Nature Discovery Preschool: Mammal Friends
2018-11-30 13:00 - 15:00, 2018-12-07 13:00 - 15:00, 2018-12-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
with Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, Afternoon session: 1:00-3:00pm
September 14, 28 (no September 21) October 12, 19, 26 (no October 5) November 9, 16, 30 (no November 2, 23) December 7, 14
Members: $205/Non-members: $255
Through live animal observations, puppets, stories, games and crafts, Colleen will introduce the children to local mammals living right in our backyards. Squirrels, deer, skunks, and raccoons will be just a few of the friends we’ll make during our ten weeks together. An adult is required to attend with each child. Limited to 12 families per session.

Explore an Old Growth Habitat
2018-12-02 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for a trip to remnant old growth forest in Cummington.
with Ted Watt
$30/course
Register here
About Ted:
Ted is an environmental educator and naturalist at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment. He has worked here for over 30 years and loves exploring nature with others who are
passionate about their desire to connect with all aspects of the natural world
About this program:
This program is a part of 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.

Nature Play Afterschool
2018-12-03 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-12-10 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-12-17 15:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Fall is here, and school has started, and your kids still want to be outside! Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program 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 Fall Nature Play we will explore wooded trails and fields, play in and near streams, build forts, climb trees, make new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us and use our imaginations. Our instructors provide 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. Please note: there will be a different educators for Mondays and Wednesdays.
Mondays: 3:30pm-5:30pm
September 17 – December 17 (no class October 8)
Members: $295/Non-members $365

Homeschool I: Incredible Insects (And Other Arthropods!)
2018-12-04 10:00 - 14:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Honey, we shrunk the homeschoolers! Get ready to become very tiny this fall as we get down on a bug’s level. At Homeschool I we’ll discover the insects and other arthropods, such as spiders, millipedes and crustaceans that share our home with us. From butterfly to bumblebee, and cockroach to click beetle we’ll find out the characteristics that make these animals amazing survivors. We’ll learn about insect defense strategies, communication, and how many insects help humans in our everyday lives! Through collection and observation, field trips and art projects, we will study the insects and arthropods of our local habitats and beyond. By the end of our class, you might just ask yourself, where would the world “bee” without insects? Space is limited. Limited to 12 participants.
with Katie Koerten
Tuesdays, 10am-2pm
September 18, 25, October 9, 16, 23, 30, November 13, 20, 27, December 4 (No class October 2 or November 6)
Members: $450/Non-members: $560

Homeschool II: Citizen Science!
2018-12-04 10:00 - 14:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Calling all future scientists! Citizen scientists are people — young or old — who help collect data for research projects. We will work with local researchers and on national science projects, collecting data that matters! For this homeschool series we will be diving into different science projects and asking lots of questions, such as: How healthy is our local population of salamanders? When do our monarch butterflies migrate? When do our leaves drop? And more! Kids can offer a new way of looking at an issue, so bring your scientific mind, observation skills and unique perspective to our class. Through observation, special guests, field trips, and surveys, we will study the world around us and contribute to science while also having fun, exploring and playing games. Limited to 12 participants
with Jeff Mazur
Tuesdays, 10am-2pm
September 18, 25, October 9, 16, 23, 30, November 13, 20, 27, December 4 (No class October 2 or November 6)
Members: $450/Non-members: $560

Nature Play Afterschool
2018-12-05 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-12-12 13:30 - 17:30, 2018-12-19 15:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Fall is here, and school has started, and your kids still want to be outside! Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program 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 Fall Nature Play we will explore wooded trails and fields, play in and near streams, build forts, climb trees, make new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us and use our imaginations. Our instructors provide 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. Please note: there will be a different educators for Mondays and Wednesdays.

Wednesdays: 3:30pm-5:30pm, extended days 1:30pm-5:30pm
September 12 – December 19 (no class November 21)
Extended days: Sept 26, Oct 17, Dec 12
Members: $380/Non-members: $475

Current Environmental Justice Legislation & Initiatives
2018-12-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Featuring Ellen Story, Claire Higgins, and Jo Comerford.
More details to come…
Organized in partnership with Pete Westover, Hampshire College, and the Roddenberry Foundation.
Wednesday, December 5th, 7-8:30pm
Registration appreciated

Girls into the Wild
2018-12-06 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-12-13 15:30 - 17:30, 2018-12-20 15:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Sometimes you just need to run, explore and play outdoors! That’s what we do at Girls into the Wild, and lots more. Now going into its fifth 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
Ages 8-11, Grades 3-5
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
September 13 – December 20 (no program Nov. 22)
Members: $355/Non-members: $425

Nature Discovery Preschool: Mammal Friends
2018-12-07 09:30 - 11:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
with Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, Morning session: 9:30-11:30am
September 14, 28 (no September 21) October 12, 19, 26 (no October 5) November 9, 16, 30 (no November 2, 23) December 7, 14
Members: $205/Non-members: $255
Through live animal observations, puppets, stories, games and crafts, Colleen will introduce the children to local mammals living right in our backyards. Squirrels, deer, skunks, and raccoons will be just a few of the friends we’ll make during our ten weeks together. An adult is required to attend with each child. Limited to 12 families per session.

Living Building Tour
2018-12-07 16:00 - 17:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Did you know the Hitchcock Center is a Living Building? It is designed to model systems in nature, it’s net zero energy and water, has composting toilets, and has been made with responsibly sourced non-toxic materials. Bring your questions and come find out what good can look like in the built environment at one of our bi-monthly tours. Tours typically last from 1-1.5 hours.
First Fridays at 4pm: September 7, October 5, November 2, December 7
Third Wednesdays at 12pm: August 15, September 19, October 17, December 19 (No tour November 21)
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.
Note: We are pleased to be able to offer Spanish language translators for our building tours. If you or someone you know could benefit from translation, please let us know in advance, so that we may schedule a translator for your tour date.
While you’re here, check out our neighbors over at the R.W. Kern Center at Hampshire College, another Living Building Challenge project.

Viewing the Night Sky
2018-12-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
James will provide telescopes and help us view constellations, planets, galaxies and stars from our Hitchcock hilltop. We’ll discuss what we are viewing including science facts as well as legends from other cultures that teach deeper lessons about how we can connect with the sky. Dress for the weather, bring a flashlight, and be prepared to expand your horizons!
This event will be held rain or clear. Indoor astronomy activities will be planned in case of cloudy or inclement weather.
with James Lowenthal, Professor of Astronomy at Smith College, International Dark-Sky Association
Friday, October 12, 8-9pm
Friday, November 2, 7:30- 8:30pm
Friday, December 7, 7-8pm
FREE, Registration appreciated

Saturday Family Science: Counting Winter Birds
2018-12-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
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.
Saturdays, September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8
10-11am
Free
Registration appreciated. Groups of 6 or more please call ahead.
September 8: What Do Snakes Do?
What are turtles and snakes doing this time of year? Come visit the Hitchcock reptiles and meet Cob, our new corn snake!
October 13: Colors of Fall
How many colors of leaves can you find? Learn about why the leaves change colors in fall.
November 10: Oh Deer!
One of our most common, yet quiet mammals: come learn about the lives of white-tailed deer.
December 8: Counting Winter Birds with Heidi Stemple, Guest Teacher
Learn about the birds that stay all winter, and the citizen scientists that count them, with local children’s author Heidi Stemple.

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.

Homeschool Discovery Day: Ew, That’s Gross!
2018-12-11 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. Limited to 12 participants per program.
September 11: Quabbin Reservoir Discovery with Katie Koerten
October 2: The Forest That Stinks! with Katie Koerten
November 6: Marvelous Mammals with Jeff Mazur
December 11: Ew, That’s Gross! with Jeff Mazur
with Katie Koerten or Jeff Mazur
Tuesdays 10am-2pm
September 11, October 2, November 6, December 11
Members: $45 per program/Non-members: $55 per program
Ages 6-12

How to Talk About Environmental Issues
2018-12-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Most people spend very little time talking about environmental issues with their colleagues, friends and family members. Yet research shows that these are exactly the conversations we need to be having in order to promote greater public engagement with the conservation and sustainability challenges we face. Join Ezra Markowitz Umass professor and researcher of Climate Ethics and Intergenerational decision-making and the environment. In this talk, he will present some of the research he and others have done on the key role of interpersonal communication—everyday social interactions and conversations—in conservation efforts. He will then highlight how this work can be used to support pro-environmental decision-making across a variety of issues.
with Ezra Markowitz, Assistant Professor of Environmental Decision-Making
Donations and registration appreciated

Nature Discovery Preschool: Mammal Friends
2018-12-14 09:30 - 11:30

Christmas Bird Count for Kids and Families
2018-12-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Sunday, December 16
2-4pm
Free, Registration appreciated

Do you want to learn more about birds? Would you like to contribute to science? Join birdwatchers all over America in the Christmas Bird Count (CBC)! The Hitchcock Center is hosting its first ever CBC for kids and their families on Sunday, December 16 from 2:00-4:00pm. The CBC is a 118-year old event in which bird lovers of all ages and skill levels count all the birds they see in a 24-hour period in December. At this program, we’ll meet at the Hitchcock Center for an indoor program about how to recognize common birds, followed by an outdoor bird count. Educator Katie Koerten will facilitate a bird count for kids and their families on the grounds of the Hitchcock Center – we’ll count every bird we see! Stay as long as you wish. Later that evening she will report the data we collect at the official CBC compilation meeting. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a real bird census! This event is rain, slow, sleet or shine. Families may stay for as much time as they wish but we recommend you come for the indoor portion in order to get introduced to the common winter species we are likely to see. Binoculars welcome but not required.

Living Building Tour
2018-12-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Did you know the Hitchcock Center is a Living Building? It is designed to model systems in nature, it’s net zero energy and water, has composting toilets, and has been made with responsibly sourced non-toxic materials. Bring your questions and come find out what good can look like in the built environment at one of our bi-monthly tours. Tours typically last from 1-1.5 hours.
First Fridays at 4pm: September 7, October 5, November 2, December 6
Third Wednesdays at 12pm: August 15, September 19, October 17, December 19 (No tour November 21)
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.
Note: We are pleased to be able to offer Spanish language translators for our building tours. If you or someone you know could benefit from translation, please let us know in advance, so that we may schedule a translator for your tour date.
While you’re here, check out our neighbors over at the R.W. Kern Center at Hampshire College, another Living Building Challenge project.

Hitchcock Center Closed
2018-12-22, 2018-12-23, 2018-12-24, 2018-12-25, 2018-12-26
The Hitchcock Center will be closed Saturday, December 22 – Tuesday, January 1. We will re-open Wednesday, January 2.
