Boston Flora

Tag: Millers River Environmental Center

  • Wednesday, September 14, 7:00 pm – Jaguars & Wildcat Conflicts in Panama

    Wildcat conflicts are more common throughout Panama as nature park boundaries and natural areas are encroached upon more and more by the rural poor. Conservacion Panama Inc has proposed a program to assist rural poor and subsistence farmers manage their livestock better so as to prevent wildcat conflicts and unnecessary “takes” or kills of these animals. This program targets communities that have current conflicts with wildcats and injects a heavy dose of livestock management practices and prevention techniques proven throughout Latin America to prevent these conflicts. Come to the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol on Wednesday, September 14 at 7 pm to learn about how effective the beta program has proven and how they would like to fund a program expansion. There will be artwork and Panamanian hands-crafts for purchase to help fundraising efforts. You can learn more about this program at: http://www.conservacionpanamaca.org/wildcat-conflict.html

  • Saturday, September 12, 9:30 am – 12:00 noon – Introduction to Local Ferns

    On Saturday, September 12 at 9:30 am, join Randy Stone, retired DCR Forester, for a brief introduction to fern identification at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol, before heading out for a walk in North Quabbin to ID ferns in the field. Questions: Dave Small, 978-413-1772 or Dave@dhsmall.net. Free – if weather is questionable please call at least an hour before the scheduled meeting.  Image from www.quabbinphotogroup.org.

  • Wednesday, September 9, 7:00 pm – Crowdsourcing the Causes and Consequences of Bumblebee Decline

    The Athol Bird and Nature Club will hold its September meeting on Wednesday, September 9 beginning at 7:30 pm at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol. Dr. Rob Gegear will speak on Crowdsourcing the Causes and Consequences of Bumblebee Decline. Rob will discuss bumblebee ecology and behavior. Will also learn to recognize bumblebees their lifecycle, and information on some citizen science research opportunities. Robert J. Gegear, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Free and open to the public.

  • Sunday, June 21, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Butterflies of North Common Meadow

    Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol at 10 AM on Sunday, June 21. Canceled if heavy rain. We will drive to Petersham to search for butterflies and whatever nature provides for distractions: other insects, birds, amphibians and typical plants of North Common Meadow. Trip leader: Sue Cloutier. For additional information email Sue.cloutier@tiac.net, or visit www.atholbirdclub.org.  Image of North Common Meadow from The Trustees of Reservations.

  • Friday, June 19, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Natural History with Eric Eaton

    On Friday, June 19, from 10 – 1, join Eric Eaton (author of the Kaufman Field Guide to Insects) and Dave Small for a fun excursion in a local meadow. We will concentrate on the Alan E. Rich Environmental Park and the Millers River Wildlife Management Area, walkable and wadeable from the Miller’s River Environmental Center. Meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol. Participants should bring lunch, insect net, camera and a sense of adventure; be prepared for wet feet. Children welcome. Severe weather cancels. Free. Info: Dave Small, 978-413-1772 or Dave@dhsmall.net.

  • Saturdays, May 30 and June 6, 8:00 am – 11:00 am – Birding and Habitat Restoration Field Trips

    Join Mount Grace and the Athol Bird and Nature Club in celebrating this year’s international migratory bird day theme “restore habitat restore birds”. We will discover birds in a variety of habitats including beaver meadows and spruce swamps and learn about a new habitat restoration project that is about to take place. Both events are for all ages, no experience necessary. We will have a small selection of binoculars and field guides for people to use. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, insect repellent, binoculars, bird books etc. Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain. On Saturday, May 30, the area to be visited is the Arthur Iversen Conservation Area on Gale Road in Warwick. Meet at the trailhead on the east side of Gale Rd. or, to carpool, meet at the Millers River Environmental Center at 7:30am at 100 Main St, Athol, MA 01331. On June 6, the focus will be the Fox Valley Conservation Area, pictured below. Meet at the Fox Valley trailhead parking lot on the north side of Lincoln Rd. (160 Lincoln Rd, Phillipston, MA) For more information visit www.atholbirdclub.org.

  • Wednesday, April 8, 7:00 pm – Big Chicken Run

    The Big Chicken Run is one of many nicknames for a “journey in search of as many members of prairie-dwelling grouse as can realistically be fitted into a single trip.” Otherwise known as the Grouse Grand Slam, the trip Scott Surner, President of the Hampshire Bird Club, will be describing generally takes about ten days, much of it spent quartering the windswept prairies in Colorado and Kansas for Greater and Lesser Prairie Chickens, Greater and Gunnison’s Sage Grouse, and Sharp-tailed Grouse. These are all lekking species, meaning that males display in mysteriously well-defined areas, where their (often bizarre) displays are perused by visiting females. The trips involve grueling travel itineraries and a lot of huddling in blinds near the leks in the predawn. A trip to make (or break) friendships. Scott Surner is a founding member of the Hampshire Bird Club and has had more terms as president than the Bush and Clinton families combined, (though the math may need to be re-checked in 2016.) He has led wonderful trips both locally and across the country for HBC and is the current teacher of the annual Hitchcock Birding Class, which brings many new people to birding every year. The talk takes place Wednesday, April 8, beginning at 7 pm at the Athol Bird and Nature Club, Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol. Photo by B.E. Goodwin.

  • Saturday, August 23, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Late Summer Dragonflies

    Join Athol Bird and Nature Club president Dave Small at the Millers River Environmental Center (100 Main St., Athol) on Saturday, August 23 at 1 pm, and then head out to search local waters for American Rubyspot, Zebra and Arrow Clubtails and whatever else we can find. Participants should bring lunch, insect net, and a sense of adventure; be prepared for wet feet. Children welcome. Severe weather cancels. Info: Dave Small, 978-413-1772 or Dave@dhsmall.net. Image of arrow clubtail from www.giffbeaton.com.

  • Saturdays, May 31, June 7, June 21, and July 12 – 2014 Dragonfly Institute: Introduction to Odonates of Central Massachusetts

    After more than a decade since the last Dragonfly institute was held, the Athol Bird & Nature Club is pleased to announce the 2014 Dragonfly Institute will be held at the Millers River Environmental Center (100 Main Street in Athol) beginning May 31st 2014. The class, coordinated by Athol Bird and Nature Club president Dave Small in cooperation with the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, will feature some of New England’s premier naturalists who will share their knowledge and enthusiasm for odonates. (Note: due to the late spring we will not begin the classes until May 31st)

    Curriculum for the class will focus on the basics of dragonfly identification, but will also include discussions of dragonflies as indicators of environmental health, documentation of rare and unusual species, and dragonfly life history and behavior. The goal of the course is to provide the participant with the basic skills of odonate identification providing a solid base for the continued study and enjoyment of these amazing creatures.

    Class lectures will be held at the Millers River Environmental Center 100 Main Street in Athol. Directions may be found on the web at http://www.atholbirdclub.org. Lectures will be on Saturday from 9:00 to 10:00 AM and will include visual presentations, viewing of prepared specimens and discussion.

    Field trips will meet at the Center following the lecture. Each trip will focus on a limited number of habitats within or near the Millers River Watershed. Participants should be prepared to wade in streams, ponds or other wet habitats. Hip boots or waders may be needed for early trips in cold river water and sandals may be useful in the warmer season. Precautions should be made to protect the participant from biting insects and other vertebrate and invertebrate organisms.

    Fee $5.00 for non ABNC Members – Free to ABNC Members

    Lecture and Field trip Dates will be Saturdays:

    May 31st, Early flying Odonates and NHESP Dave Small and Lynn Harper 9:00 AM

    June 7th , Dragonflies for Families Rachel Roberts 10:30 am – Noon

    River odonates (Field trip only) Dave Small 1:00 PM

    June 21st, Josh Rose 9:00 AM

    July 12th. Photographing Odonates Frank Gorga 9:00 AM (see his beautiful image below.)

  • Thursday, March 20, 7:00 pm – The Riches of the Emerald Isle

    North Quabbin Garden Club member Debbie Kent plans to show her travelogue of Ireland, enticing us with the green of the Emerald Isle and our hopes for a wonderful spring. At this Thursday, March 20 event, beginning at 7 pm at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street, Athol, you will be taken to Dublin’s Botanic Garden, to Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, Adare and Adare Castle, various ancient sites, Waterford, the Viking Triangle, then back up the coast to Powerscourt Gardens (below) and the lovely little town of Enniskerry. With its narrow roads and “Neat and Tidy Towns”, the beautiful Emerald Isle is enchanting and challenging to drive. Do come and enjoy the ride.

    An affiliate of the Millers River Environmental Center in Athol, the North Quabbin Garden Club formed in 2006 to encourage interest in all phases of home gardening. With efforts to promote better horticultural practices and foster civic beauty, emphasis is placed on use of native plants, organic gardening, and the conservation of natural resources. Monthly meetings are usually held on the third Thursday evening of each month featuring informative speakers or workshop sessions. Members are currently working on a wildlife habitat garden at the Millers River Environmental Center and planning their annual spring sale of perennial plants and specialty items. Guests and new members are always welcome, so join us this month and learn something new about gardening. Meetings are free to members and guests are asked for a donation.

    http://www.powerscourt.ie/images/hg_banner_towervalley.jpg