twdonovan

Cabin Fever Pot Luck & Bald Eagle Presentation

In the mood for an educational Saturday filled with good food and great company? “Leave the house and join the Friends of Sessions Woods for a “Cabin Fever Pot Luck,” beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the large meeting room in the Conservation Education Center. Then learn about bald eagles with Expert Brian Hess of the CT…

Bluebirds Workshop

Birds are fascinating and important species within our natural environment. In Connecticut, we are very lucky to be home (at least for some of the year) to many different types including the beautiful bluebird. 
“Get an introduction to the beloved bluebirds with Naturalist Emma Lorusso and Master Naturalist graduate Ed Boisits. Bluebird populations were on the decline since the late 1800s, but are making a comeback, partially due to the increased amount of bluebird boxes that have been built and set up by people!  Join us to learn about basic bluebird behavior including breeding, competition, diet and migration.  Following this talk you will have the chance to build your own bluebird box to take home.  
Please register with how many boxes you would like to build.  Registration limited.”
 All are welcome!!! This great program is organized by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, for more cool events like this one click here
 
Event Details: 
Date and Time: Saturday, February 20, 2016 – 10:00am12:00pm
Location: 
Goodwin Forest Conservation Education Center
23 Potter Road
Hampton, Connecticut 06247
 
Registration Fee: 
$10 per box non-members/$3 per box Friends of Goodwin members
RSVP Requirement: 
RSVP required
For Questions, Contact: 
Emma Lorusso
(860) 455-9534

Animal Tracks and Trails

Though we might not see them all the time, Connecticut is filled with wildlife! These animals leave clues and signs throughout nature, and if you can learn to spot them, you will notice a whole new world around you. Come to Coogan Farm on Saturday Feburary 6, at 1 PM to learn more about finding these traces of animal life that they have left behind. People will be playing nature games and also teaching everyone who comes about local animal life in CT. Also, you will be exploring the farm and visiting some of their animals as well! This program, organized by Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center,  is $8.50 for members and $10.00 for nonmembers. Register here! Click here for more information about this program 🙂

photo from https://nysparksnaturetimes.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/key-to-animal-tracks.png

“Winter Landscape” Photo Contest

Check out this super cool ongoing event at Flanders Nature Center

“For All
Come explore Flanders and bring your camera along! We are holding a photography contest with prizes for the best submissions based on composition, image quality and the story the image tells. Use your camera to capture your experience of the winter scenery that surrounds you at Flanders and submit your favorite(s)! Contestants may submit up to 5 entries ( in 5” x 7” or 8″x 10″ print format or JPEGS 6MB or less in size). Submissions can be emailed to photocontest@flandersnaturecenter.org, mailed or dropped off to Flanders offices by February 29th along with an entry blank identifying the photographer of the photo for each submitted photo. The cost for one submission is $5.00, 2/$7.00 , 3/ $10.00, 4/$13. 5/$15. All proceeds to benefit Flanders programming.
Dates/Times: Now through February 29
Location: Photos can be taken on any Flanders property
To read the rules and pay online, click here.”

photo from http://s3.favim.com/orig/47/beautiful-camera-cute-nature-ocean-Favim.com-434747.jpg

Groundhog Day Hike

What does Groundhog day really mean? I honestly don’t know but hiking and exploring nature is always fun! Bring family, friends, and children to Roaring Brook Nature Center for a guided walk through nature. Preregistration is not required and this event is open to all. This is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Also, I just looked up what groundhog day is. According to folklore, on this day if it is cloudy when this infamous groundhog emerges from from his hole, it means that spring will come early. However, if it is sunny and the groundhog emerges to see its own shadow, it will be frightened back into its whole and winter will persist for another six weeks. See if you can spot this happening as you enjoy the scenery that Roaring Brook has to offer! Here are the event details:

Location: Roaring Brook Nature Center

Date and Time: Sunday, January 31, 1:30-3:00 PM

Cost: $4 members, $6 nonmembers; half-price for children.

Full Moon Hike

Hoping to squeeze one more hike in before the storm this weekend? Come to the beautiful Coogan farm this Friday for a family friendly winter walk. This event is suitable for both children and adults and the best part, it’s free! I know people are probably tempted to spend their Friday night indoors, but hot chocolate (or other warm drinks of choice) will taste so much better after an evening enjoying the brisk winter air and exploring the nature that Mystic, CT has to offer. Register here! and call (860) 536-1216 with any questions about weather, cancelations, etc. 

Event Details:

Date: January 23

Time: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Venue:
Coogan Farm
162 Greenmanville Ave.
MysticCT 06355 United States

Photo from http://media.spokesman.com/photos/2013/12/15/out_15_moon.jpg

Winterizing for Wildlife

Come join other animal lovers and their families to “help to make life easier for our native wild animals this winter.” The activities and crafts will include making feeders for the wildlife in your backyards and in the nature preserve at the Asonia Nature Center. The Nature Center will provide all the materials you need.

Date and Time: Friday, January 8th, 10 AM

TUITION: $6 per child ($4 for family-level FANCI members and Ansonia residents). Adults come for free. Pre-register for this class for preschoolers and their adults.

Story Time at Flander’s Nature Center

“Friday, December 18 / 9:30-10:30AM . Flanders invites you to join us at the Trail House for exciting story time adventures. Monthly topics are designed to encourage young children (and adults) to explore nature, discover art and learn about farming together. Live animal demonstrations, specimens to observe and touch, nature walks and crafts are all part of investigating the great outdoors. This month the topic is deer. Mom’s Groups, play dates and day cares welcome. Cost per session: Free for Flanders members/$5 per family for nonmembers. Call 203-263-3711 to register so that we will have enough material for every child to participate.” This sounds like so much fun! come check it out 🙂

Wee Wanderers

Take advantage of this amazing winter weather we have been having and bring your children, younger siblings, or any small children you can find to the Harkness Memorial State Park  for a fun and exploratory hike! This program is run by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center and will be led by Rachel Aspinwall. I know this is a little last minute but if you don’t have plans for tomorrow morning I urge you to check it out!

Date: December 10

Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Price: $5.95/members, $7/nonmembers

Remember to preregister here!

photo from http://www.adventureparent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/hiking-kids.jpg

Learn about the Eagles of New England

Bald Eagles are not only the national emblem of the United States, they are also beautiful and intelligent wild animals. Come to the Asonia Nature Center on Friday, December 11th at 7PM to listen to a Connecticut D.E.E.P. biologist talk about these amazing creatures! A broad range of topics will be covered but the main focus will be what struggles they face due to seasonal changes and human interaction and what we can do to help.  

Price: FREE

Remember to preregister!