"Kid's Need Nature" Summer Auction

A trio of wolves travels across a snowscape in the North American wilderness. The low late afernoon sun highlights their coats, bushy for the harsh winter season. Something has caught the attention of one of the wolves, who momentarily stops, searches and listens for possible prey.

I very much enjoyed painting this winter scene, especially the undulating contours of the snow, soe patches cin shadow and some glistening in the low light. The contrast of the cool blues and grays of the snow and the warm reds of the wolves' coats and the dormant vegetation was also very appealing to me.

Amanda Amend is a watercolor artist, linguist and musician whose career path has taken her form her native California, across the U.S., and abroad before moving to Burlington.  After 17  years of teaching English and Spanish in Spain, Mexico and at St. Michael’s, Amanda retired to concentrate on her passion for watercolor painting

Amanda is a member of the Vermont Watercolor Society.  Her work has been exhibited in shows and galleries throughout Vermont, and has won numerous awards.  Recently, one of her works was featured in the UVM Medical Center Calendar.  She will have an exhibit at the Lareau Farm beginning on 6/28.

Amanda has contributed a Giclee print of her work “Waitsfield Barn” for our auction.  Many thanks Amanda for showing our Valley in such lovely light.

NBNC teacher-naturalist Larry Clarfeld doesn't travel far into the field without a camera and has taken thousands of images of animals, plants, fungi, and more over the years. Pick your favorite dozen photos and receive them as 4X6 inch prints. Perfect for display or creative projects (such as home-made cards). Larry's photos can be viewed here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/27953043@N08/

Montperlier’s Rick Paradis is the Director of UVM’s Natural Areas Center.  Rick’s research is focused on the landscape histories and land conservation legacies of mountain and arid ecosystems.  His long-term interests in alpine ecology and conservation resulted in appointment as President of the Board of Directors of the Waterman Fund whose mission is to conserve the alpine areas of northeastern North America.  

For this item, Rick will lead a party of up to four on a one day exploration atop Vermont, in the high Alpine areas of Mount Mansfield.  (toll road fee is separate)

Share the wonders of what makes the alpine areas so special, who and what live there, how they make a living, what threatens the areas, and what can be done to keep them healthy.  And, of course, we’ll breath some fresh air, and take in the incredible views

“Becoming a carbon neutral college: a close up view of Middlebury’s road to success” with Jack Byrne

Spend a few special hours with Jack Byrne, Middlebury’s Director of Sustainability Integration.  Jack will escort you on a personal, behind-the-scenes tour of the college’s $12 million biomass gasification system, one of the college’s solar farms, its award winning Solar Decathlon houses, and an explanation of how the College came to set its goal of carbon neutrality by 2016, and how it is getting there.

Middlebury is a world leader in exploring, teaching and applying sustainable practices.  Jack’s leadership is instrumental to its success.

Hear firsthand the Incredible Story of the Expedition Ship Fram from Vermont Author & State Naturalist, Charles Johnson

Noted author and naturalist Charles Johnson sated his love of polar adventures with years of research and compelling telling of the story of the incredible voyages of the ice ship Fram.

So wonderful is this account that Charles was invited to present the story to both the famed Boston and New York Explorers Clubs.

This package starts with an autographed copy of Charles’ book.  And for a truly generous bonus, Charles will meet the purchaser at Red Hen Bakery to share the story of his own explorations that led to the story of Fram

Mad River Valley and Central Vermont kids, teens and adults have benefitted from North Branch Nature Center camps, in-school education programs, lectures, nature walks, courses and expeditions for nearly twenty years.

And leading the charge from the beginning has been Middlesex resident, avian researcher, head naturalist and executive director, Chip Darmstadt.

Now it’s your turn to experience the enthusiasm, depth of knowledge and incredible awareness of the natural world Chip has, on your own Day in the Field with Chip Darmstadt. 

Up to six members of your party will spend the day birding with Chip at a Vermont location with great biologic richness, and along the way we’ll learn about the butterflies, dragonflies, plants and other species that live there.  Be ready to see the world in a whole new way!

Illustrator, nature journalist and trail advocate Nona Bell  Estrin will help you learn the songs of the birds that visit your back yard – live and in person.

Nona will visit your home, present you with an autographed copy of her wonderful book In Season, and spend time helping you learn to recognize the songs of ten birds found in your backyard.

“Most of us don’t have time to learn the songs of our birds.  But, once we do, it opens us to a whole new appreciation for what is going on in the natural world – even as we move through our busy days.

Come join us for an evening sail with hors d’oeurvres and refreshments aboard “Ringle”.

Take-in spectacular views of the mountains and lake while sailing in beautiful Malletts Bay -- departing in late afternoon and staying out until dusk. 

We’ll work with you to find one of those perfect summer evenings with a breeze that’s just right for sailing and refreshments.  And, if the wind dies, we can swim, dine and putter back to the mooring under an evening sky.

CrossHaven Cottage – located on the Mad River  in Moretown – is one of the valley’s favorite “Home Away” locations.

Complete with kitchen, bath, downstairs bedroom and sleeping loft, the cottage sleeps four comfortably.

CrossHaven farm has pastures, woods and riverfront to explore.  And is located with convenient access to Montpelier, Burlington, Stowe, Sugarbush and Mad River Glen

Any season – non holiday week.