All programs start at 7:00 pm at the Unitarian Church on Main Street in Montpelier, across from the Kellogg-Hubbard Library

Donations welcomed.
Food and beverages will be available.

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Friday, January 22
In Search of the Original Forests of Vermont

While studying forest dynamics in New Hampshire in the 1970s, forest ecologist Charlie Cogbill became interested in better understanding how human activity has affected our woodlands.  To answer this question, Cogbill has spent much of his career studying forests which have long since vanished.  His research has culminated in an image of our region’s forests before European settlement, which will both fascinate and surprise us.

Friday, February 12
Lake Champlain: A Natural History

Lake Champlain has been described as the jewel of New England.  Mike Winslow, staff scientist for the Lake Champlain Committee, will provide an overview of the history of the lake, forces that act on it, and historic and on-going management efforts drawing from the organization’s award winning book, Lake Champlain: A Natural History.

Friday, March 5
Dark Side of the Loon

The eerie calls and striking black and white plumage of the common loon captivate those of us who spend time on northern lakes and ponds between April and October. Then the loons disappear. Quiet descends. Where do they go? How do they survive in winter? Vermont Loon Biologist of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, Eric Hanson, will host the showing of this new documentary exploring the wintering life of loons by Wolcott filmmaker and producer, Gail Osherenko.

Friday March 12
The Nature of Vermont’s Long Trail

Vermont’s Long Trail inspires a sense of awe in those who hike it with scenic views, abundant wildlife, and unique ecosystems found nowhere else in the state.  A veteran long -distance hiker, Lexi Shear has through-hiked the 2,700-mile Pacific Crest Trail and section-hiked the 273-mile Long Trail. Lexi, who teaches biology at Monteplier High School, has also authored the Nature Guide to Vermont’s Long Trail, which will be the topic of her presentation.

Friday April 2
Confronting the Coffee Crisis

Our morning cups of coffee connect us to a global industry and an export crisis in the tropics that is destroying livelihoods, undermining the cohesion of families and communities, and threatening ecosystems.  These disturbing problems and their possible solutions are the subject of research for UVM assistant professor Ernesto Mendez, who will lead a presentation based on his book, Confronting the coffee crisis: sustaining livelihoods and ecosystems in Mexico and Central America.

NBNC Thanks Our Sponsors

Hunger Mountain Coop

For more information about these and other programs and events contact NBNC at info@northbranchnaturecenter.org