Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Amherst Sustainability Fair
2018-04-14 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Join the Hitchcock Center for this Amherst tradition of sharing ways to make our world a better place. Learn more…
Saturday, April 14, 10am-4pm
Amherst Town Common

Saturday Family Science Series
2018-04-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Second Saturdays: December 9, January 13, February 10, March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9
The Hitchcock Center is open to families and the community second Saturdays of the month, December thru June from 9am-1pm. Stop by to explore our building, talk with an educator, read a book with your kids or grandkids in our visitor center, and join us for one of our family science programs.
9am-1pm
Saturday Family Science Series
Join us for seasonal nature and science programs each second Saturday of the month. Designed for children with their parents, these programs will explore cool topics in nature.
10am-11am
Free, registration appreciated. Groups of 6 or more please call ahead.

Second Saturdays at Hitchcock
2018-04-14 09:00 - 13:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002

Woodcock: Skydancer
2018-04-13 20:00 - 22:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Have you heard the telltale peep of the woodcock looking for a mate to do its early spring sky dance? If not you are in for a treat that will likely become an annual tradition, you’ll be hooked. Join bird song radio personality and our favorite garden advisor Dan Ziomek to enjoy this special spring event.
with Dan Ziomek, local birder and naturalist
Friday, April 13, 8-10pm
Members $12/Non-members $16
Register here

Nature Discovery Preschool
2018-04-13 13:00 - 15:00, 2018-04-13 09:30 - 11:30, 2018-04-06 13:00 - 15:00, 2018-04-06 09:30 - 11:30, 2018-03-30 13:00 - 15:00, 2018-03-30 09:30 - 11:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Spineless Wonders – Animals without Backbones
Pretend to shrink down real small to explore the spineless wonders of our natural world! This Spring, Colleen will introduce children to the crawling, sliding, hopping, flying world of worms, spiders, snails, pill bugs and insects. All those spineless wonders are animals without backbones. Through live observations, puppets, stories, model making, songs and snacks, children will become more familiar with these creatures. An adult is required to attend with each child. Space is limited. For children ages 3-5 years.
with Colleen Kelley, Hitchcock educator
Ages 3-5 (Caregiver required to attend with child)
Fridays, March 23 – June 8 (no program 4/20 or 5/4)
Morning session: 9:30am-11:30pm
Afternoon session: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Members: $205/Non-members: $225

Timber Rattlesnakes in Massachusetts
2018-04-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Anne has been surveying timber rattlesnake populations in western Massachusetts. She is one of the most up-to-date and well-informed people to help us understand the life history and amazing adaptations of this fascinating reptile. She will share images of the snakes she has located and explain how she tracks individual animals. You will leave with a deeper understanding of this much-maligned and important member of the natural systems in our area.
with Anne Stengel, Graduate researcher at UMASS
Thursday, April 12, 7-8pm
FREE Registration and donations appreciated.

Girls into the Wild
2018-04-12 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-04-05 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-03-29 15:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Sometimes you just need to run, explore and play! That’s what we do at Girls into the Wild, and lots more. Now in its fourth year, Girls into the Wild is designed to get girls outside, playing and engaging with nature in their own way. Instructor Katie Koerten strives to offer games and activities that each girl can participate in at her own comfort level, from climbing trees, to playing camouflage in the forest, to running and whooping wildly through fields – all while noticing the birds that are singing, the flowers that are blooming and the animals that are leaving tracks behind. Come build your confidence and show your wild side! Families provide their own transportation to the Hitchcock Center.
with Katie Koerten, Hitchcock Educator
Ages 8-11, Grades 3-5
Thursdays, March 29 – June 14, 2018 (No program 4/19)
3:30pm-5:30pm
$270 members/$354 nonmembers

Environmental Justice in New England – An Overview
2018-04-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Pete Westover will open the Hitchcock Center’s 2018 Environmental Justice series with a dramatic illustrated examination of Native land loss and recovery efforts in New England, the battle for control of the Penobscot River, threats to national monuments and sacred sites, urban and rural “food deserts,” Connecticut Valley energy and air-quality issues, Hydro-Quebec and its impacts on Cree culture, and the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities. He will also illustrate the environmental justice work of Conservation Law Foundation and other organizations relating to Boston Harbor public access and resiliency, Mystic River cleanup work, Massachusetts public transportation expansion, the Springfield biomass proposal, the coal-free New England campaign, and the Exxon-Mobil case.
April 11, 7pm-8:30pm
FREE Donations and registration appreciated

Spring Birding Class with Scott Surner
2018-04-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Join this Hitchcock tradition, Scott has been leading since 1979. Space is limited and in high demand. Class and fieldtrip schedule.
Classes: 4 Wednesdays, January 31 – May 9, 6:30pm-8pm
Weekend Field Trips: February 10-June 10 see online for all dates
Register here. Online registration opens on January 9 at 9am.
Members $295/Non-members $325

Nature Play Afterschool
2018-04-11 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-04-04 13:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Spring fever is in the air, and it is time to get the kids outside to let out some of their energy! Have them join Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program, which is designed to let kids be kids. Together we will run, jump, climb, invent, imagine, play and be a free-range kids all while developing self-confidence and learning valuable social skills. During Spring Nature Play, we explore vernal pools, notice the first signs of spring, build forts, make up games and use our imagination as we explore the wooded trails and fields. Instructor Jeff Mazur provides a safe structure for children to explore nature and encourages children to stretch their limits as they balance on logs, hold salamanders, or co-create new games with their peers.
with Jeff Mazur
Ages 6-9, Graces 1-3
Wednesdays, March 28 – June 13 (No program 4/18)
3:30-5:30pm, extended days 1:30-5:30pm (4/4 and 5/9)
$275 members/$300 nonmembers

Get the Buzz on Electric Vehicles
2018-04-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Curious about electric vehicle (EVs)s? How they work, how far they can go on a charge? An increasing number of electric vehicles on the market are competitively priced and can go over 100 miles on a charge. This workshop will start with a brief ride around the parking lot in a plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt. Participants will learn about EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs available, their features and range, big incentives that bring down their purchase price, charging an EV and matching the right EV and charger with your driving habits and needs. You’ll also learn about pairing solar power for your home with the charging demands of your car, and when to charge for the lowest carbon impact.
with Sally Pick, SJP Environmental Consulting
Tuesday, April 10th, 7-8:30pm
FREE registration link available soon

Homeschool II
2018-04-10 10:00 - 14:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Rocks and Water: The Shaping of Our Valley
Discover the stories in the stones around us! We live in a geologically unique area, and the landscape provides intriguing clues to the past. At Homeschool II we will find evidence of shifting plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciers, and the power of water. We will hike up mountains, collect rocks, and explore the rivers that have cut through the land. Join the fun as we conduct experiments, create crafts, explore home projects, and play outside.
with Jeff Mazur, Hitchcock educator
Tuesdays, March 13, 20, 27, April 10, 24, May 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5
(no program 4/3, 4/17, or 5/1)
10:00am-2:00pm
Ages 9-12
$420 members/$450 nonmembers – financial aid available

Homeschool I
2018-04-10 10:00 - 14:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Feathers to Flight
It’s spring! What better time of year is there to discover the birds all around us? At Homeschool I we will explore the wonderful adaptations that makes a bird a bird, and how specialized beaks, feet and feathers make them suited for their habitats. We’ll learn tools for identifying a bird by examining field markings, size, and flight patterns. We will observe birds at our feeders and in different habitats on field trips. We’ll also meet live birds of prey with special visitor Tom Ricardi! Get ready for an amazing birding adventure with spring homeschool! Bring binoculars if you have them. Limited to 12 participants.
with Katie Koerten, Hitchcock educator
Tuesdays, March 13, 20, 27, April 10, 24, May 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5
(no program 4/3, 4/17, or 5/1)
10:00am-2:00pm
Ages 6-8
$420 members/$450 nonmembers – financial aid available

Two Hands Hold the Earth: A Family Concert with Sarah Pirtle
2018-04-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Join award-winning musician Sarah Pirtle for a fun family concert this spring! A favorite with Hitchcock staff, Sarah’s music connects children with nature using beautiful harmonies, varying instruments and often multiple languages. Bring your family! There will be room for dancing and a chance to see Sarah’s instruments! Space is limited.
Sarah Pirtle brings songs for children that amplify the very principles we teach at the Hitchcock Center. Sarah performs primarily on the guitar, and also mountain dulcimer, and wooden flute. She is a ten-time national award-winning musician as well as a graduate school teacher of music at Lesley University who is a nationally recognized expert on supporting schools with social skills.
Sarah Pirtle, MEd, has provided over a hundred residencies for public schools spanning seven states. She received the Magic Penny Award for lifetime achievement in children’s music, citing the international impact of her songs. As a trainer for Equity Institute and Communities she has helped create undoing racism songs and conversations. The latest of her five books is Better Together: Caring and Including instead of Bullying, K-6th. Sarah stands out for her kindness and receptivity, and for embodying the spirit of inclusive community. She has been involved since 1981 in fostering unlearning racism by leading trainings and in her educational books. She creates a memorable experience of lasting interconnection. Six of her songs were chosen for Pete Seeger’s songbook on ecology songs including “My Roots Go Down,” and “The Mahogany Tree” which have been part of Hitchcock Center Programs. She is beloved in the Valley for her concerts and school programs.
April 7, 2018 at 10-11am
All ages welcome
FREE
Register here

Attracting Pollinators Workshop
2018-04-07 09:30 - 12:30, 2018-04-05 18:30 - 20:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
We depend on local populations of insect pollinators for most seed and fruit production in agriculture, horticulture, and wild plants. Come learn about the diversity of plant species that appeal to these important insects throughout the growing season. Along with our new building, we have a number of new planting beds. We made a lot of progress here on the landscape during our first growing season. But, we have a lot more we want to do. You can help us and get ideas for your own gardens.
April 5 Evening Talk: Tom will focus on the most attractive pollinator-friendly plants, where they grow best in the landscape. You will leave full of ideas for designing your home gardens. Tom will follow up with links to key information to further your research and pollinator attracting success.
April 7 Design Charrette: Join us for a design ‘charrette’ for some beds here at our new building. During these two days you will learn about and inspect our site, refer to what you learned in the pollinator-friendly plants presentation, and then try your hand at designing bee and butterfly meadow gardens that complement the building.
with Tom Sullivan, Pollinators Welcome of Montague
Evening Talk: Thursday, April 5, 6:30-8:30pm — Members $10/Non-members $15
Design Charette for Hitchcock Gardens: Saturday, April 7, 9:30am-12:30pm — Members $15/Non-members $20
Register here

Living Building Tour
2018-04-06 16:00 - 17:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Come meet our newest educator – our building! It is designed to model systems in nature, it is net zero energy, net zero water, has composting toilets, and has been made with responsibly sourced non-toxic materials, come check it out at one of our bi-monthly tours. Tours typically last from 1-1.5 hours.
Spring tour schedule:
First Fridays at 4pm: April 6, May 4, June 1
Third Wednesdays at 12pm: March 21, April 18, May 16, June 20
FREE but please register online

Private Building Tours
The Hitchcock Center offers private group building tours, based on availability. The fee for these tours is $50/group for a one hour weekday tour (during business hours). Please limit group size to 15-20 for the best experience. Please contact Jessica Schultz, Living Building Coordinator, to arrange your group’s tour.

Homeschool Discovery Day
2018-04-03 10:00 - 14:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Do you love science and nature? Do you want to see what the Hitchcock Homeschool program is all about? Sign up for our Discovery Days, our one-time programs about science and nature. In a mixed-age setting, we explore cool topics at the Hitchcock Center, meet science experts, and sometimes go on field trips. Our Discovery Day programs are appropriate for everyone from first time to veteran homeschoolers, and we welcome almost-6 year olds who are interested in joining our class in the spring. This is designed as a drop-off program, although the occasional parents and younger siblings stay as long as disruptions are kept to a minimum. Limited to 12 participants per program.
with Katie Koerten or Jeff Mazur
Tuesdays 10:00am-2:00pm
Ages 6-12
Members: $42 per program/Non-members: $46 per program
Tuesdays, January 9, January 23, February 27, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 12

January 9 Animals in Winter with Jeff Mazur
January 23 How Does Water Get To Our Faucet? Field Trip with Jeff Mazur
February 27 How Sweet It Is: Making Maple Syrup with Jeff Mazur
March 6 Native Americans of the Eastern Woodlands with Katie Koerten
April 3 Poisonous or Venomous? An Exploration of Natural Defenses with Jeff Mazur
May 1 Making and Tinkering Workshop with Katie Koerten
June 12 The River in Our Backyard: Field Trip to Groff Park with Katie Koerten

Girl Scout Program: Who Lives in a Vernal Pool?
2018-03-31 13:30 - 16:00, 2018-03-31 10:00 - 12:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Did you know vernal pools only last a few months before drying up for the summer? The fascinating animals that live there have to be adapted to survive in these temporary conditions. Come investigate who lives in a vernal pool by collecting creatures and looking at them up close! Bring a snack and clothes for the weather, especially waterproof footwear such as rain boots. Waterproof boots are a must! Space is limited.
with Katie Koerten
March 31, 2018
10:00am-12:30pm or 1:30-4:00pm
Age level: Brownie & Junior
$12 per girl, troop leaders/adults are free
Register here

Nature Play and Learning Places Garden Work Day
2018-03-31 12:00 - 15:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
The Hitchcock Center is expanding its nature play area. Join this community effort and come help us dig, weed, plant, mulch, haul, etc. Bring tools and gloves if you have them.
Saturday, March 31, 12-3pm
Sunday, April 22, 12-3pm
Saturday, May 5, 12-3pm
Sunday, June 3, 12-3pm
Registration appreciated

Good Friday at the Hitchcock Center
2018-03-30 08:30 - 15:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
(No school for Amherst schools)
Friday, March 30
8:30am-3:00pm
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-3
$60 members/$70 nonmembers
Limited to 10 participants.
