April 2019
Birding Basics Class
Become a better birder! In this class, you’ll develop a breadth of knowledge and skills to better appreciate Vermont’s common and not-so-common birdlife. Identify species from sight and sound by scrutinizing field marks and decoding birdsong. Understand avian ecology and interpret behavior by exploring a wide range of habitats and natural communities. Participate in Vermont bird conservation by immersing in local avian research programs. Whether you are a backyard birdwatcher ready to expand your knowledge, or a passionate naturalist seeking…
Find out more »“Young Adventurer’s Guide” Book Launch and Party
Join us for a wilderness outdoor activity fair, book reading, and presentation to celebrate the launch of "The Young Adventurer's Guide to (Almost) Everything: Build a Fort, Camp Like a Champ, Poop in the Woods - 45 Action-Packed Outdoor Activities" with author Ben Hewitt, contributor Penny Hewitt, and illustrator Luke Bushee!
Find out more »May 2019
Friday Morning Spring Bird Walks
Weekly trips to birding hot spots around Montpelier searching for spring migrants like warblers, vireos, thrushes, and waterfowl. Led by NBNC's expert birders. Free for members. $10 non-members. See below for meeting locations: 5/3 - North Branch Nature Center 5/10 - TBD 5/17 - Berlin Pond (Meeting at public access point, Brookfield Road, Berlin VT) 5/24 - TBD 5/31 - North Branch Nature Center
Find out more »World Series of Birding (For Youth and Teens)
From midnight to midnight on Saturday, May 11th, competing birders will swarm southern New Jersey seeking as many bird species as possible in 24 hours. The World Series of Birding is the country's largest and most prestigious birding competition, and this year marks the 20th year that North Branch Nature Center's youth teams have been competing! Cape May County is an internationally-recognized birding hotspot that boasts a staggering array of birdlife and habitat diversity. Our youth team will head down to Cape…
Find out more »Spring Wild Edible Workshop
A veritable smorgasbord of edible plants are springing up across our fields and forests this time of year. Learn to identify and sustainably harvest a variety of plants and how to eat your way through some non-native species. We will cover tips and tricks to incorporate wild foods into your regular diet and some ways to extend the harvest. Led by NBNC Teacher/Naturalist and forager Ken Benton. Fee: $30 members, $35 non-members. REGISTER HERE
Find out more »June 2019
Birding in Michigan and Ohio: Kirtland’s Warbler and So Much More!
Prairie potholes, boreal bogs, enigmatic endangered warblers, birding in Michigan and Ohio has surprises around every corner. Our trip will take us to a wide variety of habitats including open prairies (Sharp-tailed Grouse, Western Meadowlark, LeConte’s Sparrow, Dickcissel), boreal forests (Spruce Grouse, Canada Jay, Connecticut Warbler), pine-oak woodlands (Kirtland’s Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Acadian Flycatcher, Red-headed Woodpecker), and unique wetlands (Yellow Rail, Black-necked Stilt, American White Pelican, Whooping Crane). A truly exciting week of Midwest birding! Trip Details Dates: June 2…
Find out more »BugFest!
This summer festival for all ages is a celebration of insects in all their amazing forms! Witness weird and wacky caterpillars, build homes for native bees, learn about pollinators and pollinator gardening, join bug walks with expert naturalists, chase fireflies in the moonlight, and enjoy a wide range of activities just for kids! Check back this spring for the full schedule.
Find out more »July 2019
Art Gallery Reception – Botanical Art by Susan Sawyer
Join us for an exhibition and celebration of artist and naturalist Susan Sawyer's wonderful botanical artwork, on display at North Branch Nature Center from July through September.
Find out more »Wild Adirondacks Trip (For Youth and Teens)
Travel into the heart of the Adirondack mountains to visit ancient boreal forests, canoe the Racquette River, and explore the alpine summit of Whiteface Mountain.
Find out more »August 2019
Montpelier Habitat Diversity Workshop with Aaron Marcus & Native Plant Trust
a hands-on opportunity to examine the biological diversity of these varied habitats. From meadows to wetlands to forests, learn how habitat diversity creates and contributes to an overarching ecosystem. Course instructed by Vermont ecologist and endangered plant specialist Aaron Marcus. This course is hosted in partnership with Native Plant Trust (Formerly the New England Wildflower Society).
Find out more »Shorebirding Quest to Plum Island, MA
A weekend with NBNC’s expert birders and naturalists enjoying sandpipers, plovers, and godwits galore at the renowned Plum Island, Massachusetts-- the perfect place to learn or perfect your shorebirding!
Find out more »September 2019
Northeast Kingdom Nature Retreat (For Youth and Teens)
Journey with youth and teen naturalists and NBNC’s expert teacher / naturalists to the wildest corner of Vermont for a weekend-long nature retreat full of rare birds, bog plants, dragonflies, brook trout, and whatever else Mother Nature has in store for us.
Find out more »Digital Nature Photography 101
New to digital photography? Eager to capture better images of the natural world? In this four-part, hands-on series, develop the foundations of a well-rounded nature photographer.
Find out more »Wild Edibles – Apple Edition
Join NBNC naturalists on a tasty exploration of re-wilded orchards to learn about the natural and cultural history of our venerable state fruit. We’ll do some wild-style apple picking, then return to the trailhead to press fresh cider and cook up our bounty. Led by NBNC naturalists and educators Sean Beckett and Ken Benton.
Find out more »Composting: the next level
Already composting but want to take it up a notch? This workshop will explore how to hot-compost, vermicomposting, bokashi composting, and strategies for composting throughout the winter. Led by Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District’s Cassandra Hemenway, a Vermont Master Composter graduate, and long-time composting educator. No registration required. See you there!
Find out more »October 2019
Photography for Naturalists Workshop
Become a better photographer by tuning into nature, and learn to harness your camera by becoming a better naturalist. In this morning workshop, we’ll blend photography techniques and naturalist skills to achieve a deeper connection with nature and capture great photographs.
Find out more »Fall Wild Edible Plants & Mushrooms
Join our foraging naturalists Ken Benton and Dave Muska for a day of learning to identify, sustainably harvest, and cook a variety of wild plants and mushrooms.
Find out more »Northern Saw-whet Owl Youth Overnight
Stay up late with NBNC educators and naturalists as we capture, tag, and release these charismatic, pint-sized predators. We’ll keep the nets open from dusk until the wee hours of the morning, using the Nature Center as our home base for catching some shut-eye before breakfast. Owls and pizza included! A fundraiser for NBNC's Young Naturalist programs.
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