In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. ~ John Muir
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Personalized Programs: A program of your choice with a naturalist, just for your family group.
Ideas for nature watching in your neighborhood: Nature from Home
Find recordings of recent webinars here.
At BEEC we believe that everyone deserves to be able to access, enjoy, and engage with nature and the natural world. If you would like to participate in a program, but costs are are prohibitive, please contact us to discuss options.
Questions about programs? Call 257-5785 or email .
Peace with Nature in the New Year with Amanda Kenyon of Landkind Guide
New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1, 10:30a-12:30p at BEEC
$35 for members, $45 for non-members
“Looking behind I am filled with gratitude. Looking forward I am filled with vision. Looking upwards I am filled with strength. Looking within I discover peace. And so it is. ” – Quero Apache prayer
Begin the new year with peace, rejuvenation and gratitude as we connect to Nature through a practice inspired by shinrin-yoku, “forest bathing.” This meditative and immersive exploration offers prompts, or “invitations,” to guide an experience of heart-centered connection with Nature, yourself, and your fellow human beings. There will be a combination of sitting, hands-on interaction with Nature, and walking less than a mile on hilly terrain. Join us for a special opportunity to begin the new year together with the strength and peace offered by Nature! Suitable for adults and youth able to participate in seated meditation.
This program is offered in partnership with Amanda Kenyon, Nature Therapy & Meditation Guide. Past participants of Amanda’s immersions have called the experience “peaceful, gentle, and joyful,” “magical and transformative,” and “profoundly rejuvenating.” Please contact Amanda at Landkind Guide with any questions: or text/call (802) 289-0108.
What to bring: warm layers including non-cotton socks and base layers, water and a pack to carry your items. Because we will be in stillness for a portion of the time and walking uphill a portion of the time, please bring one more layer than you think you’ll need and be prepared to layer up or down. Hand and toe warmers may be beneficial. If the trails require traction devices (spikes or snowshoes) due to ice or snow, you will be notified two days before the event.
Space is limited and advance registration is required. Please register early to ensure your spot.
Naturalist Outing with Patti Smith
Sunday, January 12th at BEEC: time TBD
Details coming soon!
Café Botanica Ethnobotany Workshops with Dr. Jessica Dolan
Saturday, January 18th, 2-4p at BEEC: Tough Mudders & Early Risers
April, June, & September dates TBD – stay tuned!
$40 for members, $45 for non-members
Dr. Jessica Dolan’s Café Botanica Ethnobotany Workshop will be a four-part series on wild edible and medicinal plants of the Eastern Woodlands landscapes of Southern Vermont. Each session will provide plant identification for over 20 species, seasonality, methods for their sustainable harvest and caretaking of plant community regeneration, uses, resources for learning more, and fun! We will also sample foods, teas and other confections made out of the species featured, including foods made by local farmers and harvesters, to promote awareness about Windham County wildcrafters and food producers.
The January session of Café Botanica will be about edible and medicinal plants that can be harvested in the winter, and those that “wake up” and bloom surprisingly early in the year. We will cover over 20 plants and trees whose fruit, bark, seeds, nuts, sap, and leaves can be harvested through the winter for nutritious and nourishing foods and medicines. Dr. Dolan will share the botany, plant identification characteristics, and sustainable harvesting practices. We will sample fir needle cookies and teas.
Space is limited and advance registration is required. Please register early to ensure your spot.
Register
Mammals in Winter with Patti Smith
Back by popular demand!
Dates/times TBD – stay tuned!
Details coming soon!
Personalized Programs
Are you looking for a unique gift for a nature-lover? Would you like some inspiration to deepen your connection with the natural world? BEEC naturalist Patti Smith will take you to her favorite places or join you in yours. Because these programs are just for YOU, they can be adapted to your level of fitness, adventurousness, and particular interests.
The per hour rate is $75 for BEEC members / $95 for non-members. Gift certificates are available.
Email with questions or to arrange a program.
Purchase a gift certificate here
Know the Night
Evenings
Would you like to feel more comfortable in the night forest? There is much to enjoy! Patti has spent countless hours in the woods after dark and looks forward to sharing these pleasures with you. Learn some navigation tricks and find out what to bring to feel safe and comfortable. We will take a hike, tell tales of nocturnal creatures around a campfire, and finish up with some star-gazing from the summit of Heifer Hill. E-mail to schedule.
By the Shores of Moose Meadow Pond
Evenings
Night-singing insects
Evenings, August-September, 1-2 hrs
Beginning in August, the songs of birds give way to the songs of insects. Meet Patti at Heifer Hill at dusk to listen to some of the many singers. We will work our way to the summit of Heifer Hill listening to and looking for katydids, tree crickets, ground crickets, and more. Using insect nets and magnifying boxes, we will get a close-up look at these musical insects. We’ll tell the temperature from the rich chirps of a snowy tree cricket and admire the antennae of a sword-bearing conehead. Which one is the “Nixon bug?” Learn to recognize the songs of some of the most recognizable species and you will hear them in your own backyards. If you choose the right date, you might also watch the moon rise from the summit of Heifer Hill.
What’s in YOUR Woods
Anytime
Naturalist Patti Smith will join you for an amble in your woods (or another favorite place). Arrange a trip during snow season to find tracks and other wildlife sign. Which birds are there and what are they up to? What trees and plants grow there and why? Patti has spent a lot of time in a lot of different woods in our regions and would love to find out what’s unique about yours. We can tag plant species you’d like to remember. You will receive a digital map showing the walking route and what was found where. E-mail to schedule.
Porcupines in Winter
Evenings, January through mid-April
Visit porcupine den sites and feeding areas to learn about these charming creatures and how they manage in the season of ice and snow. Meet one of Patti’s study porcupines? Possibly.
Your Requests
Recognize trees from up close or afar?
Follow tracks in the snow?
Visit the habitat of a favorite animal and look for signs?
We will entertain all requests. Email with ideas.