Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Girls into the Wild
2018-02-15 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-02-08 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-02-01 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-01-25 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-01-18 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Sometimes you just need to run, explore and play – especially in the winter! 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.
Katie Koerten, Hitchcock Educator
Ages 8-11, Grades 3-5
Thursdays, January 4 – March 22, 2018 (No program 2/22)
3:30pm-5:30pm
$297 members/$352 nonmembers

Nature Play Afterschool
2018-02-14 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-02-07 13:30 - 17:30, 2018-01-31 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-01-24 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-01-17 15:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Just because it’s cold outside, doesn’t mean your kids need to stay inside to play. 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 Winter Nature Play, we make snow forts, sled, find animal tracks, play manhunt in the dark 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, Hitchcock educator
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-3
Wednesdays, January 3 – March 21, 2018 (No program on February 21st)
3:30pm-5:30pm
Extended Days: 2/7 and 3/14 1:30pm-5:30pm
$275 members/$300 nonmembers

Nature All Year Study Club: Insects in Winter
2018-02-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Fieldtrip Location
Join us for our fifth year of offering an in-depth natural history course for naturalists and citizen scientists. Each month, in our series of nature explorations with different local naturalists, we explore a focused, seasonal, natural history topic. We’ll look at nature in new ways, from broad habitat perspectives to close details of individual species. Over the course of the year we’ll visit a variety of natural habitats in the greater Pioneer Valley area. Identification skills, ecological connections, adaptations, and life cycles of organisms will be the focus of our observations. Bring your curiosity and observation skills and be prepared to spend time outdoors. Dress for the weather as we rarely cancel due to inclement weather. Bring binoculars and a hand lens, water and snacks if you would like. Carpooling to more distant locations will be encouraged.
Sundays once per month, 9am-12pm (some class times may vary depending on topics)
Members: $300/Non-members: $350 for the full course
Drop-in cost is $30.
Register here

Prowling for Owls
2018-02-10 20:00 - 22:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Dress INCREDIBLY warm because we’ll be standing around in the dark a lot. Bring your sharp ears, a flashlight, and a thermos of something hot to drink. We’ll meet at the Hitchcock Center.
with Dan Ziomek, local birder and naturalist
Friday, January 26, 8-10pm – wait list only!
Saturday, February 10, 8-10pm – wait list only!
Saturday, February 17, 8-10pm – wait list only!
Saturday, March 3, 8-10pm
Members $12/Non-members $16 per night, youth 8 and older welcome with an adult.
Register here.

Saturday Family Science Series: Crystals and Snowflakes
2018-02-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Second Saturdays: 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.
Themes:
January 13: Coping with Cold
February 10: Crystals and Snowflakes
March 10: Vernal Pools
April 14: Water Cycle
May 12: Metamorphosis
June 9: Pollinators

Weather Cancellation Policy
If we cancel this program due to in-climate weather, we will post the cancellation on our website by 9am. Please check the website before coming to the program.

Second Saturdays at Hitchcock
2018-02-10 09:00 - 13:00 | 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.

Viewing the Night Sky and Stories by the Fire
2018-02-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Join us for an evening of fireside stories and viewing the night sky. It’s a delight to be out at night in the winter with firelight, stars and community.
Friday, February 9, 6-8pm
FREE Registration link available soon

Lessening Our Carbon Footprint by Feasting on the Local Winter Harvest - CANCELLED
2018-02-08 18:30 - 20:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
In this lecture and local food tasting, gourmet organic chef/teacher and cookbook author Leslie Cerier, presents the bounty of our winter harvest: Come learn how to mix and match organic seasonal veggies, pickles, sauerkrauts, ghee, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, and even local grains and beans to make amazing meals all winter long while lessening our carbon footprint. Tasty samples and lots of cooking tips offered.
with Leslie Cerier, The Organic Gourmet
Thursday, February 8, 6:30-8pm
$20 Ingredient Fee, registration link available soon

Living Building Tour
2018-02-02 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.
First Fridays at 4pm: January 5, February 2, March 2
Third Wednesdays at 12pm: January 17, February 21, March 21
FREE but please register online

Butterflies of the World
2018-02-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Come dream about butterflies in February, Butterflies of the World is a powerpoint presentation featuring images of butterflies from every major continent throughout their life cycles. Participants learn fascinating facts about these enchanting insects, including myths and legends about butterflies, distinguishing characteristics of the five butterfly families, wing coloration, feeding behavior, and instruction in establishing butterfly gardens.
with John Root, naturalist and educator
Thursday, February 1, 7-8pm (snowdate-Feb. 15)
Members $8/Non-Members $10
Registration link available soon

Zero Energy Design & Performance: Practical Approaches
2018-01-31 19:00 - 20:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Architect Ellen Watts, president and co-founder of Architerra in Boston, will discuss her firm’s experience with zero energy and energy positive buildings, sharing design strategies and performance data. Remarks will focus on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters in Westborough, MA (2014), and the Clark University Alumni & Student Engagement Center in Worcester, MA (2016). Watts chaired the Massachusetts Governor’s Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force in 2008-2009, and is a passionate advocate for practical high performance buildings and resilient planning. She holds degrees from Smith, Harvard and MIT. Sponsored by Zero Energy Municipal Buildings Committee of Mothers Out Front, Climate Action Now and Sustainable Amherst.
with Ellen Watts, Architerra
Wednesday, January 31, 7-8:30pm
FREE registration link available soon

Spring Birding Class with Scott Surner
2018-01-31 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

Prowling For Owls
2018-01-26 20:00 - 22:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Dress INCREDIBLY warm because we’ll be standing around in the dark a lot. Bring your sharp ears, a flashlight, and a thermos of something hot to drink. We’ll meet at the Hitchcock Center.
with Dan Ziomek, local birder and naturalist
Friday, January 26, 8pm-10pm
Saturday, February 17, 8pm -10pm
Members $12/Non-members $16 per night, youth 8 and older welcome with an adult.
Register here.

Homeschool Discovery Day
2018-01-23 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

January Curriculum Day
2018-01-22 08:30 - 15:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
(No school for Amherst schools)
Monday, January 22
8:30am-3:00pm
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-3
$60 members/$70 nonmembers
Register here.
Limited to 10 participants.

The “Environmental Canon” Book Club
2018-01-21 14:00 - 15:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
with Rae Griffiths – Teaching Creatures and Casey Beebe – Hitchcock Center
First half of book: Sunday, November 5, 2pm-3:30pm OR Thursday, November 16, 6pm-7:30pm
Second half of book: Wednesday, January 10, 6pm-7:30pm OR Sunday, January 21, 2pm-3:30pm
FREE, Registration appreciated
Join us to read through some of the most classic and beloved books in environmental and nature writing. They stand the test of time and illuminate new things in the current era. Have you read this beautiful classic A Sand County Almanac. We hope you will join us in reading your favorites again or reading them for the first time.

Repair Public: An Experiment in Community Fixery
2018-01-21 12:00 - 16:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Repair Public is an exercise in community resourcefulness.
The basic idea is to encourage people to learn how and/or where to fix broken items instead of tossing them into a landfill and buying replacements. The participants and facilitators are local community members just like you. You bring a broken item that you want help repairing as well as a willingness to try to fix it. There will be repair facilitators on-hand to help you figure out how to fix your treasure, each with one or more areas of specialty. We’ll have various tools available for use, as well as some basic supplies like screws, tape, glue, wire nuts, needles, threads, and probably appliance cord with some plug-ends. With all these ingredients, we intend to repair whatever you decide to bring in – To learn more visit: https://repairpublic.org/.
Sunday, January 21, 12pm- 4pm
FREE registration appreciated.
DO bring:

Small appliances
Small furniture or woodworking (chairs or smaller)
Clothing / Textiles
Toys
Garden tools
Lamps
Electronic items*
…anything else you want to fix that isn’t on the “DON’T” list.
Bicycles and bicycle-related things**
Tents, canvas things, larger furniture items, patio stuff.

Generally speaking, DON’T bring:

Computers
Things under warranty
Things that need welding (we don’t have a space to do that publicly yet)
Anything living
Big or heavy things.***

Nature All Year Study Club: Tracking
2018-01-21 09:00 - 12:00 | Fieldtrip Location

Girl Scout Program: Engineer for a Day at the Hitchcock Center!
2018-01-20 13:30 - 16:30, 2018-01-20 10:00 - 12:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
The Hitchcock Center’s new “Living” Building, is designed to mimic nature! Come interact with the features that make this building among the “greenest” buildings in the world. Educator Katie Koerten will show us the ins and outs of this fascinating building in an interactive, hands-on program that includes a tour, a scavenger hunt, and an engineering design challenge! Troops and individual girls welcome to this Girl Scout program. Bring a snack and clothes for the weather. This is primarily an indoor program but we will go outside briefly. Space is limited.
with Katie Koerten
Saturday, January 20, 2018 (snow date: Sunday, January 21)
10:00am-12:30pm or 1:30-4:00pm
Age level: Brownie & Junior
$12 per girl, troop leaders/adults are free
Register here

Winter Preschool Day
2018-01-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Friday, Jan. 19: Animal Signs – Winter Wonderland Track Detectives
Come walk through Hitchcock Center’s winter wonderland searching for tracks and signs of active winter animals. We will make a track guide, go on an adventure, eat a detective snack, and read a tracking story. Wear your warm winter layers and bring your sharp detective eyes!!
with Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult must attend with child)
Selected Fridays, 9:30am-11:30am
Members: $20.50 per program/Non-members: $24 per program

Living Building Tour -Canceled
2018-01-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
