CALENDAR AUGUST Fox Hunting Demonstration: History buffs follow the cry of Green Mountain Hounds and view a live demo, then mingle with the animals and riders and learn more about this unusual sport. Shelburne Museum, Sunday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m.-noon, regular museum admission, $7-24; free for children under 5. Info, 985-3346.
Science & Nature Raptors in Residence: The mysteries surrounding birds of prey are revealed as visitors come face-toface with live feathered creatures. All ages. Shelburne Farms, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 1-1:30 p.m. Through Sept. 16, regular museum
admission, $5-8; free for children under 3. Info, 985-8686. Science Loves Art: Curious thinkers of all ages combine the natural and artistic worlds with hands-on, creative experiments exploring light, color and sound. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Through Aug. 23, regular museum admission, $13.50-16.50; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848. Wagon Ride Wednesdays: Horse-drawn rides deliver delight to the whole family. Admission includes all farm programs and activities. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Through Sep. 27, regular museum admission, $4-15; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355. Building Fairy Houses: Local builder of whimsical dwellings, Stephanie Garguilo, leads kids into the woods to make magical abodes from natural materials. Hazen Trails, Hardwick, Friday, Aug. 4, 10 a.m. Info, 472-5948. FREE Microscopic Investigations: Curious families discover the mysteries of hidden worlds using hand lenses and microscopes. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, Friday, Aug. 4, Wednesday, Aug. 9, Monday, Aug. 14, Saturday, Aug. 19, Thursday, Aug. 24, and Tuesday, Aug. 29, 11-11:30 a.m., regular museum
admission, $14-17; free for children under 2. Info, 649-2200.
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Exploration of Mills Riverside Park: Inquisitive naturalists of all ages take a tour of the park’s varied habitat including a river, pond, open meadow and forested hillside, guided by members of the board of directors from the Jericho Underhill Land Trust and the Vermont Land Trust staff. Mills Riverside Park, Jericho, Saturday, Aug. 5, 10 a.m.-noon; preregister. Info, 262-1222. FREE Straw Rockets: Flight lovers fashion and fly their own rockets. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, Monday, July 31, Saturday, Aug. 5, Thursday, Aug. 10, Tuesday, Aug. 15, Sunday, Aug. 20, Friday, Aug. 25, and Wednesday, Aug. 30, 11-11:30 a.m.,
regular museum admission, $14-17; free for children under 2. Info, 649-2200.
Tour the Cosmos: This 50-minute live presentation takes the audience on a journey deep into the universe. Ages 6 and up. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury,
High Mowing Seeds Open Field Day: This organic seed company opens its trial fields for family-friendly tours, workshops, tastings, free pizza from the NOFA oven, live music, a kids’ arts and crafts tent from noon-4 p.m. and much more. High Mowing Seeds Trials Field, Wolcott, Sunday, Aug. 20, noon-6 p.m. Info, 472-6174. FREE
Saturdays and Sundays, 1:30 p.m., $6 plus regular museum
admission, $7-9; free for children under 5. Info, 748-2372.
Discovery Sundays: Families have fun with hands-on science experiments and investigations, using wheels, towers, magnets, feathers, water and bubbles. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., regular museum admission, $13-15; free for children under 4. Info, 359-5001, ext. 228. Audubon Nature Playgroup: Little ones and their caregivers trek through the woods, meadows, beaver and peeper ponds while meeting new friends. Ages birth to 5 years. Now open to all families. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, Mondays, 9:30-11 a.m. Through Aug. 28; preregister. Info, 434-3068. FREE Banding and Birding: Naturalistsin-training drop in and get a lesson in tagging wild, feathered creatures, and learn skills including netting and data collection. Weather dependent. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 7-10 a.m., donations accepted. Info, 434-3068. Champ’s Birthday: Lake Champlain’s legendary water creature is celebrated with stories of encounters, videos and the original infamous Sandra Mansi Champ photo. Games, music and birthday cake are the icing on the top. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., regular museum admission, $13.50-16.50; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848. Nestlings Find Nature: Preschoolers discover how songbirds grow, using imaginative play, books, crafts and nature walks and activities. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, second and fourth Tuesdays of every month, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Through Oct. 24, regular museum admission,
$3.50-7; free for children under 3. Info, 434-2167. Farm to Pizza: the Working Landscape of Shelburne Farms: Foodies spend the morning harvesting from the farm, then mix up a pizza from scratch to mark the Vermont Land Trust’s work, past and future. Shelburne Farms, Saturday, Aug. 12, 9 a.m.-noon.; preregister. Info, 262-1222. FREE
Wagon Ride Wednesdays at Billings Farm
Forest Fairy Hunt: Milkweed pods become bathtubs and beds, and acorns caps become dinnerware in this respectful and engaging woods adventure with a special visit from the Fairy Grandmother. Fairy wings encouraged. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, Saturday, Aug. 12, and Saturday, Aug. 26, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., regular museum admission, $13-15; free for children under 4. Info, 359-5000. Love Our Trees: Arborists of all ages mulch, weed, prune and socialize with Branch Out Burlington. UVM Horticulture Farm, S. Burlington, Saturday, Aug. 12, 9-11 a.m. Info, 656-5440. FREE Making Music Special Event: Families explore the science of sound by spending the day building, testing and tinkering with musical instruments. See website for specific instrument activities. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, Saturday, Aug. 12, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., regular museum admission, $14-17; free for children under 2. Info, 649-2200. Incredible Insect Festival: Nature fans navigate the lives of these amazing creatures through hands-on activities, music, story and crafts. In the Caterpillar Lab, expert Sam Jaffe introduces eager guests to multiple live critters. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, Sunday, Aug. 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., regular museum admission, $13-15; free for children under 4. Info, 359-5000.
Who Walks These Woods?: Expert tracker Mike Kessler leads an inquisitive trek into our landscape. Ages 7 and up. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, second Sunday of every month, 1-3 p.m. Through Oct. 8, regular museum admission,
$3.50-7; free for children under 3; preregister. Info, 434-2167.
Summer Campfire: Families have fun around flickering flames and meet a special winged guest. Ages 5 and up. Shelburne Farms, Monday, Aug. 14, 6:30-8 p.m., $5-6; preregister. Info, 985-8686. Best of Audubon Preschool Program: Naturalists-in-training take to the woods and water, discovering insects, birds and wildlife. Ages 3-5 with an adult companion. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, Thursday, Aug. 17, 9-10:30 a.m., $8-10 adult-child pair, $4 each additional child; preregister. Info, 434-3068. Heritage Chicken Days: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Visitors ponder this big question as they visit feathered friends, study different livestock breeds, and engage in farm-life games and crafts. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., regular museum admission, $4-15; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355. Plant Pressing and Book Making: Naturalists of all ages partake in plant identification, preserve some of their flowery finds and fabricate a journal for future treasures. Mill Trail Property, Stowe, Saturday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; preregister. Info, 253-7221. FREE
Solar Eclipse Day: Astronomers of all ages prepare to view the first solar eclipse to cross the continental United States in 38 years with special viewing tools from sun spotters to pinhole cameras. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, Monday, Aug. 21, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., regular museum admission, $14-17; free for children under 2. Info, 649-2200. Solar Eclipse Extravaganza: Sky watchers celebrate this celestial event with science-themed activities and a live feed of the eclipse. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, Monday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., regular museum admission, $13.50-16.50; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848. StarLab – Total Solar Eclipse: Amateur astronomers craft their own pinhole projector for safe eclipse viewing and check out VINS’s new portable planetarium. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, Monday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., regular museum admission, $13-15; free for children under 4. Info, 359-5000. Bird-Monitoring Walk: Eagle-eyed participants bring binoculars to search the museum’s property for fluttering feathers. Best for adults and older children. Please bring your own binoculars. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, Saturday, Aug. 26, 7:30-9 a.m., donations welcome; preregister. Info, 434-2167. FREE Caterpillar Lab: Nature lovers of all ages marvel at these small creatures with magnifying glasses and digital microscopes. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, Saturday, Aug. 26, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., regular museum admission, $14-17; free for children under 2. Info, 649-2200. Fledglings Figure It Out: Each month, junior avian admirers tackle a new bird puzzle, while exploring the wild world. Ages 5-10; siblings welcome. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, fourth Sunday of every month, 2-3 p.m. Through Oct. 22, regular museum admission,
$3.50-7; free for children under 3. Info, 434-2167.