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
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.…
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…
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…
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/
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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 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…
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 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…
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!…
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…
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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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.…
