Join the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center on the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! This month is all about insects. Learn all about the different insects that live in our forests and meadows and use nets to try and catch some for an up close encounter! This program is for children…
Celebrate summer with the Summer Chickadees at DPNC by exploring nature with your little one in our classic parent and child class, for ages 2 to 4, with a caregiver. Live animals, stories, songs, and lots of time outside bring nature to life for you and your child. Ages 2–4. Sign ups are per class.…
Gather the family for quality time in nature! We will search for crabs, fish, and crustaceans using seine and dip nets as we explore the shore. Please wear clothes and shoes that can get wet, but no flip flops or crocs. Pre-registration is required. Meets at Bluff Point State Park in Groton by the parking…
Celebrate summer with the Summer Chickadees at DPNC by exploring nature with your little one in our classic parent and child class, for ages 2 to 4, with a caregiver. Live animals, stories, songs, and lots of time outside bring nature to life for you and your child. Ages 2–4. Sign ups are per class.…
Join DPNC as we explore Coogan Farm looking for migrating and resident songbirds as well as raptors. This program is great for birders of all skill levels! Meets at Coogan Farm. This program is suited for adults. Members: $17; Non-members: $20 Pre-registration is required. Register
End the summer work week with a relaxing walk at the Peace Sanctuary. Join DPNC as we stroll the hillside enjoying the summer evening and admiring the beautiful view of the Mystic River. Meet at the bottom of the driveway by Peace Sanctuary on River Road in Mystic. This program is suited for adults and…
End the summer work week with a relaxing walk at the Peace Sanctuary. Join DPNC as we stroll the hillside enjoying the summer evening and admiring the beautiful view of the Mystic River. Meet at the bottom of the driveway by Peace Sanctuary on River Road in Mystic. This program is suited for adults and…
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 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 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…
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…
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 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 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…
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
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…
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…
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
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…
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
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…
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…
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…
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…
