Vermont Institute of Natural Science
Autumn Events Calendar

In Woodstock, Vermont
At Bragdon Preserve

A Monumental Exploration
When: Saturday, September 11, 9 am to noon
Meeting Place: Coolidge Historical Site, Plymouth Notch, VT
Fee: member $8, nonmember $10 (adults only)
Rich in history, the President Coolidge State Historic Site is also home to
a wide variety of plants and wildlife. From bitterns and beavers to moose
tracks and marsh marigolds, there are always new discoveries to be made.
We'll start the morning with a tour of the homestead and exhibits
(including the museum, gardens, the Wilder antique barn, and the Aldrich
House), many of which contain their original furnishings. Then we'll head
off along the nature trails through open hilltop meadows and along the
beaver pond, to see what we can discover in the way of flora and fauna.
Bring a brown bag lunch for a picnic and a little pocket money for the
store and cheese factory!

An Afternoon of Falconry
When: Saturday, September 11, 2 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Woodstock
Fee: Adults: $15 member, $20 nonmember
Back by popular demand, this is a unique and up-close opportunity to share
in the magic of flight. Mike Cox, director of the Vermont Raptor Center and
licensed falconer, will present this special afternoon of falconry,
starting with a slide show introduction and culminating with a stunning
outdoor exhibition of trained birds of prey in flight. Participation is
limited; preregistration required.

Memories Through Nature: Celebrating Grandparents' Day
When: Sunday, September 12, 10 am to noon
Meeting Place: VINS-Woodstock
Fee: $12 member, $15 nonmember (for one to two grandparents and up to two
grandkids -additional children $5 each)

A golden-warm morning together in honor of grandparents and grandchildren!
We'll work together to create a special keepsake using materials from
nature, and in the process do a little learning about the natural world.
Gift certificates available (a registration for this workshop makes a
lovely gift for your favorite grandparent and grandchild!).

Exploring Ecological Niches: An Adult Naturalist Course
When: Saturdays, September 18 and 25, October 2 and 9; 9 am to noon
Meeting Place: VINS-Woodstock
Fee: $35 member, $40 nonmember for series; $15 member, $20 nonmember per
workshop
Plants, animals, and humans-every living organism has its own place on
earth. Each session of this course will take a close-up look at a different
ecological niche, such as the forest floor or a stone wall, exploring the
interactions and interdependence between the flora and fauna that call it
home. This is an ideal course for teachers, with much of the material
lending itself to adaptation for the classroom.

Second Annual Gala Auction
When: Saturday, September 25, 5 to 8 pm
Location: Suicide Six Ski Lodge, Pomfret, Vermont
Fee: $20 advance reservation, $25 at the door
Reservations By: September 13

The silent auction begins at 5 pm and the live auction at 6:30 pm, led by
auctioneer Dick Hathaway. Join us for an elegant gala reception with
drinks, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and music by Braintree.

The Dog Creation Story: A Live Wolf Program with Wild Sentry
When: Saturday, October 2, 3 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Woodstock
Fee: $10 member, $13 nonmember
Are wolfish thoughts lurking beneath the "civilized" cortex of your
poodle's brain? Why does your furry friend insist on licking your face when
you return home? Join Koani the wolf and Indy the dog for an exploration
into the beginnings of the unlikely relationship between wolves and humans.
Utilizing slides, humor, stories, and current research, Pat Tucker and
Bruce Weide of Wild Sentry will illustrate the similarities and differences
between your house pet and its wild ancestor. You'll never again take your
canine friend for granted! Note: this program is suitable for ages 10 and
up. Attendance is limited; preregistration required.

Junior Naturalist After School Club (for 6- to 10-year-olds)
When: Wednesdays, October 20 to November 17, 3:30 to 5:15 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Woodstock
Fee: $40 members, $45 nonmembers
During this five-week course, participants are encouraged to develop their
skills as young naturalists. Included are outdoor explorations, live animal
care and handling, raptor studies, arts and crafts, and more. Join us for a
spirited adventure into the discovery of our wild backyard!

Creatures of the Night Day Camp (for grades 3 to 6)
When: Thursday and Friday, October 21 and 22, 9 am to 3 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Woodstock
Fee: member $45, nonmember $50
When darkness falls, the creatures of the night awaken! Just in time for
Halloween, come take a walk on the dark side of nature. We'll explore the
special adaptations of nocturnal creatures and learn how these animals fit
into their unique ecological niches. And, of course, there will be an
up-close and personal visit with the VINS owls. You'll go home with a night
creature mask of your own creation-guaranteed to keep your friends from
recognizing you!

Halloween Owl Prowl
When: Saturday, October 30, 6 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Woodstock
Fee: $5 member, $7 nonmember, $4 child
It's deep, dark business we'll be up to this evening! A personal encounter
with guess whoooo? and a spooky owl prowl through the night forest are only
the beginning! Children (and spirited adults!) are requested to arrive in
nocturnal animal costumes, and we'll have some surprise activities and
treats. Please call to preregister.

Quest for Fire
When: Saturday, November 13, 9 am to 3 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Woodstock
Fee: $20 member, $25 nonmember
Nowadays, armed with our matches and lighters, we take fire for granted.
But ages ago, the discovery of how to create fire was nothing less than
magical for our primitive ancestors. Jonathan Bransfield,* naturalist and
primitive-skills enthusiast, will take us back in time in search of that
magic. We'll explore primitive fire-starting techniques (bow drills, hand
drills, the ability to create a one-match fire), a basic primer on types of
wood, how to identify tree species, selection of natural tinder materials,
and understanding of fire on an aesthetic/spiritual level. You'll need to
bring a nonfolding wood-carving knife. Preregistration required.
*Note: Jonathan will also be leading a tracking workshop for VINS this winter.

Animal Tales Preschool Series
When: Third Friday of each month, September through May, 9:30 to 11 am
Meeting Place: VINS-Woodstock
Fee: $3 member, $4 nonmember per session; $22 member, $32 nonmember for
year (nine months)
This series for the littlest naturalists, ages three to five, will
highlight a different, seasonal nature storybook each month, combined with
games, songs, activities, and nature explorations. And you never know when
a special animal guest may show up to add to the fun!

Armchair Adventures Slide Lecture Series

When: Friday, September 17 - East African Voyage, 6:30 pm
Friday, September 24 - Eco-conflicts in Our Coastal Zones, 6:30 pm
Friday, October 15 - Wings Over Antarctica, 6:30 pm
Friday, November 19 - Churchill: An Arctic Experience, 6:30 pm
Friday, December 17 - Costa Rica, 6:30 pm
Friday, January 21 - Trek to the Hidden Kingdom, 6:30 pm
Friday, February 18 - Sea Turtles of Tortuguero, 6:30 pm
Friday, March 17 - South African Journey, 6:30 pm
Friday, April 21 - A Visit to the Great Sea Crossroads, 6:30 pm

Meeting Place: VINS-Woodstock
Fee: $5 member, $7 nonmember per lecture; $40 member, $58 nonmember for
entire series

September 17 - East African Voyage
Marcia Whitney, director of education at VINS, has worked with the Jane
Goodall Institute. She lived in East Africa for nine months and was
evacuated from Rwanda during their civil war. She will share her
experiences and adventures with wildlife, people, and her work with
conservation issues in this fascinating region.

September 24 - Eco-conflicts in Our Coastal Zones
Greg Stone, director of conservation at the New England Aquarium and one of
the world's top marine conservationists, will host this special
presentation examining conflicts in the coastal zone among people, marine
animals and marine ecosystems. Included will be a film that he produced.

October 15 - Wings Over Antarctica
Chris Rimmer, director of research at VINS, hosts this evening's escape to
Antarctica. We'll visit the nesting colonies of myriad bird species, come
face-to-face with seals and other marine life, and learn about the delicate
balance of the Antarctic ecosystem.

November 19 - Churchill: An Arctic Experience
Surrounded by the dramatic ice floes of Hudson Bay, Canada's Churchill,
Manitoba, is a naturalist's paradise. This subarctic region is the breeding
ground for many unusual bird species and home to brilliant alpine flowers.
Birder, photographer, and naturalist Roy Pilcher will take us there through
the magic of slides.

December 17 - Costa Rica
As the darkness of winter settles in, come escape to tropical sunshine!
Chip Darmstadt, director of the VINS North Branch Nature Center, leads this
trek through tropical forests, complete with wildlife and botanical
encounters, colorful bird life, land use ecology, and -of course-a visit to
a banana plantation. This presentation just may inspire you to join the
next VINS trip to Costa Rica!

January 21 - Trek to the Hidden Kingdom
David Brandau has traveled extensively through India and Nepal for the last
30 years. We will trek with him from Kathmandu through Jomson to the hidden
Tibetan kingdom of Mustang in Nepal. In 1991 the frontier to this ancient
land was opened to western travelers for the first time in more than three
decades.

February 18 - Sea Turtles of Tortuguero
Tortuguero is the home of the largest nesting population of green sea
turtles in the world, making Costa Rica the guardian of an irreplaceable
global wildlife treasure. Randy Leavitt, former director of the Caribbean
Conservation Corp's Green Turtle Research Station in Costa Rica, will take
us by boat through the rainforest to the tropical beaches that are the
ancestral nesting grounds of these magnificent creatures.

March 17 - South African Journey
Nancy Tanzer has taught African studies for 13 years. She is a VINS trustee
and volunteer and a dedicated birder. Her stunning slides will portray many
of the 108 species of birds she encountered on her African voyage, as well
as the scenic beauty of southern Africa and the Cape of Good Hope.

April 21 - A Visit to the Great Sea Crossroads-Scotland's Shetland Islands
Heather Behrens, the Vermont Raptor Center education director, will present
slides from the recent VINS trip to the Shetland Islands. We'll explore the
birds, castles, village life, fishing and salmon industry, north sea
economy, and haunting windswept coastlines of these richly beautiful islands.

David Mallett Benefit Concert
When: Saturday, September 18, 7:30 pm
Where: Woodstock Town Hall Theater
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door; $35 each for front row tickets
with backstage passes for an exclusive Meet the Artist reception following
the performance.

Dave Mallett may hail from a small town in Maine, but his music has reached
every corner of the world. His songs have been covered by hundreds of other
singers, including John Denver, Pete Seeger, Emmylou Harris, and even the
Muppets, and his Garden Song (Inch by Inch) has become a classic. Over the
years he has performed in such diverse venues as the Newport Folk Festival,
Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion, and town halls and folk clubs
across North America and Europe. Having Dave perform a benefit concert is
an honor for VINS, and we are pleased to provide local communities with an
opportunity to see this great artist.

In Montpelier, Vermont
At North Branch Nature Center

Take a Walk on the Wild Side
When: Saturday, September 4, 1 to 4 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: $7 member, $9 nonmember
Join central Vermont herbalists and gardeners Cheryl Hartt and Amy Goodman
Kiefer on an early autumn herb walk around the grounds of the nature
center. We'll seek out both common and unusual plants. Cheryl and Amy will
then demonstrate how to make some basic medicines from the plants that grow
in your own gardens, as well as those that grow in the wild.

Naturalist Travels
When & Where:
Friday, September 10 - topic to be announced, 7 to 8 pm
Friday, October 8 - Penguins with Maida Maxham, 7 to 8 pm (see below)
Friday, November 12 - The Vikings Are Coming-Again! 7 to 8 pm (see below)
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: free
Look through the eyes of a naturalist as we travel to some of the most
spectacular natural areas on earth. From the comfort of your chair, you'll
see and learn about the many fascinating plants, animals, and other
features that capture a naturalist's attention. These hour-long slide shows
are free of charge and open to people of all ages. Join us for one or all
three presentations, and begin planning your next natural adventure now!

After School Wildlife Detectives Program
For: Girls and boys in grades 1 to 5
Monarch Butterflies Session -
When: Grades 1 and 2 - group meets Tuesdays, 3 to 5:30 pm, September 14 to
October 26
Grades 3 to 5 - group meets Wednesdays, 3 to 5:30 pm, September 15 to
October 27
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: $45 member, $55 nonmember (scholarships available)
Register By: September 7
Is your child a budding naturalist? Does he or she enjoy spending time
outdoors, discovering insects, flowers, birds, worms, and other natural
wonders? During this six-week after-school enrichment program designed for
children who love nature, we'll go for hikes, conduct investigations and
experiments, play games, create crafts, and learn about things that crawl,
fly, swim, and grow. Enrollment is limited to eight children per group.
Note to parents: please don't let transportation to the nature center deter
you from enrolling your child in this exciting program. We're working with
local school districts and volunteers to secure transportation for all
children. Please call us at (802) 229-6206 for details.

Homeschoolers' Animal Encounters Program
For: children ages 7 to 10
When: Wednesday mornings, 9 to 11:30 am, September 15 to October 27
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: $45 member, $55 nonmember (scholarships available)
Register By: September 7
Are you a home-schooling parent of a child who simply can't get enough
nature study? Beginning this fall, we'll be offering a weekly nature study
class for home-schooled children. Every week, we'll investigate different
aspects of fall ecology-from turning leaves and burrowing worms to
migrating birds and water cycles. Learning will be hands-on and will
include outdoor investigations, games, crafts, and other fun activities.
Enrollment is limited to eight children.

Beyond Your Backyard: A Stewardship Series
Focus on Riparian Habitat
Cosponsored by National Wildlife Federation, Vermont Coverts: Woodlands for
Wildlife, Inc., and VINS
When: Saturday, September 25, 9 am to 3 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: $10 member or nonmember
This is the first in a series of workshops focusing on topics that provide
landowners with valuable information about managing for a variety of forms
of wildlife. Enhancing and protecting riparian habitat will be the focus of
this first workshop. This will be an opportunity to explore habitat needs
of the terrestrial and aquatic species we most commonly find in riparian
corridors, and to learn more about how we may adversely impact these
species with certain activities in these corridors. The "Beyond Your
Backyard Stewardship Series" will continue in winter and spring, with
future topics addressing forest ecology, forest certification, tracking,
cross boundary management, and water resources.

Pangaea: Teen Naturalist Club - Hike up Mount Mansfield
When: Saturday, October 2, 9 am to 4 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier (or Route 108 trailhead)
Fee: none, but registration required
Register By: September 24
Join other teenagers interested in nature and the outdoors for this day
hike up the highest mountain in Vermont. We'll have lunch on the chin as we
watch for migrating hawks. Transportation provided from the North Branch
Nature Center. This program is open to teens ages 12 to 18.

Naturalist Travels - In Pursuit of Penguins
When: Friday, October 8, 7 to 8 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: free
For 20 years intrepid traveler Maida Maxham pursued her dream-to see each
and every one of the world's seventeen penguin species. In 1996 she
succeeded! An accomplished photographer, Maida will share slides and
stories of her many adventures aboard Russian icebreakers, into the wilds
of Antarctica, South America, New Zealand, and beyond in search of the
ever-charming and fascinating penguin.

Spiders Aren't Scary
For:   children ages 3 to 5
When: Tuesday, October 12, 9:30 to 11 am OR noon to 1:30 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: $4 member, $6 nonmember child
Let's make friends with some critters that most kids find creepy: spiders.
We'll discover the remarkable ways that spiders capture and eat their
foods, how they weave webs, and their important role in nature. Crafts,
songs, games, outdoor explorations, and a live tarantula are part of our
plans for fun and learning.

Investigating the Watershed: A School Holiday Camp
When: Thursday, October 21, 9 am to 3 pm (plus optional after-hours care
till 5:30 pm)
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: $25 member, $30 nonmember
Where does the water in your local river or stream come from and where does
it go? What creatures are dependent on its flow? How can you tell if it's a
healthy waterway or not? During this challenging hands-on workshop, we'll
explore how watersheds are defined and how each participant is connected to
a local watershed. We will also investigate watershed ecology, insect life
in the North Branch River, and the effects of human activities on the
cleanliness of rivers and streams.

Winter Readiness: A School Holiday Camp
When: Friday, October 22, 9 am to 3 pm (plus optional after-hours care till
5:30 pm)
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: $25 member, $30 nonmember
Winter is coming! We humans pile on more layers and turn up the heat, but
how do animals prepare for the cold months ahead? Did you know that wood
frogs freeze solid? That monarch butterflies fly thousands of miles to
overwinter in the mountains of central Mexico? There's a lot more to
discover during this exciting exploratory workshop. We'll learn about the
many fascinating adaptations of creatures-mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians, and insects-that help them prepare for snow and freezing
temperatures.

After School Wildlife Detectives Program
For: Girls and boys in grades 1 to 5
Migrating Hawks Session -
When: Grades 1 & 2 - group meets Tuesdays, 3 to 5:30 pm, November 9 to
December 14
Grades 3 to 5 - group meets Wednesdays, 3 to 5:30 pm, November 10 to
December 15
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: $45 member, $55 nonmember (scholarships available)
Register By: November 1
Is your child a budding naturalist? Does he or she enjoy spending time
outdoors, discovering insects, flowers, birds, worms, and other natural
wonders? During this six-week after-school enrichment program designed for
children who love nature, we'll go for hikes, conduct investigations and
experiments, play games, create crafts, and learn about things that crawl,
fly, swim, and grow. Enrollment is limited to eight children per group.
And, parents, please don't let transportation to the nature center deter
you from enrolling your child in this exciting program. We're working with
local school districts and volunteers to secure transportation for all
children. Please call (802) 229-6206 for details.

The Vikings Are Coming-Again!
When: Friday, November 12, 7 to 8 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: free
Last summer twelve daring men set sail from the rocky coast of Greenland in
Snorri, an authentic replica of a Viking knarr. Determined to recreate Leif
Eriksson's historic voyage from Greenland to Newfoundland of 1,000 years
ago, they navigated by the sun and stars like the Vikings of old. The
intrepid crew encountered icebergs, awesome beauty ... and the
disappointment of being forced to abandon their expedition when the rudder
broke. But their spirits were unbroken, and they plan to set out again.
Hear tales of history, beauty, and adventure from Snorri crew member John
Abbott. Join us for an extraordinary armchair expedition!

Stargazing and Meteor Shower Watch
When: Tuesday, November 16 and/or Wednesday, November 17, 7 to 8:30 pm
Meeting Place: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: $3 nonmember, $2 member, $1 child
Registration: No registration is required, but the program will be held
only if skies are clear. Grab a folding chair and a warm blanket, gather
together a few friends or the whole family, and come for a tour of the
night sky. We'll learn the constellations of autumn and hopefully witness
the spectacular Leonid meteor shower. Last year the Leonids were obscured
by clouds, but this year's shower could be breathtaking. We'll also have a
telescope set up for observing the moon, planets, and more.

Holiday Season Open House at NBNC
When: Saturday, December 4, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: VINS-Montpelier
Fee: free
Visit the North Branch Nature Center for our annual open house and gift
shop sale! There will be craft projects for kids, door prizes,
refreshments, and tours of our Critter Room. Most items in our gift shop
will be 10 to 20 percent off. Do your holiday shopping while your kids meet
some live reptiles and amphibians.

Sign up on-line at www.vinsweb.org!