Programs & Events

Winter/Spring 2010

Help us to accomodate you!
Call 802-229-6206 for more info and to pre-register

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Preschool Discovery Program
Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Fee: $5 per child ages 3-5
Family members may remain on site as much as they would like. Each Tuesday program will be repeated the next day. Some scholarships available. You may download a flier for print with descriptions of each session.
    March 9 & 10 - “Tuning in Our Senses”
    March 23 & 24 - “Tap that Tree”
    April 6 & 7 - “A Salamander's Cycle”
    April 13 & 14 - “Returning Red-wings"
    May 12 & 13 - “Lovely Llamas”  *Note different days (Wed. and Thurs.), field trip involved
    May 25 & 26 - “The Wonder of Wildflowers”

Amphibian Monitoring Program Training Session
See dates below
Fee: Free
For the sixth year, NBNC will host trainings around Vermont to educate communities about a little-known mass migration that takes place each spring in which thousands of amphibians flock from their wintering sites in forest uplands to vernal pools and other wetlands to breed. It’s spring fever for amphibians! But these creatures need help getting across roads that lead to high mortality. Come to one of our trainings and learn how you can be part of this volunteer effort. No registration necessary.
    Wednesday, March 10, 6:30pm - South Hero Community Library, South Hero, VT
    Tuesday, March 30, 6:30pm - North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, VT
    Wednesday, March 31, 6:30pm - General Wait House, 4061 Main St., Waitsfield, VT

The Nature of Vermont’s Long Trail
Friday, March 12, 7:00 pm (at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier)
Fee: donations welcome, food and beverages available
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.

North Branch Mushroom Club: Arctic Fungi & Winter Polypores (Lecture)
Saturday, March 13, 10:00 a.m.       
Fee: free
Dr. Lawrence Millman, scientific advisor for the North Branch Mushroom Club, will suggest some possible ecological activities for the newly formed Club. Then he will give a presentation on Arctic fungi, focusing at once on fungal adaptations to the cold and the degree to which
Arctic fungi might be affected by global warming.

North Branch Mushroom Club: Arctic Fungi & Winter Polypores (Field Trip)
Saturday, March 13, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $25 members, $30 nonmembers
Dr. Millman will cure your mycological cabin fever by leading a winter mushroom foray. Possible sightings might include over-wintering polypores, small cup fungi, pretzel slime molds, and maybe even a few overlooked rarities. Don't expect to find edibles (unless you're a squirrel)!

Naturally Nicaragua Dinner
Saturday, March 13, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Fee: $10 adult or take-out, $5 child
at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier (130 Main St.)
Come join local youth for a dinner to benefit their trip to Nicaragua. This evening will be a wonderful celebration of the Nicaraguan culture! Teens will create a wonderful
meal of enchiladas, rice and beans, salad, and dessert. Join us throughout the night for entertainment including Jairo Sequeira, playing traditional Latin American music, a fabulous band from Northfield HS and Planting Hope, presenting about their February trip. Also, don’t miss out on the silent auction, with unique items from generous area businesses!

Confronting the Coffee Crisis
Friday, April 2, 7:00 pm (at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier)
Fee: donations welcome, food and beverages available
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.

Vermont Vernal Pool Mapping Project Training Workshop
Thursday April 29, 5pm-8pm,
Fee: Free
The Vermont Center for Ecostudies and Arrowwood Environmental, in partnership with NBNC, will host this training session for people interested in volunteering with the statewide Vernal Pool Mapping Project.  VCE biologist Steve Faccio and Arrowwood ecologist Michael Lew-Smith will start the evening off with a brief  introduction to vernal pools: What they are, how to recognize them, why they're important, and why we need to map them.  They will also discuss the mapping project and how volunteers can get involved.  The group will then venture outdoors to visit an active vernal pool during the height of the amphibian breeding season, and review field protocols for the Vernal Pool Mapping Project.

Spring Migration Bird Walks
Fridays, April 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4; 7:00-8:30 a.m.           
Fee: $5, free for members
Explore NBNC and other local birding hot spots for spring migrants, such as warblers, vireos, thrushes and waterfowl. Call for directions to meeting locations.
    April 30  North Branch Nature Center                            
    May 7     Berlin Pond, parking area at north end                          
    May 14   New Shelter, Hubbard Park, Montpelier
    May 21   North Branch Nature Center
    May 28   Vermont Granite Museum, Barre
    June 4    Sparrow Farm, East Montpelier

Family Activity Days - New!
1st and 3rd Saturdays, May 1 & 15, June 5 & 19
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Fee: $5 adults, free for kids
Come join us for some family-friendly fun in the outdoors…
May 1   8:30 a.m.   Berlin Pond Birdwalk
            1:00 p.m.   Green Up Day & Intro to Geocaching
May 15 9:00-11:00 a.m.   Int’l Migratory Bird Day Walk
            11:00-12:00 p.m.   Mother-Daughter Nature Walk
June 5  Green and Growing: Plants of the Field and Forest
June 19 Butterflies & Friends: Exploring the World of Bugs

Bogs of Vermont with Charles Johnson
Friday, May 7, 7:00 p.m.
Fee: $3 members, $5 nonmembers
Enter into the realm of amazing plants and animals forced to adapt to a limiting environment with Charles Johnson, author of Bogs of the Northeast.  He will explain the origins of fens and bogs, the systems that function in them, and share about wonderful bog species like the pitcher plant.

Chickering Bog Wildflower Walk
Sunday, May 8, 8:30 a.m. –1:00 p.m.
Fee:  $12 members, $15 non-members
Spring wildflowers bloom and fade during a short period of time before tree foliage limits their sunlight. This time of year the variety of wildflower species found in Chickering Bog is rich. We’ll take a walk through this unique site with expert naturalists to observe the wonders of wildflowers and other fauna and flora in the bog.  We will carpool from NBNC. Bring waterproof footgear, snacks and water.

Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk
Sunday, May 9, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Fee: $5 adults, free for moms and members
Come join us on a wonderful walk for all ages on this day to honor the beauty that lies within our mothers and the wildflowers that surround us. We’ll take a walk through the meadows and woods along the North Branch to view our beautiful spring flora first hand and learn the folklore behind names of the ephemeral wildflowers. Moms, families, plant lovers - and even dads -  are invited to join us on this easy and enjoyable walk.

Drawing from the Natural World
Wednesdays, May 12, 19, & 26, 5:00 - 7:15 p.m.
Fee: $65 members, $70 nonmembers
Do you love to draw but don't remember to take the time, or wish you could draw but need a bit of encouragement and instruction? This short series will get you going, as the weather warms and we all want to spend more time outside. Bring your own sketchbook (we'll recommend one when you register), and borrow the instructor's tools. Taught by artist-naturalist Susan Sawyer of S. Woodbury.

Women’s Spring Nature Retreat
Friday - Sunday, May 21 - 23   
Fee: $235 members, $250 nonmembers
Spring is a wondrous time of new growth. Join naturalists and other women  for a weekend retreat in cabins at Wheeler Pond in Barton, VT. We welcome any woman looking to develop her naturalist skills and connect with others passionate about nature. Enjoy workshops and guided hikes with renowned naturalists, nature drawing and journaling in a strikingly beautiful north woods setting.  Meals included. Register by May 14.  

Nature Summer Day Camps 2010
Day Camps for Curious Kids, Ages 3 to 15
Forest and pond explorations, games, hikes, live animals, nature study, crafts, friends and fun! For over 10 years, NBNC has been offering fun, exciting and educational nature camps for children and now offer more options for older kids! Catching frogs, watching hawks, following grasshoppers, making new frineds - isn't this just what a child's summer should be? For more information and to regsiter, visit our Summer Camps page.

Please call 229-6206 for more info and to register

Spring Programs Now Posted!

Please check out our listing of spring programs which include an amazing line-up for all ages, pre-K through adult. Also be sure to check out our Feather Questers youth birding opportunities!

Summer Camp Registration is Open!
Day Camps for Curious Kids, Ages 3 to 15

Forest and pond explorations, games, hikes, live animals,nature study, crafts, friends and fun! For over 10years, NBNC has been offering fun, exciting and educational nature camps for children and now offer more options for older kids! Catching frogs, watching hawks, following grasshoppers, making new frineds - isn't this just what a child's summer should be? For more information and to regsiter, visit our Summer Camps page.

Naturalist Journeys
Lecture & Slideshow Series

Our complete listing of speakers for this exciting, annual event is now posted on the Naturalist Journeys website.

Naturally Nicaragua
A Teen Natural History & Service Learning Trip
April 16-26, 2010

North Branch Nature Center & Planting Hope are collaborating to bring you a brand new trip to experience both the nature and culture of Nicaragua. This trip is open to teens ages 13+ (13 - 15 must be accompanied by a parent).

For more information, and to register, please visit our Naturally Nicaragua Page.