Canoe Catamaran Class

Tide Pool Class

Canoe Class on Shawme Pond

Educational Programs

Natural history programs are offered to Society members and the public year-round at the Green Briar Nature Center. Programs include a wide variety of fun and adventure in the natural world for children; nature walks and other activities for families; nature classes and jam workshops for adults plus special teacher training workshops designed for educators. A Program Schedule is printed twice a year.

SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Naturalists in the Society’s Education Department serve public and private schools with an extensive outreach program. Classes include: Lessons in Field Ecology, Discovering Nature, Live Animal Storytimes, and Burgess Adventures in Nature Rental Kits.

Schools can arrange for a naturalist to go to their school or for students to come to the Nature Center. An hourly rate is charged. A School Programs Brochure is available outlining each program offered. Inquiries may be sent to the Director of Education. Phone: 508-888-6870 voice mail ext. 13
Fax: 508-888-1919, Email: mary.beers@thorntonburgess.org

Activity

Teaching About Animal Homes or Habitats. Find a copy of Old Mother West Wind by T. W. Burgess and look for chapter 7 - Jimmy Skunk Looks For Beetles. Follow Jimmy along the Crooked Little Path in search of beetles for breakfast. Along the way he discovers and inadvertently destroys the homes of Old Mr. Toad and Striped Chipmunk. This tale is a great stewardship tale and builds empathy towards wildlife and their homes. Young children love to repeat the word BEETLES and quickly learn to insert it into the story for a catchy group participation exercise. Follow up with a woods walk looking under logs & bark. Be sure to carefully replace the roofs you find.

Birthday Parties:  Join a staff naturalist for a fun and educational birthday party.

Scout Programs:  Education Director Mary Beers has over 20 years Girl Scout experience.

Red Bellied Turtles:  Learn how we head-start these endangered turtles.

Join Society Naturalist Pat Gonser for this new professional development opportunity
   Nature of the Story

New Adult Programs:  Basket Weaving Workshops   Astronomy Course    Nature Programs    The Revolutionary War - Battles & Medicine

Education Brochure - Programs available for schools or groups (PDF)