Join us at Deer Pond Farm for a 4-mile, moderate difficulty hike on our Laurel Trail for a view at our fully blossoming mountain laurel grove. Learn about how the CT state flower came to be, how it is protected, and which wildlife love laurel. 

To register, click here

Experience the joys of garden life in our community garden at Garden Club! We'll be planting, weeding, harvesting, and processing food on Wednesdays at 3:30pm all summer long as the garden grows and produces.

Join the Housatonic Valley Association for a pond exploration program at The Silo at Hunt Hill Farm in New Milford, CT! From 10 am to 12 pm, discover the interesting critters that live in the waters of this beautiful Connecticut property and learn about their habits, life cycles, and what we can do to keep these ecosystems healthy. 

Families and participants of all ages are welcome! Nets and buckets will be available for the collection of specimens who will be observed and safely released at the end of the program. We encourage participants to wear rubber boots and rain pants/waders. 

Dive into a world teeming with life at the Housatonic Valley Association "Pond Critter Exploration" event! On Saturday, June 21st, from 10 AM to 12 PM, Hunt Hill Farm and the Housatonic Valley Association are teaming up to bring you an unforgettable hands-on adventure. Join us at the charming silo pond as we uncover the fascinating aquatic critters that call it home.

From darting water bugs to playful tadpoles, you’ll get to explore the vibrant ecosystem right under the surface. Perfect for families, nature lovers, and the young at heart, this event is an exciting way to connect with the natural world. Every splash and discovery is sure to spark curiosity and wonder.

Don’t miss out on this chance to learn, explore, and share in the fun. Mark your calendar, grab your curiosity, and come be a part of this delightful outdoor adventure absolutely Free!

Join us for our bi-monthly Garden discussion group. 

Bring your questions, seeds, & plants to share!

Deer Pond Farm Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist, Lori Lichtenauer (CT Licensed  

Forester) will present on the practices of silviculture. Learn about managing woodlands for diverse needs of people and wildlife. She will explain a brief history of forestry in New England and share details of how foresters create land management plans for wildlife, biodiversity and recreation. 

Free; Suggested Donation $10 

A zoom link will be sent once registered.

Our community garden is bursting with delicious vegetables -- let's use them! Join us for Garden Club on alternate Wednesdays June through August for Garden to Table, where we'll take vegetables from the community garden and use them to create delicious bites. On June 25th we'll be making Rainbow Wraps using lettuce, kale, and even radishes from the garden. 

Learn the history of honey harvest, the history of purposeful beekeeping, hives of past and present, the composition of honey and why honey crystallized. What makes honey so dark or so light? How many varietals of honey are there? Why does honey crystallize? Why doesn't honey need to be pasteurized? Learn the answers to these questions and much more during this engaging talk and taste five varietals of honey from The Humble Bee Honey Company!

Moth Lighting Night at The Silo! 

Discover the life that emerges after dark with the Housatonic Valley Association during a moth lighting event at The Silo at Hunt Hill Farm in New Milford, CT! From 7 to 9 pm, we'll slowly unlock the incredible diversity of insects that emerge when the sun sets on this beautiful Connecticut property and learn about their habits, life cycles, and what we can do to keep their populations healthy. Connect with the natural world you might not normally get to see through the beautiful, grotesque, and fascinating tiny creatures that come to visit! Participants of all ages are welcome!

What is a moth lighting?

During a nighttime moth lighting, a light is shone on a blank surface to attract moths and other insects! Once they land, the moths can be identified, observed, and appreciated. Over 2,000 species of moths have been spotted in Connecticut! 

Housatonic Valley Association

The only conservation organization dedicated to the entire tri-state Housatonic Watershed, the Housatonic Valley Association acts to protect the natural character and environmental health of the region, from the Berkshires to Long Island Sound, through restoration projects, land protection, and educational programs. 

Come explore the fascinating and often troubled joint history of snakes and humans with Environmental Educator, Colleen Harrak. We will explore mythology and traditional views on snakes throughout the world and time. In addition, you’ll get up close and personal with some of our live snake ambassadors to learn which species of snakes are native to CT. Ages 10 and up! 2:00 p.m., Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room. Members: $5.00, Non-Members: $10.00 Please pre-register: www.whitememorialcc.org

New Milford Youth Agency presents Nature Unplugged. Promoting friendship, team building, kindness and self esteem. Activities include: kickoff at club getaway, various hiking trips, state park explorations, beach time, ice cream, etc

Kids entering 6th - 8th grades

$15 / week

White Memorial is coming back to our library! We will explore the music of nature by meeting several live animals! Learn about all the different sounds the animals make in our backyards! For all ages! No need to register. This event will be out on our front lawn unless there is inclement weather

Learn about and see forest management practices at Deer Pond Farm with Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist and CT certified forester Lori Lichtenauer. The history of Connecticut’s forests will be discussed and how past land management has impacted the forests of today. We will hike about 4 miles to some of our management areas where we will discuss how sustainable forestry practices can increase wildlife biodiversity and overall health of forested landscapes. 

Register at https://www.ctaudubon.org/2025/05/registration-deer-pond-farm-bird-nature-walk/ 

This program meets at 57 Wakeman Hill Rd., Sherman, CT 06784 

$5 members, $10 non-members   

New Milford Youth Agency presents Nature Unplugged. Promoting friendship, team building, kindness and self esteem. Activities include: kickoff at club getaway, various hiking trips, state park explorations, beach time, ice cream, etc

Kids entering 6th - 8th grades

$15 / week

Discover the magic of backyard mushroom growing! Join our master gardener, Mark, in this eye-opening workshop where you'll learn the ins and outs of cultivating three easy-to-grow mushroom varieties: Shiitakes, Oysters, and Wine Caps. Not only will you learn about the life cycle and needs of these fungi, but you'll also discover the benefits of using straw or wood chips as a growing media and how to utilize every part of a tree for mushroom cultivation.

Our Volunteer Guides will lead this easy to moderate 2-to-3-mile hike at Deer Pond Farm. Enjoy birdsong, summer blooms, and good company on this casual hike.  

Register at https://www.ctaudubon.org/2025/05/registration-deer-pond-farm-2nd-saturday-hike/ 

This program meets at 57 Wakeman Hill Rd., Sherman, CT 06784 

FREE 

There is always room for one of these beautiful gardens--perfect for a table in your home or as a gift. Come and create one of these tabletop gardens for yourself. Bring a dish of your choosing about 8 inches in diameter and at least 2 to 4 inches deep. The Garden Club of New Milford will supply the rest.

Enjoy a shady stroll along the trails of Deer Pond Farm and discover the various ferns common to the Northeast. CT Audubon Society Volunteer Naturalist Diane Nizlek will lead this walk and share the basics of fern identification and reproduction. Join us as we learn a few fun facts about some of the oldest plants on Earth and how they support local wildlife. 

Register at https://www.ctaudubon.org/2025/05/registration-deer-pond-farm-fern-id-walk/ 

This program meets at 57 Wakeman Hill Rd., Sherman, CT 06784 

$5 members, $10 non-members   

New Milford Youth Agency presents Nature Unplugged. Promoting friendship, team building, kindness and self esteem. Activities include: kickoff at club getaway, various hiking trips, state park explorations, beach time, ice cream, etc

Kids entering 6th - 8th grades

$15 / week

New Milford Youth Agency presents Nature Unplugged. Promoting friendship, team building, kindness and self esteem. Activities include: kickoff at club getaway, various hiking trips, state park explorations, beach time, ice cream, etc

Kids entering 6th - 8th grades

$15 / week

Have you ever wondered how birds survive the “dog days” of summer? Join us at Deer Pond Farm for our Summer Bird Behaviors program. Starting in the classroom, avian expert Lori Lichtenauer will discuss how parent birds care for fledglings, bird molting patterns, when and how birds prepare for their long-distance migratory journeys! We will hit the trails for the last hour of the program. 

Register at https://www.ctaudubon.org/2025/05/registration-deer-pond-farm-sumer-bird-behaviors/ 

This program meets at 57 Wakeman Hill Rd., Sherman, CT 06784 

$5 members, $10 non-members 

This astronomy program is organized by members of the Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club and the Mattatuck Astronomical Society. Weather permitting, there will be star gazing after the program. 8:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You are invited to bring your own telescope or binoculars. FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

To say Gerri Griswold obsessed with Iceland is an understatement .(57 trips…with 58 and 59 on the horizon!) Join Griswold as she shares stories and beautiful photos illustrating her deep love for this spectacular country and its people. This dynamic presentation leads you through glacial landscapes and molten lava fields, meet-ups with farmers and their four-footed friends, exposes you to stunning seascapes, and so much more. Griswold first stepped foot in Iceland in 2002. It’s been a love affair with the land and its people ever since! 2:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room and Microsoft Teams. Members: FREE, Non-Members: $5.00. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org A link to the presentation will be sent to you upon receipt of your registration.

Guided art adventures and self-expression—indoors and outdoors

Ages: 9–11

Dates: Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25

Time: 8:30am–3pm

Teaching Artist: Meredith Arcari Luciano

Partnership: Arcari Floral

Fee: $350

Your child will discover endless inspiration in this hands-on, exploratory program that bridges art and nature. Gathering inspiration from the world around them, they will use tactile materials and natural elements to create artwork. Each open-ended project sparks creativity and self-expression while fostering a deep connection to nature.

Over five enriching days, young creators will:

• Create eco-friendly sculptures from natural and upcycled materials.
• Transform found objects into 3D artworks.
• Learn the art of botanical printing.
• Make their own earth-based pigments and paints.
• Sketch and journal in nature.
• Design wind chimes for the garden. 
• Build textured pathways using natural elements. 
• Share their artistic discoveries with newfound friends.

In Dabble, every nature walk becomes an artistic adventure, and every artwork tells a story of discovery.

This is a small group program. Space is limited.

Registration is now open for Dabble!

AMP’s summer programs are made possible in part by Thomaston Savings Bank.

Scholarships may be available. Learn more.

Explore more Summer @AMP programs.

Guided art adventures and self-expression—indoors and outdoors

Ages: 9–11

Dates: Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25

Time: 8:30am–3pm

Teaching Artist: Meredith Arcari Luciano

Partnership: Arcari Floral

Fee: $350

Your child will discover endless inspiration in this hands-on, exploratory program that bridges art and nature. Gathering inspiration from the world around them, they will use tactile materials and natural elements to create artwork. Each open-ended project sparks creativity and self-expression while fostering a deep connection to nature.

Over five enriching days, young creators will:

• Create eco-friendly sculptures from natural and upcycled materials.
• Transform found objects into 3D artworks.
• Learn the art of botanical printing.
• Make their own earth-based pigments and paints.
• Sketch and journal in nature.
• Design wind chimes for the garden. 
• Build textured pathways using natural elements. 
• Share their artistic discoveries with newfound friends.

In Dabble, every nature walk becomes an artistic adventure, and every artwork tells a story of discovery.

This is a small group program. Space is limited.

Registration is now open for Dabble!

AMP’s summer programs are made possible in part by Thomaston Savings Bank.

Scholarships may be available. Learn more.

Explore more Summer @AMP programs.

New Milford Youth Agency presents Nature Unplugged. Promoting friendship, team building, kindness and self esteem. Activities include: kickoff at club getaway, various hiking trips, state park explorations, beach time, ice cream, etc

Kids entering 6th - 8th grades

$15 / week

Guided art adventures and self-expression—indoors and outdoors

Ages: 9–11

Dates: Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25

Time: 8:30am–3pm

Teaching Artist: Meredith Arcari Luciano

Partnership: Arcari Floral

Fee: $350

Your child will discover endless inspiration in this hands-on, exploratory program that bridges art and nature. Gathering inspiration from the world around them, they will use tactile materials and natural elements to create artwork. Each open-ended project sparks creativity and self-expression while fostering a deep connection to nature.

Over five enriching days, young creators will:

• Create eco-friendly sculptures from natural and upcycled materials.
• Transform found objects into 3D artworks.
• Learn the art of botanical printing.
• Make their own earth-based pigments and paints.
• Sketch and journal in nature.
• Design wind chimes for the garden. 
• Build textured pathways using natural elements. 
• Share their artistic discoveries with newfound friends.

In Dabble, every nature walk becomes an artistic adventure, and every artwork tells a story of discovery.

This is a small group program. Space is limited.

Registration is now open for Dabble!

AMP’s summer programs are made possible in part by Thomaston Savings Bank.

Scholarships may be available. Learn more.

Explore more Summer @AMP programs.

New Milford Youth Agency presents Nature Unplugged. Promoting friendship, team building, kindness and self esteem. Activities include: kickoff at club getaway, various hiking trips, state park explorations, beach time, ice cream, etc

Kids entering 6th - 8th grades

$15 / week