Public Programs

Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center's programs offer unique opportunities for hands-on environmental education and recreation. Our experienced educators allow learners the opportunity to explore subjects and habitats through focused, inquiry-based programs, taking advantage of the magic of the spring and summer season. To register, please call (800) 859-2960.

Summer Solstice Shad Paddle; Reach 19 Sun., June 21; 4 – 9:30 p.m. For ages 12 and older Fee: $5 Pre-register by calling 800-859-2960

Celebrate the Summer Solstice, enjoy an evening sunset and search for spawning shad as we take a leisurely paddle down the Connecticut River. Reach 19, from Montague to Sunderland, is a quiet and scenic 10 mile stretch with very limited motorboat activity. During this relaxing downriver paddle, we may catch glimpses of Bald Eagles and watch the sun set on the longest day of the year. Bring dinner or snacks to eat as we float downriver, a flashlight with a spare set of batteries and a spirit of adventure. Participants must provide their own boat. Carpooling will be required at the beginning and end of the program.

		Independence Evening Paddle Fri., July 3; 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. For ages 12 and older Fee: Free with own boat, $25 with boat rental Pre-register by calling 800-859-2960
Evening is a lovely time for a paddle.

Kick-off Independence Day weekend with an evening paddle exploring Barton Cove. We’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of a summer evening - insect hatches, warbling bird songs and the changing light as day fades into night. Barton Cove is rich with special places and stories including ancient waterfalls, historic log drives and dinosaur footprints from thousands of years ago. Perhaps a fledgling bald eagle will be ready for independence as this is often the timing of their first flight. Bald Eagles first built a nest on Barton Cove Island in 1989 and have nested on the island continuously since then. This program is appropriate for both beginning and experienced paddlers.

Geology on the Riverboat
with MA Department of Conservation & Recreation Interpreter Steve Winters

Sat., July 18; 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
For ages 10 and older
Fee: Adult $12, Senior $10, Child $6
Pre-register by calling 800-859-2960

Steve Winters has a passion for geology and a way of telling the stories hidden in rocks that make science come alive. The Eastern Border Fault, origins of the Connecticut River, the Jurassic dinosaur tracks, remnants of glacial geology from Lake Hitchcock, and the Barton Cove plunge pools are all things that might be observed and discussed during this 90-minute interpretive riverboat cruise.

The program is co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.

Astronomy Conjunction Fri. & Sat., July. 24 & 25 For ages 12 and older Northfield Mountain will host the 27th Annual Connecticut River Valley Astronomer's Conjunction.
Enjoy the camaraderie of amateur astronomers learning and observing together under the dark skies at Northfield Mountain.		Amateur astronomers love Northfield’s dark skies.
As in past years the weekend will be jam-packed full of slide presentations, talks, and Friday and Saturday night sky viewing through telescopes of all shapes and sizes. Check out the conjunction website at: http://www.philharrington.net/astroconjunction/. Or, to request free information and a registration form contact: Jack Megas, Astronomy Conjunction, 311 Surrey Road, Springfield, MA 01118 or e-mail Richard Sanderson at RSanderson@springfieldmuseums.org.

		The “Happy Valley Locavore” at Harvest Time Tue., Aug. 11; 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. For ages 12 and older Fee: Free Pre-register by calling 800-859-2960
Meggin Thwing Eastman

Meggin Thwing Eastman is a local food enthusiast, avid home cook and gardener, and the working mother of a young child. In addition to her busy life, she has shared her passion for cooking local foods since August of 2008 through her blog, “Happy Valley Locavore,” http:// happyvalleylocavore. blogspot.com/. Learn what inspired Meggin to blog and what she has learned over the course of the year through her pragmatic approach to eating locally.

Meggin will share sources of both helpful information and great food she has discovered; which plants are “must haves” in her small home garden; and how she learned over the past year to use her home drier and chest freezer to preserve food to enjoy outside the growing season. Meggin will also provide a handout of four seasonal recipes and participants can bring their favorite recipe to swap and a local food snack to share if they would like.

Unlock the Mysteries of Canning with Pat Shearer & Alison Wahlstrom Sat., Aug. 15; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For ages 12 and older Fee: $20 (covers material cost and use of church kitchen) Pre-register by calling 800-859-2960
Learn basic canning techniques by preparing a low sugar blueberry jam and zucchini relish and leave with samples of both products and the confidence to go forth and plan canning parties in your own home kitchen. Eating local skills like canning have been passed down in steamy farm kitchens for generations as young people spent time with their mom, grandmother or maybe their 4H leader.		Invented in the early 1850s, canning jars make it all possible! Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/

If you missed this experience, learn to can now with mother-daughter team Pat Shearer and Alison Wahlstrom of Northfield, MA. Pat is a long-time home canner, grandma and award winning 4H leader. Daughter Alison was the 4-H national winner of Foods and Nutrition in 1984 and says her 8 year old son knows more about “head space” than lots of adults! These delightful women will share canning tips, tricks, and stories around the kitchen stove at the Trinitarian Church in Northfield, MA. A list of what to wear and bring (including lunch) will be shared upon registration.

		Electrofishing for Atlantic Salmon Fry Fri., Aug. 21; 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon For ages 8 and older Fee: Free Pre-register by calling 800-859-2960
Credit: US EPA

Here’s a unique opportunity to join MassWildlife’s Anadromous Fish Coordinator Caleb Slater as he does a population census of young Atlantic salmon in Mill Brook in Northfield. Dr. Slater and other biologists will be using an electric wand to stun fish for collection, counting young salmon of two age classes – those stocked in April of 2007 and 2008 – and releasing the young fish back in the stream. Participants will help measure fish and record data and well as learn about this fascinating fish. The results of this data will be used to estimate the number of salmon smolts that will migrate out of the stream heading to the ocean in the coming spring (April – May 2010).