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

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. 

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 23^rd, May 25^th, July 30^th. 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.

Saturday May 31, 2025, 10:00 AM – 2:00PM – Dragonfly Field trip

Join ABNCpresident Dave Small in search of early season dragonflies (and Butterflies)starting at the Mount Grace Land Trust Eagle Reserve in Royalston. As timeallows a look at the nearby Birch Hill WMA and Millers River will be included.Meet at 10:00 am at the parking area for Birch Hill WMA opposite 69Winchendon Road Royalston Ma 01368. There are no facilities in the general areaso please be self-contained with food, water, snacks, insect repellant,sunscreen, Binoculars, Camera, Bug net, and shoes for wading in shallow water.The program is free and open to all. contact Dave@atholbirdclub.org