A8. Nature Explorations: Late Summer into Fall

Late summer in New England teems with abundance. Insect life abounds, fall flowers come into their own, and birds are active as they stock up for big trips and winter food supplies. We will explore the processes of how animals and plants prepare for winter, including migration, physiological changes, seed dispersal, leaf fall, and consider different organismal groups each week, including insects, birds, mammals, and plants. Ideally, classes will be held in person and outdoors at the following locations in Worcester:

• 9/14: Broad Meadow Brook, 414 Massasoit Road
• 9/21: Institute Park and Salisbury Pond (Park in the Antiquarian Society parking lot across Salisbury Street.)
• 9/28: Coes Reservoir and Intergenerational Playground/Stearns Tavern (Park next to the Stearns Tavern on Mill Street, accessed just off Coes Street.)
• 10/12: Hadwen Park (Park on Heard Street.)
• 10/19: Blackstone River Park and Boardwalks (Park at Blackstone Visitor Center on 3 Paul Clancy Way.)

Participants need to be prepared to navigate trails and move over unimproved ground at a modest pace during this course.  This course is limited to 20 participants. 

Dr. Martha Gach is Education Manager for Mass Audubon’s Central Region. She oversees habitat management and adult education. Trained as an ecologist and evolutionary biologist, she is at heart a generalist who appreciates drawing connections between seemingly disparate parts of the natural world and strengthening the relationship humans have with the environment.