Grand Opening: Free Summer Nature Programming at Bellows Falls Visitor Center

Learn about the amazing, nocturnal world of bats with expert scientists at this free, family-friendly program! The Nature Museum at Grafton, in partnership with the TransCanada Corporation, is thrilled to announce the summer opening of the TransCanada Bellows Falls Visitor Center. The public is invited to a free Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, June 6th at 11AM at the Visitor Center in Bellows Falls. This celebration includes a fascinating program on the bats of Vermont and New Hampshire led by two special guests: Laura Deming and Cynthia Nichols of New Hampshire Audubon. Laura and Cynthia will teach us all about bats in our area, and how we can help scientists understand and protect these amazing creatures. Guests will be invited to help local scientists by locating and counting bats at potential maternity colonies and conducting acoustic studies.

The TransCanada Bellows Falls Visitor Center will be open through Labor Day weekend on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission and programs are always free. Rachel Brown, an experienced naturalist educator, will lead hands-on environmental programs most weekends. Programs begin at 11 AM, and a schedule can be found at www.nature-museum.org. The Nature Museum at Grafton seeks to inspire stewardship of the Connecticut River and all local waterways. The Visitor Center is located in Bellows Falls next to the post office building on Bridge Street.

The Nature Museum operates the Visitor Center on behalf of TransCanada Corporation, owner of the fish ladder as well as the hydroelectric facility. TransCanada has partnered with The Nature Museum since 2003 to provide free environmental education programs to the public each summer in this facility. Matthew Cole of TransCanada says, "We are proud of our long-standing partnership with The Nature Museum. Their environmental outreach and education initiatives here are top notch." Kimberly Galandak-O'Connor, Director of Education at The Nature Museum, says of the partnership: "The Nature Museum is extremely excited to continue running the Visitor Center in Bellows Falls and offering engaging environmental education to the town and the surrounding communities. All that we do at the Fish Ladder would not be possible if not for the grant and support from TransCanada." TransCanada operates six hydroelectric stations on the Connecticut River and manages numerous outdoor recreational facilities associated with those assets. The company generates over 470 megawatts from these renewable sources, which it markets to wholesale, commercial and industrial retail electricity customers throughout New England.

If you have questions, please call The Nature Museum at (802) 843-2111 or email Director of Education Kimberly Galandak-O'Connor at [email protected]. Located at 186 Townshend Road in Grafton, Vermont, The Nature Museum at Grafton offers museum admission by free-will donation, vacation camps for youth, and nature programs for adults, children, and schools. Event information can be found on The Nature Museum at Grafton's website: www.nature-museum.org.