Homeschool Wilderness Skills Programs
2022-05-20 09:00 - 15:00, 2022-05-13 09:00 - 15:00, 2022-05-06 09:00 - 15:00, 2022-04-29 09:00 - 15:00, 2022-04-22 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Conway, MA
Spring Sessions start March 25th — every Friday for ten weeks @ 9 am-3 pm
Location: Conway, MA
2 Groups:
HERON — ages 7+
SWIFT EAGLE — teens & mature preteens
With Earthwork Programs, hundreds of children have learned and practiced not only wilderness skills but mentoring and being part of a community, as well, for 23 years! During the Spring session, children learn shelter building, fire making, tracking & bird language, foraging for wild edibles, and more!

Early-Bird Tuition: $80/class for the 10-week Spring session. Visit earthworkprograms.com or call 413-340-1161

Path of the Otter
Spring Sessions start March 25th and continue weekly (10 weeks) on Fridays (9 am-12 pm)
Conway, MA
PATH OF THE OTTER — ages 5&6Join in on a playful journey through the season as we develop nature awareness through our senses. Deepen your heart connection with your child and help to nurture your child’s longing to connect with the outdoors. A parent is welcome to stay for first class.

Early-Bird Tuition: $45/class for the 10-week Spring session. Visit earthworkprograms.com or call 413-340-1161

Early Bird Birding with Jeff Johnstone
2022-05-20 07:00 - 09:00, 2022-05-13 07:00 - 09:00, 2022-05-06 07:00 - 09:00, 2022-04-29 07:00 - 09:00, 2022-04-22 07:00 - 09:00 | Athol, MA
Friday(s) April, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20 @ 7:00 AM
Join Athol Bird and Nature Club along with Jeff Johnstone at 100 Main Street, Athol MA before heading out to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. These are great events for the novice birder to learn from one of our best field naturalists!
Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels.
Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052. Covid precautions are advised.
The May 6th event will explore the New England Equestrian Center of Athol. 7:00 AM at MREC or 7:15 AM at NEECA, 802 New Sherborn Road, Athol.

Tuesday Treks
2022-05-17 12:30 - 14:30, 2022-05-10 12:30 - 14:30, 2022-05-03 12:30 - 14:30, 2022-04-26 12:30 - 14:30, 2022-04-19 12:30 - 14:30 | Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, 475 Dyken Pond Rd., Cropseyville, NY
Join Len Tremblay on a moderately paced 3-mile hike every Tuesday in March to explore the wilds of Dyken Pond Center. Learn the trail system one at a time with a knowledgeable guide. Each week we’ll discover new ground and nature. Hikes will be canceled in bad weather.
This program is free for adults and older teens. Pre-registration required.
DATE: Every Tuesday
TIME: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
LOCATION: Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville, NY 12052
To register, call (518) 658-2055 or email dykenpond@gmail.com. Your registration is not complete until you receive confirmation from the Center.

Lake Mansfield Volunteer Days - Beach Area
2022-05-14 09:30 - 11:30 | Lake Mansfield, Great Barrington
Saturday May 14th, 9:30 -11:30 |¦| Register HERE
Saturday May 21st,9:30 -11:30 |¦| Register HERE
Join the Great Barrington Land Conservancy for this big push to sand and paint picnic tables, mulch trees and shrubs, update the beach kiosk, paint lifeguard chairs, and help prepare beach area for swimming.

Presentations with Athol Bird & Nature Club President Dave Small
2022-05-12 18:30 - 20:00, 2022-04-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Athol Public Library
Join Athol Bird and Nature Club for this series of presentations on our local wildlife and tips on attracting them to our yards. ABNC president Dave Small will be speaking for this series at the Athol Public Library located at 584 Main Street in Athol, MA.
– Tuesday, February 15 @ 6:30 PM – Birds in Winter
– Tuesday, March 15 @ 6:30 PM – Living with Nature
– Tuesday, April 19 @ 6:30 PM – Attracting Native Pollinators
– Thursday, May 12 @ 6:30 PM – Local Butterflies and Planting to Attract Them
– Tuesday, June 21 @ 6:30 PM – Introduction to Dragonflies
Registration is required for these free programs. REGISTER HERE.

Guided Hike: The Brief but Wondrous Life of Early Spring Wildflowers
2022-05-11 14:00 - 17:00, 2022-05-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Old Mill Trail, Old Dalton Rd., Hinsdale, MA
Friday, May 6 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM → Click here to learn more and to RSVP
Wednesday, May 11 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM → Click here to learn more and to RSVP
Early spring wildflowers race to bloom before the nearby trees leaf out. Their brief lifespan is part of what makes them so special – and easy to miss! Join Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) for a walk along the Old Mill Trail to catch these beautiful flowering plants before they are gone. We will learn about the unique ecological partnerships they form, and what makes the Berkshires such a fantastic place for wildflowers to thrive.
This walk will be approximately 3 miles round trip, with little elevation gain. Our pace will be moderate, with occasional stopping along the way. Participants may choose to turn around halfway once the accessible portion of the trail ends. Please bring water, a snack, and wear shoes suitable for muddy conditions.

Spring Flower Walks
2022-05-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Multiple Locations Outdoors
Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program invites you to join them on these leisurely walks to welcome back the spring flowers in different habitats throughout Columbia County. Learn how to identify them, hear some of their lore, and observe their insect visitors.
The walks are free, but participant numbers are limited, so please make sure to register to reserve your space.
Register with Claudia@hawthornevalleyfarm.org
Saturday, May 7, 10:00 AM – Noon: Floodplain of Kinderhook Creek in Chatham Center
Wednesday, May 11, 2:00 – 4:00 PM: Merlin’s Cave in Canaan
Sunday, May 22, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Botanizing along Southern Taconic Trail in Copake Falls (offered through the New York Flora Association, registration is now closed, but you can request to be put on the waiting list by emailing

Our Warming Planet - Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation (Webinar Series)
2022-05-11 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-04-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Online/Zoom
Lectures in Climate Change is a unique combination of written text plus electronic slides that together comprise an informative and up-to-date set of presentations. This second volume, entitled Our Warming Planet: Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation, covers areas of climate impacts related to climate science, methods and approaches, sectors, regional and national studies, and policy and practice.
There are multiple dates for this webinar series. See below.
Wednesday, April 13 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, April 27 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, May 11 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, May 25 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, June 8 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, June 22 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, July 6 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, July 20 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, August 3 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Click here to learn more.
Click here to register.

Second Tuesdays: Learn About Tree Care
2022-05-10 17:00 - 18:30 | Springside Park, Pittsfield, MA, 01201
Learn about pruning and tree care from Certified Arborist Bob Presutti at Pittsfield Springside Park, every second Tuesday of the month from May through September.
You’ll meet at the Springside House parking lot, located at: Springside Park, 874 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Bring gloves and safety glasses.
Call Diane Monterosso at (413) 499-9345 for more information.

SWALLOWTAIL ADVENTURES — For gender-nonconforming youth ages 11–16
2022-05-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Flying Deer Nature Center, 122 Daley Rd., East Chatham, NY
March 12, April 9, May 7 (field trip), & June 18
»10:00 am–4:00 pm each day
This monthly Saturday program provides a safe and fun space for trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer youth to explore the natural world, gain wilderness skills, and build community with one another. Within this caring container, young people can learn, play, take on healthy challenges, step into their leadership, and just be themselves!
Click here to learn more about this program and register.

Nature Scavenger Hunt
2022-05-01 10:00 - 15:00, 2022-04-24 10:00 - 15:00, 2022-04-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Mount Greylock State Reservation
Sundays, 10:00 AM — 3:00 PM (Ongoing through April)
Adventurous quests invite you to search for natural treasures along park trails at Mount Greylock State Reservation. Several “seek and find” scavenger hunts for different ages and skill levels.
The program is self-guided, free for all ages, and suitable for children and families.

Vernal Pool Plunge — Training
2022-04-23 10:00 - 13:00 | Multiple Locations Outdoors
Saturdays, April 16 & 23 @ 10:00 AM — 1:00 PM
Hilltown Land Trust is partnering with the Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee to offer their annual Vernal Pool Plunge! This two-day, in-person training event is open to anyone interested in learning about the ecology of and becoming advocates for vernal pools in Western Massachusetts, including how to certify vernal pools.
Participants should commit to attending both sessions (04/16 and 04/23). This training is aimed at individuals and families (appropriate for anyone 13 and older) looking to understand these small wetlands that may be on their land or in their towns.
After the two in-person field days, participants will have the opportunity to attend weekly online sessions after April 23rd that delve into the technical side of vernal pool certification. These trainings will guide participants through the process of certifying vernal pools that are not yet certified through the state of Massachusetts. We will go over online resources such as using MassMapper and uploading vernal pool data to the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) site.
Day 1: We will be seated inside (masks required) for a 1-hour recorded presentation followed by a Q&A with local Naturalist Charley Eiseman. After a short break, we will move outside to a guided tour by Charley of the vernal pools on the property. We will provide clipboards, handouts, and reference materials. Bring waterproof knee-high boots, comfortable hiking clothing, bug spray, water, snacks, and any field notebooks you want to use. Be sure to check the weather ahead of time, as this event will be held rain or shine!
Day 2: Field day for participants to practice gathering the information required for vernal pool certification. Charley will be there to answer questions, but attendees will be more independent on this day. Precise location and details will be given at the first day of the event on April 16th. We will provide clipboards, handouts, and reference materials. Bring waterproof knee-high boots, comfortable hiking clothing, bug spray, water, snacks, and any field notebooks you want to use. Be sure to check the weather ahead of time, as this event will be held rain or shine!

Registration is required. Click here to sign up and learn more.

Berkshire Grown Great Barrington Winter Farmers Market
2022-04-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Housy Dome, 1064 Main Street, Housatonic, Massachusetts
Saturdays, March 19 & April 16 @ 10:00 AM — 2:00 PM
Location: Housy Dome (aka Housatonic Community Center), 1064 Main Street, Housatonic
Berkshire Grown’s Winter Famers Markets will feature the abundance of locally grown and produced foods found in the Berkshires. The offerings of local producers range from winter squash, greens, and root crops, to apples, meats, cheeses, honey, and maple syrup, as well as baked goods, jams, ferments, and cider at most markets.
With your safety in mind first, we strongly encourage pre-ordering through What’s Good and pick-up “curbside” by the exit door. Shoppers using SNAP to pre-order must check in at the Market Manager’s table first to receive benefits. Berkshire Grown staff and volunteers will assist you with the curbside pick-up.
Admission to the Farmers Markets is free and SNAP/EBT is accepted at all markets.
Click here to learn more.
