By Jessica Schultz
During the 2014-2015 school year, Hitchcock Center educators Patty O’Donnell, Patrick O’Roark, and Helen Ann Sephton worked with 330 students and teachers in grades 1-5 at Jackson Street Elementary School in Northampton, with funding provided by the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s STARS (Students and Teachers Working with Artists, Scientists, and Scholars) grant. Students and teachers studied and explored their school grounds, and the nearby Barrett Street Marsh, through winter and spring seasons. They shared in learning across themes of tree, plant and animal study on the school grounds, animal adaptations, vegetation & animal plot studies in forest habitats, and geology of the Connecticut River Valley.
By Jessica Schultz
In June, Tatiana Garcia Cam and Maria Manivesa joined Hitchcock Center staff to understand environmental educational methods, our programs, our building project, and the Living building Challenge. Tatiana and Maria were participants in the Institute for Training and Development’s (ITD) Professional Fellows Program in Environmental Sustainability. The Professional Fellows Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, brings emerging leaders from around the world to the United States for intensive fellowships designed to gain knowledge of practices and techniques for working with different stakeholders toward environmental sustainability.
By Bridget Litchfield
Master Gardener (MG) and Hitchcock Center Volunteer, Bridgit Litchfield, led a group of 10 interns training to become MGs. Along with 2 other certified MGs, the group spent the spring caring for the Butterfly, Caterpillar, and Horace Reed Memorial Gardens. The gardens were created seventeen years ago and continue to delight visitors of all ages, forming important play and inquiry spaces.
By Jessica Schultz
When the concrete starts flowing there’s no denying, it’s, well… concrete! The footings for our building were finished last week by Big T Concrete with steel from Barker Steel, after much detailed site work. It’s fun to see both the building footprint and the basement taking shape.
By Katie Koerten
A few families were requesting the rewritten lyrics to “This Land is Your Land” that the Young Naturalists wrote last week during Session 2. For those of you that attended our camp share on Friday afternoon you know it was very sweet, and very accurate summary of what we did at camp!
By Katie Koerten
Last Thursday the Leaders in Training went rock climbing at Chapel Ledges in Ashfield. Our facilitator for the day was Leah Lamdin, daughter of Peter (one of the counselors). Leah, who has instructed rock climbing at Morse Hill and Kroka Expeditions, taught us how to repel and belay safely. It was awesome!
By Colleen Kelley
Campers connected with the land we call home. From farmland to forest, mountains to meadows, we discovered the ecosystems all around us and the interconnectedness of the animals that live here. We learned about our rich farm soil, our fascinating geological stories and the serene wilderness of the Quabbin Reservoir by traveling on field trips, telling stories, playing nature-themed games and making crafts. From enjoying the view from a mountaintop to tasting fresh local food, we experienced the finest natural features of the Pioneer Valley.
By Katie Koerten
Hi everyone! The summer camp season started yesterday with “Our Little Micro World.” Campers are learning about all things tiny in nature this week, such as insects and other tiny creatures, tiny plants and patterns in nature. Basically we’re looking at life on a miniature scale! Yesterday the Young Naturalists built exquisite little fairy houses. Today they studied tiny pond creatures!
By Katie Koerten
Hello and welcome to Nature Summer Camp 2015! The counselors and I have been buzzing like bees around here getting ready for the first day of camp next week. We can’t wait to meet all the campers! I am super thrilled about our staff. We are lucky to have three returning counselors, two fabulous new ones and two wonderful support staff! And now, let’s introduce them one by one…
By Jessica Schultz
Our new building site occupies an area of former apple orchard. Historically, orchards were commonly treated with chemicals to reduce pest organisms. In some of these orchards, chemicals such as arsenic accumulated in soils. This was the case at our new site and the Hitchcock Center believed strongly, that the accumulation of arsenic in the soil be remediated and our team went to work on a solution. During the past few weeks, the work has been in progress and is now complete.
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Hitchcock Center for the Environment
at Hampshire College
845 West Street | Amherst MA 01002 | 413.256.6006 | 413.253.2809 fax