The Athol Bird and Nature Club was formed in 1963 to "enhance the appreciation of natural history in the North Quabbin Region". Founded by Robert Coyle, an eighth grade science teacher at the Athol Junior High School, the Club was a spin-off of the science curriculum which included studies in astronomy, geology, geography, and field ornithology.

Heron

Bob retired in 1988 moving the Club and the extended natural history museum out of the school, where space was at a premium. The Club has grown in the last decade and is now a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization  with a diverse membership from around the region and beyond. The Club takes pride in its leadership role in natural resources education and conservation in the North Quabbin Region.

Integral to our mission, as ABNC is a managing partner of the Millers River Environmental Center, is a strong emphasis on the education and training of area citizens to enhance their appreciation for, connection with, and stewardship of the rich natural resources of the region.

The Club's extensive Natural History Collection was housed in historic Memorial Hall in Orange until that hall fell to the bulldozers.  The collection was then packed up in safe storage for three years, thanks to the generosity of the Orange Historical Society.  In 1999 the collection was moved to the Millers River Environmental Center.
View the collection

ABNC Officers:

Robin

President- Acting Executive Director:
   Dave Small,

Vice President:
   Robert Mallet

Treasurer:
   Bob Coyle

Membership Secretary:
   Susan Bredesen

Directors:

Christine Becket-Long, Chris is avid botanist and trip leader, founding president of the North Quabbin Garden Club and writes and distributes press releases for ABNC and MREC events

Joan and Lawrence Duprey,
Joan and Larry are retired military veterans, avid birders and trip leaders for the Club.

Lula Field,
Lula is a day care provider and an amateur naturalist.

Charles Hartwell,
Charles is currently a sales executive for Alcatel-Lucent

Cindy Hartwell,
Cindy is the retired account director for Alcatel-Lucent. Both she and Charles are avid naturalists

Susan Heinricher,
Susan owns and operates a day care facility in Orange and is a master gardener and amateur naturalist.

James Mallet,
James is the director of development for the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
He is an amateur naturalist and birder.

Jacob Morris-Siegel,
Jacob joined the Club as a student, continues to lead field trips for the Club, and is an expert birder.

John O’Keefe,
John is the former director of Harvard Forest’s Fisher Museum in Petersham, MA.

Webmaster: Bruce Wilson, Moss Brook Arts

Mailing Address:

Athol Bird and Nature Club
100 Main Street
Athol, MA  01331