Slow down this winter with a four-week guided mindfulness series at DPNC led by life coach Tyler Haling. 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…
Slow down this winter with a four-week guided mindfulness series at DPNC led by life coach Tyler Haling. 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…
From wood frogs that freeze solid to hibernating groundhogs, explore the diverse ways local animals make it through winter. Learn about migration, dormancy, and other survival strategies of New England wildlife. This program is suited for adults. Pre-registration required. Meets at DPNC. Members: $8.50; Non-Members: $10 Register
From wood frogs that freeze solid to hibernating groundhogs, explore the diverse ways local animals make it through winter. Learn about migration, dormancy, and other survival strategies of New England wildlife. This program is suited for adults. Pre-registration required. Meets at DPNC. Members: $8.50; Non-Members: $10 Register
Ages 6–10 years. Join DPNC to discover how animals attract their mates! Explore how colors, behaviors, and calls help animals find the perfect partner. We’ll also see why males and females of some species look or act differently. Meet some of our resident animals and uncover the fascinating strategies they use to find love. Pre-registration…
Bring the family (children 8 and up) to the Giving Garden for our first seed-starting day of the year! What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by giving back to your community? Join us at DPNCs Coogan Farm for this FREE program as we plant over 1,000 celery seeds that will grow into fresh…
Via Zoom. Saturday. Learn how to protect your garden without harmful chemicals using regenerative methods. Identify common pests, attract helpful insects, and discover natural strategies for keeping your crops healthy. Pre-registration required; a Zoom link will be emailed after registration. If you have registered through our website and you have not received your special Zoom…
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…
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED Join DPNC in learning all about the American Woodcock! Over Zoom, we’ll discuss the Woodcock’s strange physical features, spectacular, spiraling aerial courtship display and much more in preparation for our early spring Woodcock Walks. Get ready to know about the most unique little bird in the woods!
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…
Celebrate the full moon (also a blood moon eclipse!) and the changing season with a FREE evening hike at Coogan Farm. The transition from day to night is an exciting time to tune our senses to the natural world. Full moon walks happen rain or shine, clear skies or clouds. Suited for adults and older…
It may be cold outside, but things heat up for owls in late winter. Bring your family to learn about Connecticut’s native owls, meet one of DPNC’s resident birds, and then head into the night to listen and look for wild owls along the trails. Advanced registration is required. Meets at DPNC. Register
Tomatoes and basil are friends in the garden just like they are in marinara sauce, but never plant brussels sprouts nearby! Learn which plants thrive together and which combinations to avoid for healthier, more productive beds. This class covers strategic pairings to improve your yield, plus reminders from previous classes about inoculants, bed prep, row…
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
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…
Boost your garden’s health and productivity with foliar feeding. Learn how to create nutrient-rich foliar sprays using simple, natural ingredients. We’ll explore the benefits of foliar feeding, from providing plants with quick access to essential nutrients to enhancing disease resistance and overall growth. Virtual via Zoom. Link provided upon pre-registration. Free with a generous donation…
Join DPNC on the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! This month, we’ll be tapping into our natural roots by exploring the science of tree tapping. Learn why trees make sap, how it moves through the tree, and the proper techniques for tapping. Then head outside to tap trees around the…
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…
Go beneath the fur to see how small mammals work. Through hands-on dissection, students will explore structures, organ systems, and the adaptations that help these animals thrive. All mammal and bird specimens donated for the series have died from natural or accidental causes. Meets at DPNC. This program is for children ages 9-16 years old.…
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…
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…
Discover the wonders of nature together at this monthly, inclusive family-friendly program! Kids of all ages with a caregiver are welcome to move at their 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…
Learn to identify Connecticut’s native snakes and discover their important role in our ecosystems. Join DPNC on Sunday, March 22nd as we explore unique snake adaptations and you’ll get a chance to meet and touch live snakes! Meets at DPNC. Pre-registration is required. Free thanks to the generous support of the Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation.…
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…
Invasive plants are changing our local landscapes, crowding out native plants and making it harder for our ecosystem to stay healthy. Join us to learn how these non-native species arrived, what helps them spread, and the challenges they create for our native plants. We’ll also discuss local species that are at risk of being pushed…
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 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…
Spring sneaks in slowly here in Connecticut, but if you know what to look for, the signs are everywhere. From the first calls of spring peepers to skunk cabbage pushing through snow, from salamanders on the move to tiny snow drops blooming, we’ll explore the classic harbingers of spring in New England. Meets at DPNC.…
Watch the April Pink Moon rise from a beautiful overlook! Join DPNC for a guided evening hike through the Peace Sanctuary as daylight fades and the full moon makes its appearance. Meets at the Peace Sanctuary on River Road, Mystic. Pre-registration is required. Register
Stroll the trails of the Nature Center in search of eggs, meet resident animal friends along the way, and say hello to the Easter Bunny! Trade in your found eggs for wooden ones and head over to the creation stations to decorate them. Please bring your own basket to collect eggs. Participants are limited to…
Join DPNC at twilight to witness one of nature’s most bizarre courtship displays. Male American Woodcocks leave the safety of the forest to perform their dramatic spiraling “sky dance” for watching females below. This normally secretive, well-camouflaged bird transforms into an aerial showman, and it’s quite the spectacle! Meets at Pine Point School. Pre-registration is…
Join DPNC at twilight to witness one of nature’s most bizarre courtship displays. Male American Woodcocks leave the safety of the forest to perform their dramatic spiraling “sky dance” for watching females below. This normally secretive, well-camouflaged bird transforms into an aerial showman, and it’s quite the spectacle! Meets at Pine Point School. Pre-registration is…
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…
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…
Spring Break Vacation Day Programs Monday: Reptiles Tuesday: Awesome Amphibians Wednesday: Pond Dipping Thursday: Owls Friday: Nest Builders For children ages 6-10. Looking for something fun for your children to do while they are off from school for Spring Break? Between hikes, games, and live animal encounters, there’s plenty to explore at the Denison Pequotsepos…
Spring Break Vacation Day Programs Monday: Reptiles Tuesday: Awesome Amphibians Wednesday: Pond Dipping Thursday: Owls Friday: Nest Builders For children ages 6-10. Looking for something fun for your children to do while they are off from school for Spring Break? Between hikes, games, and live animal encounters, there’s plenty to explore at the Denison Pequotsepos…
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…
Spring Break Vacation Day Programs Monday: Reptiles Tuesday: Awesome Amphibians Wednesday: Pond Dipping Thursday: Owls Friday: Nest Builders For children ages 6-10. Looking for something fun for your children to do while they are off from school for Spring Break? Between hikes, games, and live animal encounters, there’s plenty to explore at the Denison Pequotsepos…
Spring Break Vacation Day Programs Monday: Reptiles Tuesday: Awesome Amphibians Wednesday: Pond Dipping Thursday: Owls Friday: Nest Builders For children ages 6-10. Looking for something fun for your children to do while they are off from school for Spring Break? Between hikes, games, and live animal encounters, there’s plenty to explore at the Denison Pequotsepos…
