What We're All About

We're a 28-acre reserve along the North Branch of the Winooski River -- and much, much more:

Nature Programs for All Ages - From events for preschoolers to overnight retreats for adult naturalists, we connect people of all ages to the natural world. See our programs listing for details.

Summer Nature Camps - The North Branch Nature Center has been offering fun, exciting and educational nature camps for children for more than 10 years. Catching frogs, watching hawks, following grasshoppers, making new friends - isn’t this just what a child’s summer should be?

Trails - Walk our trail along the North Branch of the Winooski or extend your hike into Hubbard Park or North Branch River Park. You can even hook up with the East Montpelier trail network.

Naturalist Journeys Winter Lecture Series - The line-up for our fourth annual lecture and slideshow series has been announced.

Teen Naturalist/Birding Program - Are you a teen with an interest in birds? Join us and other teens for birding adventures near and far! Apply to join our World Series of Birding youth team.

Amphibian Monitoring Program - Become a citizen scientist and volunteer salamander crossing guard. This coming spring we'll be looking for volunteers to help monitor and protect migrating amphibians.

Field Trips for Schools - Teachers can check out options for visiting school groups. It's a great opportunity to get your class out of the classroom! Or inquire about having a naturalist/educator visit your school.

 

Make an Online Donation
and learn more ways you can support NBNC

 

Chip Darmstadt
Executive Director
When Chip is not on the phone or in a meeting, he's eagerly exploring
everything from sedges to sandpipers. He received his masters degree from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, where he studied people's attitudes towards snakes. A father of three boys, Chip and his wife Alisa live in Middlesex. Chip is a 24-hour naturalist: By day, he can be focused on birds or botany. And at night he's a skilled stargazer. Chip's latest obsessions include butterflies and lichens. Contact Chip.

Sandal Cate
Nature Center Educator
Sandal joined NBNC for one year as an AmeriCorps member after 32 years in public education. Now she works part time as one of our environmental educators. She loves sharing her knowledge of Vermont's natural history through trail walks and activities at the Center. She ties in Vermont's history and her love of literature with nature lore whenever possible. No outdoor discovery is too big, small, weird or wonderful to overlook in her estimation. Sandal's favorite wildflower, the common blue-eyed grass, is a treasure worth seeking every summer. Contact Sandal.

Amy Butler
Nature Center Educator
Amy Butler has been connecting adults and children with natural world for 18 years. A love of storytelling, native plants, tracking, hiding in the forest, and colorful treetop birds has inspired her work as a teacher and naturalist. With much of her time spent outside, Amy has honed her ear to the song and language of birds which has helped her to expand the joy of birding for all ages. Amy's work with NBNC began in the fall of 2010 with her work on Nature Adventure Program at Union Elementary School. Her latest project involves playing with small children in a forest preschool at NBNC. Contact Amy.

Zach Johnston
Educator, AmeriCorps member
Zach recently graduated from Johnson State College double majoring in Outdoor Education and Political Science.    His love for teaching nature to children stemmed from his experiences in Boy Scouts and his work at the Enfield Child Development Center  in his home town of Enfield, CT.  Zach enjoys running, hiking and biking. His current work at NBNC includes youth education such as Forest Preschool and the Nature Discovery Program at the High Gate Apartment Complex in Barre. Contact Zach.

Larry Clarfeld
Nature Center Educator
Larry is a recent graduate of the University of Vermont (major in Mathematics), but has been hanging around nature centers for most his life. When we hired Larry, we were also lucky enough to "acquire" Sheela, his pet Ball Python. After serving as an AmeriCorps member at NBNC, Larry now coordinates our Youth Birding and Amphibian Monitoring Programs. Contact Larry.

Board of Directors and Advisors

Deborah Black, Plainfield
Michele Childs, Montpelier
Pat Cox-Sainsbury, Moretown
Chip Darmstadt, Montpelier
Linda Henzel, Montpelier
Charles Johnson, East Montpelier
Dick Mansfield, N. Middlesex
Louanne Nielsen, Jericho
Rick Paradis, Middlesex
Scott Sainsbury, Moretown
Laury Saligman, Montpelier
Jeff Schuman, Montpelier
Linda Setchell, Montpelier
Carolyn Silsby, Montpelier
Peter Watt, Montpelier