Accessibility Tools

The Nature Center has exhibits that illustrate how changes in land use in Connecticut
over the past 500 years have resulted in changes in the flora and fauna.

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Ancient Forest Exhibit

Ancient Forest Exhibit

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The Ancient Forest and Native American exhibit shows how Native Americans managed the land and showcase the animals that were common five hundred years ago.

From Farms to Forest to Lawns Exhibit

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Land use and wildlife has changed in Connecticut over the past four hundred years.

Starting in the 1600s, Colonial settlers cut down the forests and established farms and pastures throughout the State.

By 1850, the original forests had essentially disappeared beneath the plow. After many farmers abandoned their farms and moved west in the late nineteenth century, Connecticut’s pastures reverted to thickets and eventually young mature forests.

Now, with rapid suburban development, the landscape is again changing and a new group of animals are taking up residence in our backyards.

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Forest exhibit with coyote and raccoon

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Suburban animals exhibit with opossum and skunk

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Beaver Wetland Exhibit

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The beaver wetland exhibit highlights the role of beavers in the Connecticut landscape.

Native American Longhouse

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Visit our Native American longhouse to learn how Connecticut’s earliest residents used the abundant resources of the area to meet their survival needs.

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Wild & Scenic Farmington River Exhibit

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The upper 14-miles of the Farmington River were designated as a Wild and Scenic River in 1994, and the lower Farmington River and its important tributary, the Salmon Brook, was designated as Wild & Scenic in 2019. With this designation they are now protected as Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers under the federal Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. This Act protects and preserves certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers are a subset of these designated rivers in which communities protect their own outstanding rivers and river-related resources through collaboration with local governments, watershed groups, the National Park Service and other stakeholder groups.

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Live Animals

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Roaring Brook Nature Center is especially proud to be home to numerous beautiful birds of prey such as hawks, owls, and vultures. To learn more about these animals, click here.

Inside the Center a small collection of live animals offer our visitors additional opportunities for learning. The live animals that reside in the Nature Center include snakes, turtles, frogs, and salamanders. To learn more about our native and non-native animals, click here.