The world is teeming with fascinating creatures and among the most diverse and successful are the arthropods, our 6 and 8 legged friends! Following an introduction to their amazing adaptations, we’ll then head out to the fields to see what species we can find using nets, field guides, and bug jars. Meets at DPNC. Free…
Celebrate the Harvest Moon with a night hike at the Peace Sanctuary. With a DPNC educator as our guide, we’ll wander the trails and wait for the moon to rise over the Mystic River. Meet at the bottom of the driveway by Peace Sanctuary at 233 River Road in Mystic. Pre-registration required, masks are optional.…
Join us on Friday mornings from 9:30-11 for our Chickadees program. Designed for children ages 2-4 with a caregiver to explore the wonders of nature through age-appropriate hikes, live animal encounters, creative crafts, and interactive nature activities. This class is a perfect opportunity for bonding, exploring, and learning together as you embark on a nature…
Join DPNC for crabbing at our secret location. There will be a brief intro to basic techniques of crabbing and crab identification before we start. We’ll provide the nets, bait and lines. Wear shoes that can get wet and provide traction on slippery rocks, no flip flops or crocs! Pre-registration is required. Meets at the…
Join DPNC on the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! This month, we will explore which backyard birds migrate and which don’t. We will discover ways to identify the birds that stay by using their sizes, colors, and their calls. You will meet some of our resident birds and hike our…
Join us on Friday mornings from 9:30-11 for our Chickadees program. Designed for children ages 2-4 with a caregiver to explore the wonders of nature through age-appropriate hikes, live animal encounters, creative crafts, and interactive nature activities. This class is a perfect opportunity for bonding, exploring, and learning together as you embark on a nature…
Join us for our signature gala filled with nature, camaraderie, and celebration. Enjoy an evening of cocktails, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and lively fun—all in support of protecting the wild places and open spaces that make our community so special. The Maggie Jones Environmental Hero Award will be presented to Sidney Van Zandt, in recognition of…
You’ve heard of Earth Day? Well, on Saturday, Sep 20th, we will celebrate the SUN. All ages and backgrounds are welcome to participate in a MASSIVE art project that will reveal our/your vision for a beautiful, healthy, and sustainable Connecticut. The first 60 children will receive a gift!!! We will simultaneously conduct informational discussions on…
Join us on Friday mornings from 9:30-11 for our Chickadees program. Designed for children ages 2-4 with a caregiver to explore the wonders of nature through age-appropriate hikes, live animal encounters, creative crafts, and interactive nature activities. This class is a perfect opportunity for bonding, exploring, and learning together as you embark on a nature…
Nature is filled with beautiful music. Take time to appreciate the lovely sounds that are created by nature during this guided walk for families. We will listen for birds and frogs as we stroll the trails at the Nature Center. Pre-registration is required. Meets at DPNC. Members: $8.50, Nonmembers: $10 Register
Join us for a hike along the trails at DPNC. We’ll explore a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows and wetlands and learn about local wildlife, native plants, and the unique ecosystems that call this area home. Meets at DPNC, preregistration is required. Members and Nonmembers: FREE Register
Join DPNC every Tuesday for our Environmental Afternoons! 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 and socialization. Sign up for one or all of the classes. Classes have a minimum of 4…
Join us on Friday mornings from 9:30-11 for our Chickadees program. Designed for children ages 2-4 with a caregiver to explore the wonders of nature through age-appropriate hikes, live animal encounters, creative crafts, and interactive nature activities. This class is a perfect opportunity for bonding, exploring, and learning together as you embark on a nature…
Celebrate the full moon during a hike up the hill at Coogan Farm. Please note full moon hikes happen even on overcast nights and are suitable for adults and older, interested children. Heavy rain cancels. Meets in the parking lot at Coogan Farm in Mystic. Advanced registration required. Register
Join DPNC every Tuesday for our Environmental Afternoons! 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 and socialization. Sign up for one or all of the classes. Classes have a minimum of 4…
Join us on Friday mornings from 9:30-11 for our Chickadees program. Designed for children ages 2-4 with a caregiver to explore the wonders of nature through age-appropriate hikes, live animal encounters, creative crafts, and interactive nature activities. This class is a perfect opportunity for bonding, exploring, and learning together as you embark on a nature…
Rise and shine with the birds at our “Big Sit” breakfast event! What’s a “Big Sit,” you ask? It’s a fun, low-impact birdwatching event where participants stay within a designated 17-foot diameter circle and tally every bird species they see or hear from that single location. This family-friendly, community science event will have a naturalist…
Join DPNC every Tuesday for our Environmental Afternoons! 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 and socialization. Sign up for one or all of the classes. Classes have a minimum of 4…
Join DPNC and WLT to learn about local mushroom foraging. We will begin with an introduction to mushroom foraging followed by a hike to identify local mushrooms on the trail. Participants will have the opportunity to explore both the Flora Whiteley Preserve and the Cotrell Preserve during this program. Meets at Flora Whiteley Preserve, 197…
Discover the hidden world of our diverse local predators. From snakes to bears, learn about their current population numbers, what habitats they live in and discuss their natural history. Meets at DPNC. Suited for adults. Members: $8.50, Nonmembers: $10 Register
Join us on Friday mornings from 9:30-11 for our Chickadees program. Designed for children ages 2-4 with a caregiver to explore the wonders of nature through age-appropriate hikes, live animal encounters, creative crafts, and interactive nature activities. This class is a perfect opportunity for bonding, exploring, and learning together as you embark on a nature…
Calling all adventurous eaters! Discover the world of edible insects! Adults and families will explore the ecological and health benefits of incorporating insects into our diets, including their role in reducing environmental impact and providing a rich source of protein and nutrients. Participants will also have the opportunity to sample a variety of insect-based foods…
Join DPNC every Tuesday for our Environmental Afternoons! 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 and socialization. Sign up for one or all of the classes. Classes have a minimum of 4…
Join DPNC for a conversation with the author of "Eyes in the Soles of my Feet," Caroline Sutton. With this fascinating and eye-opening collection of essays, Sutton provides an intriguing and unique perspective on our natural world, and reveals secret and intimate connections between plant and animal life that we often overlook or malign, be…
Join us on Friday mornings from 9:30-11 for our Chickadees program. Designed for children ages 2-4 with a caregiver to explore the wonders of nature through age-appropriate hikes, live animal encounters, creative crafts, and interactive nature activities. This class is a perfect opportunity for bonding, exploring, and learning together as you embark on a nature…
What will spook you in the woods? Our annual Halloween festivities are sure to haunt your senses as darkness falls. Explore the Nature Center trails on a self-guided tour with weird and wild animals, glowing jack-o-lanterns and frightful and delightful creatures of all kinds. In addition to the haunted trail, families will enjoy spooky-themed crafts…
What will spook you in the woods? Our annual Halloween festivities are sure to haunt your senses as darkness falls. Explore the Nature Center trails on a self-guided tour with weird and wild animals, glowing jack-o-lanterns and frightful and delightful creatures of all kinds. In addition to the haunted trail, families will enjoy spooky-themed crafts…
Join DPNC every Tuesday for our Environmental Afternoons! 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 and socialization. Sign up for one or all of the classes. Classes have a minimum of 4…
Get outside and discover nature this fall! We have 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. In addition…
From the way birds fly to how beavers build, engineers are inspired by nature every day. Children ages 6-10 will explore how animals and plants have influenced some of our coolest inventions then seek out inspiration to build some of our own! Please pack water and lunch for your child. Meets at DPNC. Pre-registration is…
Celebrate the full beaver 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. Please meet at the bottom of the Peace Sanctuary driveway at 233 River Road in Mystic. Heavy rain cancels. Members and Nonmembers: FREE…
Explore the night 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: $12.50, Non-Members: $15 Register
Join DPNC for a guided walk meandering through the Coogan Farm to learn what the lands tells us about the people who have been there. From quarries to old farm roads, this New England landscape is full of clues to the past just waiting to be discovered. This program is suited for adults and older…
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+. $50 plus $5 for materials per person.
School’s out—time to head into the woods! We’ll combine natural materials, teamwork, and creative problem-solving to explore the basics of survival shelter construction. Kids will learn how to build all kinds of shelters, from simple lean-tos to more elaborate forts. Please pack water and lunch for your child. Meets at DPNC. Members: $42.50/program; Non-Members: $50/program…
Join us at Barn Island Wildlife Management Area for a birding adventure as we search for wintering shorebirds, ducks, and raptors. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, this walk is perfect for observing a variety of waterfowl. Open to adults of all skill levels! Meets at the boat launch at the end…
Join DPNC at Barn Island Wildlife Management Area for a birding adventure as we search for wintering shorebirds, ducks, and raptors. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, this walk is perfect for observing a variety of waterfowl. Open to adults of all skill levels! Meets at the boat launch at the end…
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…
Join DPNC as we explore Haley Farm State Park looking for migrating and resident shorebirds, ducks and raptors. This program is great for birders of all skill levels. Meets at Haley Farm State Park, 24 Haley Farm Lane, Groton, CT. This program is suited for adults. Pre Registration is required. Members: $17, Non-Members: $20 Register
A good gardening season starts with strong plants. In this class, you’ll learn how to give your garden a healthy head start in their new environment. We’ll cover everything from amending your soil and companion planting to protecting plants from pests and properly staking tomatoes. Join us to learn how to get your garden off…
