Join us afterschool this winter!
Explore our trails any day!
Enjoy our trails!
Join us afterschool this winter!
Upcoming Programs
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Winter Birding and Waterfowl Walk
Saturday, February 21 from 8:30 - 10am
Shadow Lake, Ridgefield
Come along for a Winter Birding Walk at Ridgefield's Shadow Lake Preserve! The winter months are a great time to look for and learn about bird species that may not live here year-round. If you tend to assume every duck you see is a Mallard, this walk will change that! Binoculars are recommended as well as supportive shoes – the trail passes through some rocky areas alongside the pond.
This program is in partnership with the Ridgefield Conservation Commission
This event is for adults and families. Registration is free but required.
Nature Center Open House
Sunday, February 22 from 10am - 12pm
Saturday, March 7 from 10am - 12pm
A Woodcock team member welcomes you to the nature center for a chance to meet and learn about our ambassador animals. The Nature Center building will be open to guests during the dates/hours listed above.
No registration needed.
FrogWatch Volunteer Training
Tuesday, February 24 from 6:30 - 8pm at Ridgefield Library
Saturday, February 28 from 1 - 2:30pm at Woodcock Nature Center
Tuesday, March 3 from 6:30 - 8pm Online
FrogWatch is a citizen science program that teaches volunteers to identify frogs and toads by the sounds they make! Attendees will learn to pick a wetland site for monitoring, listen for amphibians, and upload their observations to a database that is used by scientists to track the populations of these charismatic creatures. Citizen science can be a fulfilling way to enhance the time you already spend outside, so come by and get trained as a Certified FrogWatch volunteer!
This program is in partnership with the Ridgefield Library.
Registration is free, but required. This program is for adults and families; older high school students could attend on their own.
Wildlife Awareness WEBINAR
Thursday, February 26 from 7 - 8 PM
Ever wondered if the fox in your backyard is dangerous? What about the loud scary screaming you heard at night? We are here to answer your questions! Join Jennifer Bradshaw, Animal Curator at Woodcock Nature Center, Officer Seeley of Weston Animal Control and Officer Zulkeski of Ridgefield Animal Control will team up to educate the community on how to co-exist with wildlife, how to properly handle injured wildlife situations and provide proper contact info for all wildlife and animal related scenarios. Some topics will include wildlife rehab, common animals in Connecticut, who/when to call for help, domestic animal awareness and contact between families and wildlife.
Registration is free, but required. This program is geared towards adults. A link to the webinar will be sent prior to the event date.
Create Your Own Terrarium
Saturday, February 28 from 10am - 12pm
Create your own living terrariums! Your terrarium will be a closed system inside a glass mason jar! They will be modeled after our native forest floors and will be cool living decorations that will remind you of nature and change over time! Your terrarium shouldn't need any watering or maintenance either - everything that it needs will be contained in the jar and recycled. This program is for children in grades 3 - 6.
Registration is required. $45 per child.
Teen Advisory Board Meeting
Friday, March 6 from 6:30-7:30pm
Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies by a roaring fire in our Pavilion while providing valuable input to our upcoming programs. If you were a prior CIT at WNC or are a current high school student, we would love for you to join us for this event. We will be discussing our CIT program and other high school aged programming to seek input/feedback on programs intended for teens in our community.
Registration is requested, but not required. Walk-ins are welcome
Animal Tracks Treasure Hunt
Saturday, March 7 from 10am - 12pm
Get outside for a morning of treasure hunting! In this drop off program we will track down a treasure hidden among our trails. While doing so we will solve tricky riddles and learn about the tracks that different animals leave behind as they walk through Connecticut forests. This program is for children in grades Kindergarten - 2nd.
Registration is required. $45 per child.
Monday, March 9 from 10 - 11am
Enjoy time with us this winter for our Storytime: On the Trails program! Each session, we will enjoy a walk on our trails led by an educator, pointing out the wonders of nature and sharing fascinating facts about the season, before gathering around for a story. The perfect way to connect with nature and your child during the winter months. This program is for ages 2-6 with a caregiver.
Registration is free, but required.
Lunch Break Hike and Hang
Monday, March 9 from 12 - 1 pm
Monday, April 6 from 12 - 1 pm
Monday May 11 from 12 - 1 pm
Looking for an active way to enjoy your lunch break? Join us for a free short 45-minute hike on our trails. Bring a lunch to enjoy on the grounds afterward, or head home to finish up your workday. This group will meet the third Monday of every month, so add it to your calendar going forward. Meet at the trailhead kiosk along the main driveway.
We will cancel for rain or snow.
Registration is requested, but not required. Walk-ins welcome.
Turtlely Awesome Paint and Sip
Saturday, March 21 from 9:30am - 12pm
Spend the morning being creative! Led by Director of Education (and artist) Sarah Breznen along with Educator (and artist) Jen Meikle, you will be guided through a step-by-step painting of your very own masterpiece: a charming Box Turtle!
Plus meet three of our resident turtles and discover fascinating turtle facts while we learn and paint together beside a cozy fire. Whether you're an experienced artist or just here for the turtles, this event is perfect for all skill levels. Coffee, tea, and mimosas provided.
Registration is required. $75 per person. Recommended for ages 13+
Exploring Tea with Tommy
Saturday, May 2 from 10am - 12pm
Did you know that black tea, green tea, white tea, and oolong tea all come from the same plant? Learn about how these different teas are made and what gives them their unique, subtle flavors and characteristics! Woodcock educator Tommy McCarthy will lead the group on a short guided hike along the Woodcock trails and then through a relaxing tasting session of 3 or more different types of loose leaf tea including Japanese green tea, Taiwanese oolong tea, and Chinese black tea, brewed in traditional tea ceremony style in our pavilion.
Registration is required. $55 per person. Recommended for ages 13+