologists as they capture, tag, and release these pint-sized owls. 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 predator. Open to all ages.
Montpelier PLACE – Ecology of Hubbard Park
Hubbard Park Parkway Street, Montpelier, VT, United StatesJoin field naturalist Erica Hample for a guided group exploration of the most special places in Hubbard Park. Erica’s work creating a new ecological assessment of the park has uncovered a complicated land use history, a strong conservation ethic, and exciting geological formations. Come learn about ecological resilience and the future of this forest! 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.
Nature Illustration with Susan Sawyer: Tree Characters
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontAs winter comes nearer and leaves fall, we get to see the bones of things — in the case of trees, trunks, branches, and twigs According to their species and their circumstances, trees grow variously with each other, with the hills and along the river; we meet them at different life stages and observe their habits and adaptations. This will be a day of drawing to learn, in and near the woods, observing individual trees and their parts, up close and at a distance. We’ll be using artist’s graphite pencils and drawing pens. Some drawing experience is helpful but not required. All materials except your sketchbook will be provided.
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.
Stick 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. We’ll follow the process covering tree identification, natural history, ethical harvest and processing from the round into billets. Moving indoors, we’ll learn to read the grain while laying out patterns and carving away all wood that isn’t 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. Bring your own fixed blade knife and come dressed for the weather. Led by NBNC Naturalist and Director of Education, Ken Benton.
Winter Wildlife Tracking Institute
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontIn-person sessions: Jan 21, Feb 18, Mar 25 | 9 am - 4 pm (in-person sessions may be rescheduled to the following day in the event of poor weather) Virtual sessions (Zoom): Feb 1, March 8 | 6 - 7:30 pm $315 | Financial support available (email us to inquire) Group Size: 14 max |…
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.
Snow Day “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. We’ll follow the process covering tree identification, natural history, ethical harvest and processing from the round into billets. Moving indoors, we’ll learn to read the grain while laying out patterns and carving away all wood that isn’t 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. Bring your own fixed blade knife and come dressed for the weather. Led by NBNC Naturalist and Director of Education, Ken Benton.
Patterns Across Nature – Drawing Class with Rachel Mirus
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontA four-part drawing class | Thursday evenings in February at NBNC | This course mixes observational and creative drawing to explore common natural patterns, starting with sketching exercises to build the observation skills that are foundational for both artists and naturalists, then moving into playful and imaginative art making.
Intermediate Winter Wildlife Tracking
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin NBNC naturalist and wildlife tracker Dave Muska for a full day of tracking and trailing wildlife, aimed at participants already holding some basic knowledge of track and sign identification. We'll start in the classroom to review the tracks, gaits, habitats, and signs of species we might encounter on the late winter landscape. We'll then head out on the land to search for sign and explore the who, what, where, when, why and how of animal tracks.
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.
Winter Willows – Nature Retreat in the Northeast Kingdom
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, Vermont**For children in 6th through 8th grade who identify as girls, nonbinary, genderqueer, and/or trans.** Explore what it means to live on and with the land in the winter wonderland of the Nulhegan Basin! Our experience will be tailored to the interests of participants. Activities could include: tool crafting, weaving, dream pillow making, animal tracking, fire by friction, snowshoeing or skiing in the woods, cooking on the wood stove or fire, and star gazing. This two-night retreat will have us exploring the snowy wonderland by day, and relaxing fireside in a warm and cozy winter cabin by night.
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.
Winter Tree Identification with Jonathan Shapiro
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLearning to identify trees can be a powerful way to connect to your local landscape. They are big, charismatic, and always around us, and knowing who they are provides a baseline of ecological understanding for the rest of our surroundings. Join Jonathan Shapiro of Fox Paw School for a dive into tree ID, focusing on a pattern-based approach that we are hardwired to understand.
SOLO Wilderness First Aid Course
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontMarch 11 - 12 9 am - 5 pm | $225 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 cover topics from response and…
Amphibian Road Crossing Program – Ecology & Training Night (ZOOM)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontFind out how you can help Vermont’s frogs and salamanders safely cross the road during their annual spring movements. Did you know that Wood Frogs freeze solid all winter long? Did you know that Eastern Red-backed Salamanders are the most common vertebrate in the whole forest? Tonight will also feature a dive into the amazing ecology and life history of these semi-aquatic critters.
Amphibians of Vernal Pools – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThis course is an introduction to vernal pools, with a particular focus on identification and natural history of the frogs and salamanders that breed in them.
Ethical Foraging Workshop
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontIn this workshop we'll employ a framework that encompasses not just a plant's identity, but its life history, conservation status, location, and culinary uses to determine which plants we'll harvest, which we'll transplant, which we'll garden, which we'll remove, and which we'll leave.
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).
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.
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).
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.
Woody Plants – Biodiversity University & Northern Forest Atlas
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontWoody plants—trees, shrubs, vines, creepers—are, to us, the key to understanding habitats, ecological patterns, and plant geography. This is an introductory course covering about 40 common species: how they grow, leaf, flower, and fruit; how to distinguish them and their habitats in the field; and how to use the Northern Forest Atlas photoguide and digital Atlas to confirm them.
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).
Glacial Geology of the Champlain Valley – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThis class visits multiple field sites to explore key aspects of Vermont’s glacial geologic history. In particular, we will observe a variety of landforms and sediments in the Burlington and Richmond area, focusing on the different geologic processes that yielded these formations.
Botany Boot Camp – Biodiversity University
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThis class visits multiple field sites to explore key aspects of Vermont’s glacial geologic history. In particular, we will observe a variety of landforms and sediments in the Burlington and Richmond area, focusing on the different geologic processes that yielded these formations.
Nature Paddle at Wrightsville Reservoir
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontA casual, slow, naturalist-led evening paddle along the northern reaches of the Wrightsville Reservoir. Once on the water, we'll head slowly north across the quiet, shallow reaches of the reservoir where it meets the North Branch of the Winooski River. If time and water level allows, we will paddle up the meandering river towards a beautiful waterfall, and returning before sunset. Along the way, we will enjoy watching beavers, fish, botany, birdlife, and whatever other flora and fauna we come across.
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).