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…
Ready for a challenge? Bring the family and join DPNC for a FREE hike through Oswegatchie Hills, where rugged trails, unique habitats, and scenic views await! This hike is great for those who enjoy a more vigorous outdoor experience and want to explore a local gem—including lots of hills! Meets at 8 Memorial Park Drive…
Get into the holiday spirit by creating your own festive wreath or kissing ball with DPNC! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn to identify various evergreens and master wreath-making techniques using materials gathered from our woodland campus. We’ll provide evergreen boughs, berries, and vines, along with cones, wire, and ribbons. Bring your creativity, and leave…
Enjoy a peaceful guided hike at the historic Peace Sanctuary with DPNC this Sunday, December 7th. This moderately challenging hike will take you through beautiful landscapes with stunning views of the Mystic River, all while learning about the Sanctuary’s history. A perfect way to reflect and recharge in nature. Meets at the Peace Sanctuary, River…
Join us here at DPNC on the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! Bundle up and slide into this month’s Adventures in Nature as we explore how wildlife prepares for the cold season ahead. From frogs that freeze to squirrels that stash, learn the clever strategies animals use to survive winter.…
Explore the trails of Coogan Farm and discover the wildlife and habitats that make this landscape so special. From field to forest, we’ll learn how plants and animals adapt to the season while enjoying one of Mystic’s most beautiful natural spaces. Meets at Coogan Farm. Preregistration is required for this free program! Register
Discover the wonders of nature together at this monthly, inclusive, and FREE family-friendly program at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center! Move at your own pace as you explore themed activity stations, meet live animals, and examine fascinating natural artifacts. Then get creative with a hands-on craft before heading out on a self-guided hike and scavenger…
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…
Unearth the fascinating world of rocks and minerals during this exciting Vacation Day program for children ages 6-10! Learn how different rocks form, explore the rock cycle, and examine real specimens up close. Then head outdoors to search for stones that tell their own geological stories! Please pack water and lunch for your child. Members:…
Want to try out the pottery wheel? Now you can with this solo or date night 2-hour event! Participant will make one small handbuilding project and one wheel thrown vessel. Choose your glaze and items will be ready for pick-up 3 weeks after event is held. Participants can BYOB and snacks. Ages 21+ event. Come…
Back by popular demand! Learn how to roll a slab, form your mug, craft a handle, and embellish your personalized mug. Choose a glaze for the instructor to glaze it. Your pottery will be ready in 3 weeks. Ages 18+. $55 plus $5 for materials per person. Register online
Slow down this winter with a four-week guided mindfulness series at DPNC. Each week focuses on simple practices, where we’ll learn to breathe, listen to the body, open the heart, and savor the moment! Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this series offers a peaceful space to reconnect with yourself…
Join us at DPNC where children ages 6-10 will discover which birds spend the winter in Connecticut and how to spot them. We’ll practice bird identification, use binoculars on a hike and make a bird feeder to take home! Please pack water and lunch for your child. Members: $42.50/program; Non-Members: $50/program Register
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 DPNC through the woods and absorb the mysteries of Gungywamp. This program is suited for adults and families comfortable…
Everyone deserves a night out! Have an evening out while your kids, ages 6 to 12, spend the evening at DPNC's Coogan Farm. We will enjoy cooking our own dinner, meeting animals and going for a night hike. We’ll make our own pizza for dinner and create a delicious dessert! Please be dressed for the…
Enjoy a quiet and free guided winter walk through Avalonia Land Conservancy’s Pine Swamp in Gales Ferry. Join DPNC as we search for animal tracks and admire frozen wetlands and streams along the trail. For adults and older, interested children. Moderate difficulty. Meets at the entrance on Whalehead Rd, Gales Ferry, CT. Advance registration required.…
Back by popular demand! Learn how to roll a slab, form your mug, craft a handle, and embellish your personalized mug. Choose a glaze for the instructor to glaze it. Your pottery will be ready in 3 weeks. Ages 18+. $55 plus $5 for materials per person. Register online
Slow down this winter with a four-week guided mindfulness series at DPNC led by life coach Tyler Haling. Each week focuses on simple practices, where we’ll learn to breathe, listen to the body, open the heart, and savor the moment! Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this series offers a…
Bundle up and join us at the Niantic Boardwalk to search for wintering ducks and coastal birds. This program is great for birders of all experience levels. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars if you have them! Meets at 30 Main St, Niantic, CT 06357. Pre-registration is required. Register
Slow down this winter with a four-week guided mindfulness series at DPNC led by life coach Tyler Haling. Each week focuses on simple practices, where we’ll learn to breathe, listen to the body, open the heart, and savor the moment! Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this series offers a…
Slow down this winter with a four-week guided mindfulness series at DPNC led by life coach Tyler Haling. Each week focuses on simple practices, where we’ll learn to breathe, listen to the body, open the heart, and savor the moment! Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this series offers a…
Bring the family (children 8 and up) to the Giving Garden for our first seed-starting day of the year! What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by giving back to your community? Join us at DPNCs Coogan Farm for this FREE program as we plant over 1,000 celery seeds that will grow into fresh…
Learn how to design, sketch, and sculpt a figure in this 3 1/2 hour workshop. We will take a break for lunch on your own, with the last part of the workshop allocated for decorating your piece with slip. Your pottery will be vitrified with a raw clay finish and ready in 4 weeks. Ages…
Via Zoom. Saturday. Learn how to protect your garden without harmful chemicals using regenerative methods. Identify common pests, attract helpful insects, and discover natural strategies for keeping your crops healthy. Pre-registration required; a Zoom link will be emailed after registration. If you have registered through our website and you have not received your special Zoom…
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 EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED Join DPNC in learning all about the American Woodcock! Over Zoom, we’ll discuss the Woodcock’s strange physical features, spectacular, spiraling aerial courtship display and much more in preparation for our early spring Woodcock Walks. Get ready to know about the most unique little bird in the woods!
Create a one-of-a-kind cheese/charcuterie board in this fun, beginner-friendly pottery workshop! You’ll learn hand-building techniques using slabs and coils, then personalize your board with carving and stamping. Learn about colored slip decoration, and the instructor will glaze with a matching color. No experience needed-just bring your creativity! Perfect for a solo activity or come with…
Celebrate the full moon (also a blood moon eclipse!) and the changing season with a FREE evening hike at Coogan Farm. The transition from day to night is an exciting time to tune our senses to the natural world. Full moon walks happen rain or shine, clear skies or clouds. Suited for adults and older…
It may be cold outside, but things heat up for owls in late winter. Bring your family to learn about Connecticut’s native owls, meet one of DPNC’s resident birds, and then head into the night to listen and look for wild owls along the trails. Advanced registration is required. Meets at DPNC. Register
Discover the comeback story of the Eastern Bluebird, made possible by dedicated community scientists who have built and monitored nest boxes for decades. After an introduction, we’ll head out on the trails to observe bluebird habitats firsthand and you’ll have the opportunity to join Team Bluebird. The team monitors nest boxes from late March to…
Try out the pottery wheel in this fun 2-hour workshop for beginners ages 9-13. Choose two pieces to keep. Pick a glaze for your instructor to glaze your work. Your pottery will be ready for pick up in 3 weeks. $35 plus $5 for materials per person. Two dates available. Register online. Saturday, March 7th:…
Join DPNC as we explore this beautiful Avalonia Land Conservancy preserve in Ledyard. We will take a closer look at stonewalls and Beech trees along the trails. Meets at the entrance on Avery Hill Road in Ledyard. Pre-registration is required. FREE Register
Try out the pottery wheel in this fun 2-hour workshop for beginners ages 9-13. Choose two pieces to keep. Pick a glaze for your instructor to glaze your work. Your pottery will be ready for pick up in 3 weeks. $35 plus $5 for materials per person. Two dates available. Register online. Saturday, March 7th:…
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…
Explore Rocky Neck State Park in search of resident songbirds, raptors, and ducks. This program is great for birders of all skill levels. This program is suited for adults. Meets at Rocky Neck State Park, 244 W. Main St. (Rte. 156), East Lyme, in the furthest beach parking lots on the right side. Preregistration is…
Learn how to design, sketch, and sculpt a figure in this 3 1/2 hour workshop. We will take a break for lunch on your own, with the last part of the workshop allocated for decorating your piece with slip. Your pottery will be vitrified with a raw clay finish and ready in 4 weeks. Ages…
Learn to identify Connecticut’s native snakes and discover their important role in our ecosystems. Join DPNC on Sunday, March 22nd as we explore unique snake adaptations and you’ll get a chance to meet and touch live snakes! Meets at DPNC. Pre-registration is required. Free thanks to the generous support of the Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation.…
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…
Watch the April Pink Moon rise from a beautiful overlook! Join DPNC for a guided evening hike through the Peace Sanctuary as daylight fades and the full moon makes its appearance. Meets at the Peace Sanctuary on River Road, Mystic. Pre-registration is required. Register
Stroll the trails of the Nature Center in search of eggs, meet resident animal friends along the way, and say hello to the Easter Bunny! Trade in your found eggs for wooden ones and head over to the creation stations to decorate them. Please bring your own basket to collect eggs. Participants are limited to…
