events update - Note meeting change - Thursday April 12th at Athol Town Hall
Dave Small
Athol Bird & Nature Club
Field Trips & Meetings 2012
Unless otherwise noted, programs meet at
the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street, Athol.
If weather is questionable on a field trip day,
please call the trip leader at least an hour before the scheduled meeting time.
Sunday, April 8, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird & Nature Club to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Free.
Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m. The Quest for the Eastern Cougar
The Athol Bird & Nature Club’s gift to the town of Athol in celebration of its 250th anniversary, this meeting features author Robert Tougias, who explores how officially extinct cougars can be sighted – and killed – in southern New England. At Athol Town Hall, 584 Main St. Free.
Sunday, April 15, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird & Nature Club to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Free.
Tuesday, April 17, 8-10 a.m. Accessible Birding with Joe
Open to birders of all abilities and led by Joe Superchi of the Athol Bird & Nature Club. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Call ahead for wheelchair van access, 978-248-9491. Free.
Thursday, April 19, 7 p.m. Heirloom & Native Plants: A Living History
John Forti, award-winning curator of historic landscapes at Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH, will bring to life the living history of plants that have a defining presence in our region. Offered by the North Quabbin Garden Club in celebration of Athol’s 250th anniversary at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Free.
Sunday, April 22, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird & Nature Club to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Free.
Saturday, April 28, 6 a.m. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Athol Bird & Nature Club outing to this famous spring hotspot for migrating songbirds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental, 100 Main St., Athol, for carpooling at 6 a.m. or at the main gate of the Cambridge cemetery at 7:30.
Sunday, April 29, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff Johnstone of the Athol Bird & Nature Club to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Free.
Invasives & climate Change Workshop
Red Apple Farm
455 Highland Avenue, Phillipston
Saturday, April 14
9am-noon
Help track invasive species and the effects of climate change on local habitats. Presenters Stacy Kilb and John O'Keefe will explain how to spot warning signs of invasives and tabulate data on the local environment. Participants will be asked to note down observations they make on future hikes and report the data back to the US Phenological Network and to Beetle Detectives.
This Citizen Stewardship Workshop at Red Apple Farm aims to train volunteers to monitor invasives and climate change. You, too, can become a Citizen Steward and help our forests by tracking phenological change and looking for invasives in your own area.
To volunteer, or for more information, contact AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator, Aja Lippincott, at outreach_...@mountgrace.org.
April Events for the Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls, MA
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A., Turners Falls, MA 01376
From: Sarah Bevilacqua
Phone: 413-863-3221 On the web at: www.greatfallsma.org
Email: Sarah_Be...@fws.gov
For immediate release:
Great Falls Discovery Center is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.
All programs are free to the public unless otherwise noted.
April 2012
In the Great Hall: Sculptures by David Flood April 1- April 29, 2012
Friday, July 8, 2012 (7:00 - 9:00 pm)GFDC Friends Coffeehouse Series: Amandla Chorus
Amandla Chorus presents songs that celebrate our natural world, the many struggles for justice, rites of passage, and the strength of community. Amandla s songs are both rousingly joyful and deeply meditative. Our goal is to enlighten, as well as to entertain .
Doors open at 6:30 pm, concert begins at 7 pm. Refreshments are available. The museum and museum store open at intermission. Donations help the Friends support free programming at the Great Falls Discovery Center ($6 $12 suggested). The Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host local bands, singers, and musicians in the Great Hall on the second Friday of each month.
Saturday, April 14, 2012 (10:30 am 12:00pm)Second Saturday Family Series: Terrariums Join the Great Falls Discovery Center staff in making a terrarium - a miniature habitat that fits in a jar! This activity will begin with an investigation of the diverse ecosystems found in the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and then we will make our own in miniature. We encourage you to bring any special containers, plants or rocks that you would like to include.
Thursday, April 19, 2012 (7:00 - 8:30 pm)Special Event: Karner blue butterflies- Prairie Survivors Karner blue butterflies are a federally endangered butterfly species that resides in the pine barrens of Concord, NH. For over 10 years, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has been working to restore the habitat for Karner blue butterflies as well as captive rearing and releasing this small blue butterfly. Join Lindsay Webb, Wildlife Biologist, as we learn how this recovery effort has brought this population of rare butterfly back from the brink.
Friday, April 27, 2012 (10:30 - 11:30 am)Fourth Friday Young Children's Story Hour: Ant
Ants complex social habits have made them a great subject for authors throughout history. Tales of African warrior ants and leaf cutters from South America are among a few of the most interesting to us. Join the Great Falls staff for story time. This program is meant for a very young audience.
Saturday, April 28, 2012(1:00 pm - 2:15 pm)Introduction to Vernal Pools: Presented by Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team As the heavy rains of spring begin, an outstanding amount of salamanders, wood frogs and other amphibians begin to migrate to vernal pools. Join Rick Ross of the Cape Ann Vernal Pool Team for a fun and informative presentation about the importance of vernal pools and what species call this unique habitat home. This presentation will include live amphibians so you will get a chance to see an up-close view of these incredible species.
Saturday, April 28, 2012(10:30 am - 2:00 pm)Visit the Investigation Station at the Front Desk!: Metamorphosis Many animals undergo a form of metamorphosis. Come explore the journey of the butterfly as it matures and participate in a craft at our reception desk.
Northfield Mountain Recreation &Environmental Center
http://www.firstlightpower.com/northfield/default.asp
April Public Programs
Solar Open House
Sat., April 21; 1 – 3:30 p.m.
For ages 8 and older
Fee: FREE
No pre-registration required.
Tour one of the newest solar fields in Massachusetts and learn how solar power works. How do the panels turn the sun’s energy into electricity? How do Northfield’s “thin film” solar panels differ from standard silicon panels? What place does solar power play in the US energy market and what place could it play in the future? Northfield Staff will share what they have learned about this fascinating technology. The Town of Northfield Energy Committee will also be on hand to answer questions about household solar panel applications, financial incentives and what it is like to live in a home with a solar system. Dress for the weather and come at any time during the afternoon, tours will begin every fifteen minutes. Parking, a tent for gathering and the solar field tours will all take place on the west side of Route 63 (across the road from the Visitor Center).
Trail Creation Boot Camp
Sat., April 28; 9 a.m. – 12 noon
For ages 8 and older
Fee: FREE
Pre-register by calling 800-859-2960
Looking for a fitness activity in the natural world? Like working toward a shared goal with others and giving back to places you love? Participants will learn basic trail maintenance techniques using simple tools like hand saws and loppers. Put as much energy into the work as your comfort dictates and find a great new way to have fun in the woods. Names of other organizations in need of trail maintainers will be shared with those bitten by the trail worker bug! Registered participants will receive clothing and gear list. Trail snacks provided.
Project Learning Tree: Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood
Sat., April 28; 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
For educators of children ages 3 – 6
Fee: $20, includes Activity Guide and CD
Pre-register by calling 800-859-2960 or email kim....@gdfsuezna.com
This new early childhood education curriculum builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature. The activity guide, written for educators of children ages 3-6, includes over 130 experiences that engage children in outdoor play and exploration. Educators will participate in a variety of interactive, hands-on, fun-filled activities and gain experience and skills helpful for taking children outside to explore the natural world. This professional development workshop is great for teachers, camp counselors, child care providers, home school parents and other educators of young children. Taught by Tim Rayworth, Regional Environmental Education Coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and Northfield Mountain’s Kim Noyes, this workshop will take place both inside and outside. PLT is correlated to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework.
Click here for Trails Report
Our website: http://www.firstlightpower.com/northfield/default.asp
Phone: 1-800-859-2960
Email:north...@gdfsuezna.com
Dave Small
president
Athol Bird and Nature Club
Millers River Environmental Center
100 Main Street Athol Ma 01331
