By Patrick O’Roark
The arrival of spring brings many wonderful and welcome things: warmer weather, nesting songbirds, and wildflowers among them. If you’re a student it also brings another very welcome event, April vacation! During the week of April 18 to 22 many students in the region enjoyed a break from their studies at school. Some families take this time to vacation together, but not all parents can get away from work and other responsibilities. The Hitchcock Center offers a camp during this week to accommodate these folks, and for the kids that come it is an opportunity to engage with science and nature through games, crafts, songs, and outdoor exploration. At Hitchcock vacation camp the focus on learning through fun.
By Jessica Schultz
On May 9th, the Hitchcock Center provided testimony to the MA Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development < https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J30> during a listening session at UMASS Amherst co-chaired by Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord) and Senator Eric P. Lesser (D-Longmeadow). Also, joining the session were Representatives Michael J. Finn (D-W. Springfield) and RoseLee Vincent (D-Revere). The following is our augmented written testimony submitted to the committee.
AMHERST – May 31, 2016 – Continuing its commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for Massachusetts, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced the awarding of $500,000 to the Hitchcock Center for the Environment for the construction of its living building project, which is a 9,000 square foot environmental education center that seeks to meet the “Living Building Challenge” standards. Once completed, the new center, which will become a place where students will be taught complex environmental issues, will need to meet performance standards, such as net zero energy and water, over a twelve month period prior to the education center receiving a full certification. Currently, fewer than ten buildings in the world have become fully certified.
By Jessica Schultz
In April, the deck along the Nest play area on the eastern side of the building was started and with it we began to get an even better sense of our view to Mt. Norrwotuck and the Pelham Hills. There are still many trucks and machines in the view for now, but we know that it will be a great place to view the mountain, watch the birds as our landscape grows, and to spot kestrels in flight in the field below our building.
By Amy Porter for The Westfield News
RUSSELL – The children at Russell Elementary School have been getting to know their new environment close-up this spring with the help of naturalist Ted Watt and a $5,000 STARS grant (Students and Teachers Working with Artists, Scientists and Scholars) from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Watt is an environmental educator with the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst. His program helps children and adults understand the unique habitats and ecosystems of New England through hands-on instruction and mentorship.
By Jessica Schultz
In March our building became watertight.
By Maddy Parker
The Hitchcock Center provided me and many other children with an education in the aspects of nature. The teaching method is very different from other nature centers; at the Hitchcock Center they allow children to take risks such as climbing trees and playing with sticks. I believe that children must face some sort of challenge to actually learn something.
By Marcus Simon
The Hitchcock Center for the Environment is calling all superheroes! April is Earth month, and Hitchcock is issuing a challenge to the local community: can you be a Salamander Superhero by changing some of your habits this month?
By Colleen Kelley
Every year in March a group of educators from the Hitchcock Center head to Worcester for the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society (MEES) annual conference at Holy Cross College. This one-day conference brings together teachers, students, informal educators and professionals from across the state to exchange information, ideas and practices.
By Elizabeth Farnsworth
It’s a rite of Spring in the Pioneer Valley, when hordes of nature enthusiasts emerge from their hibernation and scout out the living world around them: Biothon! Biothon is a great fundraiser for the Hitchcock Center, and an entertaining and educational event for all ages.
Share this page with friends!
Hitchcock Center for the Environment
at Hampshire College
845 West Street | Amherst MA 01002 | 413.256.6006 | 413.253.2809 fax