Browsing Bliss Awaits You

It appears you're using Internet Explorer or an early version of Edge, which is a bit like watching a black-and-white TV with "rabbit ears." You're missing symmetry, joy and actual knowledge — not only here on my website but across the internet. I suggest you upgrade to Chrome or Firefox. You’ll discover a lot more nature, maybe even actual rabbit ears.

— Bryan

Community Programs

An offering of hands-on nature based STEAM programs, wild stories from nature and folklore, and playful, creative experiences designed to match audiences of all ages. For libraries, nature centers, recreation departments, camps, etc.

Contact Susie to Schedule a Program
A picnic basket of elfin offerings

An Elfin Picnic

  • Ages 4 and Up
  • $250 for 45 minute program
  • 14 participant maximum
You are invited to an elfin picnic! Gather around the picnic blanket to hear stories from far and wide of these little woodland sprites, play elfin games like troll tag and Smaug’s jewels, and make a woodland crown. Sip on Phoenix tea and nibble on the fruits of the season. Outdoor space requested but not necessary.
Naturalist and educator Susie Spikol leads a workshop at the Orford Library in NH

How to Be an Animal Adventurer

  • Ages 4 and up
  • $200 for a 45 to 60 minute program
Join award-winning naturalist and author Susie and learn the art and skills of becoming an animal adventurer! Sharpen your observation skills through games and activities that will prepare you for a lifetime of wildlife experiences! Hear how watching wild animals, no matter where you live, can help you feel more connected to the natural world and each other and deepen your scientific understanding of everyday nature. Outdoor space requested but not necessary.
Tiny gnomes

From My Gnome to Yours

  • Ages 5 and up
  • $300 for 60 minute program
  • 14 participant maximum
Enter the world of gnomes! Hear stories of these wee little folk from around the world and explore storybooks that star these little imps. Play a few traditional gnome games and then create a crew of these charming characters. Let imaginations run wild, as we make our own little beings with names and characteristics—a perfect way to open the doors to writing, art, and storytelling. Tips on how to make a gnome home are included! All materials for gnome-making provided.
Sunlit magical path

The Wild Side of Fairy Tales

  • Ages 5 and up
  • $200 for a 45 to 60 minute program
Step into the magical world of fairy tales from around the world and hear stories and legends from long ago. Meet mischievous fairies, talking animals, and naughty trolls and discover where nature and story meet. Let your imagination go on an adventure with these stories from the wildside of once upon a time and happily ever after.
A student temporarily transformed into a mushroom!

Mysterious Mushrooms

  • Ages 6 and up
  • $200 for a 45 to 60 minute program
Discover the fascinating world of fungi! From dissecting mushrooms to discovering what wild creatures depend on mushrooms, this program will bring the mysterious world of these decomposers to life. One student will even be temporarily transformed into a giant mushroom! Keep an accordion journal filled with written and drawn observations. Optional mushroom scavenger hunt included. Outdoor space requested but not necessary.
A mermaid maid of seashells

From Real to Mythical: How Wild Animals Inspired the Legends and Lore of Mythological Creatures

  • General Public
  • $200 for a 60 minute program
  • Virtual $150
See how throughout history, wild animals have inspired mythical creatures. Discover the mammal behind mermaids, the fossils that made the griffin, and how the narwhal’s horn might have given rise to the legend of the unicorn. With images of wildlife and ancient artifacts, this slideshow and discussion will reveal how the natural world can inspire stories, myths, and legends.
Wolf © Marc-Olivier Jodoin

Legends and Truths of New England’s Wolves

  • General Public
  • $200 for a 60 minute program
  • Virtual $150
Once upon a time, New England was home to Canis lupus, the gray wolf, who trotted from hillside to valley and howled through the seasons. Discover how this wild canine survived, what forces lead to its extinction from the New England landscape, and how the stories and myths we tell about this creature continue to influence our perception of it today.
Red mushroom

Mythology of Mushrooms

  • General Public
  • $200 for a 60 minute program
  • Virtual $150
From fairy rings and lightning strikes to Santa Claus and witches, mushrooms have long captivated our attention. Associated magic, immortality, and a harbinger of death, discover how mushrooms have influenced how we see the world and the stories we tell ourselves. Explore where science and story meet through the world of mushrooms!