Join us for a free hike or program
Join us after school this spring for some nature art!
Explore our trails dawn to dusk daily.
Join us for a free hike or program
Upcoming Programs
Summer Trekking Group Hike
Monday, June 15 from 12 - 1 pm
Monday, July 20 from 12 - 1 pm
Monday, August 17 from 12 - 1 pm
Monday, September 14 from 12 - 1 pm
Summer is the perfect time to get outside for a hike! Join us on one (or more!) of these dates to enjoy a hike on our trails with one of our educators. Meet at the trailhead kiosk.
This program is in partnership with the Ridgefield Summer Trekking program. To learn more about the Summer Trekking program and to see additional partner events visit the Conservation Commission website.
Registration is requested, but not required. Walk-ins welcome.
Beyond the Trail: Take a Walk with our Executive Director
Wednesday, June 17 from 5 - 6 pm
We're about to be at max tilt towards the sun folks! Hear from our Executive Director (who’s energy always seems to be at "max tilt") for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a nature center. Do you wonder how we make decisions or plan our programs? Are you curious about fundraising or what it costs to feed the animals? We’ll chat about this and more while enjoying an easy hike, good conversation, and the arrival of summer. We'll walk and talk on this easy hike for adults only. Aprox 60 minutes. Meet in front of the Nature Center. Plus, take home a special gift!
Special guest: Katherine Gehrmann, Associate Director, Lone Pine Foundation and Woodcock Board Member
Registration is free but required.
Story, Hike and Meet & Greet
Saturday, July 11 from 10:30 - 11:30 am
For families with children of all ages!! Ms. Kathleen from the Ridgefield Library and Kelly from Woodcock welcome you to an active storytime celebrating outdoor adventures. Meet at the Pavillion for a story, then visit the nature center to meet an ambassador animal before enjoying a guided hike on the trails.
Registration is free but required.
This program is in partnership with the Friends of the Ridgefield Library and the Ridgfield Conservation Commission and is part of the Ridgefield Library's 2026 Summer Reading Program: Plant a Seed, Read.
Nature Center Open House
Sunday, July 12 from 10 am - 12 pm
Saturday, August 15 from 10 am - 12 pm
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. Just come on by!
Beyond the Trail: Take a Walk with our Executive Dircetor
Wednesday, July 15 from 6 - 7 pm
Bats have belly buttons, wood frogs freeze solid and survive, owls have been seen swimming... Let’s learn some more interesting nature facts! Join us for this excursion into the Woodcock preserve with our Executive Director who will bring some of her favorite fascinating facts about the creatures who share our local woods. Let’s discuss how these surprising facts challenge our assumptions and invite us to appreciate our local environment with fresh eyes. We'll walk and talk on this easy hike for adults only. Aprox 60 minutes. Meet in front of the Nature Center. Plus, take home a special gift!
Special guest: Kelly Donahoe, Events & Community Relations Manager at Woodcock Nature Center
Registration is free but required.
Beyond the Trail: Take a Walk with our Executive Director
Wednesday, August 5 from 6 - 7 pm
Join our Executive Director for a walk through the Woodcock preserve as we celebrate the people and ideas behind environmental conservation. Learn about the founders and supporters who helped shape Woodcock Nature Center, hear inspiring stories of individuals who have made a difference close to home, and explore how fostering nature education starts with simple actions taken by people like us. We'll walk and talk on this easy hike for adults only. Aprox 60 minutes. Meet in front of the Nature Center. Plus, take home a special gift!
Special guest: TBD
Registration is free but required.
Beyond the Trail: Take a Walk with our Executive Director
Wednesday, August 26 from 6 - 7 pm
Discover the hidden history of the Woodcock Preserve. For 54 years, our dedicated team has stewarded these 152 acres, preserving both the landscape and the stories woven throughout it. We'll begin at Spectacle Swamp, where we'll uncover the story of a hidden dam, then make our way north to explore a picturesque pond, an architect-designed dream home, and a little-known monument tucked in the woods. Along the way, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for Woodcock’s past and a fresh perspective on its future. We'll walk and talk on this easy hike for adults only. Aprox 60 minutes. Meet in front of the Nature Center. Plus, take home a special gift!
Special guest: Peter Vanderminden, Woodcock Volunteer
Registration is free but required.
Night Flight: Exploring Bats & Tequila
Saturday, August 29 from 5:30 - 8 pm
Dive into a one-of-a-kind bat presentation and experience that shines a spotlight on these fascinating creatures and their vital role in our ecosystem. Get up close with a live ambassador bat and discover what makes these nighttime flyers so incredible. Your evening will include educational programming, light bites and tequila tasting in our picturesque pavilion. Proceeds from this program support Woodcock's community outreach programs.
Registration is required. $65 per person. This program is for adults 21+.
Beyond the Trail: Take a Walk with our Executive Director
Thursday, September 17 from 5 - 6 pm
Is anyone else awake? Let’s talk about the climate challenges and everyday habits that keep us up at night! Is my morning coffee ruining the environment? Is my conversation with a chatbot making the earth hotter? What matters more: individual action or corporate policy? We’ll walk from forest to stream as we discuss fact and fiction and figure out how to get more sleep at night while making an impact by day. We'll walk and talk on this easy hike for adults only. Aprox 60 minutes. Meet in front of the Nature Center. Plus, take home a special gift!
Special guest: Roberta Barbieri, Vice President, Global Sustainability at PepsiCo and Woodcock Board President
Registration is free but required.
Storytime: On The Trails
Friday, October 5 from 11 am - 12 pm
Friday, November 2 from 11 am - 12 pm
There's no better time than spring for 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 as spring awakens. This program is for ages 2-6 with a caregiver.
Registration is free, but required.
Nighttime Wonders - Owl Prowl
Friday, October 16 from 6 - 8 pm
An exciting evening adventure awaits!! We will explore the woods in search of native owls! During our guided hike, we’ll listen for their unique calls—and if we’re lucky, some wild owls may even respond to our recorded ones! To close, we will gather around the campfire for games, s’mores, and cozy fun before heading home.
Registration is required. $45 per child. This program is for children in grades 5 - 8.
Autumnal Outdoor Art
Friday, October 23 from 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Our adventure begins with a whimiscal walk in the forest while learning to use the natural materials around us to ignite our imagination. Golden birch leaves, acorn caps, sticks, and stones can all be used for sculpture and color on this hike. Educators will share the work of famous outdoor art creators and teach about the materials we are using. We will photograph our pieces and get photographic prints to take home.
Registration is required. $45 per child. This program is for children in grades 3 - 6.