Scavenger Hunts
The Nature Center is posting a series of nature scavenger hunts along our trails to add to your enjoyment. Scavenger hunt maps are available at the front door of the Nature Center. Come enjoy these free seasonal experiences.
Nature Programs, Hikes & Events
Nature Center closed Thanksgiving Day November 28
Trails open dawn to dusk
Turkey Daze!
Friday, November 29 & Saturday, November 30
anytime 10 am — 4pm
Guided hikes at 1:30 pm each day
How well do you really know Meleagris gallopavo, the wild turkey, a cousin of the domesticated turkey? What is a turkey’s snood? What is a Jake? Do turkeys have beards? Take a self-guided turkey scavenger hunt or register for a guided hike at 1:30 pm. Crafts, quiz and more.
Free with admission to the Nature Center.
Registration is required for guided hikes
$11 per person / $36 per family of four
Full ‘Cold’ Moon
Night Hike
Sunday, December 15
7:00 – 8:15 pm
Bundle up and join us for a guided woodland hike under December’s full moon. This month’s moon is known by early Native American tribes as the Full Cold Moon because this is the time of year when the cold winter air settles in and the nights become long and dark.
Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.
$11 per person / $36 per family of four
Pre-registration is required.
Winter Solstice Celebration & Hike
Saturday, December 21
2:30 – 4 pm
The Winter Solstice arrives at 4:19 am EDT on Saturday, December 21. In terms of daylight, this day is 6 hours, 4 minutes shorter than on June Solstice. Join us on one of the longest nights of the year to celebrate the Winter solstice and learn how people have observed this special day and season over millennia.
Presentation will be followed by a late afternoon hike to enjoy the long shadows and peace of the woods in winter. Learn how nature anticipates the upcoming lengthening of the days.
$11 each / $36 family of four
Registrations required.
Wild Side of Winter
9 am – 12 pm
Friday, December 27
Monday, December 30
Tuesday, December 31
Are you ready to walk on the Wild Side of Winter? Are you curious about how animals and plants have adapted to survive the cold weather? Do you wonder why some animals hibernate while others stay active? Join us for the Wild Side of Winter and get outside to find out this winter break!
Each day will be full of exploration and winter adventure with hands-on activities, guided hikes, and more
Pre-registration is required.
Join us for a single day or for the whole session!
Nature Center closed Christmas Day & New Years Day
Trails open dawn to dusk
Beyond Birdfeeders: How to feed your backyard birds year-round
Sunday, January 5
2 — 3:15 pm
Birds do not live by birdseed alone. Learn what you can plant in your yard to provide food for an even greater variety of birds throughout the year while promoting biodiversity in your neighborhood.
$11 each / $36 family of four
Registration requested
Family Winter Survival
Sunday, January 12
2 — 4 pm
What do you do if you get lost in the woods in winter? Learn what basic supplies you may need to survive a night outdoors. Includes shelter construction and fire building.
Dress for winter weather. Not geared for children under 9.
Cost: $11 each / $36 family of four
Pre-registration is required.
Under the ‘Wolf‘ Moon Hike
Monday, January 13
7 – 8:15 pm
Join us for a guided hike under the full moon known by early Native American tribes as the Full Wolf Moon. It appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages. We will not hear any wolves but we may hear owls and other creatures of the night.
Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.
$11 each / $36 family of four
Registration required.
FROZEN FOREST
Monday, January 20
anytime 10 am — 4 pm
Storytime at 11 am & 2 pm
Looking for some winter fun? Bundle up and head to the Nature Center for a day of adventure! Explore the chilly trails of Werner’s Woods and search for animal tracks or other signs of winter wildlife. Unleash your creativity with a winter-themed craft and join the excitement with a ‘FROZEN’ scavenger hunt!
Storytime and crafts are included with Nature Center admission, so come warm up with us!
No need to pre-register.
Belated Squirrel Appreciation Day
Saturday, January 25
10 am — 4 pm
Storytime at 11 am
Join us to (belatedly) celebrate National Squirrel Appreciation Day and learn why these creatures are so important.
Hike our trails to see how many squirrels you see.
Create a squirrel craft. Listen to squirrel stories.
Free with admission to the Nature Center.
No need to pre-register.
Coldest Hike of the Year
Sunday, January 26
Guided hike 1:30 — 2:45 pm
Bundle up and join us on what is, on average, the coldest week of the year in Hartford County. Take a guided walk through the forest to uncover the mysteries of wildlife habits in mid-winter.
Cost: $11 each / $36 family of four
Pre-registration required
Ground Hog Day Hike
Sunday, February 2
1 – 4 pm
Guided hike 1:30 — 2:45 pm
Learn about our largest ground squirrel and weather prognosticator. Find what it means if the Groundhog sees his shadow and what it means for the rest of the winter. Take our groundhog day quiz. Make your predictions on when the wood frogs awaken and tell us the spring has arrived at the Nature Center. Groundhog crafts and activities available.
Cost for hike: $11 each / $36 family of four
Pre-registration required
LOVE OUR ANIMALS WEEKEND
Saturday, February 8 anytime 10 am – 4 pm
Sunday, February 9 anytime 1 – 4 pm
Join us as we celebrate Valentine’s Day with our wonderful animals. Make special Valentines for our animals & loved ones. Crafts and special visits with the animals throughout the day.
Donations for the animals from our WISHLIST are greatly appreciated.
Free with admission to the Nature Center. No need to pre-register.
Lincoln’s Birthday Full Moon Night Hike
Wednesday, February 12
7:00 pm — 8:15 pm
Join us for a guided walk on Lincoln’s birthday under a full moon. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Full Snow Moon because the heaviest snows usually fell during this time of the year. Since hunting is difficult, this moon has also been known by some tribes as the Full Hunger Moon, since the harsh weather made hunting difficult.
Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.
Cost: $11 each / $36 family of four.
Pre-registration required.
Winter Tree ID Hike
Sunday, February 16
2 – 3 pm
If you look closely, the winter trees buds, twigs, bark, and general shape give plenty of clues as to their identity. Join us for a late winter hike to learn who’s who in our woods.
Cost: $11 each / $36 family of four
Registration required.
Winter Wanderers
9 am – Noon
Monday, February 17
Tuesday, February 18
Let’s go walking in a winter wonderland with Winter Wonderers! Explore the science of snow and ice. Follow the signs wildlife has left behind.
If the weather conditions permit, participants will get a taste of a sweet New England tradition—maple sugaring!
Pricing: $50 Members/day; $60 Non-members/day (Single Day Pricing)
Registration required.
SEEING RED: Why Friends Don’t Let Friend’s Plant Burning Bush
Sunday. February 23
1 – 2:30 pm
Millions of acres are lost annually to non-native invasive plants. Kick off National Invasive Species Week and learn why removing these plants from our own yards can help restore ecological balance to our neighborhoods and other wild areas.
This program is free to attend due to generous funding from the Canton Greater Together Community Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
Registration requested but not required.
Maple Sugaring in Your Own Backyard
Sunday, March 2 2 — 3 pm
Sunday, March 9 2 — 3 pm SNOW DATE
Our annual demonstration teaches you how to make maple syrup the easy way. We’ll cover the entire process from identifying the tree to the best part – tasting the final product.
Cost: $11 each / $36 family of four
Registration is required
Under the ‘Sap’ Moon Hike
Friday, March 14
7:30 pm — 8:45 pm
Join us for a guided walk under a full moon. This moon was known to Native Americans as the Full ‘Sap’ Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins.
Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.
Cost: $11 each / $36 family of four
Registration required
It's SPRING!
Sunday, March 23
1 – 4 pm
This year the spring equinox occurs on March 20 at 5:01 am. Join us to celebrate the beginning of astronomical spring.
Look for signs of spring on our trails. Spring crafts available throughout the day.
Free with admission to the Nature Center.
No need to pre-register.
Pizza at American Flatbread!
Earth Day!
Tuesday, April 22
5 – 8:30 pm
Bring your family! Bring your friends! Bring your neighbors! Bring your appetites to American Flatbreads in Canton to enjoy
their wood-fired pizzas made in traditional clay ovens with organic ingredients.
American Flatbread is generously donating a share of all pizza sales to the Nature Center.
