Walks & Talks

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. — John Muir
BEEC sends out a monthly e-newsletter with program reminders. Don’t miss your favorite event—sign up to receive program alerts.

Find recordings of webinars here.

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
Hot tips for nature-watching you can do on your own or with your family.

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 e-mail

Upcoming Programs

Sunday, June 16: Eshqua Bog Outing

Saturday, June 29: The Firefly Show

Saturday, July 13: Pauchaug Brook Outing

Saturday, July 20: Full Moon Forest Immersion

Saturday, August 24 :Retreat Meadows Nighthawk Paddle

 

Public Programs

The Firefly Show Postponed due to rain—stay tuned

Saturday, June 29 from 8-9:30 (or whenever you’re ready to leave) at BEEC

Lightning bugs are one of the quintessential beacons of summertime. But what is all that flashing about? We’ll first spend some time inside discussing the science behind the glow, and then follow-up by exploring the trail to find fireflies in BEEC’s firefly meadows.

Learn how you can join a national network of community scientists by observing fireflies in your own backyard and helping scientists map our country’s firefly population. We will practice identifying flash patterns in the field, and enjoy the magic. Rain date, Sunday June 30.

Register

Full Moon Forest Immersion

Saturday, July 20, 6:45 – 9:00pm at BEEC

Experience nature unfolding as we shift from daylight to twilight to nightfall at this special time of the month when the moon is at its fullest. Amanda Kenyon of Landkind Guide will lead participants to tune into their senses and appreciate nature in new ways, inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing. Using prompts that tap into senses and quiet minds, this Full Moon Forest Immersion offers a needed antidote to the stresses of life. The view from the summit of Heifer Hill offers the possibility of seeing the full moon rise.

Forest immersion combines sitting, walking, and meandering over short distances. These outings offer a chance to enjoy a peaceful independent journey as well as an opportunity to share the experience with other participants.

Slow down, de-stress from your day and be inspired by nature .

Space is limited and advance registration is required to reserve your spot.

The Full Moon Forest Immersion is offered in partnership with Amanda Kenyon of Landkind Guide. For more information about her and forest immersion, visit landkindguide.com. Email or text/call (802) 289-0108 with questions.

Cancellation policy: Heavy rain or unsafe weather cancels and a full refund issued.

Register

Naturalist Outings

These informal outings are for those who like to poke along and look at things. We go to interesting places, and find that, with many eyes we see more neat things. Whatever your nerdy interest you’ll be welcome. Birds, bugs, flowers, grasses, mosses, mouses, we love them all.

Eshqua Bog

Sunday, June 16 at 1 pm
Meet at the Brattleboro Park & Ride (22 Browne Ct.) to carpool or caravan

This unique two-acre fen is not to be missed when the showy lady’s slippers are in bloom. A wide boardwalk provides close-up viewing of the many unusual plants the bog is home to pitcher plants, showy lady’s slippers, green orchids, and buckbean.

Eshqua Bog is located in Hartland , VT, just over an hour north. Will we find an ice cream stand on the way back? Perhaps.

Register

Pauchaug Brook Wildlife Management Area

Saturday, July 13 at 1 pm
Pauchaug Ramp Road, Northfield MA

The floodplains of the Connecticut River were once covered by majestic floodplain forests featuring towering elms and silver maples.  These flat, fertile places have become the most coveted farmlands, so very few of these forests remain. Spend a couple of hours along the shore of the  big river discovering what grows and who lives in one such remnant.

The WMA is located just off Route 10, about 20 minutes from Brattleboro.

Register

Retreat Meadows Nighthawk Paddle

Saturday, August 24 at 7 pm
Marina boat launch, Retreat Meadows
Join us for our annual nighthawk paddle. We keep hoping to catch an epic migration of southbound nighthawks, but so far we have just seen a few. We have never been disappointed by nature’s show, though. We have been wowed by incoming geese and sparkling fishes. What will we see this year?
Optional: Meet at the Marina for supper at 6.

Register

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 and can be redeemed even post-pandemic.
with questions or to arrange a program.

Purchase a gift certificate here

Know the Night

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

Fans of large, damp rodents, or those who think they’d like to be, are invited to spend an evening on the shores of a beaver pond. Dew is as busy as, well, a beaver, sprucing the place up. Pack yourself a picnic and Patti will take you out to see what she is working on. Along the way, stop to see beaver works in a variety of stages of succession and look for evidence of the many beneficiaries of the beavers’ wetland creation. Patti has been studying beavers in this watershed for a baker’s dozen years so can promise you a rich experience.
The walk to the pond is about a mile each way and involves some bushwhacking and wet areas. Enjoy the arrival of dusk and watch the activity of the beaver pond.  Stroll back in the twilight. E-mail to schedule.

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

AnytimeNaturalist Patti Smith will join you for an amble in your woods (or another favorite place). Arrange a trip duings 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-AprilVisit 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

Would you like private (or family) excursions to:
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.E-mail  with ideas.