Looking for something fun and free to do on a Sunday morning? Stop by DPNC for a hike through our trails! Starting at DPNC, we’ll wander through woods and fields, stopping to explore Pequotsepos Brook, the Craig Floyd Giving Garden at Coogan Farm, and the Stillman Foundation. Along the way, we’ll talk about how people…
Come meet the coolest residents at the nature center, literally! Get face-to-face with our cold-blooded animal ambassadors, including turtles, snakes, and frogs. We’ll explore their wild adaptations, from protective shells to camouflage. Touch live specimens if you dare (totally optional!), hold bio-facts like snake sheds and turtle shells, and learn how to help protect these…
Spring is prime time for bugs! Gather the family and search the meadow for grasshoppers, butterflies, spiders, and more during this FREE program! Please wear closed-toed shoes and bug spray. Meets at DPNC. Pre-registration is required. Register
Join DPNC on Tuesdays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, for our science-based curriculum which 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. Classes have a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 14. There…
Join DPNC on Tuesdays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, for our science-based curriculum which 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. Classes have a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 14. There…
Join DPNC to find and identify as many species as possible throughout our trails with the help of iNaturalist! We’ll walk our trails with experts on birds, fungi, reptiles and amphibians, and plants. See the schedule below and come for one, some, or all! Walk-ins are welcome and no prior experience with plant identification needed!…
Explore remote and secluded sections of the Groton Reservoir watershed normally closed to the public. This guided hike with a DPNC naturalist takes you through beautiful woodlands and along pristine waters on trails on the north side of the Groton Public Utilities property. Part of this walk will be on Sandy Hollow Road. Suited for…
Join DPNC on Tuesdays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, for our science-based curriculum which 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. Classes have a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 14. There…
Discover the amazing diversity of hummingbirds around the world and take a closer look at our native Ruby-throated Hummingbird during this fascinating zoom presentation! We’ll also discuss what plants to add to your yard to turn it into hummingbird habitat! Pre-registration is required. Online program via Zoom (link will be sent before the program). Members:…
Join DPNC the second Saturday of every month for Adventures in Nature! This month, we’re cracking the case of who laid which egg. Learn about the different animals that lay eggs, discover why they choose certain spots, and see if you can match eggs to their owners. You’ll get to meet some of our resident…
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…
Join DPNC on Tuesdays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, for our science-based curriculum which 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. Classes have a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 14. There…
Discover the wonders of nature together at this monthly, inclusive family-friendly program! Come at any time between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 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…
Join DPNC on Tuesdays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, for our science-based curriculum which 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. Classes have a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 14. There…
Join DPNC on Tuesdays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, for our science-based curriculum which 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. Classes have a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 14. There…
Enjoy hiking in this picturesque landscape with views of bogs, vernal pools, the Green Fall River, and rolling forested hills. There are also several historic features along the trail including foundations, rock walls and an old mill. This hike is roughly 3 miles over moderate terrain. Pre-registration is required. This program is suited for adults…
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…
Join us the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! This month, we will explore our duck pond and see who we can find living in the water. Learn how to use our pond dipping nets to scoop up some fun and see how many different animals you can catch. Be sure…
Join us at the Nature Center for a FREE presentation as part of CT Open House Day including some of our most popular resident animals! Learn about their stories and how we can help these species in the wild. This program is for all ages! Pre-register on our today! Register
Join DPNC for a walk at the Conn College Arboretum where we can access their Native Plant Collection/Bolleswood Natural Area! This is a great opportunity to learn and see all of the beautiful native plants of New England! Pre-registration is required. We will meet at 33 Gallows Lane New, London, CT 06320. Members and Non-members:…
Join Our Nature Journaling Workshop Led by Jonah Salsich at DPNC on June 20th from 9:30 to 11:30! Slow down, look closer, and connect with nature. Discover the joy of nature journaling, a fun, informal way to explore the outdoors using words, pictures, and numbers. Inspired by the practices of John Muir Laws and the…
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…
Calling for kids of all ages with a caregiver to come discover the wonders of nature together at DPNC for this monthly, inclusive FREE family-friendly program! 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…
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…
Get a crash course in coastal birding at Rocky Neck in East Lyme! Our expert ornithologist and DPNC staff member Lauren will bring years of birding knowledge to help you spot more and learn faster. In 2 hours, you’ll learn tips for identifying them by sight and sound, plus discover the best spots and times…
CT ROCKS CT STATE PARKS GEOLOGY PROGRAM! The Bill Memorial Library in the City of Groton will host Connecticut Rocks Geology Program, presented by CT State Parks, on Tuesday, June 30 at 1:00 PM. This program, for kids in grades 1-5, uses maps and local rock samples to learn how the land around them formed.…
Enjoy a FREE guided hike with a DPNC Naturalist this Thursday, July 3rd throughout Avalonia's beautiful Avery Preserve in Ledyard as you learn about our local summer wildlife. On the walk you'll see blooming Rhododendrons, stone walls, beech trees, and wetlands. We will meet at the entrance on Avery Hill Rd in Ledyard. Pre-registration is…
Explore the serene Peace Sanctuary property with a moderately challenging hike along the Mystic River. 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 in Mystic.…
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. Come enjoy a guided walk with a DPNC through the woods and absorb the mysteries of Gungywamp. This program is suited…
Enjoy a FREE guided hike at Glacial Park in Ledyard where you'll learn more about this amazing boulder train while exploring the trails and rocks left behind by the glaciers. This hike is over a short distance, but it is challenging over uneven terrain. This program is suited for adults and interested children. Pre-registration is…
Join us at DPNC on the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! This month, we will explore parts of a plant’s life cycle and learn about different fruits and berries. We will discover why plants make fruits and berries, and learn how to identify some of our native plants. Grow your…
Explore the serene Peace Sanctuary property with a moderately challenging hike along the Mystic River. 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 233 River Road in…
Come to DPNC to learn how to make a trail to table meal! In this exciting half-day mushroom foraging class, you’ll learn the ins and outs of making a meal of freshly foraged mushrooms. After a brief slideshow to prep, you’ll head out on the trails for a guided hike led by the experts from…
Round out your week with a family hike and picnic dinner at the Nature Center. Pack your dinner and we will explore the trails and enjoy a picnic in the woods before heading back to DPNC for a dessert of s’mores around the campfire! Members: $8.50; Non-Members: $10 Pre-register on our website: https://dpnc.org/event/family-hike-and-picnic/
While butterflies get most of the daytime glory, nighttime belongs to the moths! Come to the Nature Center after dark for a hands-on exploration into the hidden diversity of our local moth population. We’re setting up custom light sheets to see who comes to visit. Join in as we count and catalog as many fluttering…
Gather your family and friends for a FREE and fun-filled adventure catching bugs and butterflies. After a brief introduction to our local insects, we’ll hike out to see what we can find crawling and flying around the meadow!. Be prepared for the sun and wear sunscreen and bring a bottle of water; we’ll supply the…
Explore the serene Peace Sanctuary property with a moderately challenging hike along the Mystic River. 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 in Mystic.…
Come to DPNC and learn how to identify and sustainably harvest herbs and other edibles on a foraging hike through our trails let by Amelia South, a local herbalist and foraging instructor from Black Sun Farm in Killingly. This program is for adults. Members: $29.75, Non-members: $35 Pre-registration required on our website! Register
Green Tie is the Nature Center's main fundraiser for the year, supporting all its operations and environmental education programs. This includes an auction, heavy hors d'oeuvres provided by Dog Watch Cafe, and the Maggie Jones Environmental Hero Award which will be presented to Lydia Pan for her starring role in eradicating invasive species, beautifying Coogan…
Join DPNC and WLT to learn about local mushroom foraging on the beautiful trails of Glacier Park! We will begin with an introduction to mushroom foraging followed by a hike to identify local mushrooms on the trail. Pre- registration is required, but the program is FREE! Register
