Woodcock Nature Center is celebrating 50 years of outdoor education on its 150 acres of preserve, which straddles both Wilton and Ridgefield. This month, they’ll feature a Connecticut Trails Day Hike and Ridgefield BioBlitz event. These programs are both free, but registration is required.

On June 4, from 10 to 11:30am, Woodcock Nature Center will host a Connecticut Trails Day Hike—a free, informal hike in honor of Trails Day, a two-day national event on the first weekend in June, organized by the CT Forest & Park Association. Woodcock educator Tommy McCarthy will lead hikers of all ages and abilities through the varied and picturesque terrain of the Woodcock preserve. Dress for the weather; rain or shine. Leashed dogs are welcome.​

On June 11, the Ridgefield BioBlitz will focus on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area (Weir Farm National Historical Park) over a short period of time. Participants will visit different habitats and attempt to identify as many plant, animal and fungi species as they can find. From 7 to 8:30am, the Early Birding Survey will be a short walk through field and forest to identify bird species by sight and listening to calls. Then, Family Sessions will take place between 9 to 11am, 12 to 2pm and 3 to 5pm. Participants will walk trails along field, forest and pond habitats, stopping at stations along the way. Each station will have activities including insect displays, pond scooping for invertebrates, looking under logs, learning about bears and an art station.

Since 1972, Woodcock has grown to provide educational programming for over 4,000 learners of all ages each year, including school field trips, summer camp and enrichment programs, which support their educational efforts by immersing the community in direct experiences with nature. They partner with local organizations to present lectures, workshops and films, and their guided hikes, child and caregiver classes and on-site animal encounters provide a means for the public to engage with and learn from our natural world.

For more information, visit WoodcockNatureCenter.org. Location: 56 Deer Run Rd, Wilton.

Woodcock Nature Center - 56 Deer Run Road, Wilton, CT

The Woodcock Nature Center, a nonprofit nature center located at 56 Deer Run Road in Wilton, is offering many upcoming programs for family fun. The center is situated on 179 acres of stat... Read More »