The Winter Finch Forecast with Tyler Hoar – Naturalist Journeys Online Presentation Series
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontThis presentation dives into the art and science of the Winter Finch Forecast. Tyler will provide an overview of each winter finch species, their current movements, and where we'll expect them to show up in the Northeast this season. From crossbills to grosbeaks and siskins to redpolls, the nomadic movements of winter finches depends on the interplay of weather, cone production, insect distributions, logging regimes, and more. This talk will also share a brief history of the Winter Finch Forecast, how it’s compiled and goals going forward.
Christmas Bird Count – 61st Annual Plainfield Circle
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin the nation's largest and longest-running citizen science project. The Christmas Bird Count, organized by the National Audubon Society, has been getting birdwatchers outside recording species in their backyards and towns for over a century! This project has become a powerful tool for understanding the rise and fall of bird populations over time. NBNC organizes and compiles the Plainfield count, which encompasses a 7.5-mile radius around Plainfield, including the towns of Montpelier, East Montpelier, Calais, Orange, Barre, Plainfield, and Marshfield. One of the oldest circles in Vermont, this count has occurred annually since 1960! The Plainfield count occurs on Saturday, December 18.
Nature Book Club – Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin us as we read Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass, and discuss an indigenous perspective on connecting to the natural world, botany, and teaching. We will meet bi-weekly through January and February, and discuss different sections of the book at each meeting. Led by NBNC Teacher-Naturalist Fiona Modrak.
“Spooning” with Nature – 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 Teacher-Naturalist Ken Benton
Willow: A Beaver’s Tale with Patti Smith – Naturalist Journeys Online Presentation Series
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontFollow the life of Willow, the remarkable matriarch of a beaver colony on a wild brook in southeastern Vermont. Naturalist Patti Smith has spent over a decade with Willow's clan, documenting their trials and triumphs. During this presentation she will share the stories, pictures and videos that celebrate this beaver and the world she created. Along the way, meet Terrible Jack, a lonely moose, and other wildlife drawn to the habitat created by the beavers.
Game Cameras for Wildlife Photography – A hybrid course
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontParticipants will learn to use game cameras to capture images of Vermont wildlife. The course will cover basics from equipment and setup to particular strategies to meet particular goals, be that photographing one particular species or a broad backyard species inventory. We'll review concepts important for successful camera trapping during Thursday evening webinars, then put those concepts into practice during Saturday morning hikes at NBNC. This course is intended for beginners, though would be good practice for those with some experience who are hoping to improve their results. Instructed by NBNC Teacher-Naturalist Pete Kerby-Miller.
Winter Discovery Hike for Families – CANCELLED due to weather
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontCANCELLED DUE TO EXTREME TEMPERATURES. JOIN US IN FEBRUARY INSTEAD! December 19, January 15, February 19 10:30 - noon | Free! - Registration required For families with children ages 6 and up Come explore nature in a new way! Imagine yourself as an ant and take a "microscopic" hike into the leaf litter. Explore your…
The Real Dirt on Truffles with Rowan Jacobsen – Naturalist Journeys Online Presentation Series
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontTruffles are the world’s most mysterious and expensive food, but they are also an essential part of the forest ecosystem, linking trees and animals in a web of relationship that extends from the forest floor to the human communities around the world that depend on truffles for their livelihoods and celebrate them in their culinary traditions. Join award-winning writer Rowan Jacobsen on this deep dive into the world of truffles, from Italy and Istria to the wilds of the Northeast.
Winter Wildlife Tracking Institute with Dave Muska and Jonathan Shapiro
North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VermontJoin naturalists/trackers Jonathan Shapiro of Fox Paw School and Dave Muska of North Branch Nature Center for a three-month wildlife tracking immersion! Participants will deepen their tracking and trailing skills through expert field instruction and independent study in a shared community of practice. Students will leave with richer skills in identifying and interpreting animal trails, and a deeper connection to our wild neighbors.
