events update
Dave Small
Sunday, April 15, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff as he explores the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Meet at the Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052.
Tuesday, April 17, 8-10 a.m. Accessible Birding with Joe
Join Joe Superchi on this, the third Tuesday of this month (instead of his usual second) in a search for birds at local sites. Open to birders of all abilities. Meet at the Center. Call ahead for wheelchair van access, 978-248-9491.
Sunday, April 22, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff as he explores the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Meet at the Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052.
Saturday, April 28, 6 a.m. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Visit this beautiful historic cemetery, a famous spring hotspot for migrating songbirds. Meet at the Center for carpooling at 6 a.m. or at the gate at 7:30 a.m. (Let us know if you’ll be meeting us at the gate.) If time allows, we’ll also visit the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Info: Joan or Larry Duprey, 978-249-4964.
Sunday, April 29, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff as he explores the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Meet at the Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052.
Friday, May 4, 8:45 a.m. Friday Mornings with Earle
Join naturalist Earle Baldwin in exploring some of his favorite places – this time Thousand Acre Dam and Little Falls. Meet at the Center. Rain cancels. Info: Earle Baldwin, earleb...@gmail.com or 978-249 2539. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Saturday, May 5, 6:30 a.m. Annual Northfield Birding Trip
Bob Coyle and Mark Taylor lead us on ABNC's traditional excursion to Northfield in search of spring migrants. Meet at the Center at 6:30 a.m. or join us at the country club parking lot in Northfield at 9 a.m. Severe weather cancels. Info: Bob Coyle, 978-249-6083.
Sunday, May 6, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff as he explores the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Meet at the Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052.
Tuesday, May 8, 8-10 a.m. Accessible Birding with Joe
Join Joe Superchi on the second Tuesday of the month visiting local sites. Open to birders of all abilities. Meet at the Center. Call ahead for wheelchair van access, 978-248-9491.
<<>> Wednesday, May 9, 7 p.m. Aquatic Invasives
Join us here at the Center for our regular meeting, when Paula Packard, aquatic biologist for the Quabbin Reservoir, will discuss the threat of aquatic invasive species. She will identify the most worrisome species, their impacts on ecosystems, and efforts to minimize their spread.
Friday, May 11, 8:45 a.m. Friday Mornings with Earle
Join naturalist Earle Baldwin in learning more about the ravens of Page Pond. Meet at the Center. Rain cancels. Info: Earle Baldwin, earleb...@gmail.com or 978-249 2539. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Saturday, May 12, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Bearsden: Round Top and Sheep Rock
Dan Bolton will lead this six-mile moderate hike through Athol’s premier conservation land. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012. Discover the Duck Pond, and see great views from Round Top and the Sheep Rock lookout tower. Meet at the Bearsden parking area at the end of Bearsden Rd., Athol. Bring water and lunch, and dress for the weather, including good footwear. Info: Dan Bolton, 978-895-3979. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Saturday, May 12, 7 p.m, - late night Reception, Book Signing & Moths
Meet one of the new Peterson Field Guide to Moths authors Seabrooke Leckie for a potluck reception and moth night at Dave and Shelley’s house, 1542 Pleasant St., Athol, to search for Lunas, underwings, silkmoths and other night flying insects. Info: Dave Small, 978-413-1772 or Da...@dhsmall.net.
Sunday, May 13, 7 a.m. “Early Bird” Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff as he explores the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Meet at the Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052.
Friday, May 18, 8:45 a.m. Friday Mornings with Earle
Join naturalist Earle Baldwin in exploring the Newton Reservoir spillway to Buckman Brook. Meet at the Center. Rain cancels. Info: Earle Baldwin, earleb...@gmail.com or 978-249 2539. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Saturday, May 19, 7 a.m. Joan & Larry & the Birds of Athol
This excursion around Newton Reservoir will be led by expert birders Joan and Larry Duprey. Meet at the Center. Heavy rain cancels. Info: Larry Duprey, 978-235-6581 or Larry_...@hotmail.com. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Sunday, May 20, 7 a.m. Jeff and the Birds of Athol
Join Jeff as he explores Athol for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Meet at Center. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Friday, May 25, 8:45 a.m. Friday Mornings with Earle
Join naturalist Earle Baldwin in exploring a forgotten road from a fisherman’s kiosk to Raven Trestle and the Burned River Plain. Meet at the Center. Rain cancels. Info: Earle Baldwin, earleb...@gmail.com or 978-249 2539. Part of ABNC’s celebration of Athol 2012.
Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m.-12 noon Dragonflies & Damselflies for Families
Join educator Rachel Roberts and naturalist David Small here at the Center to learn about dragonflies and damselflies. The class includes story time with a featured book and multiple hands-on art and science activity stations. Weather permitting, we will drive to a nearby body of water for a look at habitat – so dress appropriately and have transportation available. Free and open to the public, this class is geared towards families with young children but has activities all ages can enjoy. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Athol Local Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Saturday, June 9, 1 p.m. Dragonflies along the Millers River
Meet naturalists David Small and Lula Field here at the Center for an afternoon of intensive dragonfly searching. Participants should bring snacks, insect net, and a sense of adventure; be prepared for wet feet. Children welcome with adult. Severe weather cancels. Info: Dave Small, 978-413-1772 or Da...@dhsmall.net. Note: Families participating in the morning class are welcome to double-up on their adventures!
WORKSHOP WILL TEACH VOLUNTEERS TO MONITOR FOR CLIMATE CHANGE, INVASIVE SPECIES
Saturday, April 14th, Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust will offer a Citizen Stewardship Workshop at Red Apple Farm from 9 to noon to train volunteers to monitor invasive species and climate change. John O’Keefe from Harvard Forest will train participants in tracking how plant and animal life cycles are influenced by climate change—the study of phenology.
“Volunteers are an essential part of gathering this sort of information,” says O’Keefe. “Credentials or a scientific background are not as important as the willingness to observe and accurately record; and we are happy to help provide volunteers with an understanding of what’s required so they can help.”
Stacy Kilb, Asian Longhorned Beetle Outreach Coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, will be available to teach how to help prevent the spread of invasive plants and insects. “To ensure the long term health of the forests on and around Mount Grace, it is vital that people learn how to recognize the signs of Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer damage and know how and where to report possible sightings” says Kilb. The Asian Longhorned Beetle has been found as nearby as Holden.
The event is sponsored by Mount Grace, the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, and Red Apple Farm.
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 MassLIFT-AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator, Aja Lippincott at outreach_...@mountgrace.org. The Massachusetts Land Initiative for Tomorrow (MassLIFT-AmeriCorps) is a collaboration of regional land trusts designed to meet critical community needs for land protection. The program expands on Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust's Common Ground Initiative, which was created in 2008 in partnership with Massachusetts' Commonwealth Corps. MassLIFT is an AmeriCorps program funded in part by a $260,000 grant provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service and administered by the Massachusetts Service Alliance.
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
