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

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. 

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.

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!

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

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 

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 

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

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 flowers, birds, and butterflies of Deer Pond Farm with Sanctuary Manager / Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer. Starting in our pollinator garden, we will discuss the phenology (seasonal cycles) of native flowering plants and how this impacts the insect and bird communities. Then we will explore the life in and around our nature preserve! 

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

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

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