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May Jun Jul Aug 2016 Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center Vol. 44 No. 3

Thank You Chickadee Newsletter PatronsChickadee Patrons help defray the cost of this newsletter. Patron donations are $135 per year for individuals and $175 for businesses and are invaluable to the Nature Center.

CTM Media GroupFour Paws Veterinary ServicesPeter J. Famiglie , MD

Jan Abrahamson & Brian ChmieleckiGabriel & Denisa AsfarKimber L. Barne Jeff rey and Anne BarnhartFrances & Gary Benne Jane & Dan BranneganMary & David Dangremond

Poor MorganStonington Natural Health CenterThree R’s Company

Harvey & Jeanne DemovickHarry & Sue FergusonJoseph & Nancy GilbertHilary & Henry HardawayPaul & Cathleen HollandLucia & Rod JohnstoneCharles Leogrande

Lauren McGowan & Chris WhiteDavid & Linda NolfJohn & Julia ParryMichael Schefers & Sylvia LynchWilliam & Barbara Tu sSusan Twing & Ted Steinetz

Thanks to all our patrons!

Tidal River ClothingWai e’s Insurance Agency, Inc.

INDIVIDUALS

BUSINESSES

DPNC’s 70th year will be remembered as an epic period in the evolution of our organization as we integrate Coogan Farm into our operations and continue to implement our strategic plan: Vision 2020. We have set the bar high to trans-form our organization within and without. On April 25, 2016 - the same date the Pequotsepos Wildlife Sanctuary was originally incorporated in 1946 - the grand opening of the Avery House & Welcome Center and the Jules X Schneider Na-ture & Arts Barn launched a new era for us, and for the expanded communities we serve, just in time for the longer, warmer days of spring and summer.

The facilities, land and habitats of Coogan, including the Giving Garden, provide indoor/outdoor classrooms for a range of new and expanded programs and possibilities. We invite you to sample the walks, talks, and events we have planned for the coming season. To help manage a larger orga-nization and workload, we are making shifts to build infrastructure and capacity in administrative processes and operations. We have created new positions, and revised and/or expanded existing jobs and Board committee roles. In Fall 2015, Davnet Schaffer was promoted to associate director (in addition to her role as head of our Nature Preschool). We recently welcomed new full-time staff members Jeremy Ladyga as director of development, and Cassandra Meyer-Ogren as manager of events, volunteers and membership.

With our busy spring-summer season now in full swing, we have an expanded staff of educators leading programs for all ages on site at DPNC/Coogan and travelling to schools, libraries, natural areas and other venues around the region. Many of our staff offer special skills that serve us well. For example, educator Sophia Luckenbill, in addition to her background in scientifi c research and teaching, also helps with grant writing. Nikki Boushee, who works at the front desk and in the store, is applying her artistic abilities to help create new exhibits. Seven of our education staff participated in the DEEP’s spring training session for Wildlife Rehabilitators to help us address a need for en-hanced capacity and expertise in handling wildlife emergencies. A number of our regular summer staff return for Summer Camp 2016. Some of our camp counselors have been with us for up to 15 years, a sure sign that they like the Nature Center and what we/they do and that we recognize the

Maggie Jones

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Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center - 109 Pequotsepos Rd, Mystic CT - www.dpnc.org2

Call 860-536-1216 or visit www.dpnc.org to register.

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGEDIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

value the talent they bring to us! In the Day’s Best Of Reader’s Choice Awards recognizing the best in eastern CT, we won the Best Preschool category and placed second in Best Summer Camp and Best Animal Rescue!

We are building on a tradition of seven decades of excellence with the natural world as classroom, creating a bright future for the Nature Center and the region with an expanded greenway close to Mystic’s urban center offering new opportunities for people to connect to nature. No one would have predicted how I-95 and Exit 90 has changed the face of Mystic, bringing visitors here from near and far. The intersection of rural and urban landscapes and wild ecosystems (native plant and ani-mal communities) is much more pronounced in Connecticut than it was 70 years ago, and through the years DPNC has helped to protect our region’s unique character and sense of place.

We are still forging new partnerships with schools, volunteers, civic groups and organizations, work-ing together to inspire and educate others to value nature’s benefi ts and to protect nature for its own sake and ours. This includes sustainable agriculture (food production and education in our Giving Garden and new teaching kitchen), helping to foster a balance between satisfying human needs/feeding people and protecting water, land and climate resources as we adjust our framework and embrace our mission: to inspire an understanding of the natural world and our place in it, past, pres-ent and future.” Stay tuned!

DPNC Execu ve Director

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Volunteer Spotlight: Dick Conant

As part of ‘Celebrate 70’ this year, we will feature profi les of some of our amazing volunteers. You will fi nd more Volun-teer Spotlight profi les on our website, www.dpnc.org/blog/. If you’d like more informa on about volunteering, email Cas-sandra Meyer-Ogren at [email protected]

Name: Richard “Dick” Conant

Age: 60 and coun ng

Town of Residence: Mys c (Groton side)

What’s your ‘real’ job: Re red from 33 years with the Federal Government as a marine biolo-gist with the Na onal Park Service, Aqua c plant biologist with the research branch of USDA, a wetland biologist with the Corps of Engineers, and fi nally as the Environmental Department Direc-tor at Subase. I now volunteer with the Avalonia Land Conservancy, the Mys c Boy Scout Troop 2, St Patrick Church, and of course the DPNC.

What do you do as a DPNC volunteer? Control of invasive species, e.g., pulling/cu ng/treat-ing such invasives as Oriental bi ersweet, Japanese barberry, Privet, etc. Maintenance of trails, e.g., clearing downed trees/limbs, cu ng back overgrowth, blazing trails and maintaining signage, and minor trail/bridge repairs/improvements

How long have you been doing it? About six years now

Why do you do it? It’s great to get outdoors and into the local woods for some fresh air and good exercise and hopefully my work fi lls a need for the DPNC

What’s the genesis of your wonderful support for the Nature Center? I hope all my volun-teer ac vi es are a way of giving back to the local community where I have lived and raised a family for almost 25 years now

What’s your favorite part of what you do at DPNC? Chainsaw work clearing trails and cut- ng bi ersweet vines...Free the Trees!

Coogan Farm Nature & Heritage Center - 162 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic CT - 860.536.1216

CELEBRATE 70 LECTURE SERIESCELEBRATE 70 LECTURE SERIES

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Getting the “Bird Shot”: Good Luck and a Little SkillThursday, May 12 at Coogan Farm 6:30-8:30pmAdults and older interested children.

Local photographer Barry Watrous offers an informative presentation on being prepared to get “that shot!” Enjoy an informative slide show and then take a walk to practice your skills. Bring a camera to practice with. Admission is free, and the program is open to the public. Pre-registration is appreciated.

Horseshoe CrabsThursday, June 9 at DPNC 6:30-7:30pm

Join Educator Laura Craver Rogers who leads horseshoe crab surveys for DPNC and Watch Hill Conservancy for a presentation on the Horseshoe Crab. This ancient sea creature has survived in the oceans for millions of years with its primitive design still intact. We will discuss physical adaptations, nesting and breeding habits as well as its ecological significance and importance to humans! Admission is free; the talk is open to the public. Pre-registration is appreciated.

Extraordinary EelsWednesday, July 13 at DPNC 6:30-7:30pm

DPNC’s Head Educator, Steve Sarnoski, a knowledgeable fisherman, offers a pre-sentation on the American Eel. Learn about the natural history and life cycle of North Americ’s only freshwater eel, as well as the unique migration patterns of this interesting fish. Admission is free, and the talk is open to the public. Pre-registration is appreciated.

Busy BeaversThursday, July 28 at DPNC 6:30-7:30pm

DPNC Educator Amy Stich will discuss the natural history and adaptations of the American Beaver. These sometimes maligned mammals are the engineers of the animal world. Presentation includes hands-on opportunities with a pelt, skull and beaver chew. Adults. Admission is free, and the talk is open to the public. Pre-registration is appreciated.

Black Bears of CTThursday, August 18, at Coogan Farm 6:30-7:30pm

Join DPNC’s Head Educator, Steve Sarnoski, for a presentation on the American Black Bear. Learn everything you need to know about this gentle giant of the for-est that is making a comeback in southern New England. We will discuss its life cycle, feeding habits and natural history, as well as provide tips for what to do if you cross paths with a black bear in your yard or along a trail. Admission is free, and the talk is open to the public.

Cancellation Policy Pre-registra on allows the Nature Center to secure staffi ng and materials for programs, so that we may

best serve you. We require pre-registra on and pre-payment for most programs in order to reserve a space. If DPNC cancels a program, you will receive a full refund. If you withdraw from a program more than 4 days in advance, you will receive a refund less a 25% administra ve fee. Withdrawals within 4 days of a program are not refundable. Preregistra on for all programs is always recommended. Walk-ins should be prepared to pay by check or with exact change for programs at Coogan Farm, off -site, or a er hours, and may be turned away if program is full.


S TA F F S P O T L I G H TS TA F F S P O T L I G H T

Visit our website, www.dpnc.org/blog/ to read more STAFF SPOTLIGHTS.

Meet … Cassandra Meyer-OgrenThe Nature Center is a member-driven and supported orga-nization. Our members are very important to us! We value the relationships we have built over the decades with indi-viduals and families, and nothing makes us happier than when we have multiple generations in attendance!

Additionally, as a small nonprofit, we rely heavily on our volunteers to help us in everything from serving on our Board of Trustees to clearing trails to entertaining kids on the Spooky Nature Trail to sowing seeds at the Giving Garden to feeding our resident animals. The Nature Center could not function without the dedication and commit-ment of our volunteers at every level.

In December 2015, Cassandra Meyer-Ogren joined the Nature Center staff as manager of events, volunteers and membership. Since her arrival she has been working to modernize and streamline processes for membership and volunteering, and has taken the helm of orga-nizing our ever-growing array of signature events. We caught up with her recently to ask a few questions.

Name: Cassandra Meyer-Ogren Age: 34 Hometown: Hope Valley, RI

Where were you born and raised: On a farm in Matunuck, RI located less than a mile from the ocean and right next to Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge.

Education/degrees: B.A. in Communications Studies

How long have you worked at DPNC: 5 months!

What is your current position? Events, Membership and Volunteer Manager

What’s the best part about your job? The best part of my job is working with people who care about animals and nature. In my role here I get to serve as the conduit connecting those who want to appreciate nature, work in the Giving Garden or help care for animals with the departments looking for assistance. Volunteers are excited to give their time to make a difference we are thrilled to have their help so that we can do more programming, help more animals and further our mission. I also manage events of different types for a vari-ety of audiences, which gives DPNC a chance to engage with more people and educate people in a variety of exciting ways.

What’s the best part about the DPNC? I truly feel that no other organization in the area has the programming that we do here at DPNC. Generally nature organizations like ours only focus on children or families, with little geared for adults. DPNC is a true gem for people of all ages. “

What do people ask you most often when they find out you work at a Nature Center? When people hear that I work at the Nature Center one of the first things they ask is what kind of animals we have. As of late people are asking if I will work out of the Nature Center or at Coogan Farm. People are very excited for the grand opening at Coogan!

What surprises you about your job? The people who work here, volunteer here and visit here are so genuinely kindhearted and passionate about this wonderful place. I have worked at two other not-for-profits and the heart here is truly inspiring. I am delighted to be a part of DPNC.

Favorite animal, plant, or ... (and why): I have too many favorites, so now I have classi-fications to allow for having so many. My favorite mammal is Acorn, the most amazing and social rabbit in the whole world. Of the birds of prey, my favorite are the screech owls. Their appearance is so charming and textured, but they are great hunters. My favorite resident bird is the pigeon, I have loved them ever since I was a child - and their plumage is truly remarkable.


S P E C I A L E V E N T SS P E C I A L E V E N T S

Pink Lady’s Slipper Walk, Tea and CocktailsThursday, May 19 at Peace Sanctuary 5-6:30 pmPeace Sanctuary, River Road Mystic $25

Each year we celebrate the blooming of one of our most beautiful native orchids, the Pink Lady’s Slipper. Enjoy an evening woodland stroll in search of these and other late spring wildflowers and birds. Sip a pink cocktail or iced tea and sample hors d’oeuvres. Wear comfortable walking shoes - and something pink! Adults.

CT Trails DaySaturday June 4, at DPNC Adults and Families

Hike to the Coogan Farm, 10-11:30am

On this statewide day of hiking, experience the connections and beauty of land preservation in action as we explore the greenway linking the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center and our new Nature and Heritage Center at the Coogan Farm. Explore the natural and historical landmarks of properties that comprised the earliest homesteads in Mystic, forested trails, open meadows, transitional habi-tats, stone walls and cedar groves. Moderate hike over varied terrain. Program meets at the DPNC.

Pond Dipping, 12:30-2pm

The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center teaches hundreds of programs about our local natural habitats every year. Come experience one of our most popular programs - pond dipping! We’ll use nets and buckets to search for fish, turtles, frog and other aquatic creatures in our pond. We provide nets, buckets, and iden-tification tips. Bring a water bottle and be prepared to get muddy! Program meets at the DPNC.

CT Open House Day Saturday, June 11 at DPNCFree admission all day for CT residents

Pond Exploration: 12:30-2pm

The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center teaches hundreds of programs about our local natural habitats every year. Come experience one of our most popular programs, pond dipping at our pond! We’ll use nets and buckets to search for fish, turtles, frog and other aquatic creatures. Bring a water bottle and be pre-pared to get muddy. Program meets at the DPNC.

Hike: 2:30-3:30pm

See the beauty of land preservation in action as we explore the new greenway between the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center and the Coogan Farm. Witness the natural and historic landmarks of properties that comprised the earliest homesteads in Mystic, forested trails, open meadows, transitional habitats, stone walls and cedar groves. Moderate hike over varied terrain. Bring a water bottle and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Free

Free

Please see CANCELLATION POLICY page 3.


S P E C I A L E V E N T SS P E C I A L E V E N T S

Moth and Butterfly Jubilee!

Na onal Moth Week is July 23-31. Join us as we fete all things moth and bu er-fl y with two wonderful events, one for adults and one for families!

Moth BallSaturday, July 30 at Coogan Farm 6:30-10pmThis event is 21+ only. $75 per person, pre-registration required

Our first-ever Moth Ball celebrates National Moth Week and the wonder, diversity and ecological role of this fascinating suborder of lepidoptera with an elegant night of drinks and dancing under the stars at Coogan Farm. Enjoy decadent des-serts, sip a signature “nectar” cocktail and learn about the diversity and wonder of moths as we attract live local species of moths to join our evening! Feel free to wear wings or feathery antennae! Cocktail attire.

Butterfly Extravaganza Sunday, July 31 at DPNC 2-4:30 p.m. Families Adult: $25; Child (13 and under): $20 (Under 2 is free, but does not include a butterfly for release)

Our second annual Butterfly Extravaganza! Learn about the butterfly lifecycle, how to create a garden to sustain bees, butterflies, moths and other beneficial pollinators. Visit our butterfly and moth house to get up close with native lepi-doptera. Participate in a scavenger hunt, and take a wild butterfly walk through the meadow.

Enjoy fun crafts, face painting, music, & delicious treats.

The celebration culminates in a parade to the meadow, where each attendee will release a live butterfly!


Call 860-536-1216 or visit www.dpnc.org/calendar to register for any of these programs.

Giving Garden BlessingMonday, June 20 at Coogan Farm 7-8 p.m. Free

Please join us at the Nature Center’s Giving Garden for a blessing to officially kick off the Garden’s third season! Since 2014, the Nature Center’s partnership with the United Way of Southeastern CT and the Robert G. Youngs Family Foundation has been producing fresh organic produce for hundreds of food-insecure indi-viduals and families in our area. Dozens of volunteers are working year-round in the greenhouse and garden to grow this food. Join us as we say thank you to them and to Mother Nature!


H I K E SH I K E S


Full Moon Hikes

Walks take place even on overcast nights, and are suitable for adults and older, interested children. Steady rain, thunderstorms cancels.

Devil’s Hopyard State Park, HaddamFriday, May 20 7:30pm Free

Enjoy the “Full Corn Planting Moon” and a mid-spring evening at Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam. Highlights of this ecologically and geologically rich area include Chapman Falls and trails along and above the Eightmile River. Moderate terrain, medium pace. Meet in the upper parking lot, off of Foxtown Road.

Lantern Hill, North StoningtonSunday, June 19: Summer Solstice/Full Moon Father’s Day Hike 8pm Free

Enjoy the “Full Honey Moon” at Lantern Hill in North Stonington. This local land-mark, owned by the Mashantucket Pequots, has a fascinating geologic and eco-nomic history. Nature’s evening symphony of birds, and spectacular views over the CT woodlands overlooking the Mystic River Valley out to Long Island Sound give us a reason to celebrate the first day of Summer and Father’s Day. Difficult terrain, medium pace. Meet at Lantern Hill trailhead, 215 Wintechog Hill Rd, North Stonington.

Knox Preserve, StoningtonMonday, July 18 8pm Free

Celebrate the “Full Hay Moon” at the Knox Preserve. Enjoy a leisurely hike along Quiambaug Cove and old stone walls on trails through fields and thickets on this former agricultural land, farmed for centuries. Watch and listen for herons and egrets, and observe an active colony of Purple Martins hunting for mosquitoes and other insects at dusk. Meet at the trailhead sign (just past the dock and Wilcox cemetery). Park along Wilcox Road by entrance - do not block driveway! Easy terrain, slow pace. Avalonia Land Conservancy.

Barn Island, Stonington - east entranceThursday, Aug. 18: East Entry (off Greenhaven and Stewart Rd) 7pm Free

Watch the “Full Sturgeon Moon” at Barn Island Wildlife Management Area. Enjoy views across open meadows and cedar trees on this lovely section of Barn Island overlooking Napatree Point and Little Narragansett Bay. Great habitat for blue-birds and screech owls along with larger birds of prey. Meet at trailhead at end of Bruckner Pentway (head south on Greenhaven Road from Route 1, go right at first stop sign on Stewart Rd, then turn right onto Bruckner Pentway (dirt road) to park-ing lot at end. Easy terrain, slow pace.


H I K E SH I K E S

Gungywamp TourMonday, May 30, 10am-12:30pm Wednesday, June 15, 4-6:30pmSunday, July 17, 10am-12:30pm Friday, August 19, 10am-12:30pm$12.75/member, $15/nonmember

Gungywamp is an area of both natural and cultural interest. It has rocky ridges, glacial erratics and swamps along with enigmatic stone shelters and structures whose use and origin are open to interpretation. Come along on a walk through the woods and see if you can penetrate the mysteries of Gungywamp. Adults and families who are comfortable walking approximately 2 miles over uneven terrain. Pre-registration required; directions for parking will be given after registration.

Saturday Hikes Free for members, $10 for nonmembers ALL HIKES 10-11:30 a.m.

It’s a great day to get outside! Join us for an interpretive trail walk through forests and fields. A knowledgeable DPNC educator will help read the landscape’s history and point out seasonal plants and animals’ signs and sounds. Wear comfortable shoes or hiking boots, and bring a water bottle. Adults and older children.

Avery Farm Preserve, LedyardSaturday, May 14

One of the Groton Open Space newest properties; this is part of a 200+ GOSA pre-serve. It has forest and Mountain laurel thickets and an open powerline trail that is home to Prairie and Blue-winged warbler and many others. Easy terrain, medium pace. Meet at the southern gate of Lambtown Road Extension, near the Groton-Ledyard border and park on the left. 245 Lambtown Road Extension, Ledyard.

Tilcon PropertySaturday, May 28Enjoy a hike through CT’s largest pitch pine forest at the Tilcon Property. Walk along rocky ledges and visit old quarries and vernal pools. Mountain laurel should be in bloom! Difficult terrain, medium pace. Meet in the commuter parking lot off Poheganut Drive (across from Women’s Care Med Center), East of Rt. 117; Exit 88 off I95, in Groton.

Perry Natural Area, StoningtonSaturday, June 11

Enjoy a pre- summer walk along forested trails past old farm foundations, wells and other signs of historic use. This flat walk is perfect for families. Easy terrain, slow pace. Meets at trailhead on North Anguilla Road, Stonington. Avalonia Land Conservancy.

Long Pond/Ell Pond, Hopkinton, RISaturday, July 9

A challenging up/down walk along ledges through an Atlantic White Cedar/ Rhododendron bog, one of RI’s most unique natural areas that supports an interest-ing assemblage of birds, wildflowers and other species. If we are lucky, we may still catch the Giant Rosebay in bloom! This dramatically beautiful and rugged landscape is protected by The Nature Conservancy/ RI Audubon and RI DEM.

Trolley Line Trail, North StoningtonSaturday Aug. 27

Walk a charming loop trail, beginning and ending at the Wheeler Library, through the village of North Stonington, including a portion of the old Westerly-Norwich trolley line and through the woods along the Shunock River to look and listen for signs of summer. Easy terrain, medium pace. Meet at Wheeler Library.


CELEBRATE 70: HIKE THE DPNCCELEBRATE 70: HIKE THE DPNC


We are celebrating our 70th year of environmental education! Join us as we revisit some of the trails that helped start it all.

Manatuck PreserveSunday, May 22 1-2:30pm Free

Look and listen for wildlife and the songs of different resident breeding birds inhabiting the woods, wetlands, open fields and farm pastures of Manatuck, a 205 acre conservation easement owned by DPNC. Medium terrain, slow pace. Meet in the parking lot behind Pine Point School gymnasium, Barnes Road, Stonington.

Perry Natural AreaSunday, June 12 1-2:30pm Free

Enjoy a pre- summer walk along forested trails past old farm foundations, wells and other signs of historic use on this property, once owned by Pequot-Sepos Wildlife Sanctuary. Easy terrain, open trails and slow pace perfect for families. Meet at trailhead on North Anguilla Road, Stonington. Avalonia Land Conservancy.

Barn Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA)Sunday, July 24 1-2:30pm Free

Join us as we explore the state’s largest and premier tidal wetland. The property provides a diversity of ecosystem and habitats including hilly uplands, agricul-tural/open fields, mixed hardwood forests and salt, brackish and freshwater tidal wetlands. In 2004, the DPNC was one of several partners in the Coastal America Partnership, including the DEEP, Connecticut College, Audubon and the Nature Conservancy, who together helped preserve an additional 144 acres of this beau-tiful property. The Nature Center was involved in the original protection of Barn Island as conservation land in the 1960’s. Easy terrain, medium pace. Park in small lot off of Palmer Neck Road, Stonington, on the right just before the large parking lot/boat launch at the end of Palmer Neck Road.

DPNC Avalonia TrailSunday, August 14 1-2pm Free

This trail is a hidden gem, one of several ALC trails that connects to DPNC and helps protect a significant greenway for wildlife and people. North of the power-line, the land belongs to the Avalonia Land Conservancy. The loop includes beech tree groves, interesting rock outcrops and ledges, and vernal pools. Uneven ter-rain, moderate pace. Meet at the DPNC.

Avondale Farm Preserve, Westerly Land TrustSunday, August 28 Free

An easy flat walk through a coastal preserve with a variety of native grasses and late summer wildflowers, this is a haven for butterflies, birds and bats. Park at the end of Grassland Way, off Watch Hill Road (Rte. 1A)



S P R I N G B I R D I N GS P R I N G B I R D I N G

Downtown Birding: Wilcox Park, Westerly, RIMay 6

Early migrants are passing through, and Wilcox Park offers a good refuge for birds to refuel on insects and nectar as they move northward. Meet in front of the Westerly Land Trust headquarters on High Street

Saltwater Farm Vineyard - Route 1A Stonington. May 13

We will look for migrants around the vineyard in this coastal area adjacent to Wequetequock Cove and Barn Island, with its shrubby edges and tidal creeks. Meet in the SWV parking area.

Barn Island WMA - International Migratory Bird Day Saturday, May 14

International Migratory Bird Day 2016 celebrates how birds have inspired many of the most significant environmental conservation actions in the Americas. One of CT’s largest and most significant coastal preserves, Barn Island- with its varied habitats of tidal marsh, coastal forest, open water and meadow- attracts an amazing diversity of migrant shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds, and is often full of surprises! Meet at the parking area on the right, before the boat launch at the end of Palmer Neck Rd in Stonington.

Elm Grove Cemetery, MysticMay 20

Designed as a ‘strolling cemetery’ in the 1800s, the paths at Elm Grove are laid out in the shape of an American Elm tree. We will look for warblers, orioles and other migrants in ornamental trees and shrubs and along the Mystic River during this easy flat walk. Meet by the cemetery main entrance, off Greenmanville Avenue.

Crandall Swamp- Westerly Land TrustJune 3

This is a special opportunity to explore a private nature preserve that attracts an interesting diversity of native migrant and breeding birds, including Northern waterthrush, Canada Warbler and others. Parking at end of Pound Rd (off route 91) in Westerly.

Morgan Pond/Rosemund Pond, LedyardJune 10

By this time in the season, most migrants have passed through and our resident breeding birds are settling in, building nests and raising young. Listen and look for a variety of CT Woodland birds during this walk on open trails through beautiful Groton Utility property that is not open to the public. Meet at the designated park-ing area on the east side of Sandy Hollow Road in Ledyard

Birding around the Mulberry Tree, N. StoningtonJune 24, 8-10AM $10.20/member, $12/nonmember

Join us for a relaxed morning watching as the birds come to us. The fruit of the Red Mulberry tree (Morus rubra) attracts a variety of songbirds and woodpeckers. We’ll enjoy coffee or tea and a few breakfast treats while we watch. We may also take a short side-trip to a beaver marsh to look for nesting heron and Wood Duck.

Friday mornings 8-9 AM * $8.50 member / $10 nonmember *

*unless otherwise noted


HOMESCHOOLHOMESCHOOL


DPNC Homeschool Program1:30-4:30pm Ages 5-12 $15/sessionMay 10: Soils May 24: Pollination June 14: Water OlympicsJune 28: Water Pressure with Water Bottle Rockets

Pre-registration and DPNC family membership is required.

Enjoy hands-on activities, educational games, and standards based learning. Students will participate in active inquiry and scientific exploration. Each class explores a different theme that connects to the meadow, forest and wetland com-munities at the DPNC. Our resident live animals will make guest appearances throughout the year! Program meets at the DPNC.

Homeschool 2016-2017Our Homeschool program has grown in popularity so much over the last two years that we are revamping it to make sure it remains a quality educa onal ex-perience for all ages! Meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month, September 2016-June 2017. Minimum 3 students, maximum 20 students for each program. Includes snack me (please provide a snack for your child).

$15/session; DPNC FAMILY MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED.

Little Explorers Ages 4-6

A program designed with our youngest learners in mind, we will explore natural themes with creative play, songs, storytime, and crafts. We’ll spend time outside when the weather is nice, using our senses to discover the plants and animals that live right around the nature center.

ScientistsAges 7-9

It’s a wide world out there, and we are going to learn as much as we can about it! Students will be guided through the scientific process, with a new topic of inquiry each session. Create hypotheses, conduct experiments, and get ready to make some awesome discoveries! We’ll explore the fields, for-ests and wetlands to gain inspiration for our experiments, letting our natural curiosities guide the way.

Eco EngineersAges 10+

Our oldest homeschool students will enjoy this program designed specifi-cally with their interests in mind. Learn the science behind why plants and animals behave the way they do. Make tools out of natural materials, create a dam in the stream and study the effect it has on the surrounding ecosys-tem, and conduct other experiments that focus on the natural world and problem solving for the future. Fun, recreational activities include hiking, orienteering with a map and compass, team building games, and more!


EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONEARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION


ChickadeesMondays: May 2, 9, 16, 23, June 6 9:30-11am $8.50/member, $10/nonmember

Explore the DPNC with your little one in our classic parent and child class. Activities, circle time, and time outside bring nature to life for your child! Ages 2-5, with a caregiver. Led by Marianne Goddard. Program meets at the DPNC.

Trailside StoriesSaturdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28 9:30-10:30am$6.80/member, $8 nonmember (per person cost)

Hike to a special location each week for a story in the wood! Stories will come alive in the meadow, under the trees, and beside the brook! Families with children up to age 8. Program meets at the DPNC.

Eager Explorers Wednesdays: June 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Sept. 149:30-11:30am $12.75/member, $15 nonmember Led by Marianne Goddard

Our popular start for children ready to try a class on their own! Each class brings something new as we focus on what we can find and learn outside in nature. We’ll learn about a different natural theme at each class as we enjoy age-appro-priate free play, games, stories and activities. Program meets at the DPNC.

Garden BudsThursday afternoons, June 2-Aug.25 1-2:30pm Ages 3-6 $8.50/member, $10/nonmember

A hands-on introduction to the fun of planting and harvesting. Experience nature up close as you explore the garden, dig for worms, and make crafts. Each Sprout must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (no charge for adult); be prepared to join the fun! Program meets at the Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT.

New! Nature’s Alphabet (A, B, C)Tuesday, June 28 1-2:30pm $6.80/member, $8 nonmember (per person cost)

This wonderful new program teaching the letters of the alphabet to preschoolers! Join us as we read stories about ‘A’nts, ‘B’utterflies and ‘C’aterpillars, color alpha-bet pages, and take a short walk to explore for I’nsects! For families with children up to 6 years old. Program meets at the DPNC.

New! Nature’s Alphabet (D, E, F)Tuesday, July 12 1-2:30pm $6.80/member, $8 nonmember (per person cost)

This new program helps preschooler learn the alphabet! Join us as we read sto-ries about ‘D’ragonflies, ‘E’ggs and ‘F’rogs, color different L’etters, and take a short walk around the P’ond! For families with children up to 6 years old. Program meets at the DPNC.


EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONEARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

New! Nature’s Alphabet (G, H, I)Tuesday, July 26, 2016 1-2:30pm $6.80/member, $8 nonmember (per person cost)

This new program helps preschoolers learn the alphabet! Join us as we read sto-ries about ‘G’rasshoppers, ‘H’oney bees and ‘I’nsects, color different L’etters, and take a short walk to explore for I-nsects! For families with children up to 6 years old. Program meets at the DPNC.

Wee WanderersFridays, May 6, 13, 20 & 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24 10-11 a.m. Ages: Birth to 5 $6.80/members, $8/nonmembers (per adult cost, includes up to three children/adult)

A walking exploration for little walkers or babies in front or back carriers. We’ll move at the children’s pace as we peek under logs, listen for birds and explore outside in this nature class for our youngest friends. Meet at the walk site. Led By: Rachel Aspinwall. Ages: Birth to 5. May 6: DPNC

May 13: Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford CT

May 20: Bluff Point State Park, Groton

May 27: DPNC’s Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Ave Mystic

June 3: Connecticut College Arboretum, Williams Street, New London

June 10: Haley Farm State Park, Noank

June 17: Knox Preserve, Wilcox Rd, Stonington (Avalonia Land Conservancy)

June 24: Tefftweld at Birchenturn, Hangman Hill Rd North Stonington (ALC)


Art Outdoors at Coogan Farm

May 17, 24, 31, June 7, 14, 21, 28, July 12, 19, 26 9:30-11am Ages: 2-5 $10.20/member, $12/nonmember Led By: Rachel Aspinwall

Explore nature through art! We’ll use the fields and trails at Coogan Farm for inspiration as we play and create with pencils, paint, watercolor and collage. Program meets at the Coogan Farm, located at 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic.


D R O P- O F F K I D P R O G R A M SD R O P- O F F K I D P R O G R A M S

Outdoor Play at Coogan FarmMondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, May 2-June 3 3:30-5:30pm$12.75 member / $15 nonmember

We’re bringing recess back … to the farm! In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, research shows that outdoor free play for our children is more important than ever. We will hike through the forest looking for animal signs, build shelters and campfires, play games, and let the spirit of adventure guide us through this fun afterschool program. Join us for an active afternoon in a safe, supportive, natural environment. Ages 8+. Meets at Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT. NOTE: DMS students can ride a bus from DMS to the Coogan Farm each day for the program. Call for details.

Nature Night OutSaturdays, May 7, June 11, July 23, August 20 5:30-8:30pmMember child per class: $25.50 Additional member child per class: $12.75Non-member child per class: $30 Additional non-member child per class: $15

Have a grown-up night out and let the children have a night out with nature. Our enthusiastic and knowledgeable educators will provide a fun, educational and entertaining program! Enjoy games, team building activities, exhibit exploration, a night hike, and lots of fun! We provide dinner and s’mores around the fire. Dress in warm layers and bring a flashlight. Ages 5-12. Program meets at the DPNC.

Mystic Half Marathon Childcare – Animal DetectivesSunday, May 15 6:30-10:30am $25.50/member, $30/nonmember

Are you participating in the Mystic Half Marathon? The DPNC is offering childcare all morning. We will hike through the forest looking for animal signs, build shel-ters, play games, and let the spirit of adventure guide us through this fun pro-gram. Join us for an active morning in a safe, supportive, natural environment. Dress for the weather and bring a bagged lunch. Ages 5-12. Program meets at the DPNC. Minimum 3 students, maximum 20 students.

Get GrowingWednesday afternoons, June 8- Aug. 24 3-4:30pm $8.50/member, $10/nonmember

Hands-on gardening is the perfect way for kids to get outside and get their hands dirty! From seed to table, our young gardeners have the opportunity to grow, tend, and harvest vegetables, as well as explore the beautiful setting of the Coogan Farm. Program meets at the Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT. Ages 7-12.

What’s Wild? What’s Not?Saturday, June 18 1-2:30pm $8.50/member, $10/nonmember

What is the difference between a pet and a wild animal? Learn the difference as you meet (and touch) a variety of live animals, including a turtle, rabbit, snake, and bearded dragon. Ages 4-8. Program meets at the DPNC.


NEWPRICE


D R O P- O F F K I D P R O G R A M SD R O P- O F F K I D P R O G R A M S


Boat Show Childcare – Animal DetectivesSaturday, June 28 9am-1pm $25.50/member, $30/nonmember

Are you attending the Mystic Boat Show but have some little ones who aren’t interested in tagging along with you? The Coogan Farm is offering childcare all day, so you can have some adult fun on your own. We will hike through the forest looking for animal signs, build shelters, play games, and let the spirit of adventure guide us through this fun program. Join us for an active morning in a safe, sup-portive, natural environment. Dress for the weather and bring a bagged lunch. Ages 5-12. Program meets at the Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT.

Boat Show Childcare – Afternoon AdventuresSaturday, June 28 1-4pm $21.25/member, $25/nonmember

Are you attending the Mystic Boat Show but have some little ones who aren’t interested in tagging along with you? The Coogan Farm is offering childcare all day, so you can have some adult fun on your own. Enjoy an afternoon of free play at the Coogan Farm. We’ll spend the afternoon outside, hiking, exploring, playing games and fort building. We’ll even build our own campfire and roast marshmal-lows! Dress for the weather. Ages 5-12. Program meets at the Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT.

Butterfly PartySaturday, August 13 1-2:30pm For 1st-5th graders$8.50/member, $10/nonmember

Explore the meadows and count the colorful butterflies as they flutter by! Learn about the special traits of butterflies, play games, make a craft, and learn about the importance of these special pollinators. Program meets at the DPNC.

2016 Summer Nature Camp

Join the outdoor fun!Join the outdoor fun!Week-long day camps for ages 3-15 June 13-Aug. 15Week-long day camps for ages 3-15 June 13-Aug. 15Hiking, exploring, fi elds trips, sailing, pond dippingHiking, exploring, fi elds trips, sailing, pond dippingClassic Nature Camp, Specialty Camps including Yoga, Astronomy, Classic Nature Camp, Specialty Camps including Yoga, Astronomy, Primitive Tools, Survival Skills, Art, and shared camps with Mystic Primitive Tools, Survival Skills, Art, and shared camps with Mystic Seaport, NESS, and Mystic Museum of ArtSeaport, NESS, and Mystic Museum of ArtRegistration and health forms are available online at Registration and health forms are available online at www.dpnc.orgwww.dpnc.org or at the Nature Center, 109 Pequotsepos Road, Mystic. Visit our or at the Nature Center, 109 Pequotsepos Road, Mystic. Visit our website for full information on each specialty or shared camp, FAQs, website for full information on each specialty or shared camp, FAQs, and information at and information at www.dpnc.org/summer-camps-2www.dpnc.org/summer-camps-2


FA M I LY P R O G R A M SFA M I LY P R O G R A M S

Terrapin Tank Warming PartySunday, May 15 2-3pm $5.10/member, $6/nonmember

It’s a “tank warming” party! Meet Gem, our Diamondback Terrapin, who recently acquired a new tank to live in. Come and help us welcome Gem to her new aquatic tank. We’ll learn all about terrapins, make some crafts to help decorate her tank, and visit with some of our other live turtles as well. Punch and cookies provided. Families. Program meets at the DPNC.

Raccoon RehabSaturday, May 21 2-3pm $12.75/member, $15/nonmember

Join Joe Sanda, DPNC staff member and independent wildlife rehabilitator spe-cializing in raccoons, as he shares his experiences working with racoons of all ages! Learn the natural history and unique adaptations of this clever local mam-mal. If he has some orphan raccoons at the time, he will bring one in for you to see. Adults and interested children, ages 8+. Program meets at the DPNC.

Campfire StoriesFridays, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 5-6pm members Free, $5/nonmember

Want the campfire without all the camping gear? Come and relax around the campfire with your friends and family. Enjoy stories, rhymes and songs, the magic of a crackling campfire, and marshmallows for roasting! For families with chil-dren. Program meets at the DPNC.

Horseshoe Crab Walk at Bluff PointSaturday, June 11, 6-9pm $5/child, $5/adult

Head to the beach and witness these “living fossils” gather during our nighttime Family Horseshoe Crab Walk. Be prepared to get your feet wet and hike a distance as you help Aquarium and Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center staff count the animals and learn about the role they play in our local ecosystem. $5 per person. Register at www.dpnc.org. Program meets at Bluff Point State Park.

Night-OwlsWednesday June 22, Tuesday July 11, Friday August 5 8-9pm $8.50/member, $10/nonmember

Meet a few of DPNC’s rehabilitated owls before heading out to listen and look for these spirited birds as they call out to defend their territories. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Meet at the Nature Center. Adults and families with children ages 8+.

DPNC Horseshoe Crab Walk and SurveyFriday, June 17 6:30-8:30pm $6.80/member, $8/nonmember

Join Laura Craver Rogers at Napatree beach and help conduct a survey of these “living fossils.” This ancient sea creature has survived in the oceans for millions of years with its primitive design still intact. We will discuss its physical adapta-tions, as well as its nesting and breeding habits. Wear footwear that is appropri-ate for walking on sand and being in and out of the water. Meets in Watch Hill, RI. Arrive early to find parking.



FA M I LY P R O G R A M SFA M I LY P R O G R A M S

Edible Plants of SummerJune 26 2:30-4pm $6.80/member, $8/nonmember

The summer months are a bounty of ripe berries, nectar-laden edible flowers, and the amazing edible plants along the seashore, as edible mushrooms carpet the forest floor after warm, rainy days. Learn how to identify, sustainably harvest, and prepare the wild foods of summer, from beach plums to invasive wineberries, including some of the choice summer fungi like chanterelles and the myriad of pored Boletes. Join The 3 Foragers - a family of experienced, local foragers - as they teach the edible plants and fungi of summer with their original photos and recipe ideas, and then take a short stroll outside to put some of those newly learned skills to the test. The 3 Foragers book will be available for sale at the pro-gram. Program meets at the DPNC.

Friday Night LightsFriday, July 1, 8 8-9pm $6.80/member, $8/nonmember

Join us at the Coogan Farm to enjoy Nature’s fireworks! We’ll spend a relaxing evening with the fireflies, night insects, and frogs. Bring your family and friends to enjoy a hot summer night the way it should be - out of doors. Adults and families. Program meets at the Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT.

Family CrabbingThursday, July 14 Wednesday, July 27 Tuesday, August 2Wednesday, August 17 6-8pm $8.50/member, $10/nonmember

Meet at the Coogan Farm, and carpool to a secret crabbing location. There will be a brief introduction to basic techniques of crabbing and crab identification and then we head out to put your knowledge to work. We provide nets, bait and lines. Bring a head lamp or flashlight to spot crabs. Wear appropriate shoes (no Crocs or flip flops). We’ll be in the water and walking on slippery rocks. Adults and families. Program meets at the Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT.

Insect InspectionFriday, July 22 1-2:30pm $8.50/member, $10/nonmember

Use microscopes and hand lenses to investigate features that all insects have in common. Learn about different families of insects as we explore the meadow and collect live specimens for identification and study. Ages 8+. Program meets at the Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT.

Frog Frenzy!Saturday, August 13 2-3:30 pm $6.80/member, $8/nonmember

The amphibians are enjoying the warm days of summer! Join us as we explore nearby wetlands for salamanders, frogs and toads! Wear boots & clothes that can get a little muddy. We’ll provide nets and collection jars for gentle, up-close study. Adults and families with children ages 6+. Program meets at the DPNC.



A D U LT P R O G R A M SA D U LT P R O G R A M S

Bioluminescence: Nature and Science at WorkJune 7 6:30-7:30pm $8.50/member, $10/nonmember

Join Marc Zimmer, Connecticut College professor and author of Bioluminescence and Illuminating Disease, for an in-depth look at animals capable of producing their own light and how it can be used in science and medicine. Adults and inter-ested teenagers. Program meets at the DPNC.

WINGS: Meet the ArtistSunday, June 12 2-4pm Free

Come out to our beautiful historic Coogan Farm to celebrate local artist and archaeologist Kathleen Boushee at a leisurely June afternoon wine and cheese reception. Meet and learn about her process and her unique approach to making beautifully detailed watercolor winged creatures and nature collages. She will also exhibit the winged collections that inspire her work. Kathleen’s cards and art will be for sale in our Coogan Nature Store. Class meets at the Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT.

Snakes & SpiritsSaturday, July 9 7-8pm $12.75/member, $15/nonmember

Meet and greet our resident snakes, and discover that there is nothing to fear! We will provide cocktails and snacks for you to enjoy while you learn about the unique behaviors and natural history of snakes. Partnership with Lauren Graham of “Drink With Food,” a local business from Pawcatuck, CT. 21+. Program meets at the DPNC.

Nature Preschool Named Best Preschool for 2016

We were thrilled to be notified in late March that our Nature Preschool was voted Best Preschool in The Day’s Reader’s Choice Best Of 2016 contest. It is especially meaningful to us as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our little school in the woods this year. Our preschool aims to foster the growth of whole, well-rounded, happy children, and to inspire an appreciation for the natural world and a lifetime environmental ethic. Since the preschool’s founding in 2006, DPNC’s 400-acre sanctuary serves as its living classroom. It is an ideal place for children to learn through direct experience and play. Our chil-dren spend time outdoors every day, where they can fully engage all their sense in a safe and nurturing environment.




A D U LT P R O G R A M SA D U LT P R O G R A M S

Avery Farmhouse Book Club$8.50/member, $10/nonmember

Cozy up in the parlor of the Coogan Farm and enjoy some coffee, tea and snacks as we discuss books with environmental themes. Program meets at the Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT.

Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacey O’BrienSaturday, May 21 3-4:30pm

On Valentine’s Day 1985, biologist Stacey O’Brien adopted Wesley, a baby barn owl with an injured wing who could not have survived in the wild. Over the next nineteen years, O’Brien studied Wesley’s strange habits with both a tender heart and a sci-entist’s eye. She watched him turn from a helpless fluff ball into an avid com-municator with whom she developed a language all their own.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl StrayedSaturday, June 25 3-4:30pm

At 22, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.

The Secret Life of Lobsters: How Fishermen and Scientists Are Unraveling the Mysteries of Our Favorite Crustacean by Trevor CorsonSaturday, July 23 3-4:30pm

In this intimate portrait of an island lobstering community and an eccentric band of renegade biologists, journalist Trevor Corson escorts the reader onto the slip-pery decks of fishing boats, through danger-filled scuba dives, and deep into the churning currents of the Gulf of Maine to learn about the secret undersea lives of lobsters.

The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession by Mark ObmascikAugust 20 3-4:30pm

Every January 1, a quirky crowd storms out across North America for a spectacu-larly competitive event called a Big Year—a grand, expensive, and occasionally vicious 365-day marathon of birdwatching. For three men in particular, 1998 would become a grueling battle for a new North American birding record. Bouncing from coast to coast on frenetic pilgrimages for once-in-a-lifetime rarities, they brave broiling deserts, bug-infested swamps, and some of the lumpiest motel mattresses known to man.

Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, PO Box 122, 109 Pequotsepos Road, Mystic, CT, 06355

860.536.1216 ph, 860.536.2983 fax, [email protected] or visit us online at: www.dpnc.org Hours of opera on for DPNC are year round, Monday through Saturday 9 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm.

THE CHICKADEE newsle er is published by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center three mes per year. The Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) organiza on dedicated to environmental educa on for all ages. This newsle er is mailed to DPNC Members. To become a member, give a gi membership or make a dona on, please contact us at 860.536.1216 or visit www.dpnc.org.


COOKING AT COOGANCOOKING AT COOGAN


Our new farmhouse kitchen was built to help connect people with nature, and what better way than through cooking delicious dishes from foraged or organically grown foods!

Ramp It Up Tuesday May 3 5:30-7pm $21.25/member, $25/nonmember

Not your typical green salad! Discover the possibilities with wild ramps, wild onions, garlic, bitter greens and other wild and cultivated early leaves, shoots and stems, including some growing right outside your door. Learn how to combine different greens and vegetables to create interesting, healthy and tasty salads.

Wild EdiblesWednesday, June 15 5:30-7pm $21.25/member, $25/nonmember

Join us for a delicious program on wild edibles. Explore the fields and forests around Coogan Farm to identify and collect wild edibles, then return to the farm kitchen to prepare a tasty and nutritious dish. Class meets in the Avery Farmhouse kitchen of the Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT.

Mozzarella CheeseSaturday, June 25 10am-12pm Thursday, August 25 6:30-8:30pmWednesday, July 20 2-4pm $21.25/member, $25/nonmember

Try your hand at cheese making! Join this beginner level class and learn the basics of making homemade cheese. Make fresh mozzarella cheese during the program, and leave with recipes and experience to make your own cheese! Adult. Class meets in the Avery Farmhouse kitchen of the Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT.

Making Fermented FoodsThursday, August 4 6:30-7:30pm $21.25/member, $25/nonmember

Try your hand at home fermentation! Join this beginner-level class and learn the basics of fermentation and its health benefits. Make sauerkraut and kimchi, and leave with recipes and experience to make your own! Led by Crystal Taylor. Adult. Class meets in the Avery Farmhouse kitchen at Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Avenue/Route 27, Mystic, CT.

Preserving the Summer HarvestSaturday, August 6 1-2:30pm $21.25/member, $25/nonmember

It’s harvest season, which means an excess of vegetables all at one time. Don’t be intimidated by the many ways to preserve your harvest. Learn the basics of canning and other methods of food preservation. Join us for a fun and educa-tional afternoon in the kitchen, and leave with the knowledge and experience to make your own preserves. Program meets in the Avery Farmhouse kitchen at Coogan Farm, 162 Greenmanville Ave/Route 27, Mystic.

Summer Harvest - Homemade Tomato SauceSaturday, August 20 1-2pm $21.25/member, $25/nonmember

Too many tomatoes piling up in your kitchen? Turn them into a delicious sauce that can be canned or frozen. Join us for a fun and informative afternoon in the kitchen. We will share a variety of recipes that can be used to preserve your tomatoes, and demonstrate how to cook tomato sauce. Help prepare the sauce and leave with some to enjoy at home. Program meets in the Coogan Farmhouse kitchen, 162 Greenmanville Ave/Route 27, Mystic.


GARDENING AT COOGAN FARMGARDENING AT COOGAN FARM


Bugs, Slugs and BeerMay 28 1-2pm $12.75/member, $15/nonmember

Pests in the garden? Join Coogan Farm Manager, Craig Floyd, as he teaches the basics of pest control in a garden. Learn the basics of pest control, including environmentally friendly ways to control bug and slugs and foliar sprays that will enhance your production. Program meets at the Coogan Farm Giving Garden, 162 Greenmanville Ave/Route 27, Mystic.

Bees in the GardenJune 25 1-2pm $15.30/member, $18/nonmember

Stuart Woronecki, owner of Stonewall Apiary in Hanover, who keeps approxi-mately 300 honeybee colonies in eastern CT, joins Coogan Farm Manager, Craig Floyd, to share the importance of having bees in the garden. Learn how to create a bee friendly garden, as well as the steps required to start your own bee colony. Program meets at the Coogan Farm Giving Garden, 162 Greenmanville Ave/Route 27, Mystic.

Summer HarvestSaturday, July 30 1-2:30pm $25.50/member, $30/nonmember

Cook with what you have! Join Coogan Farm Manager, Craig Floyd, in our teach-ing kitchen and learn about the vegetables of mid-summer. We will share recipes that takes advantage of what is growing in the garden right now. Share a lunch of garden produce prepared by a local chef in the new Coogan Farmhouse kitchen while watching “Food for Thought, Food for Life,” a short video that captures the essence of healthy, local food production. Program meets at the Coogan Farm Giving Garden, 162 Greenmanville Ave/Route 27, Mystic.

Extending the Growing Season: What to Plant NextAugust 27 1-2pm $12.75/member, $15/nonmember

Join Coogan Farm Manager, Craig Floyd, and discover the art of using cover crops and planting crops to extend the season. Learn what and how to plant now for fall/winter harvest. Program meets at the Coogan Farm Giving Garden, 162 Greenmanville Ave/Route 27, Mystic.

Thank you to al l our Celebrate 70 sponsors! We couldn’t do i t without you!

Gold: StoneRidge (see ad page 23), Masonicare at Mys c (see ad page 23), Thames Valley Communica ons (see ad, page 23)

Silver: Chelsea Groton Bank, Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, Tidal River Clothing Co., L+M Hospital, Aquarion Water Co.

Bronze: Valen Auto MallMedia: The Day


PA D D L E T R I P SPA D D L E T R I P S


All trips start at 9 am at DPNC or 9:30 at the put-in. Bring your lunch and your own boat. Shuttle is provided to return to your car at the put-in. End time of 3pm is esti-mated based on the speed of the group and the river.

Worden Pond to Horseshoe Falls Find the Headwaters of the Pawcatuck

Sat, May 28 For Adults Led by Al Brown $18.70/member, $22/nonmember

We start at the origin of the Pawcatuck River as it exits the thousand acre Worden Pond. Sneak through the Great Swamp and paddle past one of the oldest water powered mills in Rhode Island.

Rte. 165 to Wyoming Dam the Upper Wood River

Sat, June 11 For Adults Led by Al Brown $18.70/member, $22/nonmember

The Wood River is a beautiful wooded stream with a couple of dams that form ponds along the way. There are lots of fun riffles along this shallow river and plenty of sun while crossing the ponds with a portage at the Barberville Dam.

Hope Valley to Alton PondLower Wood River

Sat, June 25 For Adults Led by Al Brown $18.70/member, $22/nonmember

We will put-in below the Wyoming dam. The river continues past an old mill site where we portage at the Maple Ave dam and continue down through wooded, wind-ing channels that open up as we approach the Alton Pond.

Shannock Falls to Burdickvillethe Upper Pawcatuck River

Sat, July 16 For Adults Led by Al Brown $18.70/member, $22/nonmember

This 10.5 mile section of the Pawcatuck has a nice mix of calm flowing water punc-tuated with one little section of Class II whitewater, but fear not, it just makes it a trip to remember. This section of the river is an annual favorite of many.

Richmond Landing to Bradford Paddle the Wild Pawcatuck River

Sat, July 30 For Adults Led by Al Brown $18.70/member, $22/nonmember

There is a low rubble dam at Burdickville that can be run or avoided, as you wish. The lowest section above the Bradford dam is quiet water paddling along scenic for-ested banks.

Bradford to Potter Hill Paddle the Not-as-Wild Pawcatuck River

Sat, August 13 For Adults Led by Al Brown $18.70/member, $22/nonmember

Along the way we will pass conservation lands owned by The Nature Conservancy and the Westerly Land Trust. This part of the river runs deep and slow.

Potter Hill to WesterlyPaddle the increasingly civilized Lower Pawcatuck River

Sat, August 27 For Adults Led by Al Brown $18.70/member, $22/nonmember

See the other Westerly - the one only seen from the river. You will float past farm fields, wooded wetlands and the historic parts of Westerly like you may have never seen. This year, the White Rock dam was removed and we get to float a section that has not been navigable for many decades.


Save the Date:

Wild Mushroom FestivalSunday September 25 at DPNC

SPOOKY NATURE TRAIL

Friday, October 21 5-8pmSaturday, October 22 5-8pm

at DPNC

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