Retreat Farm wants to get people to go outside
This summer and fall, five nature centers in southern Vermont are partnering up to present “Wild Wisdom: Walks & Talks to Get You Outdoors,” a series of events at Retreat Farm, 45 Farmhouse Square. The series is a collaborative effort between Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center (BEEC), Vermont Wilderness School, the Nature Museum at Grafton, Southern Vermont Natural History Museum, and Retreat Farm.
Each partner organization has created a specific event with the goal of turning an interest in the outdoors into an actual step outside. The list includes both free and ticketed events: lectures, panels, guided walks, and observation workshops.
The series kicks off on Sunday, July 19, at 6 pm, with a lecture by Sean Southey, CEO of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. The event, titled “Falling in Love with Nature: Nice Idea or Survival Strategy?” will be hosted by the Nature Museum at Grafton in Retreat Farm’s North Barn. Tickets are a suggested donation of $10.
On Saturday, August 15, starting at 9:30 am, Bob Etzweiler, from the Vermont Wilderness School, will teach a free daytime workshop, “Fire by Friction,” on traditional fire-making techniques on the Retreat Farm trails. No experience is required. Register at https://form.jotform.com/261455987191166.
On Tuesday, September 1, at 5:30 pm, BEEC will present on “Psychedelic Renaissance: Hope or Hype,” exploring the potentials and realities of psilocybin and plant medicine. The evening features a panel discussion with researcher Katherine Mclean, PhD, who has conducted clinical trials on psilocybin; Adriana Kertzer, of the Plant Medicine Law Group; botanist and teacher, Justin Garner; and Kurt White, VP of Community Partnerships, Communication, and Development, at Brattleboro Retreat. Tickets are a suggested donation of $10.
On Friday, September 11, at 5 pm, the Vermont Museum of Natural History will hold a free nature journaling exploration entitled “Sketching Vermont Wildlife.” Participants of all ages are invited to meet and draw some live animals from the museum; no experience is necessary. Register at https://form.jotform.com/261465260718156.
On Saturday, September 19, at 10 am, Retreat Farm will partner with Tavernier Chocolates to host a Chocolate Walk on Retreat Farm trails. Enjoy a guided walk led by Rich Holschuh of the Atowi Project and Dar Tavernier-Singer and John Singer of Tavernier Chocolates, and learn about edible plants used to flavor Tavernier’s Brattleboro-made chocolates.
The program concludes on Thursday, October 22, at 6 pm, with “Wildlife 101,” a presentation and hands-on exploration of wildlife by Etzweiler in Retreat Farm’s North Barn. This session is open to first-timers and experienced trackers alike.
For more information, to purchase tickets or register for these events go to www.retreatfarm.org/wild-wisdom.
