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| Exhibits, Events and Nature Walks | ||||||||||||||||
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Mia's Garden Roaring Brook Nature Center has almost completed work on Mia’s Garden, an area in front of the Nature Center building that will serve as a combination garden, educational exhibit and resting place for our students and visitors. The Garden is in memory of Mia Shand, a beautiful young lady who loved nature and had a tremendous curiosity about the natural world and how things work. Mia's Garden consists of two seating areas. The garden to the side of the front door provides a gathering/seating area for our visitors and educational signs on animal senses. The circular garden to the side of the building provides benches and educational signs explaining the local geology. Extraordinary geological rock specimens are also on display in this area of the garden. New native plantings, a small water feature and bird feeding stations to be installed this spring will complement this garden renovation. We are very excited about these new educational exhibit areas and thank the many members of the Canton community who have been so generous in contributing to this project. If you have questions about Mia’s Garden, |
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| Wild & Scenic Farmington River Exhibit | ||||||||||||||||
Roaring Brook Nature Center would like to thank the following organizations, foundations and individuals for their support of this project: Artists: Mike Digiorgio, Ted Esselstyn, Kathy Goff Funders: Farmington River Coordinating Committee; Ray Smith Endowment for Education and Conservation; Talcott Mountain Forest Protective Association; the Roosa Family Foundation. Exhibit Contributers: Eileen Fielding, FRWA; Jeff Bolton, FRWA; Mike Thomas; Ethan Nedeau; Robert Hoffman, Chris Matthein, William Duncan. Construction: John Hutton; Pete Claffey. |
In 1994, 14 miles of the Upper Farmington River, stretching from Colebrook to Canton, was added to the National Wild & Scenic Rivers system by an act of Congress. In 2003, the Farmington River Watershed Association embarked upon an effort to have the Lower Farminton River, from Canton to Windsor, as well as its tributary, Salmon Brook, similarly considered for this extraordinary distinction. |
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Nature Programs & Events
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Saturdays
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Meet Matt Messina - Wildlife Artist On most Saturdays (except July and August), Nature Center visitors will have an opportunity to watch Avon High School student, Matt Messina, at work. Matt is an up and coming wildlife artist. For the past three years, Matt has won the 2012, 2011 and 2010 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Contest for Connecticut contest. Matt also placed second nationally in 2012 and 2011 in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Competition. Matt is a student of Kathy Goff, a well-known wildlife artist who has a studio at the Farmington Valley Arts Center. Matt Messina and Kathy Goff are also working on a variety of other upcoming exhibit projects at the Nature Center, including illustrations for Animal Senses signage for the Mia Shand garden and a mural for the Farmington River mussels display. Stop by for a visit and see what projects are underway! |
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| Classes
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| DISCOVERY DAYS PROGRAMS | ||||||||||||||||
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Discovery Days is the Nature Center’s enrichment series for children in pre-school and in grades K-3. The cost of each four week session is $40.00 for members, $50.00 for nonmembers. Two week sessions (Nature For Little Ones) are $20.00 for members, $25.00 for nonmembers.Discounts may be extended to families with multiple children attending during the same time period. Portions of the program are held outdoors, please dress accordingly. Please click here to learn more. |
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Monday |
SPRING AT THE POND for Home School Families A morning program for home schooled students and a parent or grandparent, this program is geared for children aged 3 - 8. Find our what lives in our pand and what doesn't. Cost is $20 per child. Pre-registration is required. Call the Nature Center for additional information at 860.693.0263. For a registration form, click here. |
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Monday
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Adventure Story Time for children ages 2-5 will be held on the second Monday of each month from 1:00-2:00 PM. Adults and children can participate in a shared story with a craft and short walk. Children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a charge of $2/child with a maximum $5 per family. Please call the Nature Center to register. Pre-registration is requested.
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| SUMMER DISCOVERY DAYS PROGRAMS | ||||||||||||||||
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Spaces remain in several of the Nature Center's "Summer Discovery" programs. Nature Center programs offer your child a unique blend of education and recreation that takes advantage of the curiostiy and sense of wonder that lal children feel towards the natural world. To learn more about our summer programs,click here. |
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| Special Events
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Saturday
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BETTY KLEINER LECTURE PRESENTS Naturalist/author “Wildman” Steve Brill returns to Roaring Brook Nature Center to lead one of his world famous foraging tours. This is Wildman’s fourth visit to the Nature Center, scheduled as late spring herbs and greens should be popping up. A 30-minute talk will be followed by a 60-minute walking tour along the trails of Werner’s Woods in search of wild foods. Brill is best known for having been arrested in new York’s Central park for picking a dandelion. He is the author of Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not-So-Wild) Places and The Wild Vegetarian Cookbook and copies of his books will be available for purchase. Cost: $10 with advanced registration, $15 at the door. Pre-registration is recommended as space is limited. |
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Sunday Butterfly program |
Farmington Vally BUTTERFLY COUNT The Nature Center is sponsoring the nineteenth annual Farmington Valley Butterfly Count. Our count is part of an annual survey sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association. Anyone wishing to participate may join us in the Nature Center parking lot at 7:30 am. Participants should be prepared to travel throughout the Farmington Valley to census butterflies and may stay for just a few hours or for the entire day. Participants should be in good physical condition as walking through the fields under a potentially hot summer sun is required. In conjunction with the Count, an educational program and walk will be held on the grounds of the Nature Center and adjacent Werner's Woods from 1:30 - 3pm. The cost for this 90-minute program is $4.00 for members, $6.00 for nonmembers. Please call the Nature Center for additional information.
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| Wednesday afternoons 2:00 - 2:45pm July 11th July 25th August 8th August 22nd |
Special Wednesday Animal Demonstrations Several full-length, special animal demonstrations for te public have been scheduled on selected Wednesday afternoons. The 45-minute demonstrations are held in the Nature Center auditorium. Featureing live and mounted animals and a brief power point presentaion, each demonstration will focus on a different theme and provide an opportunity to learn about the habits and habitats of various animal groups. Pre-registration is not required. Admission to each demonstration is $3.00 for members, $4.00 for nonmembers. Children under age 6 must be accompanied by an adult. The following programs have been scheduled: Animal Babies - July 11th Frogs & Friends - July 25th Living Dragons - August 8th Snakes Alive! - August 22nd
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Nature Center visitors may learn aobut native wildlife each afternoon at 2pm. No charge for these demonstrations with admission to the Center. |
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Sunday
before Thanksgiving
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Are you interested in being a part of our 2012 Holiday Craft Fair? We welcome vendors who have produced hand-made gifts and/or natural products to sell as 'gifts' during the holiday season. For an registration form, please contact Margery Winters at mwinters@thechildrensmuseumct.org or 860.693.0263 |
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| Guided Nature Walks
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Saturdays Sundays
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An early morning walk through Werner’s Woods provides welcome sights and sounds for beginning birders as well as those with more experience in the field. Bird walks are not geared for younger children. Bring binoculars and dress for wet ground underfoot. Cost: Members $2, nonmembers $3. Pre-registration is not required.
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Sundays
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May 13th – Annual Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk June 10th – Butterflies, Dragonflies & other Unusual Insects Cost: $4 members , $6 nonmembers Pre-registration is not required. |
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Wednesday evenings
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Wednesday evening walks provide a relaxing end to a busy summer day, as well as an opportunity to observe a wide range of animals that become more active in the cooler evening temperatures. In past years we've seen and heard a wide range of creatures on our evening walks. What will we find this summer?! Long sleeves, a flashlight and insect repellent are recommended. Cost: $4 members , $6 nonmembers Pre-registration is not required. |
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Guided
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| During July and August, group nature walks may be scheduled by individuals, families or by organized groups on selected weekday afternoons. Walks may be general or may focus on a specific topic of interest. Call the Nature Center for additional information. | ||||||||||||||||
Volunteers Needed!
For more information on our volunteer needs, click here. |
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Birthday Party Opportunities During July and August, the Nature Center will offer birthday parties on selected weekday afternoons from 1:30 – 3:30 PM. (Please note that birthday party availability is subject to the Nature Center’s summer program schedule of classes and public events). For more information, click here. To make a reservation call the Center at (860) 693-0263. |
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Scout Programs For more information on Scout programs, call the Center at 693-0263l |
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Come visit our new Wild & Scenic Farminton River Exhibit!
