March 2010 Programs Offered by Mass Audubon’s

Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary

414 Massasoit Rd.  Worcester, MA, 01604
tel. 508.753.6087   email bmbrook@massaudubon.org

Advance registration is required for most programs.

Programs are held at Broad Meadow Brook unless otherwise indicated

Volunteer Day at Broad Meadow Brook

3/3/2010, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Fee:  Free

Description: Help care for the sanctuary and enjoy a few hours of fresh air, fun and fulfillment.  Come once or every week and become part of our growing group of sanctuary volunteers.  Together with Mass Audubon staff, put up signs and markers, look for wildlife tracks, pick up branches, fill bird feeders, tend the gardens, and distribute program information.  Some tasks may require heavy lifting.  Ability to work without supervision required.  Carpentry skills welcome.  Nature lovers appreciated.  Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.  For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087

Discovering Nature as a Preschooler - Spring 2010 Session One

3/2/2010, 9:30 AM-12:00 PM~3/9/2010, 9:30 AM-12:00 PM~3/16/2010, 9:30 AM-12:00 PM~3/23/2010, 9:30 AM-12:00 PM~4/6/2010, 9:30 AM-12:00 PM~4/13/2010, 9:30 AM-12:00 PM

Fee: $85 Child Members, $100 Child Non-members.  

Description: This six-week series of nature classes is designed for young children ages 4 to 5 unaccompanied by a parent. Each week brings a new focus, but we’ll always begin indoors with games, activities, or crafts, and then explore the great outdoors on Broad Meadow Brook’s clearly marked trails. This is a wonderful opportunity for young children to learn about nature, and meet other children, in a safe, caring environment. Tammy Fleming Maus, a mother and grandmother, has been sharing her love of nature with children at Broad Meadow Brook for the last five years and is a seasoned Discovering Nature teacher.  No class March 30. For ages 4 to 5.  For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087.   Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Volunteer Day at Broad Meadow Brook

3/10/2010, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Fee:  Free

Description: Help care for the sanctuary and enjoy a few hours of fresh air, fun and fulfillment.  Come once or every week and become part of our growing group of sanctuary volunteers.  Together with Mass Audubon staff, put up signs and markers, look for wildlife tracks, pick up branches, fill bird feeders, tend the gardens, and distribute program information.  Some tasks may require heavy lifting.  Ability to work without supervision required.  Carpentry skills welcome.  Nature lovers appreciated.  Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.  For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087

Nature Adventures for 5's & 6's

3/11/2010, 12:45 PM-2:45 PM~

Fee: $10 Child Members, $15 Child Non-members.  

Description: Join us the second Thursday of each month for this exciting new program designed especially for five and six year olds. Each month we’ll focus on a new nature topic.  We’ll explore our topic indoors -- with investigations, crafts, and activities – and outdoors in Broad Meadow Brook’s beautiful 400-acre wildlife sanctuary. These classes will provide in-depth learning in a supportive social environment.   For ages 5 to 6.  For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087.   Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Wildlife Volunteer Days at Broad Meadow Brook

3/13/2010, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Fee: Free  

Description: Join us on the second Saturday of the month for wildlife-related volunteering activities. Maintaining habitat and monitoring populations are part of managing the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in New England. Spring through early fall we look for butterflies and dragonflies, take care of bird feeders, and battle invasive plants.  Open to adults and families with children ages 8 and older.  For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087.   Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Winter Birding Trip to Halibut Point State Park

3/14/2010, 7:45 AM-3:00 PM

Fee: $30 Mass Audubon Adult Members, $37 Adult Non-members

Description: Come join us for a fun trip into Rockport to visit beautiful Halibut Point State Park to see winter visitors like harlequin ducks, eiders and other waterfowl. We'll be rewarded for braving some blustery weather by enjoying the dramatic seascape views from this historic granite quarry. After birding and exploring the trails, we'll head to the harbor to warm up and have lunch at a local café.  Please bring money for lunch at a local cafe, binoculars, a water bottle,snack,  and field guides.  Van will leave BMB promptly at 7:45 am. For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087.   Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Easy Composting for Healthy Landscapes

3/16/2010, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM

Fee: $5 Mass Audubon Adult Members, $7 Adult Non-members

Description: Reduce household waste by as much as half and create healthy soil by making and using compost. Learn how to turn coffee grounds, tea bags, fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, yard waste, and even paper towels into "black gold" that will transform your soil into rich fertile earth. Ann McGovern of MassDEP will lead a workshop on how to compost, different types of bins, indoor worm composting for apartment dwellers, and how to use compost to eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation in your yard and garden. Receive materials you can use to promote home composting in your community.  This program is part of the Campaign for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River by 2015.   For ages 16 to 0.  For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087.   Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Volunteer Day at Broad Meadow Brook

3/17/2010, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Fee:  Free

Description: Help care for the sanctuary and enjoy a few hours of fresh air, fun and fulfillment.  Come once or every week and become part of our growing group of sanctuary volunteers.  Together with Mass Audubon staff, put up signs and markers, look for wildlife tracks, pick up branches, fill bird feeders, tend the gardens, and distribute program information.  Some tasks may require heavy lifting.  Ability to work without supervision required.  Carpentry skills welcome.  Nature lovers appreciated.  Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.  For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087

Third Week Wonders Preschool Series: Bird Chorus

3/17/2010, 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

Fee: $7 Child Members, $10 Child Non-members.   Fee covers adult/child pair; $2 per additional child.

Description: If you are between the ages of 3 and 5, bring your favorite adult for a thematic hour of a story, an activity, and a naturalist-led walk. Be prepared to go outside. For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087.   Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Third Week Wonders Preschool Series: Bird Chorus

3/18/2010, 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

Fee: $7 Child Members, $10 Child Non-members.   Fee covers adult/child pair; $2 per additional child.

Description: If you are between the ages of 3 and 5, bring your favorite adult for a thematic hour of a story, an activity, and a naturalist-led walk. Be prepared to go outside. For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087.   Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Homeschool Programs at Broad Meadow Brook:  Backyard Bandits

3/18/2010, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM

Fee: $8 Child Members, $12 Child Non-members.  

Description: Baby squirrels are born this month inside cozy tree holes! Eastern gray squirrels are everywhere, but how much do we really know about them? We’ll sing a song, hear a squirrel story, make a squirrel tail, and go on an acorn hunt to learn more about these amazing animals and how they live.   For ages 5 to 8.  Broad Meadow Brook’s homeschool programs offer a friendly, cooperative learning environment for people of all ages! Our homeschool programs are designed for the homeschooling family.  Parents are encouraged to attend with the student(s), but students may stay on their own if a medical form is on file with the sanctuary. At the end of all programs, students will receive follow-up information and activities so the learning can continue at home.  We look forward to learning with you!

For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087.   Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Third Week Wonders Preschool Series: Bird Chorus

3/20/2010, 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

Fee: $7 Child Members, $10 Child Non-members.  

Description: If you are between the ages of 3 and 5, bring your favorite adult for a thematic hour of a story, an activity, and a naturalist-led walk. Be prepared to go outside. For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087.   Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Volunteer Day at Broad Meadow Brook

3/242010, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Fee:  Free

Description: Help care for the sanctuary and enjoy a few hours of fresh air, fun and fulfillment.  Come once or every week and become part of our growing group of sanctuary volunteers.  Together with Mass Audubon staff, put up signs and markers, look for wildlife tracks, pick up branches, fill bird feeders, tend the gardens, and distribute program information.  Some tasks may require heavy lifting.  Ability to work without supervision required.  Carpentry skills welcome.  Nature lovers appreciated.  Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.  For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087

Birding By Ear

3/24/2010  -   4/28/2010, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM

Fee: $30 Mass Audubon Adult Members, $42 Adult Non-members

Description: Get yourself ready for spring! Come and learn to recognize and imitate a wide range of common bird calls. This fun series of workshops ( 6 Wednesday evenings) will culminate with a recital at which participants will perform for a select audience and demonstrate their newfound skills. For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087.   Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Birding Hot Spots along the Quabog River

3/27/2010, 7:45 AM-2:00 PM

Fee: $25 Mass Audubon Adult Members, $32 Adult Non-members  

Description: Break out of the Winter doldrums and discover the fields, marshes, and ponds along the Quabog River. Hunt for ducks, hawks and eagles along with early migrants like palm warblers, phoebes, and turkey vultures. Explore hidden habitat gems before the bugs, heat, and reeds make them unreachable. Bring boots and warm clothing.  Bring lunch, water, boots and warm clothing.  For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087.   Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.

Volunteer Day at Broad Meadow Brook

3/31/2010, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Fee:  Free

Description: Help care for the sanctuary and enjoy a few hours of fresh air, fun and fulfillment.  Come once or every week and become part of our growing group of sanctuary volunteers.  Together with Mass Audubon staff, put up signs and markers, look for wildlife tracks, pick up branches, fill bird feeders, tend the gardens, and distribute program information.  Some tasks may require heavy lifting.  Ability to work without supervision required.  Carpentry skills welcome.  Nature lovers appreciated.  Sponsored by Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.  For more information and to register, call 508.753.6087

Thank you for helping us spread the word and protecting the nature of Massachusetts!!!