It may be cold outside, but things heat up for owls in late winter. Bring your family to learn more about Connecticut’s owls and meet one of our residents. We will take a walk, looking and listening for owls at the Nature Center.This class will be both inside and out, masks are encouraged inside. Preregistration…
It may be cold outside, but things heat up for owls in late winter. Bring your family to learn more about Connecticut’s owls and meet one of our residents. We will take a walk, looking and listening for owls at the Nature Center. This class will be both inside and out, masks are encouraged inside.…
Sunday, February. 27, 1 pm or 2 pm Believe it or not,winter is a great time to start milkweed from seed! Our native common milkweed seeds need a period of cold in order to germinate so starting now is perfect! Remember that Monarch butterfly caterpillars only eat milkweed and having some in your yard will…
It may be cold outside, but things heat up for owls in late winter. Bring your family to learn more about Connecticut’s owls and meet one of our residents. We will take a walk, looking and listening for owls at the Nature Center. Masks are required, this class will be both inside and out. Preregistration…
While your children ages 6 to 10 are off from school, have them spend time having fun at the Nature Center learning about snow! We will find out more about how snow forms, types of snow and what animals benefit from a blanket of snow! Preregistration is required. Please bring a mask. Masks are optional…
Join us for our free drop off program for children ages 5 to 10 to learn more about our local animals, plants, and habitats. This program’s topic is Life Under the Ice! We will learn about the most amazing strategies animals have for surviving under the ice. Preregistration is required. This class is outdoors except…
Ages 2 to 5, with special needs, and a caregiver In this class geared towards preschool children with special needs and a caregiver, children explore nature every month. Activities, circle time, animals and lots of time outside give the students and caregivers plenty of time to socialize and enjoy the outdoor world! Masks are required…
It may be cold outside, but things heat up for owls in late winter. Join us to learn more about Connecticut’s owls and meet one of our residents. We will take a walk, looking and listening for owls at the Nature Center. Masks are required, this class will be both inside and out. Limited to…
Give your child the gift of a magical childhood in nature this year. If you have a child that is 3 years old before January 2023, come to our Preschool Open House to learn about our unique nature-based preschool program. Meet the teachers, our animal friends, and take a tour of the preschool facilities to…
Take some time to hit the trails this winter and explore the trails at the Nature Center with an educator as your guide. We will make winter discoveries as we go. This program is suited for adults. Preregistration is required. Meets at DPNC. Members and Nonmembers: FREE
Join us for our free drop off program for children ages 5 to 10 to learn more about our local animals, plants, and habitats. This program’s topic is Animal Olympians! We will learn about the most amazing athletes in the animal world, from bullfrogs to falcons! Preregistration is required. This class is outdoors except in…
Everyone deserves a night out! Have an evening out while your kids, ages 5 to 12, spend the evening at the Nature Center. We will enjoy games, activities, meeting live animals and a night hike. We’ll have pizza for dinner and round out the evening with s’mores around the campfire. Please be dressed for the…
For adults and children with sensory sensitivities, some hiking locations can be easier than others. Join us for this Sensory Friendly Nature Hike at DPNC. With an educator as our guide, we will enjoy making winter discoveries. Meets at DPNC. This program is suited for adults and families, especially those with sensory sensitivities. Members and…
In this class geared towards preschool children ages 2 to 5 with special needs and a caregiver, children explore nature every month. Activities, circle time, animals and lots of time outside give the students and caregivers plenty of time to socialize and enjoy the outdoor world! Masks are required for adults and encouraged for children…
Have your children ages 5-10 enjoy their day off from school by embracing the cold and have fun learning the science behind ice. We will have fun spending time building with ice blocks and begin the process of creating an ice suncatcher. Dress warmly and bring an extra pair of gloves! Please bring a mask.…
Get the family together, embrace the cold and have fun on a winter day with the Nature Center! We’ll work together to build a shelter out of found materials, as well as learning tips and techniques for starting campfires! Preregistration is required. Masks are required indoors, optional when outside. This program is suited for families.…
Join us for our free drop off program for children ages 5 to 10 to learn more about our local animals, plants, and habitats. This program’s topic is tracking! We will search for signs of animals, including tracks and scat. Preregistration is required. This class is outdoors except in inclement weather. Please bring a mask.…
Take some time to hit the trails this winter and explore the trails at the Nature Center with an educator as your guide. We will make winter discoveries as we go. This program is suited for adults. Preregistration is required. Meets at DPNC. Members and Nonmembers: FREE
Tuesday, December 21 4:30 - 5:30 pm Families 5:30 - 6:30 pm Adults only Celebrate the shortest day of the year with a quiet walk, a roaring fire, a warm drink and a chance to send your wishes into the air. Please bring a flashlight. Meets at DPNC. Members: $4.25 per person, Nonmembers: $5 per…
Spend the morning at Coogan Farm in the J.X. Barn for an inclusive, open art studio for families with children of all abilities. Our naturalists / artists will be on hand to provide project inspiration and materials to create your own masterpiece. After making art, spend time hiking the trails to enjoy the beauty of…
Everyone deserves a night out! Have an evening out while your kids, ages 5 to 12, spend the evening at the Nature Center. We will enjoy games, activities, meeting live animals and a night hike. We’ll have pizza for dinner and round out the evening with s’mores around the campfire. Please be dressed for the…
Ages 2 to 5, with special needs, and a caregiver In this class geared towards preschool children with special needs and a caregiver, children explore nature every month. Activities, circle time, animals and lots of time outside give the students and caregivers plenty of time to socialize and enjoy the outdoor world! Masks are required…
In this class geared towards preschool children, ages 2 to 5, with special needs, and a caregiver, we will explore nature every month. Activities, circle time, animals and lots of time outside give the students and caregivers plenty of time to socialize and enjoy the outdoor world! Masks are required for adults and encouraged for…
Come experience the wonder of a winter walk in the woods at the Nature Center, lit by the soft glow of over 500 luminaria. Enjoy a self guided walk through woods, and warming up by a festive campfire with hot apple cider or hot cocoa, sure to make your evening complete. This program is suited…
Tuesday, December 7, 6:30 - 7:30 pm Bird migration is a mysterious and amazing process. Join the Nature Center for this presentation to learn more about birds that migrate, including the birds who come to Connecticut for the winter! For interested participants, you may also attend one of our December Wednesday birding programs for free.…
This is a wonderful time to appreciate the evergreens that brighten the winter landscape! During this walk we stop to learn identification tips and tricks for the many evergreens that grow at DPNC, from Christmas Fern to Hemlock. Meet at DPNC. Members: $8.50, Nonmembers: $10
Join us for our free drop off program for children ages 5 to 10 to learn more about our local animals, plants, and habitats. This program’s topic is insects in winter! We will learn more about how insects survive the winter, go on a winter bug hunt and spend lots of time outside. Preregistration is…
Do you have a budding artist at home? Have your child ages 7 - 12 join us for this fun class to learn to make natural dyes and paints. Students will discover how to use the natural colors in vegetables, teas, coffee, fruits and many other unexpected sources to create beautiful art work. This program…
In this class geared towards preschool children, ages 2 to 5, with special needs, and a caregiver, we will explore nature every month. Activities, circle time, animals and lots of time outside give the students and caregivers plenty of time to socialize and enjoy the outdoor world! Masks are required for adults and encouraged for…
Birding can be a wonderful activity for the whole family to enjoy! Join the Nature Center to learn the basics of birding with your family and get your children excited about birds in our area. Bring binoculars if you have them. Preregistration required. Meets at DPNC. Members and Nonmembers: FREE, funded through a grant from…
Tune in to learn what species you can expect to see in your backyard with identification tips and tricks. We will also cover how to attract birds to your landscape.
Everyone deserves a night out! Have an evening out while your kids, ages 5 to 12, spend the evening at the Nature Center. We will enjoy games, activities, meeting live animals and a night hike. We’ll have pizza for dinner and round out the evening with s’mores around the campfire. Please be dressed for the…
Spooky Nature Trail Fri, October 22 and Sat, October 23 What will spook you in the woods? The Nature Center’s annual Halloween festivities are sure to haunt your senses as darkness falls. Explore the trails filled with weird and wild animals, glowing jack-o-lanterns and frightful and delightful creatures of all kinds. In addition to the…
Ages 7 - 12 Do you have a budding artist at home? Have your child ages 7 - 12 join us for a two part class to learn to make natural dyes and paints. Thousands of years ago there were no craft stores or websites and people looked to the earth for their materials to…
Spooky Nature Trail Fri, October 22 and Sat, October 23 What will spook you in the woods? The Nature Center’s annual Halloween festivities are sure to haunt your senses as darkness falls. Explore the trails filled with weird and wild animals, glowing jack-o-lanterns and frightful and delightful creatures of all kinds. In addition to the…
Learn more about our amazing local mushrooms on this self paced hike on the trails at DPNC. Upon arrival, pick up your guide and follow the path to discover and learn more about various species of fungi. Once you complete your walk, stop by the picnic tables to look at various mushroom specimens and try…
Learn firsthand how to safely enjoy our region's wild mushrooms. Join us to learn from Ryan Bouchard and Emily Schmidt, creators of The Mushroom Hunting Foundation, who will begin this immersion class with a slideshow of amazing all-local photography, explaining the science and the safety rules of mushroom hunting, and focusing on the autumn mushrooms…
Ages 7 - 12 Do you have a budding artist at home? Have your child ages 7 - 12 join us for a two part class to learn to make natural dyes and paints. Thousands of years ago there were no craft stores or websites and people looked to the earth for their materials to…
Saturday, October 16, 10 - 11:30 am In this class geared towards preschool children with special needs and a caregiver, children explore nature every month. Activities, circle time, animals and lots of time outside give the students and caregivers plenty of time to socialize and enjoy the outdoor world! Masks are required for adults and…
Tune in this morning at 10 am for a special Facebook Live as part of our Mushroom Week activities for tips on growing mushrooms at home from Farmer Craig. In our Giving Garden at Coogan Farm, we are growing Shiitake, Maitake, Reishi, Blue Oyster, Pearl Oyster and Lion’s Mane mushrooms. Our Mushroom Week activities are…
