Some creatures might seem a little creepy, but they all play an important role in the ecosystem. During this special Zoom class we’ll take a closer look at the creepy and crawly creatures that live in the fields, meadows and ponds around the Nature Center. Members $6.80, Nonmembers $8

Some creatures might seem a little creepy, but they all play an important role in the ecosystem. During this special Zoom class we’ll take a closer look at the creepy and crawly creatures that live in the fields, meadows and ponds around the Nature Center. Members $6.80, Nonmembers $8

Owls have amazing adaptations from sharp talons and beaks to specialized neck bones and eyes. Join us with your family for this fun in-person program for a chance to see live owls up close and learn more about the owls that call Connecticut home. Pre-registration is required, all program participants must wear masks throughout the…

Owls have amazing adaptations from sharp talons and beaks to specialized neck bones and eyes. Join us with your family for this fun in-person program for a chance to see live owls up close and learn more about the owls that call Connecticut home. Pre-registration is required, all program participants must wear masks throughout the…

Have your children ages 6 to 10 step away from the screen and spend some time experiencing nature. During this program, we will learn about the hidden lives of these nocturnal flying rodents, examine specimens and make a bat craft! This program is limited to 10 children. Adults must wear masks when dropping off and…

Have your children ages 6 to 10 step away from the screen and spend some time experiencing nature. During this program, we will learn about the hidden lives of these nocturnal flying rodents, examine specimens and make a bat craft! This program is limited to 10 children. Adults must wear masks when dropping off and…

During this class we will learn how to draw owls, with instruction from DPNC artist/educator Rob Reas. This class is offered via Zoom. While you can work in whatever medium you have at home, we will cover drawing in pencil for shape, proportion and contour, with recommendations of how to add color in pastels or…

During this class we will learn how to draw owls, with instruction from DPNC artist/educator Rob Reas. This class is offered via Zoom. While you can work in whatever medium you have at home, we will cover drawing in pencil for shape, proportion and contour, with recommendations of how to add color in pastels or…

Nature at night doesn’t have to be spooky! Explore the Nature Center with your family on a guided night hike with stops along the way to test our night senses. After our hike we’ll toast marshmallows around the campfire. Meets at DPNC. Members $6.80, Nonmembers $8

Nature at night doesn’t have to be spooky! Explore the Nature Center with your family on a guided night hike with stops along the way to test our night senses. After our hike we’ll toast marshmallows around the campfire. Meets at DPNC. Members $6.80, Nonmembers $8

Believe it or not, November is a great time to start milkweed from seed! Our native common milkweed seeds need a period of cold in order to germinate so starting now is perfect! Remember that Monarch butterfly caterpillars only eat milkweed and having some in your yard will attract not only butterflies, but a whole…

Discover the out of this world adaptations that snakes have and create art with real snake skin. This program is limited to 10 children. Adults must wear masks when dropping off and picking up children. Masks for children are required indoors and outdoors when not able to maintain a six foot distance. This class is…

Have your children ages 6 to 10 step away from the screen and spend some time experiencing nature. Learn about the secret life of lichen and go on a scavenger hunt to identify several key CT lichen species. This program is limited to 10 children. Adults must wear masks when dropping off and picking up…

One of the most important steps in growing great vegetables actually happens before planting, - testing the soil where you plan to plant the garden. Soil and the microbiology in the soil is more important than anything else that makes your vegetables grow. A soil test lets you know which Minerals, Trace elements, Anions and…

During this class offered via Zoom, we will discuss how to choose from the different types of feeders and seed, as well as how bird biology and migration should factor into your feeding plans. We will also learn what species you can expect to see in your backyard with identification tips and tricks. This program…

Wednesday, November 18, 1:30 - 3:30 pm Have your children ages 6 to 10 step away from the screen and spend some time experiencing nature. Bust some myths about opossums, learn what makes these wacky mammals so marvelous and make an opossum craft to take home with you! This program is limited to 10 children.…

During this class we will learn how to draw a red-shouldered hawk, with instruction from DPNC artist/educator Rob Reas. This class is offered via Zoom. While you can work in whatever medium you have at home, we will cover drawing in pencil for shape, proportion and contour, with recommendations of how to add color in…

The kids need a night out! What better way than an evening at the Nature Center? Children will have fun learning all about “Deer” through games, activities, meeting live animals and a night hike. We’ll have pizza for dinner and round out the evening with s’mores around the campfire. This program is for ages 6…

It’s time to get outside and celebrate the fall season with a bit of imagination. Pick-up a packet of art supplies and ideas for your family from outside the JX Barn and find a place to work along the trails, fields and woods at Coogan Farm. After creating your masterpiece, stop back by to share…

Celebrate the full Beaver Moon during a hike at the Nature Center. Please note full moon hikes happen even on overcast nights, and are suitable for adults and older, interested children. Heavy rain cancels. Meets at DPNC. Hikes are limited to 8 people. You MUST preregister and wear a mask the entire time hiking. Members…

Have your children ages 6 to 10 step away from the screen and spend some time experiencing nature. Learn about what deer are doing during this busy time of year, play a fun deer game and complete a deer craft to take home with you! This program is limited to 10 children. Adults must wear…

From wood frogs freezing solid to groundhog's hibernation, animals get through the winter in diverse ways. Learn more about our local wildlife's winter survival strategies including migration, hibernation and dormancy. Upon registration you will receive the Zoom link to the program, if you don’t receive it please email khargrave@dpnc.org. This program is suited for adults.…

Have your children ages 6 to 10 step away from the screen and spend some time experiencing nature in person. Discover all of the ways that local animals deal with the challenges of winter, search for signs of winter animals and paint a guided portrait of a winter animal on a natural canvas! . This…

Have your children ages 6 to 10 step away from the screen and spend some time experiencing nature in person. In this program we will learn the strategies that conifers use to keep their leaves all winter long, then gather materials and make a mini holiday wreath to take home! This program is limited to…

During this class we will learn how to draw white tailed deer, with instruction from DPNC artist/educator Rob Reas. This class is offered via Zoom. While you can work in whatever medium you have at home, we will cover drawing in pencil for shape, proportion and contour, with recommendations of how to add color in…

It’s time to get outside and celebrate the holidays with a bit of imagination. Pick-up a packet of art supplies and ideas for your family from outside the JX Barn and find a place to work along the trails, fields, woods or in the classroom at Coogan Farm. After creating your masterpiece, stop back by…

Have your children ages 6 to 10 step away from the screen and spend some time experiencing nature in person. We will discover what happens to water when it changes forms between solid, liquid and gas and why using salt on winter roads is based on science! This program is limited to 10 children. Adults…

In this program, children ages 6 to 10 will learn what species of birds stay in CT all winter long and the strategies they use to survive the cold weather. We will make bird feeders to hang around the nature center or to take home. This program is limited to 10 children. Adults must wear…

In this program, children ages 6 to 10 will help build a fire, scout out a perfect place for a shelter in the forest, and learn important do’s and don’ts of surviving in the forest. And of course make some s’mores before you go! This program is limited to 10 children. Adults must wear masks…

Celebrate the full Cold Moon during a guided hike at the Peace Sanctuary. Please note full moon hikes happen even on overcast nights, and are suitable for adults and older, interested children. Heavy rain cancels. Meets at the bottom of the drive at the Peace Sanctuary, 233 River Road in Mystic. Hikes are limited to…

In this program, children ages 6 to 10 will explore the questions: Why do temperatures drop during winter? How do blizzards happen? Why are some places so cold all winter long? Learn the answers to these questions and more, and create a snowflake craft to take home. This program is limited to 10 children. Adults…