White Memorial Conservation Center

A Stroll through Schermerhorn Hill and the Cathedrals with Gerri Griswold
2022-09-17 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Let’s wander through the towering white pines of Big and Little Cathedral in search of bird and mammal life and traverse the pretty bridges and winding trails of Schermerhorn Hill! These lovely trails are some of the least wandered on our property. Come out and breathe in some fresh air! Dress for the weather! 10:00 a.m., Meet at the A. B. Ceder Room. FREE…donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Babies in Backpacks with Kelly Orr
2022-09-15 10:00 - 11:00 | White Memorial
10-11am
Ages Newborn to 2 years!
Come and explore the great outdoors in a way that your child can get excited about! The third Thursday of every month we will enjoy a hike with your child in a babywearing carrier or follow their pace if they are mobile. There will only be expectations of exploring the world around us, not of a mile mark or speed. Depending on the energy level of the group we will use our bodies to move in nature for 30 minutes, followed by an activity. We will read books about the outdoors, enjoy touch and feel stations, use sand and water bins and more! This will be a year-round program. The goal is to encourage family time outdoors in all seasons. We will still play outside in rain, snow, heat, and cold. Unsafe weather will push us indoors. Plan to get a little dirty, and come with weather appropriate clothing, sunscreen and bug spray as needed. Caretakers must stay for the duration of the program. Please park in the horse trailer parking and meet in the Pollinator Garden.
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Members: $9.00 per child / per session Non-Members: $13.00 per child / per session. Pre-registration is required by calling 860-567-0857 or register online here: www.whitememorialcc.org. Space is limited. Please inquire about financial aid as needed.
Register here: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/babies-in-backpacks/

Let Freedom Ring ~ Remembering the Victims of 9/11/2001 CANCELED
2022-09-11 14:00 - 15:30
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Full Moon Paddle with Kelly Orr and Gerri Griswold SOLD OUT
2022-09-10 18:00 - 21:00
Saturday, September 10, 2022
This program is sold out!

Nowhere is a Place ~ Travels in Chilean Patagonia with Gerri Griswold
2022-09-03 14:00 - 15:30
Saturday, September 3, 2022
Spend time with Gerri Griswold as she shares breathtaking images from this ethereal travel destination tucked along the tail of the Andes near the bottom of the world. Griswold has visited Torres del Paine National Park three times since 2007. Meet the people, animals, and numerous microclimates that define this mythical place. Gerri is offering a trip for two to Patagonia as first prize in our 40th Annual Nature Day Raffle! 2:00 p.m. A. B. Ceder Room, Members: FREE Non Members: $5.00, Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/nowhere-is-a-place/

Geology, Meteorology, and Astronomy of the Southern Andes – A Reflection on a Journey to Patagonia!
2022-08-27 15:00 - 16:30
Saturday, August 27, 2022
If Tom Alena doesn’t end up falling off the face of the earth, he’ll have an enormous amount of scientific observations to share from his recent trip to Patagonia! What caused these mountains to form? Tom will discuss the rock formations and specimens observed on the trip. Why do storms spin the opposite way down there? As they unleash their energy upon these magnificent mountains, the kinds of clouds that form in the lee of the peaks are among some of the most remarkable atmospheric creations? We’ll demonstrate how they are formed. And then there are the stars! To observe the rotation of a different set of star constellations around the earth’s southern axis will seem like we are on a different planet. You won’t even need your mobility pass, vaccination status, or passport to join us for the trip down South! 3:00 p.m., ZOOM , Members: FREE Non-Members: $10.00. Register by calling 860-567-0857 or register here: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/journey-to-patagonia/
A link to the presentation will be emailed to you with your receipt.

Volunteer Trail Maintenance Day
2022-08-27 09:00 - 12:00
Saturday, August 17, 2022
Meet Forest Manager, Mike Berry for a few hours of sprucing up the Butternut Brook, Lake, and Windmill Hill Trails. You will be manned with all the tools and guidance you need to make a difference! On the schedule for the day is invasive plant removal and water bar clean up. Your efforts will be rewarded with bottled water, a snack, a White Memorial trail map (one per family), and a White Memorial sticker (one per family). 16 years and older, please. Meet in front of the Green Barn.
9:00 am – 12:00 p.m., To register, please contact Mike Berry: mike@whitememorialcc.org

Biological Invasions at the Uttermost Ends of the Earth: The Case of North American Beavers in Southern Patagonia
2022-08-13 12:00 - 13:30
Saturday, August 13, 2022
In 1946, the Argentine government brought 20 beavers from Canada to Tierra del Fuego to ‘enrich’ the local fauna. The initiative was part of a broader way of thinking at the time that sought to ‘develop’ the country, which included importing species from North America and Europe that were perceived to have more value. This effort to create a fur industry failed, and since then the biological invasion caused by beavers in both Argentine and Chilean portions of southern Patagonia has created the largest alteration to sub-Antarctic forests since the retreat of the last ice age. Furthermore, the invasive beaver has evidenced the fact that biological invasions have both ecological and social causes and consequences. Therefore, they must be addressed as part of a ‘social-ecological system.’ Besides the beaver, southern Patagonia hosts an array of other invasive exotic species, making this an ideal natural laboratory to better understand the human dimensions of conservation, even in what are ostensibly considered pristine wilderness areas.
Dr. Christopher B. Anderson has worked and lived in southern Patagonia since 2000. He is currently a Research Scientist in the Argentine National Scientific and Technical Research Council and an Associate Professor at the National University of Tierra del Fuego, both in Ushuaia, Argentina. Previously, he worked for 12 years in the Chilean portion of Patagonia, where he was part of the creation of the UNESCO Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. He is a specialist on biological invasions, but his work focuses more broadly on applying inclusive strategies to research, education and conservation that allow the incorporation of multiple disciplines and stakeholders.
12:00 p.m., ZOOM, Members: FREE Non-Members: $10.00. Pre-registration is required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/biological-invasions/
A link to the program will be included in your receipt.

Celebration of the Bantam River
2022-08-06 06:30 - 10:00
Saturday, August 6, 2022
This beautiful program is back! Meet at the boat launch on Whites Woods Road for an early morning interpretive paddle down the Bantam River led by Kelly Orr! Be on the lookout for Herons, Beavers, Otters, turtles and so much more! End at Litchfield Town Beach where you will be treated to a delicious breakfast prepared for you by Gerri Griswold. Pray for perfect weather! Arrive at the boat launch by 6:30 am. The Paddle begins promptly at 7:00 a.m., Members: $15.00, Non members: $30.00…Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567=0857 or register here: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/celebration-of-the-bantam-river-2/

Wonder Camp, Ages 4 & 5 - SOLD OUT
2022-08-02 09:30 - 11:30, 2022-07-26 09:30 - 11:30, 2022-07-19 09:30 - 11:30, 2022-07-12 09:30 - 11:30 | White Memorial
Tuesdays, July 12, 19, 26, Aug. 2 and 9 – SOLD OUT!
Please email carrie@whitememorialcc.org if you would like your child to be put on a waiting list.)
Wonder Camp
This weekly two-hour series for 4 & 5 year-olds features stories, songs, crafts, games, and outdoor adventures that introduce young ones to the wonders of nature! Sign up by session or for all 5 sessions. Meet in Nature Museum Children’s Corner. 9:30 – 11:30am. This is designed to be a drop-off program. However, if parents/grandparents would like to stay, please just call to let us know. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Please visit whitememorialcc.org or call 860-567-0857. Space is limited! Members: $15/session, Non-members: $25/session. Financial aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Refunds will only be issued if a cancellation is made 2 weeks in advance of the program you booked.
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. PROGRAMS ARE SOLD OUT.

The Blue Yodels ~ LIVE in the Activity Shed!
2022-07-30 19:00 - 21:00
Saturday, July 30, 2022
They are a little torch and a little twang, a little country and a little rock, and a LOT of fun. The Blue Yodels satisfy all your musical cravings in the superb concert LIVE from our Activity Shed! Pack a picnic and BYOB! 7:00p.m.- 9:00 p.m., Activity Shed, All tickets: $10.00,
Pre-registration is required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online:
https://whitememorialcc.org/product/the-blue-yodels-live/ ‎

The Science of Scent with Erin Josefson
2022-07-30 14:00 - 15:30
Saturday, July 30, 2022
Learn why odor is so important in the animal kingdom, including humans, and how odor moves. We will look at several animals including bears, sharks, kiwis, snakes, and wolves. “Search and Rescue” K-9 Lucy will provide a demonstration of our furry best friends’ incredible abilities in the art of detection. 2:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room, WHITE MEMORIAL HAS A LEASHED DOG POLICY THROUGHOUT THE PROPERTY. “SEARCH AND RESCUE” K-9 LUCY HAS SPECIAL PERMISSION TO WORK OFF LEAD FOR THIS PRESENTATION. FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Discovery Camp, Entering Grades 1 & 2 SOLD OUT
2022-07-25 09:30 - 2022-07-29 15:30, 2022-07-18 09:30 - 2022-07-22 15:30, 2022-07-11 09:30 - 2022-07-15 15:30 | White Memorial
Discovery Camp
For children entering Grades 1 and 2
July 11-15, 18-22, and/or 25-29
(All weeks are SOLD OUT. Please email carrie@whitememorialcc.org if you would like your child to be put on a waiting list.)
Kids entering grades 1 & 2 can join us for one, two, or three weeks of outdoor discovery, games, books, songs, and crafts that help them learn more about the natural world around them. Sign up by week. 9:30am – 3:30pm each day (note time change from last year). Meet on the Ceder Room lawn in the Main Area. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Please visit whitememorialcc.org or call 860-567-0857 to register. Space is limited! Members: $130/week, Non-members: $190/week. Financial aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis – please inquire by calling.
Refunds will only be issued (minus a $20 service fee) if a cancellation is made 2 weeks in advance of the first day of the camp you’re booking.
Upon registration, you will be mailed a confirmation letter along with 4 important documents: a permission slip, a blank physical form, a medication authorization form, and a list of Policies and Procedures. Please review this mailing closely and return the necessary paperwork.
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. ALL CAMP WEEKS ARE SOLD OUT.

Watery Wonderlands: The Beauty of Bogs with Pete and Barb Rzasa
2022-06-25 09:00 - 13:00
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Bogs are some of the most important ecosystems in the world. They are home to an abundance of vital flora and fauna and are well worth our attention. Meet in the Ceder Room for a brief presentation about identifying plants in a bog. On hand will be expert Kyle Turozci from Earthtones native Plant Nursery in Woodbury, CT. Learn how to make a tiny bog right in your back yard! Then, travel to Mohawk State Forest in Goshen / Cornwall for a short hike to the Black Spruce Bog, one of the few bogs we have here in Connecticut. Kyle, Pete, and Barb will help you ID bog plants in the wild. 9:00 a.m. Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room. We’ll caravan to Mohawk State Forest. The program is free but you must register by calling 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org .Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Tickets: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/watery-wonderlands/

A Sunrise Hike to Apple Hill and Cat Swamp with Gerri Griswold
2022-06-11 04:30 - 06:30
Saturday, June 11, 2022
What better time to catch the awakening of Nature than at the crack-o-dawn? Join Gerri for a hike along her two favorite trails! We’ll ascend Apple Hill to greet the sun, then make our way to Cat Swamp to visit the Brave Old Oak, the carpet of princess pine, and a wood duck, kingfisher, and heron…maybe even a bobcat or beaver! Meet at the Apple Hill Trailhead off East Shore Road at 4:30 am. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy, waterproof boots. The program is free but you must pre-register by calling 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org
Tickets: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/a-sunrise-hike-2/

Dawn Chorus with Fran Zygmont and Gerri Griswold
2022-06-04 04:00 - 06:30
RESCHEDULED FROM MAY 7, 2022
Saturday, June 4, 2022
NEW START TIME….4:00 a.m.!
The dawn chorus occurs when birds sing at the start of a new day. In a given location, it is common for different species to do their dawn singing at different times. Of course…in order to experience this incredible performance you must be up before the birds! Join The Bird Whisperer, Fran Zygmont as he and early bird Gerri Griswold take you to some favorite birding haunts just before the crack o’ dawn. Breakfast at Patty’s afterwards! 4:00 a.m., Meet in front of the A. B. Ceder Room. Please pre-register for this program by calling 860-567-0857 or register online www.whitememorialcc.org. Members: FREE, Non-members: $10.00. The program is limited to 15 early birds!
Tickets: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/dawn-chorus-2/

The Volcanic Explosion at Tonga, January 15, 2022 with Tom Alena
2022-05-21 15:00 - 16:30
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Perhaps the Krakatoa of our lifetime, the Tonga submarine volcanic eruption exploded with the force of 18 megatons of TNT and created shockwaves through every layer of earth’s atmosphere. Never before have we had such an array of instruments, both satellite and ground sensors, to measure the impact of such a powerful natural phenomena.
Join us as we discuss the nature of this eruption, particularly the consequences of it occurring 600 feet under the surface of the ocean. We’ll compare it to other types of volcanic eruptions that happen above ground or under glaciers. We’ll look at the immediate impacts, such as tsunamis and atmospheric pressure waves that it triggered, and gaze into the future to understand any possible long-term affects. 3:00 p.m., ZOOM, Members: FREE, Non-Members: $10.00, Pre-registration is required by calling 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org A link to the program will be sent with your registration receipt.

Tickets: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/tonga/

Let’s Talk Trash with Litchfield’s S.M.A.R.T. Task Force
2022-05-14 14:00 - 15:00
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Is that milk jug recyclable? What about the container your take away came in? Litchfield’s S.M.A.R.T. (Save Money And Reduce Trash) Task Force will be answering all your questions on how to reduce waste, recycle right, and live in a more sustainable community. 2:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room, MASKS REQUIRED, FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.
About Our Presenters: Litchfield’s S.M.A.R.T. Task Force, previously known at the Recycling Committee, is a town advisory group that studies and promotes ways to recycle, reuse, and reduce Litchfield’s solid waste. With over $600,000 of the town’s budget going to waste disposal in 2022, the S.M.A.R.T. Task Force is on a mission to Save Money and Reduce Trash.

A Hike to the Solnit Parcel and Camp Columbia with Gerri Griswold
2022-05-14 10:00 - 12:00
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Take a walk through this historic property in search of the signs of spring. Pay a visit to “The Bear Cave” and explore the diverse rock formations left behind when a mile high glacier rolled through these parts about 17,000 years ago! Wear sturdy, waterproof boots. Bring a walking stick. Dress for the weather! We’ll be off-roading! 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.

Museum Children Free Week
2022-05-11 09:00 - 2022-05-17 17:00
May 11 – 17, 2022
Courtesy of Tara and Arthur Diedrick. Free admission to children under the age of 12 when accompanied by an adult.

Peonies Floral Design Workshop with Susan Spanger
2022-05-07 14:00 - 15:30
Saturday, May 7, 2022
Join Susan Spanger of Bloomful Floral Design for a special floral design class centered on the beauty of the Peony! Susan will give a detailed demonstration on how to design a natural and lush centerpiece with an assortment of local peonies, accent flowers and foliage. This class will build on your existing design skills and provide a solid grounding in technique, color compatibility and longevity. Take home your stunning arrangement as a present to yourself or impress someone with a meaningful gift. This hands-on class is suitable for both beginners and experienced floral designers.
2:00 p.m – 3:30 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room, Members: $65.00, Non-Members: $75.00. Pre-registration is required. Register online: www.whitememorialcc.org or call 860-567-0857. We must have 10 paid participants to run the workshop. Limited to 12! Please wear a mask.
Tickets: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/peonies/

Spring Wildflowers Walk with Peter and Barbara Rzasa
2022-05-07 10:00 - 12:00
Saturday, May 7, 2022
Spend some quality time with naturalists Pete and Barb Rzasa wandering White Memorial’s Five Ponds complex in search of native wildflowers.Connecticut is blessed with so many colorful species. Marsh marigold, trout lily, bluettes, toothwort, and trillium are just some of what we might find! Stories and flower folklore of our native spring wildflowers will be shared along the way. Limited to 15! 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Meet in front of the A. B. Ceder Room. Members: FREE Non-Members: $15.00, Pre-registration is required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org
Tickets: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/spring-wildflowers-2-2/

Nature Break-Out Night, Grades 4-6 REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
2022-04-29 18:30 - 22:00 | White Memorial – A.B. Ceder Room
Nature Break-Out Night!
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
Friday, April 29, 2022
For Grades 4-6
6:30-10:00 pm (check-in at 6:15 pm)
If you enjoy viewing the night sky, exploring the outdoors, learning about nature, and meeting new friends, then join us for Nature Break-Out Night at White Memorial. In just 3 1/2 hours, we’ll pack in a Campfire, a Night Hike, a Live Animal Show, and a Craft-Making Session!
After seeing a live animal presentation by Audubon Sharon, kids will be divided into groups of 15 and rotated through stations throughout the evening. No parents allowed! 😉 While subject to change, masks are currently optional for those vaccinated and strongly encouraged for those unvaccinated. Event will occur rain or shine.
Made possible by the Center’s Education and Activities Committee.

Cost: $35/child for members, $55/child for non-members
Fee covers all program materials and s’mores. Please inquire about financial aid if needed.
Registration begins on April 1 and must be received by April 22.
Limited to 45 children.
Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.
To register, please visit www.whitememorialcc.org or call 860-567-0857.
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/nature-break-out…ht-april-29-2022/ ‎

Give Local!
2022-04-26 00:00 - 19:00
April 26 and 27, 2022
Hosted by the Connecticut Community Foundation, Give Local Greater Waterbury & Litchfield Hills is a 36-hour online community giving event that encourages donors to lend their support to the nonprofit organizations that work every day to make our community stronger.
Every dollar donated to the Conservation Center from 7 a.m. on April 26 to 7 p.m. on April 27 will help defray the cost of the 40th Annual Family Nature Day on September 26, 2020 and cover the cost of virtual programming throughout the year!
Since the pandemic lock-down, the Conservation Center has worked tirelessly to offer speakers from all over the globe via ZOOM. Topics discussed are diverse; from spiders to Neolithic architecture in Scotland, reindeer in the Canadian Arctic, concerts from Iceland, chats about weather and geology from California, visits to bog people in Denmark, and virtual travels to table top mountains in Venezuela with a renowned British explorer! We have chatted about a variety of topics with people from Egypt, Canada, India, Malaysia, Chile, Iceland, France, England, Denmark, and Scotland! This programming comes with an annual price tag of $3000. The price tag for Family Nature Day is $10,000! Your donations will be stretched with bonus funds provided by the Connecticut Community Foundation and generous Give Local sponsors. We are also eligible to win amazing cash prizes during the event!
Watch our website www.whitememorialcc.org or read your Habitattler for more details on how you can donate or visit our personal Give Local page https://www.givelocalccf.org/organizations/white-memorial-conservation-center

Museum Children Free Week
2022-04-25 09:00 - 17:00
April 20 – 26, 2022
In Memory of Louise W. Willson. Free admission to children under the age of 12 when accompanied by an adult.
