Center at Fairfield
Wacky Nest Quest Photo Contest
Have you ever seen a bird build a nest in the most bizarre spot that defies all reason? Do you ever wonder why that bird chose YOUR drain pipe to raise their young? Can you identify bits of your “trash” that are now key architectural elements in the nest in your yard?
If you have answered “YES!” to any of our questions, then YOU will want to enter our 1st annual Wacky Nest Quest Photo Contest! All you have to do is take a photo of your exquisite nest and submit it to the Connecticut Audubon Society by June 1, 2012. Please take care not to disturb any birds, their eggs, or nests in the process – we do not want to negatively impact birds during their sensitive breeding season. Winners will be selected in 2 main categories, children (up to age 12) and adults. Winning entries will receive special prizes at a reception this summer and be featured on our website. More details to follow.
Please email your entry to cnoyes@ctaudubon.org and type WNQ in the subject line or mail it to WNQ c/o Connecticut Audubon Society, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT 06824. All photos submitted must include your name, telephone number, address, the city and state location of the nest, and the date the photo was taken. Only 1 entry per person, please. $5 entry fee required; payable by cash, check or credit card. Please submit payment with mailed entries. CAS staff will call emailed entries to obtain payment.
The Summer Camp Brochure Is Here!
Registration is moving quickly for our amazing summer camps. But there are still spots open!
Kids in our summer camps develop a respect for the natural world, and they have the kind of fun that can come only from exploring the woods, visiting marshes and brooks, or meeting an owl up close and personal.
In addition to all of our awesome camp sessions for ages 3 to 6th grade, this year we are launching our new Junior Science Lab Camp for kids ages 10 to 14. Campers can join the ranks of forensic investigators in Bits and Bones, learn about physics in Machine Mania or explore bird science in our Wings of Wonder Session. Be sure to check out these exciting new sessions.
For our secure online registration page, click here. For the brochure and registration instructions click here. For the Authorization for Administration of Medication click here. For the Medical Form click here. For the Junior Volunteer Form click here. For questions regarding camp call 203-259-6305 ext. 109.
Spring Program Registration has Begun
For the Spring brochure click here.
Lyric Bird Seed Rebate
More Taste, Less Waste, Plus Rebates
Purchase Lyric Bird Seed in the Nature Store and receive a $2 rebate on the purchase of a 3.75 – 5 pound bag, or a $5 rebate on the purchase of a 18-40 pound bag.
Eligible products: Lyric Cardinal, Chickadee, Delite, Finch, Supreme, and Woodpecker mixes. Good on purchases from 3/15/2012- 5/31/2012.
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
Connecticut Open House Day
Saturday, June 9 from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
During this one-day event, the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield, along with over 200 other organizations and attractions throughout the state, will open its doors and offer special incentives (discounts, free admission, special offers, etc.) to visitors.
This exciting statewide event, sponsored by the Connecticut Commission on Cultural & Tourism, is designed to broaden awareness among residents of Connecticut’s exceptional cultural and tourism assets and encourage them to become ambassadors who share their newfound discoveries with visiting family and friends.
In addition to free admission, the Center at Fairfield will feature:
- Free children’s nature crafts
- Complimentary free coffee tasting of Birds & Beans coffee which is USDA-approved, 100 percent organic, and certified Bird Friendly by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC)
- In store specials
It’s the perfect time to stop by for a visit!
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>>
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.
For the revised CANE schedule click here.
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.
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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