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Ansonia Nature & Recreation
Center
Calendar of Events
Spring 2012
To register for events call (203) 736-1053 |
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2012 Theme—Sustainable Communities
Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center Mission Statement
The mission of the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center is to foster an ethic of environmental stewardship that will connect our communities to the natural world of the Lower Naugatuck River Valley, and balance the demand for recreation with the need for conservation.
Garden Tip: Save your leaves to spread on top of your garden this fall (don't send them away). If possible, chop them up first with a shredder or a lawn mower; the earthworms will love you for it! When you rake the leaves away in the spring, your garden soil will be healthier and all ready for your plants to thrive! AWESOME!
Spring 2012 Calendar of Events
MARCH
SPRING BREAK VACATION NATURE DAYS Registration Begins Thurs. Mar. 1, 9 am for priority students (Ansonia residents and current family-level FANCI members), Mon. Mar. 12 for all others. For children from 4 through 10 years old who love the outdoors and wildlife, this popular class will take place on Apr. 10 through 13 beginning at 10 am. The program will feature local amphibians and is titled AWESOME AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES RULE. Tuition/registration: 4- and 5-year olds, $65 ($50 for priority studentsóAnsonia residents and current family-level FANCI members); 6- to 10-year-olds, $120 ($95 for priority students). Don't delay; these classes fill up quickly.
NATURE'S CHILD: Windy Weather Fri. Mar. 2, 10:30 am
Join Ranger Wendy for this windy program for adults and their 3- to 5-year-olds. These discovery classes are geared for the preschooler and an adult. TUITION: $6 per family ($4 for Ansonia residents or current family-level FANCI members.) Please register in advance.
MAPLE FESTIVAL with the Friends Sat. Mar. 3, all day long
Start the day with a delicious pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 am, followed by crafts, and tree-tapping to find out how to make your own maple syrup from your own trees, and much, much more! All sales will benefit the Nature Center's animal ambassadors. Check the news media or call us at 203-736-1053 for more information.
GO FLY A KITE Sun. Mar. 11, 2 pm
Rangers Wendy and Martin are teaming up again to instruct in this family-friendly workshop to help you design and construct your own kite. If we have dry and windy weather, you can launch your creation after the class. Materials fee, $5 per kite.
PARK TOTS: Shamrocks Fri. Mar. 16, 10:30 am
Ranger Stefanie will welcome parents and toddlers (or babies in backpacks) for this simple program to get kids and parents outside to sharpen observation and awareness. Please register in advance. TUITION: $4 for Ansonia residents and family-level FANCI members, $6 for others.
P.A.C.K. (Parents and Communities for Kids): Cool Clouds Sun. Mar. 18, 2 pm
Join Ranger Wendy for this fascinating program to classify clouds, and learn about weather predictions. We'll make a "weather window" to help identify the many types of clouds. Topic-related books will be given to the first fifteen families. FREE, but please register. P.A.C.K. programs are supported by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.
PARK AND GARDEN CLEANUP Sat. Mar. 24, 10 am
The Ansonia Community Organic Gardeners will be preparing their plots for the spring planting season and providing a general spring cleanup of the two acre Community Gardens. The park staff and volunteers will be sprucing up the rest of the park, including the various gardens adjacent to our buildings. We need your help too. Please call us if you can lend a hand.
SPRING EQUINOX DRUMMING CIRCLE Sat. Mar. 24, 6 pm
Letís wake up the earth gently as we make music together by the fire. Dress for outdoors. Adults and children over 12 are welcome. FREE: Admission is a canned good for Spooner House. Please call to register.
SPRING ORIENTEERING MEET with the Western CT Orienteering Club! Sun. Mar. 25, 10 am to 2 pm
Get involved with this group if you love competitive sports! Using a map and a compass, competitors will race to the finish through our woods, fields, and trails.
PROJECT LEARNING TREE TEACHER WORKSHOP Fri. Mar. 30, 9 am
Lori Brant and CT Forest and Park Association will be conducting this award-winning curriculum program. Call us at 203-736-1053 for more information and tuition.
QUARTER MOON HIKE Fri. Mar. 30, 6 pm
March is known for maple sugaring which should be winding down by now, as treesí blossoms fall and leaves are preparing to unfurl. Rangers Wendy and Martin will lead this hike by the light of a quarter moon. Please call to pre-register. FREE.
BACK TO BASICS: Making Cheese Sat. Mar. 31, 2 pm
Jeffre Rubelmann will be conducting this workshop for the Nature Center. A soft spread cheese will be made, sampled, and shared. Workshop tuition is $10. Please register by Mar. 27.
ASTRONOMY with Bob Carruthers Sat. Mar. 31, 7 pm
A planetarium educator, Bob will help us to grasp the size of our own solar system before we explore the Milky Way Galaxy tonight. Weather permitting, we'll observe the night sky with monoculars, binoculars and telescopes. You may bring your own if you wish. FREE, but please register in advance.
APRIL
P.A.C.K.: Composting and Gardening for Families Sun. Apr. 1, 2 pm
Ranger Wendy will provide participants with the secrets of great gardening. Learn how and what to compost, how to get started on a garden, and what to plant for garden success this summer. FREE, but please register. Garden books for the first fifteen families to inspire you all season!
NATUREíS CHILD: Slippery Characters Fri. Apr. 6, 10:30 am
You might get slimed by our salamander, but you'll find out about these cool critters and where they like to hang out at the Nature Center. Please register in advance. See Mar. 2 for tuition info.
SPRING BREAK VACATION NATURE DAYS Tues. through Fri., Apr. 10 through 13
See Mar. 1 listing for details and registration.
JUNIOR RANGERSóREGISTRATION BEGINS Thurs. Apr. 12, 9 am
For kids 11 to 14 years old. This after-school class is geared for outdoor-loving students seeking to learn about the wild animals and plants of Connecticut. Hard work and dedication are expected from our students as they work with our Nature Center staff during this 8-week course. Class size is limited. Please note: this class fills up quickly. FREE.
AMPHIBIANS WITH ATTITUDE Fri. Apr. 13, 6:30 pm
Calling all students and parents who would like to learn about these ancient and fascinating creatures secretly inhabiting our woods and wetlands. Join C.A.M.P. (Connecticut Amphibian Monitoring Project) coordinators Linda Thomas and Donna Lindgren for this FREE program. If you're a middle-school or high-school student looking for community service hours, become a C.A.M.P. volunteer! Learn all about it!
BACK TO BASICS: Eggs and Chicks Sat. Apr. 14, 2 pm
Explore the possibilities of raising your own chickens-even in urban settings. Ranger Dawn, owner and operator of Coon Hollow Farm, will provide tips and the all-important dos and don'ts for would-be backyard farmers. FREE.
SUMMER NATURE DAYS Registration Begins Mon. Apr. 16, 9 am for priority students (Ansonia residents and current family-level FANCI members), Mon. Apr. 23 for all others. For children from 4 through 10 years old who love the outdoors and wildlife, these popular classes will take place in July and August. This summer's theme is EARTH EDUCATION. Tuition/registration: 4- and 5-year olds, $65 ($50 for priority students-Ansonia residents and current family-level FANCI members); 6- to 10-year-olds, $120 ($95 for priority students). Don't delay; these classes fill up quickly.
BEARS IN OUR OWN BACKYARDS Wed. Apr. 18, 7 pm
Paul Rego is the CT Department of Energy and Environmentís fur-bearer and bear biologist. Paul will provide the latest information about our state's bear populations and nuisance bears. A question and answer session will follow his presentation. For an audience of adults and older children. FREE. Please register in advance.
PARK TOTS: Spring Singers Fri. Apr. 20, 10:30 am
Join Ranger Stef for this musical program. Let's learn what frogs sound like, then maybe hear them calling! For toddlers and their caregivers. See Mar. 16 for tuition information. Please register in advance.
EARLY BIRDING Sat. Apr. 21, 8 am
Join Maria Stockmal for this early bird walk on Nature Center trails as she leads us along fields, woodlands, and wetlands in search of interesting avian species. Maria is past president of the New Haven Bird Club. Call Maria (203-488-3876) or the Nature Center (203-736-1053) to register.
ENCOUNTERS OF THE WILD KIND Sat. Apr. 21, 2 pm
A review of the life of a wildlife rehabilitator in the spring of each year will be presented by Ranger Stefanie. Potential Connecticut wildlife rehabbers are most welcome. Baby season is just around the corner! FREE, but please pre-register.
2012 EARTH DAY CELEBRATION with our Friends Sat. Apr. 28, all day
Every day is Earth Day at the Nature Center! Join us as we invite everyone to share in honoring our home planet with our Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center co-hosting this annual event. Our theme this year is SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES-a perfect time to partake of our free natural history lectures, hikes, walks, music, crafts, games, exhibits and presenters who will all share ways for us to live more sustainable lives. Rain or shine! All welcome-young and old-bring your friends and family. The day's schedule will be available the week before.
MAY
NATURE'S CHILD: Blossoms Fri. May 4, 10:30 am
Spring is the best time to look for wildflowers in the park, so join us for this colorful program. Take a little hike, and make a craft to take home. TUITION: See Mar. 2 listing. Please register in advance.
TWILIGHT HIKE Fri. May 4, 6 pm
Vampires need not apply for this early evening hike featuring our woods and fields at twilight. Learn about crepuscular creatures and perhaps woodland wildflowers too! FREE, but please pre-register.
P.A.C.K. (Parents and Communities for Kids): Family Birding with Flo McBride Sun. May 6, 2 pm
Ranger Wendy will welcome this experienced birder who loves teaching kids about her favorite birds.
FREE, but please register in advance. Also FREE books to the first fifteen families.
BACK TO BASICS: Herb Gardening Sat. May 12, 2 pm
Join Ranger Dawn for this class for adults that will teach the basics for growing an herb garden. It will include culinary herbs and herbs grown for craft projects. Organic gardens will be emphasized, as well as the benefits of composting. FEE: $5. Please register in advance.
PARK TOTS: Animal Babies Fri. May 18, 10:30 am
Join Ranger Stef to learn about finding baby birds, and what to do if you do! Make a craft and listen to their songs too! See Mar. 16 for tuition information. Please register in advance.
***ONGOING PROGRAMS***
Sundays: Guided Hikes, 1 pm
Thursdays: Yoga for Your Health, 6:30 pm
Saturdays: Creature Features, 12 noon
***THINGS TO COME (June, July, Aug.)***
Summer Nature Days Classes
Night Hike
Kayaking the Naugy
Gone Fishin' and much more!
And don't miss the First Annual Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center Photo Contest! Start taking your photos now on the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center property to submit for judging in the fall. Contact Wendy or Marty at 203-736-1053 for more information.
