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 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…
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 on the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! This month, we will explore why tonight’s full moon is called the Beaver Moon. Build your knowledge on the many adaptations that make beavers so unique, from their big front teeth to their double layered fur coats. Become an honorary beaver…
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…
Get up close and personal with DPNC’s amazing animal ambassadors! Bring the family to meet snakes, turtles, owls, and more as we explore their fascinating adaptations and discover the vital roles these creatures play in our ecosystems. It’s a fun and educational experience for animal lovers of all ages! Meets at DPNC. Preregistration is required.\…
Get up close and personal with DPNC’s amazing animal ambassadors! Bring the family to meet snakes, turtles, owls, and more as we explore their fascinating adaptations and discover the vital roles these creatures play in our ecosystems. It’s a fun and educational experience for animal lovers of all ages! Meets at DPNC. Preregistration is required.…
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…
Learn about Connecticut’s native owls and meet DPNC’s resident animal ambassadors. This program is for adults. Pre-registration is required. Meets at DPNC. Members: $8.50, Non-Members: $10 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…
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…
Get into the holiday spirit with the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center by creating your own tabletop-sized evergreen gnome! Have fun as you work to imagine and create your own evergreen gnome to decorate your home. We’ll provide all of the evergreens and materials needed. Meets at DPNC. This program is suited for adults and families…
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
The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center invites you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season to experience the peace and wonder of a winter walk in the woods. Taking place Decemebr 12, 13, and 14, stroll through the forest on a self-guided tour of trails lit by the soft glow of…
The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center invites you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season to experience the peace and wonder of a winter walk in the woods. Taking place Decemebr 12, 13, and 14, stroll through the forest on a self-guided tour of trails lit by the soft glow of…
The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center invites you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season to experience the peace and wonder of a winter walk in the woods. Taking place Decemebr 12, 13, and 14, stroll through the forest on a self-guided tour of trails lit by the soft glow of…
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…
Join DPNC for a FREE guided hike through Groton Open Space Association’s Avery Farm Nature Preserve. This mostly flat trail passes through meadows, forests, and wetlands, offering great opportunities to observe winter wildlife and learn about the importance of habitat diversity. Meet at the entrance on Lambtown Road in Ledyard (turn on Lambtown from Rt.…
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:…
Let nature inspire your creativity! Come to DPNC for another incredible Vacation Day program. Children aged 6-10 years will take a guided walk to collect materials like leaves, sticks, and stones, then use your finds to craft your own nature-based artwork. It’s a day of imagination, exploration, and outdoor fun. Please pack water and lunch…
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
