Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an animal keeper? This program offers the experience of caring for our ambassador reptiles! Participants will learn about our Eastern box turtles and corn snake and will be trained how to safely handle them. Activities will include animal care and husbandry tasks such as diet preparation…

Light pollution was a term coined by astronomers, but today it’s used by ecologists, physiologists, neurologists, and others who study the effects of the disappearing night. Loss of the night is no longer just about losing our view of the heavens, it’s about all living things, including humans. Of all the types of pollution humans…

Hike. Restore. Repeat. Spring is here, and that means it’s time for our Annual Hike Our Trails volunteer series! The Wilderness Center headquarters in Wilmot has miles of beautiful trails to explore, but did you know we have others too? From the newly opened Doughty Gorge to the rugged Zoar Woods, there’s always something to…

Hike. Restore. Repeat. Spring is here, and that means it’s time for our Annual Hike Our Trails volunteer series! The Wilderness Center headquarters in Wilmot has miles of beautiful trails to explore, but did you know we have others too? From the newly opened Doughty Gorge to the rugged Zoar Woods, there’s always something to discover!…

The Brush Blitz was a massive success, and we made serious progress—but we’re not done yet! There’s still a huge opportunity to make a lasting impact at Brewster Bog, and right now is the perfect time to act. The north side of Brewster Bog is a high-value habitat with a mix of wetland types, but…

The Brush Blitz was a massive success, and we made serious progress—but we’re not done yet! There’s still a huge opportunity to make a lasting impact at Brewster Bog, and right now is the perfect time to act. The north side of Brewster Bog is a high-value habitat with a mix of wetland types, but…

Selecting Native Plants for Our Landscapes Understanding the natural condition of our landscape is the most important consideration for success as we reintroduce native plants into our garden designs. Selecting the right plant for the existing conditions makes establishment easier and will have a better outcome. We will discuss plant selection based on soil disturbance…

Native Woody Plants You Should Know This talk will cover native plants that perform well in the landscape that are under-utilized or under appreciated. Speaker Bio: Paul Snyder is Operations Manager at Secrest Arboretum, where he oversees garden maintenance, plant production, education, plant records, and the volunteer program which includes the Secrest Master Gardeners. He’s…

Native Plants for Birds, Insects and Biodiversity Birds, insects and native plants are inextricably linked in nature. Whatever happens to one will have an effect on the others. This talk explains those relationships then shows you ways to enhance your personal landscape for birds, insects, or just for the beauty of native plants. Lots of…

Outdoor Mindfulness: Presence with Place How many seeds can one plant before the mind starts wondering? Can you walk the same trail and see it anew each time, with each step? What will you notice about the relationships in nature? In this session we cultivate present awareness through mindfulness practices aimed at deepening our connection…