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 beautiful fall season. To register, please call (800) 859-2960.

For more information, please see the Fall 2009 Newsletter for a full list of all school and public programs or visit the Newsletters page. Click here to get your own free e-mail news letter e-mailed directly to you. Newsletter e-mail lists are not shared with others.

Of Roots an’ Rocks: A Natural History of Barton Cove Sat., Sept. 12; 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon For ages 12 and older Fee: Optional donation to Friends of GFDC Pre-registration required
Join Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center (GFDC) naturalist Dawn Marvin-Ward and geologist Steve Winters for a leisurely fall walk.		Photo by Peter Szaban http://www.peterszaban.com
Dawn will share her expertise on the flora and wild flowers of the Barton Cove peninsula. Steve will explain the geology of Barton Cove, the origin of the Lily Pond plunge pool, and will lead an exploration of the world-famous dinosaur track quarry. “Of Roots an’ Rocks” will be an easy hike along a mostly level trail, but the short descent to the dinosaur quarry may be slippery. Please wear appropriate footwear, bring lots of water and trail snacks. Hikers should meet in the paved parking lot, near the kiosk, at 10:00 a.m. We will return to the parking lot around 12:00 noon. Co-sponsored with the Friends of the GFDC.

Parting of the Seas: The Canal Draw Down at Turners Falls Sat., Sept. 12; 1:00– 4:00 p.m. For ages 7 and older Fee: FREE Pre-register by calling 800-859-2960

Go down into the bottom of a working river and gain unique insights into both the structure of the river and the animals that live there. The annual dewatering of the Turners Falls Canal allows for maintenance on the Cabot Power Station and the two miles of canal walls.

Participants assemble with buckets and boots to collect mudpuppies, young sea lamprey (called amocetes), eels and other fish, plus invertebrates like endangered dragonfly nymphs that live in the canal. Creatures are then released in the main stem of the river with the help of Fisheries Biologists from the Silvio O. Conte Fish Lab. This is an opportunity to see and hold species that you may have only heard about or watched on television.

The program is strictly limited to the first 24 participants, so register early. Directions to the meeting place will be sent to confirmed participants.

Connecticut River Source to Sea Cleanup 2009 Sat., Oct. 3; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon For ages 7 and older Fee: FREE! Program meets at: Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls, MA
This is your chance to get involved in the 13th year of the Cleanup! Last year 275 volunteers in Eastern Franklin County filled three 30- yard dumpsters with trash in addition to 512 tires, 4,000 pounds of scrap metal, 9 televisions and assorted appliances which were collected from the Montague Plains and along rivers and streams in Montague, Gill and East Deerfield.		Montague Plains tire pile. 5.66 tons of tires were collected in 2008!

Sites run the gamut from fishing or partying trash , to household dumping. We try to assign people sites close to their home – so they can enjoy the fruits of their labor on future site visits. Individuals and groups like scouts, schools and businesses, have all worked as teams in past seasons. School groups can schedule cleanups in the week preceding the 3rd.

Co-sponsored with the Connecticut River Watershed Council, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge, Franklin County Solid Waste Management District, MA Department of Conservation & Recreation; Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, and FirstLight Power.

		Leaves, Leaves, Leaves! with Rachel Roberts Sat., Oct. 10; 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. For ages 4 and older Fee: FREE Pre-registration required
Credit: US EPA

Join educator Rachel Roberts for this exciting program exploring the changes leaves make in the fall. Together we will read Lois Ehlert’s Leaf Man and do a variety of fun, hands-on science and art projects connected with the book.

Children's understanding of seasonal changes and plant processes and parts will be reinforced though a variety of activities focusing on local trees and leaves. Weather permitting, there will be time to investigate trees, leaves, and other wildlife outside around Northfield Mountain (so dress appropriately).

Rachel Roberts is an award winning science teacher and mom who loves to share her passion for nature and art.

Halloween Celebration around the Campfire with Roger Tincknell Sat., Oct. 24; 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. For all ages Fee: FREE This 25+ year-old celebration of Halloween through songs, stories and dance is led by internationally known and locally loved singer/songwriter Roger Tincknell.

Some parents tell us this is an event they put on their calendar every year – and they bring other families along – because it is such heartwarming fun. Imagine a group of young witches, fairies and aliens in the glow of the firelight spellbound by a slightly spooky story – or waltzing around in small family groups to Roger’s beautiful music and you can get some sense of the delight this evening brings.

Wholesome snacks also served. Dress WARMLY and bring flashlights and blankets or chairs for seating. Program meets behind Visitor Center.

		Otter and Mink with MassWildlife’s Laura Hajduk Wed., Oct. 21; 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. For ages 10 and older Fee: FREE Pre-registration required
www.flickr.com/peopl

Otter and Mink share many things – these rarely observed fish eaters often bound along waterways in MA, where they can travel and hunt on land or water. Massachusetts Wildlife Furbearer Biologist Laura Hajduk will help participants understand the behavior, biology, tracks and sign of these two semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals – how they are alike and how they differ. Come learn about animals with whom we share the wetter parts of our communities.

Moose: Life History, Ecology and Current Research Wed., Nov. 4; 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. For ages 12 and older Fee: FREE
Join us for a fascinating evening exploring moose in Massachusetts. Dr. Stephen DeStefano, one of the foremost experts on moose in the Northeast, will share highlights from his current research focusing on their habitat use, distribution and movements.		Mike Lockhart/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Steve will discuss how he and his graduate students tag area moose and use high tech equipment to monitor their movements throughout central and western Massachusetts. The current population estimate is over 1,000 moose in Massachusetts! This is a great opportunity to learn more about the largest mammal of our Massachusetts’ forests and how it uses the landscape. This free program is co-sponsored with the Athol Bird and Nature Club.

Stephen DeStefano is Leader of the Massachusetts Cooperative Research Unit and a research professor at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He directs a program of research, education and service focused on fish and wildlife ecology, as well as human-wildlife interactions and the impact of human activities on wildlife populations. His work has numerous implications for wildlife management, conservation biology, and recovery of endangered species.

Gearing Up for a Wonderful Winter I & II Sat., Nov. 7; 1:00-4:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 6; 1:00-4:00 p.m. For ages 12 and older Fee: FREE Pre-registration required

Just when hibernating sounds like a good idea, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the camaraderie and motivation of a group to get ready for winter outdoor fun.

The first of this two part series begins with an introduction to basic training principles -- activities that will improve core body strength and balance skills with Heidi Creamer. Both programs include a hike lead by Northfield staffer Beth Bazler to learn the trail system.

In November the group will explore the lower trails – by a fox and a porcupine den and in December sample the upper trails with three-state views at the overlook. The December program also offers the opportunity to share training success stories and use hiking or ski poles to support knees, and increase upper body strength and calories burned. Bring an exercise mat, water, hearty trail snacks and in December, hiking or ski poles if you have them. Attend both programs and get a one day skipass or snowshoe rental to entice you to return when the snow flies.

Heidi Creamer is an enthusiastic cross country skier who has taught individuals and groups. Her recent graduate studies in Ottawa focused on putting exercise science into recreational settings – and she got to ski and ice skate to school!

Skulls and Bones Wed., Nov. 11; 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. For ages 6 and older Fee: $3 per child Preregistration required
The Halloween skeletons are all put away; now it’s time to check out the real thing. What stories can bones and skulls tell us about an animal’s life? Families will compare bones and skulls to see how birds differ from mammals and predators from prey. Much of the time will be spent doing hands-on activities indoors, with a short field walk. Bone building snacks will give us the chance to figure out which favorite foods have the most calcium.