White Memorial Conservation Center

Museum Children Free Week
2025-10-12 09:00 - 2025-10-18 17:00 (America/New_York)
October 12 – 18, 2025
In Memory of Tish Samponaro from Her Husband, Philip G. Samponaro. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.

An Autumn Hike through Slab Meadow with Gerri Griswold
2025-10-11 10:00 - 12:00
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Enjoy the peak of autumn as we wander the two loops of this lovely trail; one of the greatest secrets of the White Memorial Foundation! Slab Meadow is a wonderful mix of conifers and deciduous trees, wetlands and forest. The hike is capped off by a visit to the stunning overlook. Keep your eyes open for Great Blue Herons, signs of Black Bears, and more! 10:00 a. m. Meet in the Museum. We’ll caravan over to the trailhead in Morris. Please pre-register: Slab Meadow Hike Registration
FREE….Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Tiny Trekking: On the Water Edition!
2025-10-10 10:00 - 11:00
Friday, October 10, 2025
Join Kelly Orr to experience the Bantam River at a child’s pace! Bring your own boat and snacks! This will be a family friendly paddle, but all are welcome to join. We will hit the water hoping to see beavers, herons, turtles and more! Life jackets will be required, and must be worn for the duration of the paddle. Kayaks or canoes will work! 10:00 a.m., Meet at the Boat Launch off Whites Woods Rd. Rainy weather will cancel, cancellation will be confirmed by an email the day before.
The program is FREE! $5 donation per family suggested to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses: Please register here: Tiny Trekking on the Water Registration
Don’t have a boat? Call Litchfield Paddle at (860) 567-8820 to rent one!

Happy Hour Hiking Club with Gerri Griswold
2025-10-09 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.

After-School Adventures, Grades 4-6 - October 2025
2025-10-08 16:00 - 17:15 | White Memorial – A.B. Ceder Room
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/242345945614157/prefill/66cf50056533373db7474bb3d439

Full Harvest Moon Hike with Kelly Orr and Gerri Griswold- POSTPONED
2025-10-07 18:00 - 20:00
POSTPONED TO THURSDAY OCTOBER 9th
While September’s full Moon is usually known as the Harvest Moon, if October’s full Moon happens to occur closer to the equinox than September’s (like it is this year), it takes on the name “Harvest Moon.” Kelly Orr and Gerri Griswold lead you on a night hike along our beautiful trails and along the Bantam River. Listen for owls and be on the lookout for our resident beavers who always make a splash during these adventures. Please bring a headlamp or flashlight. Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room at 6:00 p.m., Please pre-register and donate online: Full Moon Hike Registration
FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

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

Fresh Start Hiking Club
2025-10-07 07:30 - 09:00, 2025-09-02 07:30 - 09:00
Tuesdays, January 6, February 3, March 3, 2026
Hop out of bed and head to White Memorial on the first Tuesday of each month for a one-hour hike! It’s the perfect way to engage with Nature, spend time with old friends and meet new friends! With over 40 miles of trails from which to choose, you never know where Gerri will take you! 7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room. FREE…but you must pre-register online: Fresh Start Hiking Club Registration Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Llama Walk with Debbie Labbe, Country Quilt Llama Farm
2025-10-05 12:30 - 13:30, 2025-09-21 12:30 - 13:30, 2025-09-06 10:00 - 11:00
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.

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/

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/

The Fungus Among Us with Dave Paton
2025-10-04 10:00 - 12:00
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Spend a couple of hours in the forest with Dave learning do’s and don’ts, basic identification, and stories behind all of the fungus among us! The program begins with a brief introduction in the Activity Shed to view some specimens. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Meet in the Activity Shed. Dress for the weather! Members: $15.00, Non-members: $30.00, Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online HERE.
Class is limited to 20 participants! Sign up early! Foraging is not allowed on Foundation property

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/

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.

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.

Museum Children Free Week
2025-09-28 09:00 - 2025-10-04 17:00
September 28 – October 4, 2025
Courtesy of Joan and Jack Benham. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.

The 43rd Annual Family Nature Day
2025-09-27 11:00 - 17:00
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Our annual celebration of Mother Nature is a must for folks of all ages. This edition is chock full of the greatest presenters! Riverside Reptiles’ introduces you to some of Nature’s most underappreciated and beneficial creatures. Learn all about North America’s only marsupial with the incomparable Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue and their Opossum Ambassadors! Meet a cavalcade of birds of prey with Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation and Education Center! Music will be provided by Wry Bred ! The day is filled with live animals, guided nature walks, information booths, wagon rides, goats, and White Memorial’s Animal Ambassadors!, and yummy food provided by MERAKI, La Guera, Peter Doda’s Ice Cream Truck, and Winter Wind Farm! Our PIE SALE is extremely popular but don’t wait…they sell out quickly! Shop until you drop at the artisan market! Soaps, pottery, books, textiles, home grown meats, honey, and flowers….and more! Lots of nature crafts for the kiddies too!
Who will be the winner of a trip for two to The Galapagos Islands (donated by Redfern Natural History) with Stewart McPherson and Gerri Griswold in April 2026 or use a $2000 gift card to AirBNB that can be used anywhere in the world! Third prize is a gorgeous vintage 14′ Huron Canoe! One lucky winner will take away a $500 gift card to L.L. Bean as fourth prize! These are the prizes up for grabs in our annual raffle!
Buy raffle tickets here: Buy Raffle Tickets!
So much to see and do! It’s the greatest annual celebration of Nature! 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Admission: $6.00, Center Members and children under 12 are FREE!
Printable Nature Day Poster! Click below!
Nature Day Poster 2025

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.

Museum Children Free Week
2025-09-14 09:00 - 2025-09-20 17:00
September 14 – 20, 2024
In Memory of Louise W. Willson. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.

Tiny Trekking with Kelly Orr
2025-09-13 11:00 - 12:00
September 13, 2025
Join Kelly Orr to experience the outside world at a child’s pace! You and your child will explore each new bud and flower, climb each rock and log, and probably get a little dirty in the process! This program is geared towards children ages newborn-5 years old and will encourage them to get hands on in the outdoors. Dress for the weather, we will go rain or shine! 11:00 a.m., Meet at the entrance to Catlin Woods: 85 Webster Road. The program is FREE! Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses: Tiny Trekking Registration and Donation

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.

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

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

Nature's Nursery Series, Summer 2025
2025-09-04 16:00 - 17:00 | 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

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

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.
