Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Nature Play Afterschool
2016-11-30 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-11-23 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-11-16 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-11-09 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-11-02 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Hitchcock’s Nature Play Afterschool Program for children ages 6–9 is all about getting kids outside to run, jump, climb, splash, invent, imagine, play and be a free-range kid. There are many positive impacts of nature play on children’s social, emotional, intellectual, and physical well-being.
with Jeff Mazur
Wednesdays – 3:30pm-5:30pm, extended days 1:30pm-5:30pm
September 14 – December 21 (no class November 23)
Extended days: Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Dec 14
Members: $357/Non-members: $388
On early-release Wednesdays we meet from 1:30pm-5:30pm. Limited to 10 participants.

Space is limited. These programs are part of a series and are not open as drop-in classes. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.

Homeschool II: Digital Ecology
2016-11-29 10:00 - 14:00, 2016-11-22 10:00 - 14:00, 2016-11-08 10:00 - 14:00, 2016-11-01 10:00 - 14:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
with Jeff Mazur
Ages 9-12
Tuesdays, 10:00am-2:00pm
10 classes: September 13, 20, October 4, 11, 18, November 1, 8, 22, 29, December 6
Members: $420/Non-members: $448
Join us to become Eco-photographers! We will be using the camera as a tool to study nature and enhance our observation skills. We’ll explore our world by viewing it through different lenses. During this fall’s Homeschool II class we will delve into the environment through outdoor activities, games, observations and investigations, field trips, art and photography projects. We will investigate different habitats and change how we see the world around us and be the first to document what is living in Hitchcock’s new trail system. Limited to 10 participants.

Homeschool I: Marvelous Mammals
2016-11-29 10:00 - 14:00, 2016-11-22 10:00 - 14:00, 2016-11-08 10:00 - 14:00, 2016-11-01 10:00 - 14:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
with Katie Koerten
Ages 6-8
Tuesdays, 10:00am-2:00pm
10 classes: September 13, 20, October 4, 11, 18, November 1, 8, 22, 29, December 6
Members: $420/Non-members: $448
Come to our first homeschool class in the new Hitchcock Center Living Building, now in a 10-week format! This fall we’ll be learning all about bears, bats, squirrels and more as we dive into the world of mammals. These furry, warm-blooded creatures share a lot in common with us humans. What are their lives like, what do they eat, where do they live? What makes them unique from other animals? Each week we’ll focus on a new mammal and its adaptations and natural history. With special visitors, field trips and live animal observations, we’ll discover who these creatures are and what we have in common with them. Online registration opens Tuesday, June 21. Limited to 12 participants.

Hot Water Issues Symposium: Global, National & Valley Perspectives – Problems, Solutions, and the Challenges Ahead
2016-11-19 12:00 - 15:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Saturday, November 19, 12pm- 3pm
845 West St. Amherst, MA
FREE, but please register online
Download and share the event flyer.
Three hot topics that concern public drinking water and their sources of supply, from both a water quality and quantity perspective:

Looming Water Shortages: Is Water The Next Oil?
Is My Water Safe To Drink? Conventional And Emerging Contaminants
Climate Change and Water: Should we be worried?

Nationally recognized expert speakers will address national and local water quality concerns as sparked by the recent water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan as well as water supply fears brought on by recent drought conditions in New England along with the long-term implications of climate change on future water supplies, in the Valley and around the globe. Speakers will be followed by a Q&A panel discussion with audience – What can we as individuals and a community do to secure a better water future?
AMY VICKERS is a nationally recognized water conservation and efficiency expert, engineer, and author of the award-winning Handbook of Water Use and Conservation: Homes, Landscapes, Businesses, Industries, Farms (WaterPlow Press). A consultant to more than 125 U.S. and overseas water utilities and organizations, Amy is also the author of the first national water efficiency standards for plumbing fixtures that were adopted under the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992–now saving 7 to 9 billion gallons daily. In 2017, she will be a contributing author to the forthcoming Drought and Water Crises (CRC Press). Education: M.S., Engineering, Dartmouth College; B.A., Philosophy, New York University. More…
LAUREL SCHAIDER is a Research Scientist at the Silent Spring Institute with expertise in environmental chemistry, environmental engineering, and exposure assessment. She leads the Institute’s Cape Cod water quality research on highly fluorinated chemicals and other contaminants of emerging concern. Before joining Silent Spring, she was a research associate at the Harvard School of Public Health where she led a study in rural Oklahoma on mercury exposure among anglers and their families including members of local Native American tribes. Dr. Schaider earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering Science from MIT. She has taught ecology and environmental engineering courses at MIT and Northeastern University. More…
CASEY BROWN is an internationally recognized expert in water resources systems analysis and climate risk assessment. He serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UMass/Amherst and Adjunct Associate Research Scientist at Columbia University. At UMass, Casey leads the Hydrosystems Research Group that conducts world-leading research on climate risk assessment, adaptation, and hydroclimatology. His pioneering work in vulnerability-based climate risk assessment is influencing adaptation planning in water management agencies around the world. He has led climate risk studies for the U.S. Department of Defense, World Bank, and the California Department of Water Resources. Education: Ph.D, Environmental Engineering Science, Harvard University. More…

Nature Discovery Preschool
2016-11-18 13:00 - 15:00, 2016-11-18 09:30 - 11:30, 2016-11-04 13:00 - 15:00, 2016-11-04 09:30 - 11:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Under Your Toes to Above Your Nose – Layers of the Forest
with Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, Morning session: 9:30am-11:30am
Afternoon session: 1:00pm-3:00pm
September 23, 30, October 7, 21, 28, November 4, 18, December 2, 9, 16
Members: $205/Non-members: $225
Limited to 12 families per session
Come join us this Fall to explore the layers of the forest – starting with under your toes and all the wonders of soil and who lives there – to above your nose exploring the sun, clouds and wind in the sky! Through live animal observations, puppets, games and model making, each week will focus on a different layer of the forest.

Space is limited. An adult is required to attend with child. This program is part of a series and is not open as a drop-in class. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.

Girls Into the Wild
2016-11-17 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-11-10 15:30 - 17:30, 2016-11-03 15:30 - 17:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
with Katie Koerten
Ages 8-11, Grades 3-5
Thursdays, September 15 – December 15 (no class November 24)
3:30pm-5:30pm
Members: $351/Non-members: $416

Calling all girls ages 8-11! Get to know nature, and make friends at the same time at this weekly afterschool program. Now in its third year, Girls into the Wild is designed to bring girls together in a supportive environment that fosters creativity, nature skills and inquiry. Each afternoon will consist of hands-on projects and free outdoor exploration at the Larch Hill Conservation Area. Through playing games, exploring nearby habitats, and connecting with nature, we will develop our confidence, build friendships and have a lot of fun learning! Families provide their own transportation to the Hitchcock Center. Limited to 10 participants.

These programs are part of a series and are not open as a drop-in classes. Families provide their own transportation to the Hitchcock Center. Limited to 10 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.

Living Building Tour
2016-11-16 12:00 - 13:00, 2016-11-04 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. FREE but please register online.
All Fall Tour Dates:
Wednesdays at 12pm – September 14, 28, October 19, November 16
Fridays at 4pm – September 23, October 7, November 4, December 2

Homeschool Discovery Day
2016-11-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
with Patrick O’Roark
Tuesdays 10:00am-2:00pm
Ages 6-12
Members: $42 per day /Non-members: $46 per day
Tuesdays, September 27 , October 25, November 15 , December 13
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. Themes to be announced this summer. Limited to 12 participants per program.

Red, Black and Scarlet - Identifying The Oaks
2016-11-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Ted Watt, Nancy Goodman, Kim Noyes & Patti Steinman, Collaborative Naturalists
Thursday, November 10, 7- 8:30 pm (at the Hitchcock Center)
Sunday, November 13, 9:00 am – noon (field trip)
Join the Hitchcock Center, Northfield Mountain and Arcadia for a collaborative unraveling of the mysteries of oak identification. After a review of the many oak species found in the Valley, we’ll take a closer look at buds and acorns. We’ll share specific identification tips and strategies and work together to gain skills and confidence in identifying this challenging group. Bring your enthusiasm along with a hand lens, if you have one, and join us for a fun evening! If time allows we’ll also try our hand at Hickory ID. The evening will be followed by a local field trip on Sunday, November 13 from 9:00 a.m. to noon to practice our newly acquired skills in the field. Members $20/Non-members $25

Red, Black and Scarlet - Identifying The Oaks
2016-11-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Ted Watt, Nancy Goodman, Kim Noyes & Patti Steinman, Collaborative Naturalists
Thursday, November 10, 7- 8:30 pm (at the Hitchcock Center)
Sunday, November 13, 9:00 am – noon (field trip)
Join the Hitchcock Center, Northfield Mountain and Arcadia for a collaborative unraveling of the mysteries of oak identification. After a review of the many oak species found in the Valley, we’ll take a closer look at buds and acorns. We’ll share specific identification tips and strategies and work together to gain skills and confidence in identifying this challenging group. Bring your enthusiasm along with a hand lens, if you have one, and join us for a fun evening! If time allows we’ll also try our hand at Hickory ID. The evening will be followed by a local field trip on Sunday, November 13 from 9:00 a.m. to noon to practice our newly acquired skills in the field. Members $20 Non-members $25

Fall Curriculum Day
2016-11-08 08:30 - 15:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Program full, waitlist only
Tuesday, November 8
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-3
8:30am-3:00pm
Members: $60/Non-members: $70
No school for Amherst public schools. Limited to 12 participants.

Amazing Local Geology: A class and field experience
2016-11-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Fieldtrip Location
with Richard Little
3 Saturdays – October 22, 29, and November 5
10 am – 4 pm
This is the best place in the world to study geology. Find out why in this introduction to Connecticut Valley geology. All field sites will be easily accessible, but some require walking on rocky established trails with up to 100 feet of elevation gain. Members $95 Non-members $115. Register here.
Day 1:
Valley Geologic History presentation and field trip – Richard will present a vivid-imagery overview of the geologic history of the Valley – plate tectonics, earthquakes, vulcanism, dinosaurs, glaciers – they all happened right here! We will have rock samples to examine.
Picnic lunch at the Hitchcock Center (or TBA)
Afternoon field trip to the Mt. Tom Reservation to view the basalt cliffs and the Trustees of Reservations Dinosaur Footprint site on route 5 in Holyoke.
Day 2:
Presentation and Field Trip. We’ll begin with a slide presentation about Glaciers and how Lake Hitchcock and the amazing Valley agricultural soils were formed. This will include handouts.
Picnic Lunch and discussion at the Hitchcock Center
Field trip along route 116 and route 63 to view a variety of glacial sediments and landforms including deltas, sand dunes, and some fascinating clay layers
Day 3:
Field Trip Day. Today we will meet at the French King Bridge, Rte. 2, Erving. From the base of the bridge (Dorsey Rd), we will head west on route 2 toward Greenfield visiting various sites for geologic excitement! Picnic lunch or buy at Stop and Shop in Greenfield, the site of one of our explorations. Wait until you see the armored mud balls in Greenfield!Our travels will take us through Deerfield and Sunderland as we return back to the Amherst area by the end of the afternoon.

Understanding Net Zero Water
2016-11-03 19:00 - 21:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Chris Chamberland, Civil Engineer Berkshire Design
Thursday, November 3, 7pm
Take a tour of our new net zero water system with the civil engineer who designed it for our new building and the Kern Center at Hampshire College. He will relate the buildings’ systems to our traditional water systems (treatment plants, etc.), and also think about what systems or principals could be taken and applied more widely. FREE but registration online appreciated.

Explore the New Hitchcock Center’s Grounds
2016-10-30 09:30 - 12:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
With Ted Watt
Sunday, October 30, 9:30-12:30
We’ll walk leisurely along the new trail system and make notes of what is happening in the world of nature. We are working with Hampshire to develop a searchable database of plant and animal sightings on the campus. On this walk we will gather information to be included in this database. No previous knowledge or experience is needed. Just bring your eyes and your curiosity, and binoculars if you have them. Dress for the weather as we will be outdoors for 3 hours. Members $10/Non-members $12.
