Walk, run, or ramble on our three-mile course, starting at Coogan Farm and rambling through the trails of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center on Saturday, May 31. The Ramble takes place along natural trails, rough terrain, and bridged water crossings. Children aged 11-15 who can walk the 3 mile course may be registered as “youth”…
Sign up is by the following age groups: Explorers (ages 4 to 6) Scientists (ages 7 to 9) Adventurers (ages 10-13) Animal Curators (ages 13-15)* Our science-based curriculum introduces students to the wonders of the natural world. New topics are covered each week through hands-on activities, meeting live animals, games and time for nature play…
Join DPNC on Thursday June 5th to discover what plants and fungi are edible in our forests! An experienced guide will show you the ins and outs of foraging on a hike through our trails. Meets at DPNC. Pre-registration is required. Members: $8.50; non-members: $10 Register
June is the one of the best times to search for horseshoe crabs as they mate and lay eggs along our local shores. Learn more about their amazing life cycles and biology as we explore the beach searching for them. Be prepared to get wet and walk at least 2 miles over sandy and rocky…
Fight invasives by foraging for your food! This class discusses the edible parts of our common invasive plant and introduces some of the delicious recipes that can be made with these ingredients. After a presentation, you’ll head to the kitchen for a tasting. Let’s use our appetite as a weapon to control invasives! Meets at…
Join DPNC on Friday June 13th to fight invasives by foraging for your food! This class discusses the edible parts of our common invasive plant and introduces some of the delicious recipes that can be made with these ingredients. After a presentation, you’ll head to the kitchen for a tasting. Let’s use our appetite as…
Did you know that tomato plants produce the most tomatoes when they are pruned? Learn the best ways to prune and trellis your tomatoes for your biggest harvest yet! Meets in person (not via Zoom) Meets at Coogan Farm by the JX Barn. Advance registration required. Register
Hear our resident animals’ stories and learn how we can help their species in the wild. Join us at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center for a presentation including some of our most popular resident animals. Meets at DPNC. Pre-registration is required. Members and non-members: FREE Register
Saturday. Learn more about this amazing boulder train in Ledyard as we explore the trails and rocks left behind by the glaciers. This hike is over a short distance, but it is challenging over uneven terrain. Pre-registration is required. This program is suited for adults and interested children. Meet at Glacial Park, 89-87 Whalehead Road,…
Learn more about this amazing boulder train in Ledyard as we explore the trails and rocks left behind by the glaciers. This hike is over a short distance, but it is challenging over uneven terrain. Pre-registration is required. This program is suited for adults and interested children. Meet at Glacial Park, 89-87 Whalehead Road, Ledyard,…
Explore the serene Peace Sanctuary property with a moderately challenging hike along the Mystic River with DPNC. As we trek through the sanctuary, we’ll delve into the area’s history and diverse wildlife. Enjoy beautiful views and learn about the natural and historical significance of this hidden gem. Meets at the Peace Sanctuary on River Road…
Join DPNC as we learn the basics of identifying and sustainably foraging sassafras in this immersive workshop. Sassafras is a fascinating plant with a rich history and a distinctive root beer-like aroma. Once we’ve covered the basics, we will guide you through the process of transforming this foraged treasure into a delicious and refreshing homemade…
Look for resident and migrating shorebirds, ducks, and raptors at Rocky Neck State Park with DPNC! This program is great for birders of all skill levels. Meets at Rocky Neck State Park, located at 244 W. Main St. (Rte. 156), East Lyme, CT 06357 in the furthest beach parking lots on the right side. Pre-registration…
Get outside and discover nature this summer! This year DPNC has two Discovery classes: a preschool group and a school-aged group, both for children with special needs and their caregiver. Each class, children will make new discoveries as we explore seasonal nature topics through activities, meeting live animals, stories, crafts, and lots of time outside.…
Treat your kids to a fun-filled evening at the Nature Center while you treat yourself to a night off! They’ll explore the outdoors with exciting games, hands-on nature activities, live animal encounters, and an evening hike. To top it all off, we’ll gather around the fire for pizza and s’mores! Don’t forget to dress for…
This is a great time to enjoy a view of the landscape that makes up Gungywamp, an archaeological site of natural and cultural interest. Join us on a guided hike to explore rocky ridges, glacial erratics, and swamps, along with the mysterious stone shelter and structures whose use and origin are open to interpretation. Walk…
Ages 2 to 4 with a caregiver Fridays. Celebrate summer by exploring nature with your little one in DPNC's classic caregiver-and-child class, for ages 2 to 5. Live animals, stories, songs, and lots of time outside bring nature to life for you and your child. Sign-ups are per class. Rain cancels the program. Meets at…
Enjoy nature’s fireworks with DPNC! After an introduction to the amazing world of fireflies, we’ll walk the trails watching for fireflies and listening to night insects. Advance registration is required. Meets at Coogan Farm. Members $12.75; non-members: $15 Register
Join Brandy Lefsyk, PTA, E-RYT 500, Usui Reiki Master, Astrologer, Channel, Sound Healer. With the use of singing bowls, chimes, drums, and voice activation, participants can enjoy a sound bath. A sound bath is the practice of being enveloped by sound, which allows for the possibility of profound relaxation, insight, and healing. Preregistration required! Meets…
Join us at the Nature Center with our 3 foragers to learn how to find ingredients for your next meal in your own backyard! We will start with a presentation that covers the greens, fruits, and plentiful mushrooms of summer then head out on the trails of DPNC to find these edibles in their natural…
Everyone is welcome as we explore Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge (NNWR) in Charlestown, Rhode Island on a wheelchair-friendly birding trip looking for migrating and resident songbirds and raptors. Please bring your binoculars if you have them. Meet at the Ninigret Wildlife Refuge parking lot at the end of Ninigret Entrance Road, Charlestown, RI. Pre-registration is…
Rhododendrons, stone walls, beech trees, and wetlands await at this Avalonia Land Conservancy’s Avery Preserve in Ledyard. Guided by a DPNC Naturalist, you will hike the preserve and learn about summer wildlife found there. Meets at the entrance on Avery Hill Rd in Ledyard. Pre-registration is required. Register
Learn about the history and wildlife of Tefftweald at Birchenturn! With a DPNC naturalist as your guide, we will explore the trails of this Avalonia Land Conservancy property in North Stonington. Access through driveway at 282 Grindstone Hill Rd in North Stonington. Pre-registration is required. Register
Last fall, over 80 million birds passed through the region on their way to their wintering grounds. Learn about the birds that travel through the region in the fall, from the tens of thousands of Tree Swallows that roost together on any given night at the Connecticut River to the large kettles of hawks that…
Ages 2 to 4 with a caregiver Fridays. Celebrate summer by exploring nature with your little one in DPNC's classic caregiver-and-child class, for ages 2 to 5. Live animals, stories, songs, and lots of time outside bring nature to life for you and your child. Sign-ups are per class. Rain cancels the program. Meets at…
Celebrate summer with DPNC by exploring nature with your little one in our classic caregiver-and-child class, for ages 2 to 4. Live animals, stories, songs, and lots of time outside bring nature to life for you and your child. Sign-ups are per class. Rain cancels the program. Meets at DPNC. Advance registration required. Register
Enjoy nature’s fireworks with DPNC! After an introduction to the dazzling world of fireflies, we’ll walk the trails looking for fireflies and listening to the sounds of night wildlife. Advance registration is required. Meets at Coogan Farm. Members $12.75; non-members: $15 Register
Learn how to help your garden thrive this summer! Maintaining the garden is an ongoing task with foliar feeding, mulching, pruning, bug control, weed control, plant protection and more. Learn the best techniques as we explore the Craig Floyd Giving Garden. Advance registration required. Meets at Coogan Farm. Free with support from the Eastern Connecticut…
Ages 2 to 4 with a caregiver Fridays. Celebrate summer by exploring nature with your little one in DPNC's classic caregiver-and-child class, for ages 2 to 5. Live animals, stories, songs, and lots of time outside bring nature to life for you and your child. Sign-ups are per class. Rain cancels the program. Meets at…
Celebrate summer at DPNC by exploring nature with your little one in our classic caregiver-and-child class, for ages 2 to 4. Live animals, stories, songs, and lots of time outside bring nature to life for you and your child. Sign-ups are per class. Rain cancels the program. Meets at DPNC. Advance registration required. Members: $21.25…
Get to know the raptors living in your backyard! We’ll discuss Connecticut’s native birds of prey, including owls, hawks, and falcons, and bring out a few of DPNC’s resident animal ambassadors so you can see these raptors for yourself. This program is suited for adults. Pre-Registration is required. Meets at DPNC. Members: $8.50 Non-members:$10 Register
The Nature Center’s forest fairies have come out to play and are excited to share the secrets to being kind to nature! Wander the trails and meet the Salamander Forest Fairy, the Meadow Flower Fairy, the Pond Fairy, the Stone Fairy, and other magical friends as you explore the woods. Each fairy has special ideas…
Hike with us around the more secluded parts of the Groton Reservoir. We will explore the north side of the watershed that is closed to the public, owned by Groton Public Utilities. This program is suited for adults and older, interested children. Moderate intensity. Meet at lookout on Sandy Hollow Road. Part of this walk…
Celebrate summer by exploring nature with your little one in our classic caregiver-and-child class, for ages 2 to 4. Live animals, stories, songs, and lots of time outside bring nature to life for you and your child. Sign-ups are per class. Rain cancels the program. Meets at DPNC. Advance registration required. Members: $21.25 per child,…
Gungywamp is an archaeological site of distinct natural and cultural interest. It has rocky ridges, glacial erratics and swamps along with enigmatic stone shelter and structures whose use and origin are open to interpretation. Walk with us through the woods and absorb the mysteries of Gungywamp. This program is suited for adults and families comfortable…
Treat your kids to a fun-filled evening at the Nature Center while you treat yourself to a night off! They’ll explore the outdoors with exciting games, hands-on nature activities, live animal encounters, and an evening hike. To top it all off, we’ll gather around the fire for pizza and s’mores! Don’t forget to dress for…
Who in your family is the frog-catching expert? Find out on Sunday with family pond dipping at DPNC! Spend some time with your family trying to catch and release frogs, fish, and insects at the pond. Use our nets and buckets along with our expert advice from a DPNC educator. Come prepared with shoes close…
Celebrate summer by exploring nature with your little one in our classic parent and child class, for ages 2 to 4, with a caregiver. Live animals, stories, songs, and lots of time outside bring nature to life for you and your child. Ages 2–4. Meets at DPNC. Sign ups are per class. Rain cancels the…
Take a walk through the trails of DPNC to discover what reptiles and amphibians live on the property. Learn about native species to the area while enjoying a walk in the woods. Pre-registration is required. Meets at DPNC. Register
Join us as we explore Harkness Memorial State Park looking for songbirds, raptors and more. This program is great for birders of all skill levels. Meets at Harkness Memorial State Park located at 275 Great Neck Rd., Waterford, CT. Pre-registration is required. This program is suited for adults. Members: $17, Nonmembers: $20 Register
