Center at Glastonbury
Summer Programs – Sign up Now!
For children ages 3-10. Weekly programs from July 3 – August 17. 9:30-11:30 am. $20 per class for members or $75 for 4 classes. $25 per class for non-members.
Weekly topics include Gardening with Children; Snakes, Turtles, Lizards and Frogs; Bugs, Slugs, Worms and Spiders; Splash in the Water. Children should dress for outdoor activities. Please click here for the complete program brochure. Click here for a printable registration form.
Early Morning Bird Walks
Thursday, May 17, 7-9 a.m. enjoy a leisurely bird walk in Earle Park behind CT Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury. Join experienced as well as beginning birders and be guided by expert birder, Larry Lunden. Bring binoculars, a bird identification guide, and dress for the woods. Rain cancels since birds don’t wear raincoats! Please call us at 860-633-8402 or email cbartholomew@ctaudubon.org to let us know you are coming.
Art for Nature’s Sake
May 19 & 20, 10-4. Our 10th annual Art and Crafts Show and Sale! Free admission.
Do your gift shopping for the rest of the year! Purchase special artwork for your office, waiting room, home or family. Please join us for this wonderful juried fine art and crafts event with all types of art displayed, artist demonstrations, live music, birdhouse sale and children’s crafts. Click here for more information about the artists who will be showing their work.
Guided Nature Walks in Earle Park
June 9 and the second Saturday of each month thereafter, 11 a.m – noon, conditions permitting. Moderate pace. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.
$5 (CAS members $3). Reservations appreciated: 860-633-8402. Call Tuesday through Saturday 10-5.
Click here for details.
General Information
Center at Glastonbury
Located near the Connecticut River, the Connecticut Audubon Center at Glastonbury has taken full advantage of its unique location since its opening in 1982. This Center’s focus is to promote awareness of the Connecticut River ecosystem and the birds and habitats it supports, and to foster their preservation through education and related activities.
The Center’s 4,000 square-foot facility offers a full range of environmental programs and a full calendar of events throughout the year for people of all ages. The Center contains a Discovery Room with hands-on exhibits, wildlife mounts, interpretive natural history exhibits, a diorama of Connecticut River’s Great Meadow, and small live animals. The grounds surrounding the Center contain the Four Seasons Wildlife Garden, a bird-feeding station, and a picnic area.
The Center is adjacent to the 48-acre town-owned Earle Park, with its forest trails and scenic vistas of Tom’s Pond, meadows, and bluffs overlooking the Holland Brook river. The park is home to a maturing forest of beech, tulip, and red oak trees and contains the state champion bitternut hickory tree. It contains trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding.
School Science Programs
School Environmental Education Programs for Pre-K through Grade 8.
For over 25 years, the Center at Glastonbury has provided curriculum-related nature programming to schools in Central Connecticut. We offer 26 different innovative and hands-on programs that conform to both the National Science Standards and the Connecticut Science Framework. Each hour-long program focuses on the natural world; most include an outdoor component so students can experience their environment and learn to develop their science skills and senses, under the guidance of our trained naturalist.
Programs are offered at our Center at Glastonbury (which adjoins Earle Park, a 48-acre town park with a variety of habitats), as well as in your classroom or at an appropriate site of your choice. Due to the interactive nature of our programs, the maximum class size is 25 students.
Our current program offerings include:
- Adaptations (Grades 5-8)
- Animals from the Center (Pre-K through Grade 3)
- Birds of a Feather (Grades 2-6, indoors only)
- Birds of Prey (Grades 2-8)
- Life Underground (Grades 2-5)
- Native Americans Along the Connecticut River (Grades 1-3, indoors only)
- Skulls and Skeletons (Grades 3-8)
- Strictly Seasonal (Grades Pre-K through 5)
We have many more classes listed in our Educator’s Guide and our teacher/naturalists can customize a program for your classroom. To register or for further information, call our Center at 860-633-8402 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday – Saturday; or click here for our Educator’s Guide with a complete list of programs, fees, and registration information. We want to work with you!
Events at the Center at Glastonbury
Early Morning Bird Walks
Thursday, May 17, 7-9 a.m. enjoy a leisurely bird walk in Earle Park behind CT Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury. Join experienced as well as beginning birders and be guided by expert birder, Larry Lunden. Bring binoculars, a bird identification guide, and dress for the woods. Rain cancels since birds don’t wear raincoats! Please call us at 860-633-8402 or email cbartholomew@ctaudubon.org to let us know you are coming.
Art for Nature’s Sake
Our 10th annual Art and Crafts Show and Sale! May 19 & 20, 10 – 4. Free admission.
Do your gift shopping for the rest of the year! Purchase special artwork for your office, waiting room, home or family. Please join us for this wonderful juried fine art and crafts event with all types of art displayed, artist demonstrations, live music, birdhouse sale and children’s crafts. Here are this year’s artists:
Jeanne Robacker Amato – Prints, Amy C. Barry – Fiber, Bob & Pat Benoit – Glass, Lesley Braren – Oil, Drawing, Watercolor, Lois Flint Eldridge – Clay, Dianne Gorrick – Oil, Watercolor, Catherine Green – Prints, Hartford Artisans Weaving Center – Fiber, Kathy Hoar – Clay, Ellen Hoverkamp – Photography, Carol Jeffries – Oil, Barbara Jenkins – Pastel, Mixed Media, Mary Lang Killilea – Pastel, Beverly Pitrone – Jewelry, Sylvina Rollins – Oil, Edith Royce Shade – Photography, Mixed Media, Lynita Shimizu – Woodcut Prints, Virginia Stevens – Jewelry, Jacqueline White – Oil, David E. Woodard – Drawing.
Connecticut Trails Day 2012
Saturday, June 4th, 10 – 11:30 am.
Bring yourself, a friend or your family on a hike through Earle Park where we’ll explore the sights and sounds of late spring along the 1.5 mile trail. Guided by Ellen Castaldini and Duffy Shade, we’ll travel along moderate terrain through the forest and fields. You’ll discover Holland Brook, Tom’s Pond and get a view of the Connecticut River. This educational walk will meet at the parking lot of the CT Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury, 1361 Main Street, Glastonbury. Afterwards, please enjoy a visit to our Discovery Room and the many animals in the center. No dogs, please. Heavy rain will cancel this event. Pre-registration is not necessary. Call 860-633-8402 with questions.
Guided Nature Walks in Earle Park
June 9 and the second Saturday of each month thereafter, 11 a.m – noon, conditions permitting.
$5 (CAS members $3).
Reservations appreciated: 860-633-8402 Tue-Sat 10-5.
Nature lover and bird watcher Rachel Caldwell invites adults and children to join her for guided nature walks in Earle Park. The pace is moderate, with some up and down hills. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Walks leave from the CT Audubon Center at 1361 Main St., Glastonbury, and continue year-round, conditions permitting.
As a courtesy to Rachel, and to insure that the walk will be held, please call ahead to put yourself on the list. A walk may be canceled if there is no one registered.
News and Announcements
Wees: Springtime Adventures
Wednesdays 10-11, ages 3-5 at the Connecticut Audubon Society at Glastonbury. Members $10 per class or $38 for 4 week session; Non-members $13 per class. Please click here for a printable registration form.
May 2 – Robins: Our state bird is in your backyard to watch.
May 16 – Bugs for Lunch: Have you had bugs for lunch? See who has!
May 23 – The Very Hungry Caterpillar: What happens when you’re hungry and eat too much?!
May 30 – The Very Lazy Ladybug: The adventures of a ladybug who goes looking for a new place to sleep.
June 6 – Turtle’s Day: A day in the life of a box turtle.
June 13 – Dragonflies: who are these beautiful jewels of the pond?
June 20 – Sun Song: A beautiful summer’s day captured in a book.
June 27 – Fireflies: The insects that light up our childhood.
Pee Wees: Springtime Exploring
Tuesday 10-11 am, ages 1-3, Connecticut Audubon Society at Glastonbury. Members $10 per session or $38 for a four week session; Non-members $13 per session. Please click here for a printable registration form.
May 1 – Robins: Our state bird is in your backyard for you to watch.
May 15 – Bugs for Lunch: Have you had bugs for lunch lately? See who has!
May 22 – The Very Hungry Caterpillar: What happens when you’re hungry and you eat too much?!
May 29 – The Very Lazy Ladybug: The adventures of a ladybug who goes looking for a new place to sleep.
June 5 - Turtle’s Day: A day in the life of a box turtle.
June 12 – Dragonflies: Who are these beautiful jewels of the pond?
June 19 – Sun Song: A beautiful summer’s day captured in a book.
June 26 – Fireflies: The insects that light up our childhood.
Summer Programs – Sign Up Now!
For children ages 3-10. Weekly programs from July 3 – August 17. 9:30-11:30 am. $20 per class for members or $75 for 4 classes. $25 per class for non-members.
Weekly topics include Gardening with Children (planting seeds, composting, garden insects) ; Snakes, Turtles, Lizards and Frogs; Bugs, Slugs, Worms and Spiders; Splash in the Water (ponds, streams, wetlands and the meadow drain). Children should dress for outdoor activities and apply sunscreen and bug repellent before class. For extra fun, continue the day with Nature at Noon from 12:00 to 1:00. Bring your lunch and enjoy a game, walk or story. $10 for Nature at Noon. Please click here for the complete program brochure. Click here for a printable registration form.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES at the Center at Glastonbury
Please CLICK HERE to download the Birthday Party Brochure to find everything you need to know for having birthday parties at the center. You may CLICK HERE to print a Birthday Party Application Form which can be brought to the center to schedule your party.
Bird Seed, Bird Ornaments & Nature Store
Feed the Birds! We have wide selection of bird seed available for order, and the most popular varieties are usually in stock for immediate pick-up. Visit our Center or call 860-633-8402 for an order form.
“Chirpin’ Good” Spring Special: Kaytee Seed Bells $3 each, $5 for two (plus tax). Or, while they last, get one free by joining CAS or renewing your membership!
Our Nature Store‘s selection of gifts for the birding and wildlife enthusiast changes frequently, so stop in regularly to see what’s new in the display case. Currently on sale are our exclusive annual pewter bird ornaments, originally $8.75, now only $3.95 while supplies last. These include the 2008 ornament featuring Trinity, our resident Red-tailed Hawk, 2007 Screech Owl, 2006 Wood Thrush, 2005 American Goldfinch, 2004 Cedar Waxwing, 2003 Carolina Wren, 2002 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 2001 Downy Woodpecker, 2000 Nuthatch, 1999 Titmouse, 1998 retired Connecticut Audubon Society Logo Owl, 1997 Wood Duck, 1996 Bluebird, 1995 Cardinal, 1994 Chickadee, 1993 Great Horned Owl and 1992 American Robin. Your purchases help support our Center’s year-round programs for children, families and adults and also help us feed and care for our resident education animals.
Bird Houses Made of Recycled Barn Wood
If you are looking for truly unique, colorful bird houses for your own yard, to give as a gift or to dress up your view at work, check out our newest nature store additions. We have a few on display and more than 30 styles to choose from.
Bird House Style #56
Bird House Style #06
Volunteers Needed at our Center
We will provide full instruction and information, you just need to bring a willingness to learn and a cheerful smile! If you are interested in any of the volunteer opportunities described below, call Center director Cindy Bartholomew (860-633-8402 ext. 205) or send Cindy an e-mail (cbartholomew@ctaudubon.org). Our Center is fully handicap-accessible. If you have allergies to fur or feathers this may not be the place for you! Click here to download a printable application form (please print the two pages back to back).
A Fix-It or Handy Person for our Center: If you enjoy small fix-it projects such as repairing wall corners, fixing the vacuum cleaner, bolting things together, cutting wood for shelves or animal shelters, and many other small tasks, WE NEED YOU! A weekly commitment of just an hour could make a big difference for us and for our animals. We have some tools, and some materials. We are always looking for materials that can be reused at our Center.
Volunteer Coordination-Would you like to learn how to recruit, screen and train volunteers? Did you know that this is a career that you can get certification in? Our Director has managed volunteers for more than 30 years and would love to teach a couple of people how to work with volunteers to the best advantage for the CT Audubon Center. Learn to organize groups of volunteers, schedule volunteers to cover office, events and animal care, work with court-ordered volunteers, involve teens, and recruit for specific needs. Volunteers are wonderful to work with and they need guidance, training and encouragement in order for them to have a good time and be the most help to the Center. Help us do our very best!
Publicity Volunteer Needed: Help us fill our Center for all of the wonderful programs we do! We are looking for someone who will come in once per week for at least an hour to work on entering our event information on-line into community calendars, and event and tourism websites. An organized person with some publicityexperience would be very helpful. Keep track of our on-line listings, update as needed, and provide a list to our publicity volunteer team of which events have been listed and where.
Phone & Reception Hosts: We need cheerful, helpful people (you can bring a friend & work in twos!) who enjoy talking to the public on the phone and in person. Phone and reception volunteers need to be empathetic and helpful to people who have found hurt or orphaned animals. Some office or clerical help is also appreciated. We need volunteers between 10am-5 on Tuesdays and Fridays, and once experience is gained, Sundays 1-4 p.m. Work with other experienced volunteers.
Animal Caregiver Supervisor: Do you work well with children & animals and are you kind & patient? We need volunteers 18 years & older with some knowledge of reptiles, birds & amphibians and who are not squeamish. Volunteers are needed 3-5 p.m. to be available to our Youth Volunteers while they care for our animals. Involves assisting children ages 7-14 with locating materials and proper foods. Cutting and preparing foods when supply is low. This help is needed Wednesdays through Saturdays and, whenever our Youth Volunteers are unable to come, must be willing and able to clean cages and provide food and water to our animals.
Nature Store Volunteers: Unique & fun opportunity! We’re looking for help researching items to sell, recommending items to purchase for resale, displaying our “store” items, dusting and organizing our store display. Nature Store items are mostly related to birds and their habitats. Work with the Center’s director to determine pricing, devise marketing strategies and maintain inventory.
Event Committee Volunteers: Our events raise money, raise awareness and are fun to work on. There is something for everyone to do! From publicity, to taking minutes, planning public education programs, hanging photographs to setting up tents, cooking or baking, setting up or cleaning up, asking for donations or putting up posters, you name it we need your help! Current committees are Adult & Family Education Programs, Photo Contest, Banff Film Festival, Earth Fair, Harvest Dinner, and Art for Nature’s Sake (fine art sale and community event). Join a committee and find yourself in the midst of community members who enjoy doing what they are doing and have fun doing it!
Directions
From I-84 in East Hartford: Take Exit 55/Route 2 East to Route 17 Exit (Portland/South Glastonbury). Our Center is on the right, 2.5 miles from the exit.
From I-91 North: Take Exit 25 to Putnam Bridge/Route 3. Follow Route 3 over the Connecticut River to Route 2 East. Move quickly into the left lane to take the Route 17 Exit (Portland/South Glastonbury). Our Center is on the right, 2.5 miles from the exit.
From I-91 South: Take Exit 25N to Putnam Bridge/Route 3. Follow Route 3 over the Connecticut River to Route 2 East. Move quickly into the left lane to take the Route 17 Exit (Portland/South Glastonbury). Our Center is on the right, 2.5 miles from the exit.
From Middletown: Go east on Route 66 to Route 17 North. Follow through South Glastonbury. Our Center is on the left.
From Marlborough and Southeast: Take Route 2 West to Exit 10. Turn left, then turn right at first stop sign. At first stop light, turn left onto Chestnut Hill Road. Follow for 3 miles to Main Street. Turn right onto Main Street. Our Center is ¼ mile on the left.
