Alpine Habitats, Climate Change, and Rosy-Finches with Carl Brown – Naturalist Journeys Online Presentation Series
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontAlpine ecosystems are rapidly changing in the face of climate change, with their avian occupants relatively understudied. From cliff nesting rosy-finches, to tundra obligate pipits and generalist sparrows, these communities face the potential for massive change in a warming environment. In this presentation, Carl Brown will discuss habitat associations that lend to climate vulnerability, potential arctic parallels, and the adventures of nest searching on alpine cliffs in the Rocky Mountains.
Seabirds and Pelagic Birding Boat Trip in Cape Ann, MA
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontSeabirds and Pelagic Birding Boat Trip in Cape Ann, MA March 18 (10 am) to March 20 (3 pm) $550 ($125 single supplement) 7 participants maximum Program will be cancelled in the event of forecasted severe weather or high winds at sea Contact us to register Cape Ann, Massachusetts, is a worldwide destination for winter…
Winter Birding in the Champlain Valley 2022
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThe Champlain Valley is one of New England’s premier inland destinations for winter birdwatching. Join expert birder and NBNC Executive Director Chip Darmstadt on a trip to explore the shores, fields, and forests of the Champlain Valley in search of eagles, waterfowl, raptors, owls, snow buntings, winter finches, and more. A full-day exploration of avian winter ecology. Spotting scopes will be provided.
Amphibian Road Crossing Program – Ecology & Training Night
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.
Birdability: because birding is for everybody and every body! – Naturalist Journeys Online Presentation Series
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontBirding is an activity that can bring so much joy and empowerment to everybody, but not everybody is able to go birding easily. Birdability is a brand new non-profit, based in the US but with a global reach. Through education, outreach and advocacy, Birdability works to ensure the birding community and the outdoors are welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible for everybody. We focus on people with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, chronic illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness, and those who are neurodivergent, deaf or hard of hearing or who have other health concerns. In addition to current birders, we strive to introduce birding to people with disabilities and other health concerns who are not yet birders so they too can experience the joys of birding.
Nature & Environment Book Sale
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPeruse hundreds of books ranging from nature guides to environmental writing to travelogues. This book sale follows our recent launch of the Syz Family Nature Lending Library, and comprises hundreds of overstock and duplicate titles generously donated to the collection. Proceeds from the book sale will be used to grow our collection of titles by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) authors.
If you would like to donate books to the collection or to the book sale, please review the intake guidelines at our Library page and contact us.
April Break Camp for Ages 5-8
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontSpring is a great time to explore the Nature Center. Children ages 5-8 are invited to join us for a week of spring nature adventures and explorations. We’ll make art using natural materials, explore the fields and forest for signs of wildlife, try our hands at wild edible cooking and give back to the land in celebration of Earth Day.
The Impact of Trails on Wildlife (Webinar with Stowe Land Trust)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontTrail recreation is growing in popularity as more people are getting outdoors for wellness, camaraderie, and connection to the natural world. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this growth in the Stowe area and across Vermont, as more long-time residents and recent migrants have gotten out to enjoy our public and conserved lands. However, trail recreation is not ecologically neutral and leads to disturbance of forests and wildlife. What do we know about the effects trail recreation has on wildlife and how do we manage trails to minimize their disturbance? Stowe Land Trust’s Conservation Program Manager and ecologist, Meredith Naughton, will share what science can tell us and what can be done to promote access to the outdoors for everyone, along with an ecologically functional landscape.
ECO Homeschool Program (Ages 6-12) – Late Spring Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontInspired by ECO, our full-day ECO Homeschool program provides a meaningful and fun learning environment based in environmental education and a mentorship model.
Each Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons led by our talented ECO education staff. Each session will include games, songs, stories, and activities designed to help students engage with our land and the organisms who share it.
Art Gallery Reception – Art Resource Association
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontArt Gallery Reception: Central Vermont Art Resource Association April 29 | 4 - 7 pm (Drop in) (Regular exhibit hours: 8:30 - 4:30 M-F through June 27) About the Gallery: Are you eager for green? Our current art show, In the Light of Spring, is bursting with spring flowers, green leaves, fawns, and other signs…
Tree Planting Event at NBNC
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontGet involved with conservation stewardship at NBNC! We'll be planting hundreds of shrubs and trees this afternoon in partnership with Friends of the Winooski River, and we need your help!
Natural History of the North Woods with Jonathan Shapiro
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin Jonathan Shapiro of Fox Paw School for a day of North Woods natural history. We'll explore what the North Woods is, how to define it on a broad and specific scale, and spend field time talking about and observing indicator species for this special and diverse region we call home.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontTuesdays, April 5 - June 7 | 10:00 - noon | Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly 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.
Spring 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).
