Saturday, May 4, 2019
Gerri does not consider herself a photographer. More often than not this world traveler will forsake her beautiful Canon SLR for an iPhone. The Canon just weighs too much! Now seriously, folks…no smart phone image can compare to images shot with an SLR….maybe. Glorious images from Iceland, Easter Island, the Netherlands, her own backyard in Winchester, her DOG, and White Memorial will be featured in this presentation. Griswold hopes you will leave the program looking at the world a little differently and feeling more confident about your ability to compose and execute lovely pictures with your smart phone. 2:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room, Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online. Members: FREE, Non-members: $5.00
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Spend a few hours with Gerri meandering the fields, forests, and hilltops of White Memorial and Topsmead State Forest in search of Bobolinks. This lovely grassland bird has made its presence known atop Apple Hill for several years, but they have been a staple at Topsmead for as long as we can remember! Be on the lookout for an American Kestrel in Topsmead’s highly successful kestrel breeding box. We’ll pass tadpole-laden ponds, lovely gardens, and sweeping meadows. Bring a snack and some water. Let’s share the eye candy these magnificent properties have to offer! 8:00 a.m., Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room. We’ll caravan to Apple Hill first then to Topsmead. For directions to Topsmead and other information click here: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325076#directions
FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.
May 11 – 17, 2019
Courtesy of Arthur and Tara Diedrick. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, May 11, 2019
We all know that locally grown organic food is what is best for us. No unwanted chemicals, more healthy nutrients, less wasteful byproducts of large scale farming and long distance transportation. Having your own garden is even better of course.
What about wild plants? They’re right there, some in great abundance. Some non-native species are in too much abundance, out competing their native neighbors. Many of these we can eat and it is becoming quite well documented that they are better for us, containing higher and more complete amounts of the nutrients we need to be healthy within the same volume of food.
The Forest Wolf, Andy Dobos, will help you learn some common, easily identifiable edible wild plants and how to responsibly harvest and prepare them. We will walk through field, forest and wetland edge, all almost within sight of each other.
We have special permission to pick plants on WMCC property, something that is not normally allowed, which gives us an incredible opportunity to do this in a most beautiful setting. All the plants we cover will be species one could find in their back yard or old farmland or wood lot, so no excuses for not making future use of what you will learn.
Bring notebook, camera, and protection from the elements. 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m, Meet in front of the Museum. Maximum of 20 people. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online. Members: $15.00 Non-members: $30.00
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Join birder Kristi Dranginis on the second Tuesday of each month for a golden opportunity to explore the rich and varied habitats of White Memorial while learning how to identify birds on an educational walk. Kristi is the founder of Bird Mentor: www.BirdMentor.com
In the words of Kristi, “If you are looking for a walk where the leader gives you all of the answers, this is probably not for you. If, on the other hand, you are ready to learn how to distinguish and deeply connect with what you are seeing and hearing, then please join us!”
The walks will average about 2 hours, but feel free to head out whenever you need to. Open to all experience levels. Dress for the weather! Will take place rain or shine! 8:00 – 10:00 a.m., Meet in front of the A. B. Ceder Room. FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Enjoy deep relaxation and renewal during this guided meditation and walk designed with this very beautiful season in mind. We will softly enter the woodland path with a quiet mind and open heart; this slow amble leads us to soft moss underfoot, murmuring pines above, and the sweet chick-chic-chic-a—dee calling out our presence. The forest is alive with an infinite variety of sensory attractions, all potential guides and healers for each of us. Renew yourself within this collective exploration where hearts think and minds feel. Your inner nature is designed to collaborate with the natural world of which each of us is part and parcel. It is here that nature elicits wisdom, healing, and surprise. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room. Please pre-register by calling 860-567-0857 or register online. Members: FREE, Non-Members: $5.00
Friday, May 24, 2019
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.
Saturday, May 25, 2019
What a tremendously special evening awaits you! The ensemble was formed in 2011 by a group of classical guitar enthusiasts and is now directed by award-winning classical guitarist Christopher Ladd, chair of the Hartt School Guitar and Harp Program. HCGE plays a variety of music ranging from J.S. Bach, Poulenc, and Tisserand to the works of contemporary composers Peter Maxwell Davies, Frank Wallace, and Grammy award winner Andrew York. 7:00 p.m. in the Carriage House. Please call 860-567-0857 to pre-register or register online. $10.00/person for both Members and Non-Members. The proceeds from the concert will be split between WMCC and HCGE.
Monday, May 27, 2019
MUSEUM CLOSED
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Geologist and meteorologist Tom Alena knows a thing or two about rocks! Join Tom on this beautiful hike through one of White Memorial’s richest geological arenas. Tom will explain the glacial event that occurred thousands of years ago in laymen’s terms revealing the stories of white quartz, garnets, mica schist, and that incredible boulder field that define this very special area. Wear sturdy boots. Rain or shine! 10:00 A.M., Meet at the trailhead at the intersection of RTs. 63 and 61 in Morris, just south of the Litchfield town line (2.5 miles south of the Litchfield Green), FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.