A membership application form to print and return is available in
plain printable text
or use our

Online Membership Form

Welcome
ABNC is an active group of people sharing an appreciation of nature’s many forms. We have birders, geologists, star watchers, and plant enthusiasts -- a full spectrum of interests. If you have an interest in nature, whether a beginner or experienced observer, we welcome you. Join us at our meetings, field trips, and institutes where you will find a friendly reception and people with similar interests.

History
The Club was organized in 1963 and is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Club is self-supporting, maintained and operated by volunteers. The Club is the managing partner of the Millers River Environmental Center located on Route 2A at 100 Main Street, Athol, MA. Staffed programs run at the Center are funded by grants and generous donations from members and friends.

Meetings and Field Trips
Our regular CLUB MEETINGS are usually held at the Center at 7:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. These Club meetings may have a member telling about a trip or a particular interest, or we may have an outside speaker on a variety of nature topics.

With the opening of the Center, the Club now offers intensive workshops and institutes on specific natural history topics. The Club also organizes many regional biological inventories, including biodiversity surveys, bird counts, and butterfly and dragonfly records. Since 1963, yearly Audubon Christmas Counts have made us aware of our local wintering species.

We organize field trips all over southern New England. For example, both the North and South Shores of Massachusetts are visited often in search of birds, as are local areas, the Quabbin and various sanctuaries. Botanical trips throughout the year have proven fun and educational.

We also have trips for rock and mineral collecting. Observation nights allow us to learn about the stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies. We have visited most of the major museums and planetariums in southern New England to see their nature displays and programs. Please send suggestions for future trips to dhsmall@gis.net .

Events are publicized in the Athol Daily News, on our web page, listserv, and in the Club Newsletter.

Natural History Collection
The Club’s large natural history collection is composed of mounted birds and mammals plus modern shells, rocks and minerals, crystals, fossils, and more. The collection was started by Athol schoolchildren in 1963 under the direction of teacher Bob Coyle. Parts of this collection are now on display in the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St, Athol, MA. You are welcome to participate in our effort to manage this building and interpret the collection for the enjoyment of the whole community. Contact Bob Coyle at 978-249-6083 for information on how you can participate in this program.

Membership
We have several levels of membership (see membership form).

Members will receive via mail the Club Newsletter with notification of meetings, programs, and field trips. Members may also receive advance notifications via e-mail by joining our automated e-mail list.

Athol Agway offers a discount to members on purchases of birdseed.

Dues are used to pay for programs and speakers, manage the Center, Club projects, newsletters, stamps, and Club membership in conservation and research organizations.

Optional donations to Center are used to pay for additional programs and for care of the collection.

Dues in excess of $10.00 and all donations to MREC are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

A membership application form to print and return is available in
plain printable text
or use our

Online Membership Form.

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