Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Frogs
2024-03-22 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

Nice & Easy Walks
2024-03-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history highlights along the way. Dress for winter weather, sturdy footwear, and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Salamanders
2024-03-29 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Nice & Easy Walks
2024-04-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-04-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-04-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history highlights along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels.

The Great North American Solar Eclipse
2024-04-08 14:15 - 16:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For this drop-in program, learn about our solar system while viewing the solar eclipse safely! Find out what an eclipse is, make your own sun clock, follow our planetary trail, and while supplies last, get a free pair of safe eclipse viewing glasses. Peak viewing here is at 3:30 p.m. In Massachusetts, we will not see a total solar eclipse, and so it is never safe to directly view the sun without a solar filter, such as eclipse glasses. In partnership with Montague Public Libraries. For all ages. Meet outside on the lawn.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Skunks
2024-04-12 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Earth Week Investigation Station and Indoor StoryWalk® - One Earth
2024-04-13 - 2024-04-21 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join us at the welcome desk during school vacation week for activities to inspire taking care of where we live. Enjoy indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities to honor the Earth, our shared home. Includes the indoor StoryWalk® — One Earth by Eileen Spinelli, which is an invitation to both celebrate our planet and honor it through stewardship. For all ages. Meet at the welcome desk.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Osprey
2024-04-19 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Park Serve Day: Give a Day, Make a Difference
2024-04-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
The Department of Conservation and Recreation invites you to the Great Falls Discovery Center to lend a hand during this day of volunteer service to our state parks. For any special accommodations or needs you may have for the day, please call (413) 863-3221. Bring your own water and snack. Registration: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dcr-park-serve-day. For ages 6 and up. Meet at the main entrance.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Who Lives in a Tree?
2024-04-26 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Nice & Easy Walks - In An Immigrant's Footsteps
2024-04-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history highlights along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Friday 4/26: Our Food, Farms, and Factories* Fourth Friday topic is: In An Immigrant’s Footsteps. Meet at the main entrance.
*In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Wildlife Tales: Live Animals with the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum
2024-04-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Take a literary journey around the world as a storytelling naturalist from the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum shares tales of animals and magic from around the world. With each story, a live animal will visit to bring a natural history piece to the myth and legends! Sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries. For ages 6 and up. Meet in the Great Hall. Free.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Birds
2024-05-03 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult, siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

Nice & Easy Walk
2024-05-03 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-05-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-05-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-05-31 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.

Find us at the Farmer’s Market!* Seed Scenes
2024-05-04 10:30 - 13:00 | Peskeompskut Park, Avenue A between 6th and 7th Streets, Turners Falls, 01376
It’s planting time! Be creative and experience the beauty and colors of seeds while making scenes in dough! Join Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center volunteer, Dawn Marvin Ward, and DCR staff at the Great Falls Farmers market on opening day (between 6th and 7th streets along
Avenue A at Peskompskut Park). For all ages.The Great Falls Farmers Market is located between 6th and 7th Streets along Avenue A at Peskeompskut Park. Part of our Food, Farms, and Factories project.
* Food, Farms, & Factories –
In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

StoryWalk® — Ruby’s Birds
2024-05-09 - 2024-06-25 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Ongoing, May 9—June 25
Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise! Join us on the Center’s grounds for a free self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture book Ruby’s Birds by Mya Thompson, for readers ages 3-7 and everyone who celebrates birds. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Fish
2024-05-10 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Make Your own Meadow*
2024-05-11 11:00 - 13:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Learn how to create your own pollinator-friendly meadow with landscape designers Tom Sullivan and Peter Wackernagle, and then take a short walk to see pollinator gardens in downtown Turners Falls. In collaboration with Exploded View and our 2024 Food, Farms, and Factories project. For ages 12 and up. Meet in the Great Hall.
* Food, Farms, & Factories –
In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Wild and Cultivated Edible Plants: A Show ’n Tell *
2024-05-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Many invasive plants, like garlic mustard and goutweed, are tasty and nutritious additions to our diet. Author/illustrator Blanche Derby brings samples of her wild and cultivated plant friends for this indoor presentation in the Great Hall. In collaboration with Exploded View and our 2024Food, Farms, and Factories project. For ages 12 and up. Meet in the Great Hall.
Food, Farms, and Factories
*In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Nice & Easy Walk - Sea Lamprey*
2024-05-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance. Today’s topic is Sea Lamprey, as part of our Food, Farms, and Factories project.
* Food, Farms, & Factories –
In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Art Naturally Series: Felted Fish*
2024-05-25 10:30 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Discover nature and culture through story, poetry, and art in our series of free Art Naturally programs. Using words and images, instruction and techniques you create an art piece inspired by the natural world to take home. Learn how the shad’s shape helps it swim upstream. Make a wet-felted underwater scene. For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up (accompanied by an adult). All art materials provided. Meet in the Great Hall.
* Food, Farms, & Factories –
In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Find us at the Farmers Market: Soils and Soil pH Testing*
2024-06-01 10:30 - 13:00 | Peskeompskut Park, Avenue A between 6th and 7th Streets, Turners Falls, 01376
As part of our Food, Farms, and Factories project, join DCR staff, the Friends of the Center, and Western MA Master Gardeners to learn about soils and soil testing, including family-friendly activities. The Great Falls Farmers Market is located between 6th and 7th streets along Avenue A at Peskeompskut Park. Bring your soil to be tested for free by following these directions:
Testing Your Soil’s pH
What is pH?
• pH is a measure of the acidity of the soil.
• The pH scale runs from 1 to 14 where: pH< 7 is acidic, pH = 7 neutral, pH > 7 is basic
Why do I need to test my soil’s pH?
• Nutrients and acidity can change with time and use.
• Acidity controls the availability of nutrients and beneficial organisms.
• Plants have different pH requirements:
Blueberries and rhododendron need acidic soil, pH 4.5 to 5.5.
Vegetables grow best in pH 6.0 to 7.0.
• Lime or sulfur may be needed to correct pH imbalance.
Where can I have my soil tested?
• pH only: Master Gardener table at local farmers markets and fairs ($2.00/ donation).
See website for days and times: http://wmmga.org
• Full Soil Analysis: UMass Soil Testing Laboratory.
For details go to: http://soiltest.umass.edu
When is the best time to test?
• At least 6-8 weeks after a lime, sulfur, or fertilizer application.
• Best: Fall, Second best: Early Spring.
• Any time when starting new planting area.
What do I need to collect a soil sample?
• Trowel, shovel or sampling tube
• Bucket
• Coarse sieve or screen
• Drying tray or plate
• Zip-lock bag
How do I collect samples?
• Define your sample area. If sampling multiple areas, keep samples separated by area.
• Remove a thin slice or plug of soil from surface to proper depth.
Sample depths: 3”-4” Lawn, 6”-8” flower/vegetable garden, 10”-12” trees/shrubs
• Collect 4 -6 samples for small area, 8-12 for large.
• Mix single area’s samples together in bucket.
• Scoop 1 cup mixed soil and spread on a clean plate/tray to dry.
• Sift to remove debris and place in a labeled zip-lock bag.
• Note approximate size and type of area (vegetable, flower, lawn, shrub) on bag.
• Avoid sampling when very wet.

Migratory Bird Walk with Mass Wildlife
2024-06-02 07:30 - 10:30 | Leyden Wildlife Management Area, Leyden, Massachusetts, United States
Enjoy a guided bird walk with MassWildlife experts during peak migratory bird nesting season. Birders of all experience are welcome. Participants should be prepared to walk ~2-miles at a comfortable group pace. Bring binoculars and water, dress for the weather, and wear closed-toed shoes good for walking on uneven ground. Hosted in partnership with the Massachusetts Forest Alliance. Limited spots available. Registration is required.
Location: Leyden Wildlife Management Area – exact meeting location will be emailed to you prior to the event
Have a question? Email Meghan Crawford at meghan.crawford@mass.gov

Nice & Easy Walk
2024-06-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history highlights along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water.
Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.

Art Naturally Series: Solar Prints from the Garden*
2024-06-08 10:30 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Discover nature through story, poetry, and art in this series of free Art Naturally programs. Using words and images, instruction and techniques, you create an art piece inspired by the natural world to take home. Use the power of UV light (from the sun or a lamp) to create beautiful garden inspired prints on paper and cloth. For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up, accompanied by an adult. All art materials provided. Rain or shine. Meet in the Great Hall.
Food, Farms, and Factories
*In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.
