Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Nature Play Afterschool
2017-11-08 15:30 - 17:30, 2017-11-15 15:30 - 17:30, 2017-11-29 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
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. It’s also an effective way to build a generation of committed environmental stewards.
with Jeff Mazur
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-3
Wednesdays – 3:30pm-5:30pm, extended days 1:30pm-5:30pm
September 6 – December 20 (no class November 22)
Extended days: Sept 20, Oct 18, Dec 13
Members: $380/Non-members: $410
Register here

Community Gallery Exhibit Opening
2017-11-08 17:00 - 18:00, 2017-11-11 11:00 - 13:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Amherst au Naturale: Up Close and Personal
A Photo Show by Alan Hurwitz at the Hitchcock Center Living Building
Opening Events:
Wednesday, November 8th at 5pm and Saturday, November 11th at 11am
This photo exhibit is designed to show some special aspects of our local natural world. All are
of subjects found right here in Amherst – many captured on the Station Road property of the
photographer, Alan Hurwitz.
They are special: by showing aspects of nature we may miss if not paying close attention; as
beautiful photographs in themselves; and by many depicting interesting aspects of nature from
which we can learn, or which will inspire interesting conversations. We can help with that.
Many are macro images of insects, some of our fellow mammals, or birds or reptiles, common
or otherwise – most views of them that we don't see all the time. Others are of flowers, close-
up or as part of larger scenes. A few show the larger natural context of this scenic area.
A central purpose of this exhibit, like the Hitchcock Center itself, is to inspire educate, or
perhaps provoke, members of the Hitchcock Center and general Amherst communities, to
deepen our awareness of aspects of nature that we may pass unnoticed every day – not paying
the attention that these wonderful examples of the wisdom of nature deserve.

CANCELLED - What We Can Do About Light Pollution
2017-11-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
with James Lowenthal, Professor of Astronomy at Smith College and active in the International Dark-Sky Association
Wednesday, November 8, 7pm- 8:30pm
FREE, Registration appreciated

You may have seen images of Earth’s continents at night with metropolitan areas glowing from all our lights! James will lead a discussion of the current impacts that our use of lighting is having both on our own health and on the animals and plants that share the planet with us. Not only are these lights bad for nature but they are bad for us, too. James will describe work he and others are doing to reduce unnecessary light and offer opportunities for you to get involved in helping make progress around this important issue. Weather permitting we’ll also spend some time star-gazing!

Morning Nature Walk for Seniors
2017-11-09 09:00 - 11:00
with John Green, naturalist
Thursday, October 12, 9am-11am – Hadley
Thursday, November 9, 9am-11am – Quabbin in New Salem
FREE but space is limited and registration required.
Join John Green a life long naturalist as he ambles through a habitat looking and listening. Fall is a wonderful time to explore nature and get breaths of fresh crisp air.

Girls into the Wild
2017-11-09 15:30 - 17:30, 2017-11-16 15:30 - 17:30, 2017-11-30 15:30 - 17:30
Sometimes you just need to run, explore and play! That’s what we do at Girls into the Wild, and lots more. Now going into 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. Each season we do handmade nature crafts – last year we did weaving, birdhouse painting and flower fairies. 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, September 14 – December 14 (no program Nov 23)
Members: $355/Non-members: $420
Register here
Limited to 10 participants. Non-refundable within a week of the program, all refunds incur a 10% administrative fee.

Veteran’s Day at the Hitchcock Center
2017-11-10 08:30 - 15:00 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Come play outside on this no school day! We’ll play games, explore in the woods, and meet a live animal or two! Bring a snack, lunch, and water bottle and dress for the weather! (No school for Amherst schools)
Registration Required
with Patrick O’Roark, Hitchcock educator
Friday, November 10, 8:30am-3:00pm
Ages 6-9, Grades 1-3
$60 members/$70 nonmembers

Nature Discovery Preschool - Our Rainbow World
2017-11-10 09:30 - 11:30
Welcome fall and all its colors at nature preschool at the Hitchcock Center with Colleen! Children will fill their art palettes with many colors and discover how colors affect animals, plants and their own lives. Through movement, songs, crafts and live animal observations, children will investigate camouflage, natural plant dyes, plant patterns, chlorophyll and much more. An adult is required to attend with each child.
with Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, morning session: 9:30am-11:30 am
September 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13, 27, November 3, 10, December 1, 8
(no class October 20, November 10 or November 24)
Members: $205 / Non-members: $225
Register here

Viewing the Night Sky
2017-11-10 18:30 - 20:30, 2017-12-02 18:30 - 20:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
with James Lowenthal, Professor of Astronomy at Smith College and active in the International Dark-Sky Association
Friday, September 29, 7:15pm
Saturday, October 21, 7:00pm
Friday, November 10, 6:30pm
Saturday, December 2, 6:30pm
FREE, Registration appreciated
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. We, of course, cannot be sure of providing clear skies for viewing so, no matter what the sky conditions, we’ll have additional activities planned to teach you more about the sky. Dress for the weather and be prepared to expand your horizons!

Saturday Family Science - Composting Critters
2017-11-11 10:00 - 11:00
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. No registration required. Groups of 6 or more please call ahead.
with Patrick O’Roark
Second Saturdays, September through December
Free
10am – 11am
Saturdays, September 9, October 14, November 11, December 9
While the program is offered 10-11, families are welcome to enjoy the Hitchcock Center from 9-1 each second Saturday.
Upcoming Themes:
September 9 – Living with Black Bears
Have you ever seen a bear in your neighborhood? Massachusetts’ only native species of bear, the black bear, is an amazing and often misunderstood animal. Join us as we learn about how they live and how we can safely share their habitat with them.
October 14 – Slime Time
The natural world is full of ooze, goo and slime, and it’s often more than meets the eye. In this program we’ll learn about how different animals and plants benefit from slime, and we’ll make our own slime to play with, including Ooblek and flubber.
November 11 – Composting Critters
Nature has been composting, or turning organic matter into soil through decomposition, for much longer than we humans have been doing it. Come meet some of the creatures that are busy breaking down the dead stuff out in nature, including earthworms, pill bugs and beetles. We’ll learn all about the lives of these composting critters and how they can help us compost our own waste.
December 9 – Exploring Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs lived on our planet for over 165 million years – that’s more than 1,000 times longer than modern humans have existed! In this program we’ll explore the different groups of dinosaurs and learn which dinosaurs lived right here in the Pioneer Valley.

Homeschool I - Patterns in Nature
2017-11-14 10:00 - 14:00, 2017-11-21 10:00 - 14:00, 2017-12-05 10:00 - 14:00
From chipmunk stripes to ladybug spots, spiral seashells to sunflowers, patterns are everywhere you look in nature. In this homeschool class we will discover what makes a pattern and find out how these designs can help animals, plants and people. We’ll explore animal patterns such as stripes, spots, camouflage and more subtle designs such as branching, waves, wrinkles and packing. Each day will include outdoor adventures, writing in our journals, and creating art projects, with special guest visitors and field trips too. By the end of our ten weeks, homeschoolers will become expert pattern pioneers and savvy design detectives.
with Katie Koerten, Hitchcock Educator
Ages 6-8
Tuesdays, 10:00am-2:00pm
September 12, 19, October 3, 10, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, December 5
Members: $420/Non-members: $450
Register here

Homeschool II - Connections: Where Does it Come From?
2017-11-14 10:00 - 14:00, 2017-11-21 10:00 - 14:00, 2017-12-05 10:00 - 14:00
Did you ever wonder how fiber becomes thread? Do you want to learn how to turn grass into ice cream? In such a product-oriented society, it is easy to lose connection with how things are made and the origins of the things we use every day. By researching the path of how a product is made we are able to see firsthand the energy that goes into making each product. With games, crafts, special guests, home projects and field trips we will develop an appreciation for the resources, time and energy used to make products that we use daily.
with Jeff Mazur, Hitchcock Educator
Ages 9-12
Tuesdays, 10:00am-2:00pm
September 12, 19, October 3, 10, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, December 4
Members: $420/Non-members: $450
Register here

Living Building Tour
2017-11-15 00:00 - 13:00 | 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.
Public Building Tours
First Fridays at 4pm
Third Wednesdays at 12pm
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. 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.

Swallows in Massachusetts—How You Can Help
2017-11-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
with Mara Silver, Local swallow researcher and dedicated conservationist
Wednesday, November 15, 7pm- 8:30pm
FREE, Registration appreciated
Swallows are aerial insectivores, which means that they catch insects on the wing. Unfortunately, many species in this group are declining at an alarming rate. We don’t know all the reasons why, but possibilities include habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use, and increasingly intense agricultural practices. Fortunately there are ways we can help these birds during their four-month breeding season with us. Mara will discuss the natural history of the swallows that breed in western Massachusetts and describe simple techniques she has used to increase breeding success at her study sites.

Tour of Amherst Wastewater Treatment Facility
2017-11-16 10:00 - 11:30
Thursday, November 16, 10am-11:30am
FREE but space is limited, Registration is required.
We think it is good to know where our water comes from and where it goes. We just turn on our faucets and flush our toilets but what’s the infrastructure that makes that possible. Come tour the facility that receives Amherst’s wastewater and see what happens there. At this special facility tiny microorganisms normally present in wastewater are given optimum conditions to feed on biodegradable matter, come check it out.

The “Environmental Canon” Book Club
2017-11-16 18:00 - 19:30 | 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.

An Invisible Terror: Birds and Window Collisions
2017-11-17 18:30 - 19:30 | Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
with Brandon Hedrick, evolutionary and conservation biologist at Harvard University and collaborating scientist with the Hitchcock Center
Friday, November 17, 6:30-7:30 pm
FREE, Registration appreciated
Following deforestation, window collisions are the number one, human-made cause of bird mortality, with estimates as high as 1 billion birds per year in the United States alone. By identifying areas that are particularly dangerous for birds, we can better mitigate this problem by targeting specific windows and locations for intervention. Of particular concern are the glass breezeways connecting buildings. He will also share some of the solutions designed to avoid this problem. Come learn more about the Amherst Bird Strikes Project and how you can help us protect our local and migratory birds. There will be time at the end for questions and comments.

Nature All Year Study Club
2017-11-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Fieldtrip Location
Sundays once per month, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon (some class times may vary depending on topics)
Members $275/Non-members $325 for the full course
Drop-in cost is $27. For the Plum Island field trip, the drop-in cost is $45.
Register here
Join us for our fourth 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.
Course dates and leaders are available here. 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.

Homeschool Discovery Day - Clue's to Nature's Past
2017-11-28 10:00 - 14:00
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.
with Katie Koerten or Jeff Mazur
Tuesdays 10:00am-2:00pm
Ages 6-12
Members: $45 per program /Non-members: $50 per program
Tuesdays, September 26, October 17, November 28, December 12
Register here
Discovery Day Themes
September 26 – Nature Did It First: Biomimicry with Katie Koerten
October 17 – Fabulous Fungi with Jeff Mazur
November 28 – Clues to Nature’s Past with Jeff Mazur
December 12: We All Depend on Trees with Katie Koerten

Nature Discovery Preschool - Our Rainbow World
2017-12-01 09:30 - 11:30
Welcome fall and all its colors at nature preschool at the Hitchcock Center with Colleen! Children will fill their art palettes with many colors and discover how colors affect animals, plants and their own lives. Through movement, songs, crafts and live animal observations, children will investigate camouflage, natural plant dyes, plant patterns, chlorophyll and much more. An adult is required to attend with each child.
with Colleen Kelley
Ages 3-5 (Adult required to attend with child)
Fridays, morning session: 9:30am-11:30 am
September 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13, 27, November 3, 17, December 1, 8
(no class October 20, November 10 or November 24)
Members: $205 / Non-members: $225
Register here

Living Building Tour
2017-12-01 16:00 - 17:00
