Join us the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! This month, we will explore vernal pools, temporary ponds that host a diverse group of aquatic species. Prepare to dipnet in the pools and wear close-toed shoes (no Crocs or flip-flops) or boots that can’t get wet. Pre-registration is required. Meets at…
Looking for something fun for your children to do while they are off from school? Learn about all the birds coming back for spring! Have your child join us at the nature center to explore habitats, meet animals, and play games. Please have children bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. Pre-registration is…
Celebrate Earth and nature with DPNC! From 10am–3 pm on Saturday and Sunday, DPNC will be offering free museum admission, scheduled programs, informational tables, and activities like scavenger hunts, guided hikes, crafts, and a seed bomb making station. more details
Sunday. Join us for a spring exploration of the Stone Bridges Trail at DPNC. Along the way we’ll investigate old quarries and look for signs of wildlife. Pre-registration required. Meets at DPNC. Members and Nonmembers: FREE More details and registration
Get ready to explore the amazing world of ponds! We’ll discover the incredible creatures that live beneath the surface. From wiggly tadpoles to dragonfly nymphs, we’ll learn how to safely collect and observe these fascinating pond dwellers. Please have children bring a water bottle, closed-toed shoes that can get wet (no crocs or flip flops)…
Saturday. Join us for a guided walk with a DPNC naturalist at Avery Farm Preserve in Ledyard, CT. We’ll be looking for year round and migrating birds. Participants are encouraged to bring water bottles and their own binoculars. Meets at the entrance to Avery Farm Preserve on Lambtown Rd in Ledyard. Entrance is easiest to…
Get outside and discover nature this spring! This year we have two Discovery classes, a preschool and 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…
Do you want to learn more about the feathered friends who visit your backyard? The Bill Memorial Library in Groton will host staff from the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center for an Introduction to Birdwatching program on Saturday, May 17. Meet at the library at 2 PM for a lesson on birdwatching basics, then practice what…
Saturday. Spring 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, 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…
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 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
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.…
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…
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…
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…
DPNC PRESENTS CREATURE CAMOUFLAGE The Bill Memorial Library in the City of Groton invites children in grades 1 through 5 to our Creature Camouflage program on Tuesday, July 1 at 1:00 PM. During this special presentation by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, kids will meet animal ambassadors and learn how they use unique colors and…
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…
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…
Join us the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! This month is all about pond dipping: learn about the different animals in the pond, and use nets to try and catch some for an up close encounter! Come prepared with close toed shoes that can get wet and muddy (no crocs…
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…
