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Events Aimed to Keep You Going 

January Events Put on by Local Members Aim to Keep the Body Going     

As the calendar turns to a new year, EarthShare New England is continuing to find creative ways to get you out of the house and enjoy nature. Below is list compiled of various outdoor treks, forums, and family events that will be held over the next month.

Maine

On January 7, the Appalachian Mountain Club will be organizing a beginner snow shoeing trek for those interested in developing experience with elevation gain. Education will be a priority and gear and heat management will be reviewed. Elevation gain is about 1000 feet and the trip will last 3 to 4 hours. Final choice of which hill to hike will be made based on group input. Choices include Ragged Mountain, Bald Rock, Maiden Cliff or Megunticook.

January 07, 2012 
Location: Camden Hills - Camdem, Maine, Southern and Mid-Coast, ME
Difficulty: Easy
Offered By: Appalachian Mount Club - Maine
Leader: Michelle Moody (207-319-7355, call before 9pm, or meamc @ micstan.us)
Co-Leader: Stan Moody

Registration is required for this activity. See contact above.

Vermont

On January 14, join the Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee, VT for a fun-filled afternoon of exciting outdoor activities exploring adaptations for living in the snow. This family friendly event will teach you how to discover how the animals move around in winter, hunt for food, and even play in the powder. Celebrate the day warming up with refreshments around a campfire! Free with admissions to VINS Nature Center

January 14, 2012, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: VINS Nature Center – Quechee, VT

For more information call 802.359.5000 x223

Rhode Island

Join the Narrow River Preservation Association on Sunday, January 29, for the first talk in the new winter speaker series, on Pettaquamscutt: Presentations on the Environment and the History of the Narrow River Watershed.

Explore Narrow River without getting wet or cold, as NRPA Board member Dr. Veronica Berounsky presents “Narrow River – Past and Present.” Veronica will take you on a tour of the Narrow River and sites in its watershed and discuss important issues that are illustrated along the way.

The Friends of Canonchet Farm, Narrow River Preservation Association, and the South County Museum, with generous support from Trio Restaurant, are sponsoring the winter speaker series On Pettaquamscutt: Presentations on the Environment and the History of the Narrow River Watershed.

The presentations will take place on Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Maury Loontjeens Memorial Library, 35 Kingstown Road, Narragansett. Participants are encouraged to continue the conversation at Trio Restaurant, next door to the library. These events are free and open to the public.

January 29, 2012, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Maury Loontjeens Memorial Library, Narragansett

Massachusetts

On Thursday, January 12, come join the Appalachian Mountain Club for a fast-paced (2-2.5 mph) fitness hike/snowshoe on West Boylston Rail Trail near Worcester, MA. The 5.4 mile loop will be on average terrain. Depending on the trail conditions, snowshoes and microspikes will be used; these are both requirements for all participants. Meet at the trailhead early afternoon and plan to complete before dark, but please bring headlamps just in case. Contact leader for details on meeting location and time. Screening/ pre-registration required.

January 12, 2012
Location: West Boylston, MA in Central, MA
Difficulty: Intermediate
Leader: Renee Pittelli reneepittelli @ yahoo.com
Registration is required for this activity. See contact above.

Connecticut

We headlined this upcoming event a couple weeks ago, but on January 7, 2012, Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA) is teaming up with REI at the CFPA Headquarters in Middlefield, CT to celebrate Winter Trails Day. The day’s activities will go from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and include gear demos, snowshoeing clinics, guided hikes (on snowshoes supplied by REI if the snow cooperates), WalkCT Family Ramble activities, and more! Winter is a great time of year to get outside and visit the New England forests, if you are prepared. Snowshoes, x-country skis, insulated boots, and the right clothing layers will help to make the experience more enjoyable.

Pre-registration is recommended. To register, click here.

Winter Trails Day Schedule Clinics - Learn about snowshoes, xc-skiis, and how to dress for an outdoor winter adventure.

Snowshoe - 10:30am, 10:45am, and 11am
Layering - 1pm, 1:15pm, and 1:30pm
XC Skiing - 10:35am, 11:30am, 1pm, and 2pm

Hikes - Short (30 - 45 minute) CFPA guided hikes in the forest behind the CFPA office. Join us as we explore the forest - on snowshoes if the weather cooperates! A limited number of snowshoes for both adults and children will be available free of charge. Get here early as the snowshoes are available on a first come basis. We'll still guide hikes without snow, so wear sturdy boots. For families with young children (10 and under) please see the following Family Ramble.
Hike start times - 10:15am, 11:15am, 1:15pm, and 2:15pm

Family Ramble - Join Family Guide Lucy Meigs for this family oriented walk in the Highlawn Forest. We will explore the winter woods, look for signs of animals, and play some outdoor games. If there's snow, we'll be snowshoeing! Get here early if you need snowshoes so that we start on time!
Ramble start times: 11:15am and 1:15pm

Ranger Rick GeoCache Trail (GPS required) - A self-guided hike with clues given out at the Family Fun Corner. CFPA has a limited number of hand-held GPS units available; bring your own if you have one. This activity is available all day.

Stories by the fire - Gather around the fire in CFPA's outdoor education area with Lynn Kochiss, a local educator of the year, as she reads a variety of children's nature story books. A great activity for families!
Story Times - 10:45am, 11:45am, and 1:45pm

Family Fun Corner - Available all day, the Family Fun Corner is a mix of hands-on activities (counting tree rings, tree identification, sorting table of natural materials, and creating a wildlife track guide). Self-guided scavenger hunts will also be available for families to use on their own (scav hunts available are: animal home hikes, snow, rain, wildlife, etc.)

New Hampshire

Although over a month away, this event bares marking on your calendar. On February 11, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests will be putting on a special animal tracking/snowshoeing trek. Join Forest Society Land Stewards Ken and Suzanne Marvin on a snowshoe hike on the Evelyn H. & Albert D. Morse, Sr. Preserve and learn about wild animals and Alton Mountain area history. This 1.7-mile hike is somewhat challenging, but will take place at a pace most can enjoy. Be prepared for wind and very cold conditions, and bring winter layers, snowshoes, lunch, and water. Preregistration requested"or contact Tina at or 603-224-9945 ext. 313.

February 11, 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Evelyn H. & Albert D. Morse, Sr. Preserve, Alton