Berkshire, Highland & Valley Hikes & Treks

Current Schedule 2025


Place-based natural and cultural history educational experiences that inspire participants towards land stewardship of the Berkshire, Highland & Ct. River Valley regions.




“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead to where there is no path and leave a trail."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson 


                                                                                                                                                        

“Keep close to nature’s heart. Climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods~Wash your spirit clean”

~John Muir


































UPCOMING PROGRAMS MUSIC CLASSES & EVENTS: *West African & Caribbean drum and song classes with Aimee Gelinas M.Ed & Daniel Cohen at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Ave, Pittsfield Mondays 5:30pm Beginner / 6:30pm advanced $10pp/per class & $5 drum rentals For registration info and class location email: aimee@gaiaroots.com. Visit www.tamarackhollow.com. Upcoming Naturalist Led Hikes led by Aimée Gelinas REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR ALL PROGRAMS. EMAIL: full_circle_o@yahoo.com *Programs at the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center, Windsor, MA Boreal Spruce- Fir Forest Flower, Tree, Wild Edibles & Waterfall Hike Sunday June 15th and Saturday August 9th from 10am-12:30pm at the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center in Windsor, MA with Naturalist & Director Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. Learn about the unique fauna and flora of high elevation forests and fields plus a visit to Georgie’s Falls on this 2 mile hike. $20pp. This project has been supported by a grant from the Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.” To register (required) email: full_circle_o@yahoo.com. 13th Annual Boreal Forest Bird Walk June 3rd (rain date June 4th) 7:30am-9:30am. Join master birder John Green Jr. for our annual spring breeding bird survey/census at Tamarack Hollow. Learn how to identify birds found at higher elevations by sight and sound. This project has been supported by a grant from the Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.” $20pp. To register (required) email: full_circle_o@yahoo.com. Explore the Magic of the Boreal Forest on a Mindful Wonder Walk Saturday June 7th & Thursday July 3rd 10am-12noon Join Mindful Outdoor Guide and Board Member Vicki Zacharewicz for a wonder walk in the boreal forest incorporating elements of forest bathing, mindful breathing, nature awareness and council practice. We'll settle in at Georgie's Falls and take in the views while we practice a seated meditation (sit spot) and perhaps enjoy some forest tea. The benefits of spending time in nature include both physical and mental wellbeing. By organically activating the senses through noticing, we can improve cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure, boost the immune system, reduce the stress hormone cortisol, and improve cognitive performance.  $20pp. To register (required) email: full_circle_o@yahoo.com.
 “Learn About Ferns” June 28th 10am-12:30pm at the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center in Windsor, MA with Naturalist & Director Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. Learn tips on how to identify over 10 species of woodland ferns on this easy walk. Fern guidebooks will be available for purchase at the program. $20pp. This project has been supported by a grant from the Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.” To register (required) email: full_circle_o@yahoo.com. Visit www.tamarackhollow.org **FALL Programs in collaboration with The Housatonic Heritage Programs Boreal Spruce- Fir Forest Flower, Tree, Wild Edibles & Waterfall Hike at the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center in Windsor, MA Sunday September 14th 10am-12:30pm Experience early fall in the Boreal Forest! Led by Naturalist and Tamarack Hollow Director, Aimee Gelinas, this 2.5 mile hike will feature the unique high elevation flora of the boreal forest, watershed and a waterfall, including tips for tree, plant and wild edible identification and signs of wildlife. Program is free (donations accepted for Tamarack Hollow).  This walk has been supported by a grant from the Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.”  Registration is required, email   full_circle_o@yahoo.com. Boreal Forest Ecology Slideshow & Summit Walk, Bascom Lodge & Mt Greylock. Summit Sunday September 14th 5:00-6:30pm Learn about the ecology and unique fauna and flora of high elevation Boreal Spruce-Fir forests on a short and easy .25 mile plant/tree ID summit walk and a narrated slideshow in Bascom Lodge with naturalist Aimee Gelinas, Director of the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center. Program is free (donations accepted).  This project has been supported by a grant from the William J. and Margery S. Barrett Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and supported in part by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.” For info about Bascom Lodge visit www.bascomlodge.net. Registration is required, email -  full_circle_o@yahoo.com. Explore the fauna and flora of the Boulders, Dalton & Pittsfield Sunday September 21st 10am-12noon Learn about the plants, trees, wild edibles, tracks and signs of wildlife with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas, Director of the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center. Program is free (donations accepted).  This hike is 1-2 miles and is moderate. This project is co-sponsored by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, owners of this preserve, and has been supported in part by a grant from the Dalton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.” Registration is required, email -   full_circle_o@yahoo.com. Explore the fauna and flora of the Parson Marsh Reserve, Lenox 2-3:30pm On this short, accessible ½ mile walk, learn about the plants, trees, wild edibles, and signs of wildlife with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas, Director of the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center. Program is free (donations accepted).  This project is co-sponsored by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council and has been supported in part by a grant from the Lenox Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.” Registration is required, email -   full_circle_o@yahoo.com . Explore the fauna and flora of the Dorothy Rice Sanctuary, Peru 10am-1pm Learn about the plants, trees, wild edibles, tracks and signs of wildlife with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas, Director of the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center. This is a 2-3 mile, moderate hike. Program is free (donations accepted).  This project is co-sponsored by the New England Forestry Foundation and has been supported in part by a grant from the Hinsdale/Peru Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.” Registration is required, email -   full_circle_o@yahoo.com . Boreal Spruce Fir Forest Full “Hunter’s Moon” Hike at Notchview, Windsor 4:30-6:30pm Experience an early eve 2 mile hike in the Boreal Forest and the full moon rising over Sawmill Field at Notchview Reservation (owned by The Trustees). Led by Naturalist and Tamarack Hollow Director, Aimee Gelinas, this hike will feature the unique high elevation flora of the boreal forest including tips for tree, plant and wild edible identification and signs of wildlife. Program is free (donations accepted).  This project has been supported in part by a grant from the Windsor Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.” Registration is required, email   full_circle_o@yahoo.com    **Programs in collaboration with The Trustees at NOTCHVIEW RESERVATION in Windsor, MA (our neighbor!) Boreal Spruce Fir Forest Full “Hunter’s Moon” Hike at Notchview, Windsor 4:30-6:30pm Experience an early eve 2 mile hike in the Boreal Forest and the full moon rising over Sawmill Field at Notchview Reservation (owned by The Trustees). Led by Naturalist and Tamarack Hollow Director, Aimee Gelinas, this hike will feature the unique high elevation flora of the boreal forest including tips for tree, plant and wild edible identification and signs of wildlife. Program is free (donations accepted).  This project has been supported in part by a grant from the Windsor Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.” Registration is required, email   full_circle_o@yahoo.com    **Programs in collaboration with NorthWest Park in Windsor, CT! Date TBA! mailto:aimee@gaiaroots.comhttp://www.tamarackhollownatureandculturalcenter.orgmailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.commailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.commailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.commailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.commailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.comhttp://www.tamarackhollownatureandculturalcenter.orgmailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.comhttp://www.bascomlodge.netmailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.commailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.commailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.commailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.commailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.commailto:full_circle_o@yahoo.comshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4shapeimage_1_link_5shapeimage_1_link_6shapeimage_1_link_7shapeimage_1_link_8shapeimage_1_link_9shapeimage_1_link_10shapeimage_1_link_11shapeimage_1_link_12shapeimage_1_link_13shapeimage_1_link_14shapeimage_1_link_15

Create your own program!


Naturalist Led Environmental Education for all ages such as:

~Naturalist led Hikes & Treks throughout W. Mass

~Tracking/Fauna Studies

~Place Based Ecology

~Nature Awareness & Appreciation

~Edible & Medicinal Plants & Trees

~Back-Country Berkshire Treks

~Canoe Programs(in collaboration w/ MASS Audubon)

~Home-school Programs


~Please email or call the appropriate contact provided to register for a trek.

~Pre-registration REQUIRED for MOST programs!

~Most programs have a fee (some are free/grant funded).  Please ask when registering.

~Email trek leader aimee@gaiaroots.com with any trek related questions