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.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontRobin’s Nest Nature Playgroup is a free, weekly activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
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.
Branch Out Loud 2024
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontMontpelier Chamber Orchestra & North Branch Nature Center present an evening of music and food to benefit LGBTQ youth programs and composers on August 13th from 5-7 pm.
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!
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
Fall Birding at North Branch Nature Center
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontFridays in September. 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). All fall outings take place at NBNC.
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.
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup (Fall Season)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontA free activity for families to gather, learn, and play in nature.
ECO Homeschool (Aged 6 – 12) Early Fall Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontEach Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will learn by doing, using all five senses to engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons while directly engaging with the natural world and the organisms that we share this land with.
Trekkers & Explorers Afterschool Program (Fall 2024)
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLet your kids be kids at NBNC. Our Explorers and Trekkers programs offer kids time to explore the woods and fields, play stealth and awareness games, and learn outdoor skills with their peers. Both age groups (1st-3rd and 4th-8th grade) focus on learning by doing, using all five senses. Thoughtful and loosely directed play in the woods helps kids develop a sense of place while unwinding with a peer group. Through cooperative games, exploration of various habitats, and team-building challenge projects, Trekkers and Explorers build a communal love for the outdoors, making NBNC the place to be after school!
Book Launch: Turning Stones – Discovering the Life of Water by Declan McCabe
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontTurning Stones is a careful look at the mysteries and life that can be found in a river if you just the take the time to look. The more than 50 short essays gathered in this volume provide an astounding look at the rich diversity of life that depends on water.
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.
Monthly Birding Outing (Berlin Pond)
A casual morning of birding for all interests and experience levels at various locations around the Montpelier area. Spend time enjoying our resident wild birds!
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.
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.
Owl Banding Youth Overnight
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontStay up late with NBNC educators and naturalists as we capture, tag, and release these charismatic pint-sized predators. Owls and pizza included!
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.
ECO Homeschool (Aged 6 – 12) Late Fall Session
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontEach Monday, the woods and fields of North Branch Nature Center will be our classroom, where students will learn by doing, using all five senses to engage with the landscape through standards-based lessons while directly engaging with the natural world and the organisms that we share this land with.
Monthly Birding Outing (NBNC)
A casual morning of birding for all interests and experience levels at various locations around the Montpelier area. Spend time enjoying our resident wild birds!
Art Gallery Reception – Wool and Water
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontPlease join us at North Branch Nature Center for an evening celebrating our fall art exhibit, Wool and Water. Tour the gallery, meet Michale Glennon, the organizer of this collaborative project and creator of many of the pieces, and enjoy some light refreshments.
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.
Monthly Birding Outing (Berlin Pond)
A casual morning of birding for all interests and experience levels at various locations around the Montpelier area. Spend time enjoying our resident wild birds!
Hide Tanning Demonstration
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontLearn about the art, science, history, and practice of hide tanning.
Visiting Teacher Naturalist Open House with Dr. Opeyemi Parham
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontStop the NBNC Yurt between 10 am - 3 pm for a series of activities lead by Visiting Teacher Naturalist, Dr. Opeyemi Parham! This day will feature crafting paper cranes, sharing books and stories, as well as time for song.
Vermont Almanac Vol. V: Book Launch & Celebration
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin us to celebrate the release of Volume V of the Vermont Almanac! Meet the editors and many of the book’s contributors, listen to readings from the book by authors, and enjoy a panel discussion on the year that was in rural Vermont. Registration Required.
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.
How to Love a Forest: Discussion and Book Launch with Ethan Tapper
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontIn How to Love a Forest, forester and author Ethan Tapper helps us reimagine what forests are and what it means to care for them. This evening will feature readings, presentation, and an interview with NBNC staff.
Visiting Teacher Naturalist Open House with Dr. Opeyemi Parham
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThis open house with Visiting Teacher Naturalist, Dr. Opeyemi Parham will provide the opportunity to connect around the ideas of healing artists through nature connection.
Visiting Teacher Naturalist Open House with Dr. Opeyemi Parham
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThis gathering time in the yurt with Visiting Teacher Naturalist, Dr. Opeyemi Parham will include a noon - 1 pm Hour of Song. Join together to sing and connect.
