Sharing an appreciation of nature through birding, geology, astronomy, plants and more in the North Quabbin area.

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ABNC Calendar Revision

2025 ABNC Calendar Error An error was identified on two pages of the 2025 ABNC calendar. The starting day for August was shown as occurring on Saturday, when it should have been Friday. The starting day for September was shown as occurring on Tuesday when it should...

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Upcoming ABNC Events

May 2025

Friday May 16

7:00 am – 11:00 am
Early Bird Birding with Jeff
Recurs weekly

Join Jeff Johnstone here at the Center (100 Main Street Athol) beforeheading out to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Theseare great events for the novice birder to learn from one of our best fieldnaturalists. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels.Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052

Friday May 23

7:00 am – 11:00 am
Early Bird Birding with Jeff
Recurs weekly

Join Jeff Johnstone here at the Center (100 Main Street Athol) beforeheading out to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Theseare great events for the novice birder to learn from one of our best fieldnaturalists. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels.Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052

Sunday May 25

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join artist and journalist Will Close for this series of natural history explorations at the Millers River Environmental Center.

Joinartist and journalist Will Close for this series of natural history explorationsat the Millers River Environmental Center.  In thisworkshop you will get a chance to deepen your awarenessand connection to the natural world through wildlife tracking and the use ofnature journaling and field sketching. You will be guided through variousfoundational techniques designed to strengthen your observational skills. Thisworkshop will be primarily held in the field. All experience levels arewelcome. 

Additional explorations with Will Close “4 Seasons of Nature Journaling- aSeries” March 23rd, May 25th, July 30th. Will Close is an artist,designer, educator, and wildlife tracker who specializes in the intersection ofnature, art, design, and teaching. He holds a degree in Fine Art Painting fromMassachusetts College of Art and Design and studied wildlife track and signunder Dan Gardoqui and Daniel Hansche. Currently, Will resides in Concord, MAwhere he maintains an artistic studio practice and is an outdoor educationinstructor with the Carroll School located in Lincoln, MA. His passion fornature illustration, tracking and sharing it with others, has taken him fromthe spruce forests of Maine to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Most recently, he was theinaugural artist in residence with North Country Land Trust in North CentralMassachusetts.

 

About ABNC

ABNC is an active group of people sharing an appreciation of nature’s many forms. We have birders, geologists, star watchers, and plant enthusiasts — a full spectrum of interests. If you have an interest in nature, whether a beginner or experienced observer, we welcome you.

Join us at our meetings, field trips, and institutes where you will find a friendly reception and people with similar interests. There are a lot of exciting programs scheduled for the months ahead — check our event schedule, or come by for a visit!

The Millers River
Environmental Center

The Athol Bird & Nature Club maintains the Millers River Environmental Center, which is now wheelchair accessible!

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Email Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive updates on activities and events from groups like:

  • Athol Bird and Nature Club
  • Millers River Watershed Council
  • Millers River Greenway
  • Massachusetts Butterfly Club

You should expect to receive about one email per week.

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