February 2020
Wildlife Tracking 101
From bobcats to hawks, all animals leave sign of their activities. Join Dave Muska as he introduces you to the fundamentals of tracking and awareness to better understand the stories animals leave behind. In this class, you’ll be introduced to basic tracking skills and concepts such as clear print identification, track patterns, as well as techniques to develop your skill in tracking. This is a great class for photographers, hunters, or anyone who wishes to deepen their outdoor experience. To Bring:…
Find out more »Wildlife Tracking Tuesdays
Walk the property with NBNC naturalists in search of wildlife tracks and sign every Tuesday morning in February. This casual weekly outing is a great way to brush up on track and trail identification in a community of curious nature lovers. The NBNC property is a wildlife corridor regularly traveled by coyote, fox, deer, fisher, mink, and much more. This program is FREE for NBNC members and $10 for non-members, paid at the door. RSVP not required.
Find out more »Naturalist Journeys: The Real Eastern Coyote by Chris Schadler
North Branch Nature Center's annual presentation series featuring the breathtaking travels and fascinating research of naturalists around the world. Fridays at 7 pm at North Branch Nature Center. Admission by donation.
Find out more »Full Moon Family Snowshoe
Under a full moon and surrounded by sparkling snow, let’s snowshoe by lunar light! Nighttime naturalist activities for families will illuminate how wildlife survives the long winter nights while meandering the North Branch Nature Center fields and forests. Snowshoes and hot chocolate provided. FREE for NBNC members or $10 for non-members paid at the start of the program. ***UPDATE: The 1/11 SNOWSHOE PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO POOR WEATHER*** REGISTER HERE
Find out more »Winter Willows: Nature Retreat for Girls
A youth naturalist retreat just for 4th-8th grade girls! Join us in exploring the wintery world of the Northeast Kingdom’s Nulhegan Basin. Animal tracking, herbal dream pillows by the fire, snowshoeing or skiing in the woods, spruce needle biscuits on the wood stove, and star gazing might be on our agenda! 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. Led by NBNC’s naturalist educators…
Find out more »Winter Birding in the Champlain Valley
The Champlain Valley is one of New England’s premier inland destinations for March birdwatching. Join expert birder and NBNC Teacher Naturalist Zac Cota 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. Shared spotting scopes provided. Departs from NBNC at 8:00 AM and Burlington at 8:45. Carpooling arrangements will be coordinated by NBNC. $30 NBNC members /…
Find out more »Naturalist Journeys: 7,000 Miles to a Wilderness Ethic by Tyler Socash
North Branch Nature Center's annual presentation series featuring the breathtaking travels and fascinating research of naturalists around the world. Fridays at 7 pm at North Branch Nature Center. Admission by donation.
Find out more »Winter Wild Edibles
For those willing to get a little frosty, there is no need to pack up your foraging baskets during the cold winter months. Bundle up and join teacher naturalist Ken Benton as we learn to identify and sustainably harvest a variety of wild foods from the surrounding landscape. We’ll bake with spruce, fir, and pine needles and sip on a warm mug of chaga chai or refreshing birch beer as we try our hand at making ice cream from snow. Children must be accompanied by adults. Cancellation Policy:…
Find out more »March 2020
Seabirds and Pelagic Birding Boat Trip in Cape Ann, MA
Seabirds and Pelagic Birding Boat Trip in Cape Ann, MA March 6 (10 am) to March 8 (3 pm) $425 ($75 single supplement) Cape Ann, Massachusetts, is a worldwide destination for winter birds and birders. This annual winter adventure is an outstanding opportunity to spend quality time with species rarely, if ever, seen inland. This trip is not only about discovering rare species by land and sea, but about watching, enjoying, and studying seabirds among a community of like-minded nature…
Find out more »Naturalist Journeys: Pre-settlement Forests of the Northeast by Charlie Cogbill
North Branch Nature Center's annual presentation series featuring the breathtaking travels and fascinating research of naturalists around the world. Fridays at 7 pm at North Branch Nature Center. Admission by donation.
Find out more »Intermediate Wildlife Tracking
Intermediate Wildlife Tracking March 7 | 9 am - 3 pm $45 | Ages 16+ Join 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,…
Find out more »Trekkers & Explorers After-School Program (Spring 2020)
Let your kids be kids on Wednesday afternoons at NBNC. Our Explorers (1st - 3rd grade) and Trekkers (4th - 8th grade) programs offer kids time to explore the woods and fields, play stealth and awareness games, and learn outdoor skills with their peers. One week your child might forage for wild edibles and cook over an open fire, while the next week might find them deep in the woods, building shelters, and using the local landscape to practice outdoor living skills such as tracking and fire-starting. Thoughtful and loosely directed play in the woods helps kids develop a sense of place while unwinding with a peer group.
Find out more »Naturalist Journeys: The Moose of Isle Royale and Yellowstone by Ky Koitzsch
North Branch Nature Center's annual presentation series featuring the breathtaking travels and fascinating research of naturalists around the world. Fridays at 7 pm at North Branch Nature Center. Admission by donation.
Find out more »Chili & Churros: Fundraiser for Young Naturalists’ Birding Trip to Texas
Please join us for an evening to great food and entertainment to support NBNC's Young Naturalists' upcoming trip to the Great Texas Birding Classic! Tickets Required.
Find out more »April 2020
The History and Ecology of the Poultney River: How a Bay Became a River
The lower Poultney River bordering West Haven, VT and Whitehall, NY is one of the most ecologically diverse rivers in New England. It is home to endangered fish and mussels, provides spawning habitat for Lake Champlain fishes, and is surrounded by an equally diverse landscape of wetlands and forests found on lands, mostly owned by The Nature Conservancy. However, this landscape has changed over time-- the river that we see today is a product of dramatic geological changes that occurred 240 years ago. With the ecological value of the river as a backdrop, this talk brings together human history and geological documentation from the 1700’s and 1800’s to tell a remarkable story of change: how what we now know as an ecologically valuable small river was once the head of a navigable bay of Lake Champlain.
Find out more »Gallery Opening: “Biophilia” by Nick Neddo
Biophilia is a new exploration along one of the most consistent themes of Neddo’s artwork: our relationship to the natural world, our ancestors and the skills held in their ancient hands. This is a multi-disciplinary exhibit that features sculptural forms woven with willow and papier mache, as well as paintings, prints, and drawings, all made with tools and materials crafted directly from the natural landscape. The paintings are created with handmade paintbrushes with paint made from stones; the drawings are created with handmade pens and inks from a variety of botanical sources; the work itself is an invitation to go inward towards one’s own wildness, as well as a beckoning to remember how to learn from the wild outside.
Find out more »Book Launch Party: “Organic Artist for Kids” by Nick Neddo
Join us for this family-friendly book launch and activities fair featuring Nick Neddo's new book, "The Organic Artist for Kids."
Find out more »April Break Camp 2020
Join us for 1, 2, or 3 days of spring nature adventures and activities. Activities will flow with the weather. The day could include making art with natural materials, cooking and eating wild edibles, celebrating Earth Day with tree plantings, going on a treasure hunt to find the Secret of the Snow Goose, or possibly travelling to another time to investigate winter mysteries. This April break, children will make art with natural materials, explore the fields and forest, cook and (safely!) eat wild edibles, and immerse in the transition from winter to spring.
Find out more »Climate Crisis: Facing Uncertainties with Vision
Join climate scientist Dr. Alan Betts in this presentation, a part of Facing the Climate Crisis: a lecture series about climate change and resilient communities. This program is hosted by Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Central Vermont Climate Action / 350VT.org, Hunger Mountain Coop, and Extinction Rebellion - Central Vermont. The uncertainties in what will happen are large. Equally large are the uncertainties in whether we will have the collective imagination and vision to create a sustainable future for our societies in the…
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