Calendar

April 14, 6:30-8:00pm. Hildene and the Bennington County Beekeepers Club will co-sponsor a presentation by David T. Peck, Ph.D., Director of Research and Education at Betterbee. The program will cover the history of the relationship between the parasitic mite varroa destructor and the western honey bee Apis mellifera. Peck will discuss the basic biology of varroa mites and the ways they can spread between colonies. It is only once you understand the enemy that you can employ effective methods for monitoring mite populations and killing mites in your bee colonies. The workshop will focus on the importance of having (and following!) a year-round mite management plan to keep your bees safe from this pernicious and devastating parasite. The program will take place at Hildene. Admission: free to members of either Hildene or BCBC; $7 for non-members. Space is limited. Register by April 13: Stephanie@hildene.org or (802) 367-7960.

7:00 to 9:00am at Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, in Manchester, VT.  Free. 

May is an intense time in the natural world – rains, new growth, insect hatches, migrating dragonflies, bats, and birds – especially the warblers, small, colorful, insectivorous songbirds. Warblers sharpen our observation skills with a need to note colors in specific places, eye rings, eye lines, wing bars and behaviors. There are 54 warbler species in North America. The Checklist of Vermont Birds includes 30 of those warblers that are possible to see in the state. In fifteen years of monthly surveys at Hildene, 25 warbler species have been recorded.

Join local birders to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks run along forest and meadow trails and around the main house. For more information, contact stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960

Sunday May 15, noon. Winners from around the state will read their essays aloud, having answered the following prompt: What gives YOU hope? Identify a challenging issue facing humanity today, whether at the local, state, national, and/or global level. Express why this issue matters to you. Investigate a scientific, legislative, technological, or other type of solution that is currently being proposed or employed to address the issue. Explain what it is and why it holds promise as part of the solution to the problem. The luncheon is open to the public: $25 members, $30 for non-members. RSVP by May 9 to stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960.

7:00 to 9:00am at Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, in Manchester, VT.  Free. 

Warblers are small, colorful songbirds that are often identified by their song alone. Most forage in the trees moving quickly, gleaning insects. The Ovenbird is an exception foraging on the forest floor where it builds its domed nest of grasses that looks like, yes, an oven. It is the most abundant of the warblers recorded at Hildene as it is easily detected by its loud, “teacher, teacher, teacher’ call. The Ovenbird is olive-brown above with a streaky breast below, a bold eye-ring and a flashy orange crown stripe.

Join local birders to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks run along forest and meadow trails and around the main house. For more information, contact stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960

Sunday, May 22, 1:00 to 4:30pm, In collaboration with Earth Matters, Hildene welcomes naturalist Russ Cohen who will lead participants on a tour through the estate’s varied landscape to identify edible plants, discuss the conditions necessary for each plant to thrive, demonstrate responsible harvesting, and focus on how to prepare “wild dishes.”  Suitable for adults: $10 for members/$15 for non-members. Preregistration required by Wednesday, May 18:  stephanie@hildene.org or 802-367-7960

Saturday, May 28, 10:00 to noon, a workshop for people considering raising chickens for meat or eggs, at Hildene Farm in the dene with livestock manager Kimberly Pinsonneault; $10 for members/$15 for non-members; Preregistration required by May 27: stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960

Looking for a fun way to nurture your child’s appreciation for the natural world? Check out our Into the Woods exploration backpack which contains all the essential tools for discovery. Through a series of stops along a Hildene trail, children will engage in hands-on forest activities. Suggested for ages 5 to 10, the adventure is intended to take between 1- 2 hours. Appropriate for all seasons with the exception of winter. Packs can be checked out from The Museum Store: $10 members/$15 for nonmembers in addition to admission. If the cost of this program presents a hardship, or for more information, contact Stephanie: (802) 367-7960 or stephanie@hildene.org.

Saturdays, June 4 - July 30, 10:00 to 11:00am, ECO AmeriCorps member Rose West (peeper frog photo shown here by Rose) will guide participants on a different exploratory walk every week, focusing on in-the-field species identification of local flora and fauna and their ecological connections to our landscape; $5/person with admission; Members free. Registration is strongly encouraged, but not required. Contact stephanie@hildene.org or call (802) 367-7980

Thursdays, June 16 - August 11, 3:00 to 4:00pm, Drop in to a different corner of Hildene’s 412-acre estate every week for an informal, up-close visit with knowledgeable and friendly staff. Gain insights on a variety of topics, different each week, from flower and vegetable gardening, to livestock care and rotational grazing practices, to pollinator habitat and stewardship. Free with admission and to members.  No registration required.  The program starts at 3 p.m. If you are at the Welcome Center at 2:30, we will take you to wherever the program is that week.  Questions: contact Stephanie@hildene.org or call (802) 367-7960

7:00 to 9:00am at Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, in Manchester, VT.  Free. 

There will be birds seen and heard along the boardwalk through the Dene marsh that are not seen in the woodlands above. There will be Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles in abundance. But the more elusive Swamp Sparrow, Marsh Wren, Virginia Rail and American Bittern will verbally announce their presence. Flying about may be Tree and Barn Swallows, Belted Kingfisher and Eastern Kingbird. All of these species are taking advantage of the food sources found in a wetland habitat, specifically insects

Join local birders to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks run along forest and meadow trails and around the main house. For more information, contact stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960

Saturday, June 18, 1:00 to 2:30pm, Goat Care 101 Hildene Farm goat dairy manager, Misty Hosley, will lead a workshop at the dairy for people considering raising goats. She will cover the basics of shelter, nutrition & feeding, healthcare and maintenance; $10 for members/$15 for non-members; limited to 15 participants. Preregistration is required by Thursday, June 16. Contact stephanie@hildene.org or call 802.367.7960. Check in is at the Welcome Center.

Fridays and Saturdays, June 24 - July 30, by appointment only. Choose a morning at either the goat dairy or the animal barn in the dene at Hildene Farm (9:30 to 11:00am). Children ages 3 to 12 assist farm staff in chores routine, including feeding and grooming animals, pitching pens and cleaning feeders. Registration required at least 48 hours in advance. Family of 4: $20 (members)/$25 (non-members); $5 each additional person aged 3 and up. Groups limited to no more than 5 children, all of whom must be accompanied by an adult. To register, contact stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960

7:00 to 9:00am at Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, in Manchester, VT.  Free.  Join local birders to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks run along forest and meadow trails and around the main house. For more information, contact stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960

Wednesday, August 10, 5 to 6:30pm, Hildene Reads! hosts a discussion on Kim Stanley Robinson’s "Ministry for the Future" to encourage dialogue on environmental stewardship. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly described the book as a “gutsy, humane view of a near-future Earth…Robinson masterfully integrates the practical details of environmental crises and geoengineering projects into a sweeping, optimistic portrait of humanity’s ability to cooperate in the face of disaster. This heartfelt work of hard science-fiction is a must-read for anyone worried about the future of the planet.” Called by many a masterpiece of the imagination, it is a terrifying story that ultimately ends on a solid note of hope. Ezra Klein of Vox implores, “If I could get policymakers, and citizens, everywhere to read just one book this year, it would be Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future.” The hybrid gathering will be both virtual and in-person, bringing together local readers as well as those from across the continent. To register for this free program, contact stephanie@hildene.org or call (802) 367-7960

Wagon Rides, Sundays, Sept. 4 - Oct. 23, 10am-noon or 1:00-3:00pm, by appointment. Join farm manager-educators Ann and Kim for a wagon ride exploration of Hildene Farm. Learn about diverse natural and cultivated ecosystems and sustainable farming. Swing by the greenhouse, hayfields, orchard, wetland overlook, compost facility, apiary, animal barn (including alpaca, Randall cattle, pigs, sheep, rabbits and chickens), and vegetable and flower gardens. Preregistration required at least 48 hours in advance.  $50 for a family/group (up to 4 people); $10 for each additional member, up to 10 maximum (12, if mostly children). Contact stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960