Center at Fairfield
The Summer Camp Brochure Is Here!
Take a look at the Summer Camp brochure hot off the presses. Be sure to check out our new Junior Science Lab for ages 10 to 14. Registration begins February 13th. For the brochure and registration instructions click here. For the Authorization for Administration of Medication click here. For the Medical Form click here. The link for online registration will be posted here on February 13th. For questions regarding camp call 203-259-6305 ext. 109.
Adirondack Night
Thursday, February 16
6:30- 9:30p.m.
On Thursday, February 16 for one special evening the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield will be transformed into an Adirondack Lodge from 6:30 – 9:30p.m.. Adirondack Night will be a wonderfully casual and fun-filled evening certain to shake off the winter blues. Guests will enjoy an evening of live music, hors d’oeuvres, Connecticut Audubon Society’s famous chili, delectable desserts and cocktails. Staff naturalists will be on hand to give guests an up-close and personal view of several birds of prey.
Tickets for this exciting evening are $45 per person. For tickets to this event or further information call 203-259-6305 ext. 109.
February is Seed Sale is Month!
Save 20% off Lyric Birdseed throughout the month of February.
We’re celebrating National Bird Feeding Month by offering Lyric Bird Seed at 20% throughout the month of February. Stop in the Nature Store anytime between 10:00am-3:00pm Tuesday-Saturday to buy your seed.
Registration is Open for Winter Programs
For the February brochure click here.
Center at Fairfield
Built in 1971, the Center at Fairfield serves as the hub of environmental education programs and activities for schools, families and children, and adults throughout the year. Its many events include summer camp, after-school youth programs, programs for scout troops and other community organizations, and annual special events (Adirondack Night, Enchanted Forest, Egg Hunt and Breakfast).
The Center is adjacent to the 155-acre Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary and provides an indoor setting for the interpretation of its varied land, forest, and freshwater wetland ecosystems. The Center features a butterfly garden, the Farm Pond (great for spotting frogs, turtles, and ducks), a greenhouse featuring a ‘Sensory Garden’ and nature-related exhibits. The Center also features a “Live Birds of Prey” Compound which is open Tuesday thorugh Saturday from 10:00am – 3:00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet our owls, hawks, falcons and vulture up close!
Our Nature Store provides nature-related gifts, birding guides, a great selection of bird houses and feeders, and other bird-related supplies.
The Center welcomes many volunteers, as participants in our Citizen Science projects and Animal Care Program, and in our many events and activities. Read our News and Announcements.
Events at the Center at Fairfield
Binoculars Up!
Introduction to Backyard Birding with Dick Worth
Saturday, February 11, 10:00-11:00am
Look! Up in that tree! It’s a … umm … bird. Wish you could identify that bird in the tree? Have you ever heard an unusual bird call and wondered what species was singing? Or seen a bird on the wing and tried to identify it by its flight pattern? Or did you know that the tiny yellow gold finch is around all winter?
Join long time birder and naturalist Richard Worth who will teach you how to identity Connecticut’s winter birds by sight and sound. You’ll learn how to identify a bird by its markings, its bird calls and by its flight pattern. Backyard birding begins at the feeder, so you’ll also learn whose at the feeder at this time of year, their feeding habits, and their characteristics. Worth will discuss ways to attract birds to your feeder, what birdseed to use, and where to place feeders.
The program is on Saturday February 11th from 10:00-11:00am. Program is for adults and children ages 10 and up. Meet in the Connecticut Audubon Society’s Center at Fairfield’s Nature Store. Bring your binoculars, note pad and field guides. Identification books are also available in the Nature Store. This program is free but donations are appreciated. Register in advance buy calling 203-259-6305 ext. 109.
Adirondack Night
Thursday, February 16
6:30- 9:30p.m.
On Thursday, February 16 for one special evening the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield will be transformed into an Adirondack Lodge from 6:30 – 9:30p.m.. Adirondack Night will be a wonderfully casual and fun-filled evening certain to shake off the winter blues. Guests will enjoy an evening of live music, hors d’oeuvres, Connecticut Audubon Society’s famous chili, delectable desserts and cocktails. Staff naturalists will be on hand to give guests an up-close and personal view of several birds of prey.
Tickets for this exciting evening are $45 per person. For tickets to this event or further information call 203-259-6305 ext. 109.
Birdfeeder Bonanza
Thursdays: February 2, 9, 16 from 4-4:30 p.m.
Calling all feathered friends! This three part workshop is a birdfeeder bonanza! Each week you’ll make a different birdfeeder using recyclable materials that you can find around your house or in your yard. And you’ll learn what seed to put in each feeder and which birds will visit each.
Program fee is $4 per session or $10 for the series for Members and $6 per session or $12 for the series for nonmembers. To register call 259-6305 ext. 109.
Winter Break Nature Camp
For children in pre-K and grades K-3
February 21—24 from 9:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
Winter Break Lunch Bunch
For children in pre-K and grades K-3
February 21-24 from 12:30 p.m.—2 p.m.
We put on jackets, hats and mittens, but have you ever wondered how plants and animals survive all winter long? Explore the natural world of winter here at Connecticut Audubon Society’s Wildlife sanctuary. Find out who is sleeping and who is wide awake. This exciting and unique program includes live animals, craft-making and outdoor investigations. Winter attire required.
Single day fee: $36 CAS members; $48 Non-members. Four day series: $120 CAS members; $168 Non-members. Lunch Bunch: $10 per day.
Spring Break Nature Palooza
April 16 – 19
(Prek, 3-5) and (Grades K-2)
9:30am — 12:30 p.m.
Lunch Bunch 12:30pm—1:30pm
Spend a few days welcoming back the animals and plants that have been hiding under a winter blanket. We will investigate the sanctuary to find evidence of spring’s arrival. Single day fee: $36 CAS members; $48 Non-members. Four day series: $120 CAS members; $168 Non-members. Lunch bunch is $10 per day.
Visit with an Animal
The Last Saturday of the Month
1-1:30 p.m.
Drop by anytime between 1:00- 1:30 p.m. and get up close to one of the Connecticut Audubon Society’s beloved creatures! During the last Saturday of every month, a Junior Animal Care volunteer will share some facts and stories about the featured creature of the day. Make sure to pet him before he heads back to the Animal Care room. Visit a different animal every month!
News and Announcements
Become a Nature Store Volunteer
Nestled in the beauty of our Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary is the Connecticut Audubon Society Nature Store. Nature lovers will find a selection of bird books, high quality Lyric bird seed, and a wide variety of feeders and bird houses to help create an ideal backyard habitat for any landscape.
Volunteers are needed to fill Saturday shifts in the Nature Store. It’s a great place to be if you enjoy meeting people and have an interest in retail sales. Volunteers provide general retail help, greet visitors, answer phones and assist customers. For a volunteer application call Debi Callan at 203-259-6305 ext. 110.
Visit our Fairy Garden!
I see one! A little visitor points to the fairy she found in the garden.
There’s a lot of activity in the green house… little voices chattering with delight as they search for fairies, and tiny pigs and ponies in the new Fairy Garden exhibit. This teeny tiny garden of whimsy is a miniature landscape. Small-scale plants, whimsical foliage that looks like mini forest trees and teensy accessories give the illusion of tiny creatures living in the garden.
This special garden was designed and created by Master Gardeners: Anne Mele, Mary Hogue and Kristine Scerbo with the assistance of green house volunteer Jessie Linderoth. “I was inspired by a visit to a hillside Fairy Garden in Maine this summer.” states Master Gardner Anne Mele, “I thought it would be a great addition to the Connecticut Audubon Society green house.”
Fairy gardens are often located in small secluded areas in the garden, giving visitors the impression that they just happen to fall upon this magical place. So come, stumble upon our Fairy Garden, you’re sure to find magic here!
The Fairy Garden is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am- 3:00pm.
Birds In Their Habitat Showcased Exceptional Avian Art
Carving & Techniques lecture with Master Carver Floyd Scholz
The second annual Birds In Their Habitat showcased exceptional avian art work reflective of the talent and quality of work 21 gifted artists. This exhibition was proof that wildlife artists are committed to close observation and rendering fine artworks so that others may recognize the beauty of our natural world.(…) >>read more>>
Become an Animal Care Volunteer!
Join our Animal Care Team: we’re always looking for enthusastic, eager, and helpful teens who love animals and our environment
Our Animal Care Program provides a unique opportunity for teenagers, ages 13-18 years old, to experience animal husbandry first hand. Animal Care volunteers assist with daily feeding, habitat cleaning, and general animal care housekeeping, as well as handling animals under direct supervision.
Our live animal collection includes permanently injured or otherwise human-dependent reptiles, birds and mammals which are all an integral part of our educational programming.
The time commitment is one day per week during the school year from 3:00-5:00pm or on Saturdays from 11:00-1:00pm. Animal Care hours in the summer are from 2:00-4:00pm during the week. Please email Linnea McHenry at LScerbo@ctaudubon.org for an application if you are interested.
Fish Mystery Solved by Campers!
Campers collect water samples at Farm Pond.
Campers at our Summer Nature Camp noticed that there had been a large number of dead fish in our beloved Farm Pond in the Larsen Sanctuary. As good scientists, they wanted to solve the fish mortality mystery. Under the direction of camp staff, they water tested the pond on July 21st, 2011(…) >>read more>>
Judy Richardson Receives Certificate of Appreciation From US Department of Agriculture
Judy Richardson, master bird bander and Chairman of the Connecticut Audubon Society Fairfield Regional Board received an International Cooperation Award from the US Department of Agriculture for her significant contribution to the establishment of a Network of Bird Monitoring in Costa Rica. (…) <<read more>>
Birthday Parties!
Celebrate your child’s birthday with Connecticut Audubon Society! We provide a fun-filled 45-minute nature-based program of your choice for your child and 15 guests. Program offerings include; Totally Turtles, Slither & Slime, Feeding Frenzy, Signs of the Season and more! Parties are available on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. -Noon or 1:00-2:30 p.m. Weekday parties available on a limited basis by request. Click here to view the brochure. For more information call 203-259-6305 ext. 109.
Education Programs
Environmental Education Programs for Pre-K through Grade 12.
Connecticut Audubon Society offers 14 different educational programs which comply with the Connecticut Science Framework standards. All programs are coordinated with local curriculum objectives and are available for school visits at the Center at Fairfield. Nearly all of our programs can be brought to your school. All programs include an outdoor component which can be adapted to your schoolyard.
Complete details are available in our School Program Guide.
For questions or to register for a visit please contact our scheduler at 203-259-6305 ext. 109.
CANE Program for Grades K-2.
The Connecticut Audubon Nature Explorers (CANE) Program is offered to students at the Fairfield Public Schools and St. Thomas Parochial School. We train Parent-Volunteers to present three science enrichment programs to their child’s class. Two units are presented in the classroom, leading up to one end-of-year field study activity. We provide some of the materials that will be needed in the classroom.
The Kindergarten fall and winter programs are puppet shows; the spring program is held on school grounds.
The Grade 1 fall program is a puppet show; the winter program is a hands-on activity about bird beak adaptations; the spring program is a trip to the Birdcraft Museum.
The Grade 2 programs include setting up a salt water tank in the classroom; a ‘Mystery in the Marsh’ activity to test students’ detective skills; and a trip to Southport Beach to investigate the variety of wildlife habitats found there.
For more information, contact the CANE Coordinator at each school; or call Colleen Noyes 203-259-6305, ext., 112.
Click here for all the training dates .
Click here for training and presentation dates for Kindergarten.
Click here for training and presentation dates for Grade 1.
Click here for training and presentation dates for Grade 2.
Calling All Scouts!
Our scouting programs are designed to help scouts earn their badges. All programs cover the material necessary to meet the requirements for specific badges. All programs are one hour long and include an outdoor activity. Badges are not included. Click here to download the Scout brochure. For more information call Colleen Noyes at 203-259-6305 ext. 112.
Get Involved in Wildlife Monitoring Projects
Want to learn more about the wildlife visiting and living in our Sanctuaries? Connecticut Audubon Society’s Science and Conservation monitoring network is planning trainings for those interested in helping us with several bird and wildlife monitoring projects.
Call 203-259-6305 ext. 114 for more information about our projets, training dates, and to join our corps of volunteer citizen scientists, please contact conservation biologist Twan Leenders at tleenders@ctaudubon.org.
From I-95: Take Exit 21 Mill Plain Road. Go north on Mill Plain Road for 4.5 miles (Mill Plain Road becomes Burr Street). The Center is on the left.
From the Merritt Parkway: Take Exit 44 Route 58. Northbound: Turn right onto Congress Street at the end of the ramp. Proceed to the first stop sign. Turn right onto Burr Street. The Center is approximately 1 mile along on the left. Southbound: Turn left at the light at the bottom of the ramp, and turn left at the next light onto Route 58. Go under the bridge, and turn right at the light onto Congress Street. Proceed to the first stop sign. Turn right onto Burr Street. The Center is approximately 1 mile along on the left.
From I-84: Take Routes 8 or 25 or I-91 to the Merritt Parkway, and follow the directions, above.
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