Nature's Nursery Series, Summer 2025
2025-07-03 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-08-14 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-04 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | White Memorial – A.B. Ceder Room
Thursday, July 3, August 14, September 4
Nature’s Nursery, Summer 2025
4:00pm
Ages 3-6 years
Join us on one Thursday per month from July-September for an engaging program designed just for your young nature lovers. Every session will last 45 minutes – 1 hour and include a story, an encounter with a live animal, and an activity or craft. Some of our activities might be outside, so dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes. Advanced registration is required. To register, visit whitememorialcc.org or call 860-567-0857. Space is limited. Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room. We require that one parent/caretaker stay for the duration of the program, but our room cannot accommodate more than one adult per child. Please inquire about financial aid as needed. Members: $9/child per session or $24/whole series, Non-Members: $13/child per session or $36/whole series
REGISTER HERE: https://form.jotform.com/242346434329154/prefill/66cca6983836358ebb3319ed97fb

Summer Saunter to Old Camp Townshend
2025-07-05 10:00 - 11:30
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Pack up some water and bug spray and put on your favorite clamdiggers! Gerri Griswold leads a pleasant saunter along the lovely trails of Camp Townshend along the shores of Bantam Lake. Townshend opened in 1940. By the end of the decade over 700 Girl Scouts visited the property. In its hay day, the camp could house 100 campers and 28 staff members for each two-week session! 10:00 a.m., Meet at the A.B. Ceder Room. The hike is limited to 20 guests. Please pre-register online: Camp Townshend Registration
FREE…donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Qigong and Yoga in the Garden
2025-07-09 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-07-16 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-07-23 09:00 - 10:00
Wednesday, May 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. In the Garden behind the Museum.
In the garden behind the White Memorial Museum, we will practice yoga and qigong as we listen to the birds, feel the morning breezes, and celebrate the warmth of the summer sun. This is an all levels, all ages program and requires no prior yoga or qigong experience! Recent studies have shown the benefits of yoga, which include stress reduction, improvement in strength, flexibility, and balance.
Please bring a mat and water (sunscreen/bug repellant if desired). Each class is $12 (with $1 of each going to White Memorial). Come to one, several, or all! For information and to check in event of rain, please call 860-309-9489 for more information.
Judith Ehrman-Shapiro, PhD, BC-DMT, NCC, RYT is a Board-Certified movement therapist, nationally certified counselor, and a certified qigong and yoga instructor. She operates the Evolving Center, a private practice, in Winsted. She has been sharing her love of movement practices at White Memorial since 2015.

Happy Hour Hiking Club with Gerri Griswold
2025-07-10 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-08-14 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-11 16:00 - 17:00
Make a monthly resolution to keep your body moving! Skip that Happy Hour cocktail and calorie-laden appetizer, and take a walk with Gerri! It may be rainy…snowy…or just plain hot or cold…but you can do it! Each one-hour walk will cover a different trail on the property. At the end of each hike, you’ll receive a recipe for a healthful, tasty meal to keep you on track. Dress for the weather. 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Meet in the Museum. Please pre-register here: Happy Hour Hiking Registration FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Reading and Book Signing “Wren the Weeping Willow Fairy” by Kate Kyres
2025-07-11 15:00 - 17:00
Book signing, reading, and reception in the Museum on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Hike to the Little Pond Boardwalk with Kate Kyres: Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Author Kate Kyres’ life has been shaped “by countless walks that I have taken on the boardwalk at Little Pond.” Kate has photographed her daughter at the majestic Crack Willow. This willow plays an important role in Kyres’ beautiful, whimsical book, “Wren the Weeping Willow Fairy.”
Come to the Nature Museum on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm for a reading, signing, and reception celebrating Kate’s beautiful book!
On Saturday morning, July 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Join Kate for an interpretive stroll along The Little Pond Boardwalk to Wren’s Willow. Meet at the main entrance to the Little Pond Boardwalk at 121 Whites Woods Road.
Please pre-register for the reception: Wren Reception Registration
FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Wren the Weeping Willow Fairy Hike to the Boardwalk with Kate Kyres
2025-07-12 10:00 - 11:30
Book signing, reading, and reception in the Museum on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Hike to the Little Pond Boardwalk with Kate Kyres: Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Author Kate Kyres’ life has been shaped “by countless walks that I have taken on the boardwalk at Little Pond.” Kate has photographed her daughter at the majestic Crack Willow. This willow plays an important role in Kyres’ beautiful, whimsical book, “Wren the Weeping Willow Fairy.”
Come to the Nature Museum on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm for a reading, signing, and reception celebrating Kate’s beautiful book!
On Saturday morning, July 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Join Kate for an interpretive stroll along The Little Pond Boardwalk to Wren’s Willow. Meet at the main entrance to the Little Pond Boardwalk at 121 Whites Woods Road.
Please pre-register for the hike: Wren the Weeping Willow Fairy Hike Registration
FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Full Sturgeon Moon Paddle with Kelly Orr- FULL
2025-08-09 19:00 - 22:00
Saturday, August 9, 2025
This Paddle is full! Thank you!
Join Kelly Orr for a moon rise paddle along the Bantam River to Litchfield Town Beach. As twilight settles in, look out for our resident beavers, Great Blue Herons, and other animal friends. You must bring your own boat, PFD, and a headlamp. 7:00 p.m., Meet at the Boat Launch on Whites Woods Road, Members: FREE, Non-Members: $10.00
The paddle begins promptly at 7:15 p.m.

An Evening with South Lake Jazz
2025-08-16 19:00 - 21:00
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Bring a picnic and BYOB. Settle down for a sultry summer evening of soothing jazz standards from the American Songbook and more. Gershwin, Porter, Monk, Gillespie…Nobody writes music like this anymore! 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Activity Shed. All tickets: $10.00. Please register here: South Lake Jazz Registration

Beaver Fever Talk and Walk with Gerri Griswold
2025-08-23 06:00 - 08:30
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Gather in the Museum at dawn’s early light for coffee and muffins in front of our spectacular Beaver Lodge and learn a bit about North America’s largest rodent. Although beavers are abundant today, their story was quite different in the 1800’s. Today you will learn fascinating beaver facts in the Museum and then head out on foot to a few of our resident beaver haunts with the hope of seeing these industrious creatures in action! 6:00 a.m., Meet in the Museum. Members: FREE Non-members: $10.00 pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Register online: Beaver Fever Registration

Loving Haight with Gerri Griswold
2025-08-30 10:00 - 12:00
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Pack a snack and some water! Explore this beautiful piece of property that is laced with babbling brooks, towering trees, a bevy of birds, and a view of the vineyard. 10:00 a.m., Meet in the Museum. Please pre-register:Loving Haight Registration
FREE…donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Labor Day
2025-09-01 07:00 - 17:00
Monday, September 1, 2025
Offices and Museum Closed

Llama Walk with Debbie Labbe, Country Quilt Llama Farm
2025-09-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-21 12:30 - 13:30, 2025-10-05 12:30 - 13:30
From November 2025 through March 2026!
Llama Walks are back!! Walk your own llama on the Cranberry Pond Trail, 87 Webster Road. Minimum 4 walkers. $55.00 per person ages 8 and up, $35.00 ages 4 – 7. Cash or Venmo on the day of the walk. Call Debbie to reserve your llama at 860-248-0355. A portion of the fee will be donated to White Memorial.

The Buzz About Pollinators with Hailey Horan, Flanders Nature Center
2025-09-06 10:00 - 23:30
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Pollinators are essential to our environment. The ecological service they provide is necessary for the reproduction of nearly 70 percent of the world’s flowering plants, including more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species. In many places, the essential service of pollination is at risk from habitat loss, pesticide use, and introduced diseases. Learn about the many obstacles our pollinators face with Hailey Horan from Flanders Nature Center. This fascinating program gives you the buzz about beekeepers, insect life cycles, plant pollination, and the global decline of bees. 10:00 a.m, A. B. Ceder Room, Members: $5.00 Non-Members: $10.00, Pre-registration is required. Please register here: The Buzz About Pollinators Registration

Chasing Rainbows with Colleen Harrak
2025-09-06 14:00 - 15:30
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Take a journey into the shimmering space where science meets enchantment—a program for those who know there’s more to rainbows than meets the eye. Uncover the secrets of light and color, learn to read the sky like a hidden map, and discover how to predict when and where these elusive wonders will appear. Along the way, we’ll explore the emotional frequencies hidden in each hue and discover why rainbows resonate with something profound in the human spirit. This isn’t just about optics—it’s about awe, curiosity, and the magical rhythm of the natural world. Join us while we dance across the Bifröst for a glimpse of the full majesty of Nature’s treasure at the end of the rainbow. Ages 10 & up., 2:00 p.m, A. B. Ceder Room.
FREE….Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.
Please pre-register here: Chasing Rainbows

Morning Ramble to Apple Hill and Cat Swamp
2025-09-13 08:00 - 10:00
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Start your day with a hike up to what Gerri refers to as White Memorial’s “Jewel in the Crown”; Apple Hill. Be on the lookout for Vultures and Eagles soaring overhead. Then take a trip down the Laurel Hill Trail to visit spectacular Cat Swamp. Wind your way through a carpet of Princess Pine to the swamp where sightings of Wood Ducks, otters, herons, beavers, and hawks are commonplace. Wear sturdy, waterproof shoes. A hiking pole might be useful. Some water and bug spray might come in handy too! 8:00 a.m., Meet at the Apple Hill parking area at 144 East Shore Road. Limited to 15 guests. Please pre-register online: Apple Hill and Cat Swamp Registration
FREE….donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

An Evening at Little Pond with Gerri Griswold
2025-09-20 17:30 - 19:30
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Join Gerri Griswold in search of Wood Ducks, migrating raptors, herons, muskrats, otters, beavers, frogs, and anything else Mother Nature is willing to dish out at dusk on this ethereal property! Dress for the weather! 5:30 p.m. Meet at the Boardwalk parking lot, 121 Whites Woods Road. Limited to 20! Please pre-register online: Evening at Little Pond Registration
FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Jaisalmer: India's Golden City with Arjun Singh and Gerri Griswold
2025-10-01 18:00 - 20:00
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Arjun is visiting so what better time to meet him, learn about his home, and maybe pick up a copy of his book, Desert Teacher!?! Join globe-trotting Gerri and her friend Arjun Singh for a travelogue about her journey to India during the famous Desert Festival. The annual event takes place each February in the beautiful desert city of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Jaisalmer is also known as “The Golden City”. It stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone and is home to the mighty Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The buildings are intricately carved and a marvel to behold! The celebrations of the festival make the desert come alive with color. Meet the beautiful people who call Jaisalmer home. Learn what Camel Beautification is all about and see Gerri’s friend Tom grab third prize in the Festival’s Turban Tying Contest! This cultural event has many highlights all colorfully captured, so you won’t have to endure the 23-hour flight to get there! 6:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room and Microsoft Teams, Free…donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.
Please pre-register: Jaisalmer Registration
A Teams link will be provided with your registration.

Nature's Nursery Series, Fall 2025 - SOLD OUT
2025-10-02 16:00 - 17:00 | White Memorial – A.B. Ceder Room
October 2, November 6, December 4
Ages 3-6 years
Nature’s Nursery Series
4:00pm
Join us on the first Thursday of each month from October – December for an engaging program designed just for your young nature lovers. Every session will last 45 minutes – 1 hour and include a story, an encounter with a live animal, and an activity or craft. Some of our activities might be outside, so dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes. Advanced registration is required. To register, visit whitememorialcc.org or call 860-567-0857. Space is limited. Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room. We require that one parent/caretaker stay for the duration of the program, but our room cannot accommodate more than one adult per child. Please inquire about financial aid as needed. Members: $9/child per session or $24/whole series, Non-Members: $13/child per session or $36/whole series
THIS PROGRAM IS SOLD OUT.

Taxidermy Demonstration - Ring-necked Pheasant with Gotham Taxidermy
2025-10-03 17:00 - 20:00
Friday, October 3, 2025

Curious about the art and science of taxidermy? Join us for a rare behind-the-scenes demonstration featuring the vivid and iconic ring-necked pheasant. Expert Divya Anantharaman will walk you through the process of preparing, posing, and preserving this striking bird. An inspiring evening for artists, naturalists, and the creatively curious.
🎤 Q&A to follow. Cameras welcome. Limited seating—reserve early!
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Lakeview High School, 98 Wamogo Road, Litchfield, CT
FEE: Students: $25.00 Adults: $35.00
Pre-registration is required.

Open to 12 and up. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
About Our Instructor – A unique combination of science and style, Divya Anantharaman is an award winning licensed professional preserving animals with honor and compassion for clients ranging from museums, designers, collectors, and everyday naturalists. Her specialties are birds, small mammals, and anatomic anomalies, with a select number of commissions open for pets. Her work seeks to combine the demonstrative aspect of scientific presentation with the symbolic, introspective nature of art, using taxidermy to engage diverse audiences with conservation. She has starred in the Emmy winning documentary “Rearranging Skin” and is an advocate for diversity in the field as a queer woman of color. She is passionately curious about the untapped potential of this scientific art. Her classes seek to demystify the taxidermy process, make the field more accessible, and to engage folks with wonder and connection to nature. She regularly volunteers with various ornithological organizations (such as the Audubon Society and NYC Plover Project). You can learn more at: https://www.gothamtaxidermy.com/

Anthropomorphized Mouse Taxidermy with Gotham Taxidermy
2025-10-04 10:00 - 16:00
Saturday, October 4, 2025

No refunds will be issued after September 2, 2025
Participants must be 14 or older. Participants aged 14-17 years old must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the class. Under 18 may share a specimen with their adult, or choose to complete their own. Program cost is per specimen, so please register accordingly.
Create your own storybook-style mouse! In this hands-on workshop led by renowned artist Divya Anantharaman of Gotham Taxidermy, you’ll learn how to craft an anthropomorphized mouse in a whimsical pose of your choosing. Whether you imagine a dapper mouse in a tiny hat or a scholarly creature holding a book, this class will guide you through professional techniques to sculpt and mount your taxidermy creation. All supplies provided—just bring your imagination.
🌟 No experience necessary. Ethical, sustainably sourced specimens.
🎓 Leave with your own finished mount and newfound skills.
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
A. B. Ceder Room, Members: $285.00 Non-Members: $350.
REGISTER HERE!
Limited to 10 participants!
About Our Instructor – A unique combination of science and style, Divya Anantharaman is an award winning licensed professional preserving animals with honor and compassion for clients ranging from museums, designers, collectors, and everyday naturalists. Her specialties are birds, small mammals, and anatomic anomalies, with a select number of commissions open for pets. Her work seeks to combine the demonstrative aspect of scientific presentation with the symbolic, introspective nature of art, using taxidermy to engage diverse audiences with conservation. She has starred in the Emmy winning documentary “Rearranging Skin” and is an advocate for diversity in the field as a queer woman of color. She is passionately curious about the untapped potential of this scientific art. Her classes seek to demystify the taxidermy process, make the field more accessible, and to engage folks with wonder and connection to nature. She regularly volunteers with various ornithological organizations (such as the Audubon Society and NYC Plover Project). You can learn more at: https://www.gothamtaxidermy.com/

European Starling Taxidermy with Gotham Taxidermy
2025-10-05 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday, October 5, 2025

No refunds will be issued after September 2, 2025
Participants must be 14 or older. Participants aged 14-17 years old must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the class. Under 18 may share a specimen with their adult, or choose to complete their own. Program cost is per specimen, so please register accordingly.
Capture the iridescent beauty of a European Starling in flight or repose. In this full-day workshop, students will mount a naturalistic bird using professional-grade taxidermy methods. Led by master taxidermist Divya Anantharaman, this workshop builds on foundational skills and introduces techniques for feathers, wings, and avian anatomy.
🕊️ Ethical sourcing and expert instruction guaranteed.
📸 You’ll walk away with a stunning finished bird mount and the confidence to explore further.
9:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room, Members: $395.00 Non-Members: $425.00.
REGISTRATION HERE!

Limited to 8 participants!
About Our Instructor – A unique combination of science and style, Divya Anantharaman is an award winning licensed professional preserving animals with honor and compassion for clients ranging from museums, designers, collectors, and everyday naturalists. Her specialties are birds, small mammals, and anatomic anomalies, with a select number of commissions open for pets. Her work seeks to combine the demonstrative aspect of scientific presentation with the symbolic, introspective nature of art, using taxidermy to engage diverse audiences with conservation. She has starred in the Emmy winning documentary “Rearranging Skin” and is an advocate for diversity in the field as a queer woman of color. She is passionately curious about the untapped potential of this scientific art. Her classes seek to demystify the taxidermy process, make the field more accessible, and to engage folks with wonder and connection to nature. She regularly volunteers with various ornithological organizations (such as the Audubon Society and NYC Plover Project). You can learn more at: https://www.gothamtaxidermy.com/

After-School Adventures, Grades 1-3 - October 2025
2025-10-07 16:00 - 17:15 | White Memorial – A.B. Ceder Room
Grades 1-3: Tuesdays in October
Grades 4-6: Wednesdays in October (except the 1st)
After-School Adventures
4:00-5:15pm
Bring your kids out to White Memorial for programs designed to awaken curiosity and foster an appreciation for the natural world. Every session brings a new adventure, whether it’s exploring a new part of White Memorial property, meeting a live animal, or taking part in an outdoor activity. Children should be dressed for the weather with appropriate footwear. Adults are welcome to stay, but it is not necessary. Transportation must be provided to and from White Memorial. Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room. Advanced registration and payment are required. Visit whitememorialcc.org or call 860-567-0857 to register. Space is limited. Please inquire about financial aid as needed. Members: $9/child per session or $32/whole series, Non-Members: $13/child per session or $48/whole series
REGISTER HERE: https://pci.jotform.com/242448833397165/prefill/66d52b32636165a8106322aeb285
