Winter is a great time to enjoy your national parks! Come experience these art, science and recreation-themed programs. Many programs are family-friendly, all are FREE! (Mansion tours resume May 31, 2020.)
JANUARY Full Moon Snowshoe Hike and Astronomy Program Date: January 10, 2020 5:30-7:30pm Location: Forest Center Join us at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park on Friday January 10th for a nighttime hike under January’s full “Wolf” moon. Learn all about the moon and its different phases and take a look through one of the high powered telescopes. Please dress warmly and wear sturdy footwear. Snowshoes will be provided along with light refreshments.
Climate Change: Past, Present and Possible Futures of Global Climate Date: January 11,2020 9-11am Location: Forest Center Join NPS Science Communication Specialist Ed Sharron for a presentation that explores Earth’s past, current, and possible future climate. Questions encouraged and welcomed.
Winter Tree Identification Date: January 25, 2020 10am-1pm Location: Forest Center Join us for this workshop with Jon Bouton to learn how to identify common Vermont trees and shrubs during the winter months, focusing on their twig, bud, needle, and bark characteristics. An indoor discussion will be followed by an outdoor trek through the park and a brown bag lunch.
FEBRUARY Winter Wildlife Tracking Intensive Date: February 1, 2020 Time: 9m-1pm Location: Forest Center Learn how to identify the tracks and signs of the many critters that share your backyard and national parks. We'll start with a 1 hr indoor presentation exploring tracks and animal movements, then head out into the park for several hours to explore. Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Monitoring Date: February 8, 2020 Time: 9am-12pm Forest Center Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is a destructive invasive insect that has already been detected in southern Vermont, including Windsor County. Join Jim Esden for this workshop to learn how to identify HWA-infested hemlocks and what landowners can do to detect and slow the spread of this insect pest.
Beneath the Snow: Watercolor Date: February 15, 2020 Time: 10am-1pm Location: Forest Center What lies beneath the snow as we wait for spring to emerge? The forest floor is buried but a whole other world exists where we cannot see. Animals are hibernating or living in their dens. Small creatures may be cozy in the roots of the trees. Below the earth's surface, there may be mushrooms, flowers and ferns waiting for their turn to show off in the forest. This class will cover lots of techniques (including some experimental ones), materials, and brushwork. Let your imagination take you beneath the snow and create your own woodland world. Suitable for all ages, children must come with an adult. Max 16 participants.
Cold Comfort: Animal Adaptations for Winter Date: February 22, 2020 Time: 10am-12pm Location: Forest Center Vermont wildlife knows how to get creative when it comes to the winter months. Join NPS Science Communication Specialist Ed Sharron to learn who is active and who is hibernating during these harsh winter months.
Trees for Streams Date: February 29, 2020 Time: 9-11am Location: Forest Center Join us to learn about riparian buffers along our streams and their impact on water quality. Lisa Niccolai and Ron Rhodes will cover river restoration techniques and design, tree and shrub ordering and planting, potential funding sources, competition concerns, and survival rates.
MARCH The Wintry Woods in Watercolor- Date: March 7 Time: 10am-1pm Location: Forest Center The tranquility and beauty of the forest is especially unique in the winter. Frost, snow covered trees, falling snow, and the moody colors of the season all lend themselves to watercolor. Learn some watercolor basics that include techniques, materials, and brushwork. All levels of painters are welcome, as well as those who have never tried watercolor before. You will be amazed at how accessible this incredible medium really is. Max 16 participants.
iNaturalist Tutorial Date: March 21, 2020 Time: 9am-11am Location: Forest Center Join the National Park and the Vermont Center for Ecostudies for a workshop on how to use the citizen science tool iNaturalist to collect data and learn about the species that surround us.
Maple Sugar Shack Open House Date: March 21 Time: 10am-2pm Location: King Farm Are you curious how Vermont’s famous maple syrup is made? Come find out at our sugar shack open house! On March 21st from 10am-2pm, we will be boiling sap at the King Farm and you are welcome to join. See how tree sap is transformed into sweet amber syrup and even sample some as it cooks!
Programs at Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. (Link to a map of Saint-Gaudens)
JANUARY
Snow Stroll through History at Blow-Me-Down Farm Date: January 4, 2020 Time: 10-11:30am Location: Blow-Me-Down-Farm Join a Saint-Gaudens NHP ranger at the Blow-Me-Down Farm for a Stroll through History around the grounds of the farm. Discover the artists of the Cornish Colony and what drew them to this alluring place. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy, warm footwear.
Winter Plein-Air Painting at Blow-Me-Down Farm Date: January 25, 2020 Time: 12-3pm Location: Blow-Me-Down Farm
Join painter Joan Hoffmann, recent Artist-in-Resident in Zion National Park, for painting en plein air at Blow-Me-Down Farm. No experience necessary; experienced painters welcome. Bring your medium of choice and come ready to paint winter's low light, on the Connecticut river. Be part of a national park tradition: painting in the parks! Max 16 participants.
FEBRUARY We ❤ Art: Valentines Day Art Projects at Saint-Gaudens Date: February 8, 2020 Time: 10am-12pm Location: SAGA Main site Got a special someone in mind for Valentine’s Day? Join us at Saint-Gaudens NHP in the Visitor Center~ we’ll create Valentine’s Day cards, crafts and gifts. Great for families: materials, light refreshments and inspiration included!
‘Cool’ Snow Sculptures for Families Date:February 29, 2020 Time: 10am-12pm Location: SAGA Main Site You’ve got one extra day this year ~ why not spend it playing in the snow? Join us at Saint-Gaudens NHP for Building ‘Cool’ Snow Sculptures ~ get inspired by Saint-Gaudens own sculptures! Please dress appropriately for the weather; light refreshments included.
MARCH Winter Wildlife Tracking Date: March 14, 2020 Tiime: 10am-12pm Location:SAGA main site Learn about how to identify the tracks and signs of the many critters that share your backyard and national parks. We'll start with a 1 hr indoor presentation exploring tracks animal movements, then head out into the park for another hour to explore.
