Programs and Events at the Center at Fairfield
Migration Magic 2024 in Fairfield
Migration Magic is a month-long family-friendly celebration of Connecticut’s birds—May 1-31, 2024.
It features more than three dozen bird walks at 28 preserves and parks in 20 communities around the state, plus an array of webinars, presentations, talks and even a concert.
One highlight is the month-long Birdathon, for people of all ages and all skill levels. Participate in this friendly competition at any time during May. The goal is to spot as many bird species as you can. The Birdathon is a fundraiser for bird conservation in the state. Great fun and great prizes for a great cause!
Click HERE to learn all about Migration Magic!
April Break Camp
Tuesday-Friday, April 16-19, 2024
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Young nature lovers, ages 4-5 and grades K-2, are invited to Connecticut Audubon’s April Break Camp in Fairfield, April 16 – 19. Have fun and adventures while welcoming back the animals and plants that have been hiding all winter. Teacher naturalists will lead campers on investigations in the Larsen Sanctuary to look for evidence of spring’s arrival and see what nature is up to this time of year. Days include outdoor hikes with log rolling, games, crafts and visits with animals. Pre-registration required. Members $55 per day; Non-members $65 per day.
Ages 4-5:
Thursday, April 18: Register here.
Friday, April 19: Register here.
Kindergarten – Grade 2:
Thursday, April 18: This session is full.
Friday, April 19: This session is full.
Please dress for the weather, bring a change of clothes, and a peanut-free lunch and snack. Once registered, participants will need to complete a waiver. The camp is held at the Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT 06824.
Little Nature Explorers – SOLD OUT
Tuesdays: April 23, 30, 2024
10 – 10:45 a.m.
This program is sold out
What do animals do in the spring? How do they prepare for the warmer temperatures? We’ll discover the answers to these questions and more in this engaging, indoor/outdoor program, for ages 2-3 accompanied by an actively participating adult. Pre-registration is required. Please wear appropriate indoor/outdoor clothing and footwear. This program is held at the Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT 06824.
Benefits of Sustainable Landscape Practices & What You Can Do to Help
Saturday, April 27, 2024
10 to 11:30 a.m.
A Free Program
Are you eager to learn more about bringing eco-friendly landscaping practices to your yard? Join us for this program with Burt DeMarche, president of LaurelRock Exceptional Residential Landscapes, an award-winning firm that takes a holistic approach to landscape design, construction and property maintenance. His presentation will focus on environmental topics such as reducing air and noise pollution and chemical usage, conserving water resources, and increasing biodiversity. He will also speak about the economics of sustainable landscaping, and ethical concerns about reducing your carbon footprint and protecting the environment.
This program is for adults and is free, but pre-registration is required. Please register here.
This program takes place at the Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield.
Spring Bird Walk at Stratford Point
Least Tern photo by Scott Kruitbosch
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
9:30 to 11 a.m.
Connecticut Audubon’s Educator/Naturalist Dave Havens will lead this walk to observe and learn about native and migrating species at this premier bird watching site with panoramic coastal views. Located where the mouth of the Housatonic River meets Long Island Sound, more than 290 species have been recorded at Stratford Point according to eBird. All levels of birders welcome; appropriate for ages 12 and up
CAS Members $15; Non-members $20. Please register here.
This walk takes place at Stratford Point, 1207 Prospect Drive, Stratford, CT 06615.
Bird Walk at Birdcraft with Stefan Martin
Photo: Blackburnian Warbler by Patrick Comins
Thursday, May 9, 2024
7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Join Conservation Manager Stefan Martin at this historic property to look for returning migrant songbirds. What the Birdcraft Sanctuary lacks in size, it makes up for in diversity with over 30 species of warblers and nearly 180 species of birds seen at this urban oasis. One of the area’s best locations to photograph warblers in the spring. All levels of birders welcome; appropriate for ages 12 and up. Registration required. Binoculars recommended.
CAS Members $15; Non-members $20. Please register here.
This walk is at Connecticut Audubon’s Birdcraft Sanctuary, 314 Unquowa Rd., Fairfield, CT.
Bird Walk at Smith Richardson with Stefan Martin
Chestnut-sided Warbler by Stefan Martin
Thursday, May 9, 2024
10 a.m. to 12 noon
Conservation Manager Stefan Martin leads this exploration of the diverse habitats of the Smith Richardson Preserve in Westport. Just a stone’s throw away from Long Island Sound we’ll have the chance to see returning songbirds like warblers and orioles, as well as coastal waterbirds such as egrets and osprey. All levels of birders welcome; appropriate for ages 12 and up. Registration required. Binoculars recommended.
CAS Members $20; Non-members $25. Please register here.
This walk takes place at Connecticut Audubon’s Smith Richardson Preserve. The parking lot for the Smith Richardson entrance gate is located at 39 Sasco Creek Road, Westport, CT.
Bird Walk in the Larsen Sanctuary with Stefan Martin
Photo: Red-winged Blackbird by Twan Leenders.
Saturday, May 11, 2024
8 to 10 a.m.
Join Conservation Manager Stefan Martin for this special prelude-to-Mother’s-Day walk to look for some of our returning songbirds. The Center at Fairfield’s Larsen Sanctuary is not only home to many of these species but is also an important stopover for some of these birds while they continue their journey north. All levels of birders welcome; appropriate for ages 12 and up. Registration required. Binoculars recommended.
CAS Members $20; Non-members $25. Please register here.
This walk takes place at Connecticut Audubon’s Larsen Sanctuary at the Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr St., Fairfield, CT.
Bird Banding Demonstration at Birdcraft
Saturday, May 11, 2024 (rain date May 18)
8 to 10 a.m.
Free program
Judy Richardson and her team offer a fascinating, up-close view of how bird banding works. Watch as birds are gently captured in the Birdcraft Sanctuary, their measurements are recorded, and they are fitted with an identification band before being released back into the wild, unharmed. Participants may get to release a bird too!
Please pre-register here.
This program takes place at Connecticut Audubon’s Birdcraft Sanctuary, 314 Unquowa Rd., Fairfield, CT.
Living with Connecticut’s Wildlife
White-tailed deer by Twan Leenders
Saturday, May 11, 2024
1 to 3 p.m.
A free program
Connecticut’s citizens are blessed with the rich diversity of wildlife in the state, and this program is a great opportunity to learn all about our wild neighbors from Paul Colburn, master wildlife conservationist with Connecticut’s DEEP (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection). His presentation will focus on how to live with and enjoy the great variety of animal species we share our communities with including: black bear, eastern coyote, bobcat, fisher, raccoon, skunk, Virginia opossum, red and gray fox, woodchuck and white-tailed deer, as well as birds, bats, venomous and non-venomous reptiles, and amphibians.
This is a free event, but we need to know if you’re coming. Please register here.
The program takes place at the Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT.
Spring Bird Walk at Sherwood Island State Park
Photo: Semipalmated Sandpiper by Frank Mantlik.
Saturday, May 18, 2024
9:30 to 11 a.m.
Educator/Naturalist Dave Havens leads this walk to observe and learn about native and migrating species at this premier bird watching location. Sherwood Island is one of largest undeveloped parcels of coastal land in the state. Its variety of habitats (shorelines, marshes, meadows, woods, and dunes) attract a wide range of bird species–especially during spring migration when birds are on the move. Registration required. All levels of birders welcome; binoculars recommended.
CAS Members $15; Non-members $20. Please register here.
This walk takes place at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, CT, (from I-95, take exit 18.) Participants will meet at the Pavilion.
All About Honeybees
Saturday, June 1, 2024
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Free program for adults
Panagiota Raguskus of the Back Yard Beekeepers Association leads this program about honeybee anatomy, the hive, and how important these remarkable insects are in our ecosystem. She will show you how to care for bees and what protective equipment beekeepers use to keep safe from stings. Discussion will include parasites of the hive, the harms of pesticides, and other threats to honeybees. Participants will get to taste local honey, hold and smell honeycomb, and learn how candles and other wax products are made.
This program for adults is free, but pre-registration is required. Please register here.
This program takes place at the Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield.
Ongoing Programs
- Field Trips for Home Learning Groups: Enrich your home learning group by taking a field trip to the Center at Fairfield for hands-on, outdoor, environmental programs. Click here for program brochure.
- Science in Nature — Distance Learning: Bring the excitement and learning of our Science in Nature programs to your classroom with these live, virtual programs. Click here for program brochure.
- Science in Nature — In-Person Learning: Offerings include programs at your school, field trips to the Center at Fairfield or a local park. For the All Grade Level brochure, click here.
- Outreach Programs: Our animal-focused programs are ideal for individuals, libraries, scout troops, senior centers and more. Click here for details.
- Birthday Parties: Celebrate your child’s birthday with a nature-based party at our Center. Click here for details.
- Scouting Programs: Ongoing, customized science- and nature-related scouting programs are also available on- or off-site. Click here for details.
Two scouting nature-related badge programs are scheduled for this fall:
– Girl Scout Eco Quest is Saturday, October 14 – more info and registration here.
– Boy Scout Badge Day is Saturday, November 4 – more info and registration here.
- Sponsor An Ambassador Bird: A rewarding way to ensure the welfare of a bird of prey that cannot survive on its own. Click here for details.
Outreach Programs
Enrich yourself, or the offerings of your group or organization, with our outreach learning programs. Ideal for individuals, libraries, scout troops, senior centers, Parks and Recreation departments and more, they can also be tailored to meet your specific needs. Programs can be in-person or virtual (via Zoom). Click here for brochure.
Birds of Prey – Encounter with one or more raptors on a bird handler’s glove. You’ll learn about the natural history of these magnificent birds, while discovering their unique physical and behavioral adaptations. We’ll discuss different raptor species and their amazing behavioral and predatory adaptations, as well as their conservation status and critical role in the environment.
Program fee: $300. Length: 60 minutes.
Meet the Animals – Unlock the basics behind how scientists classify animals into groups. We’ll focus on five basic animal groups: invertebrates, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. By comparing representative animals and their features, discover how the animals are related, what special traits they have, and better understand why they are classified the way they are. The program also includes live animals and mounted species.
Program fee: $165. Length: 60 minutes.
Backyard Birding – Learn how to identify backyard birds by sight and sound, who is at the feeder during each season and what their feeding habits are. Also covered will be bird characteristics, ways to entice birds to your feeder, what feeders and seed to use, and where to place feeders for bird safety and best viewing. This program includes a PowerPoint presentation, and there will be samples of bird feeders and seed that can be used in your backyard to attract birds.
Program fee: $165. Length: 60 minutes.
To schedule, please email our program manager at tkevalis@ctaudubon.org.
Birthday Parties
Celebrate your child’s birthday with Connecticut Audubon! We provide a fun-filled, 45-minute, nature-based program for your child and up to 15 guests, plus an additional 45 minutes for your own birthday fun. Age-specific themes (appropriate for ages 3 and up) to choose from include Naturalist Adventures, Slither and Slime, Creature Feature and more!
You can schedule a birthday party on Saturdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. or from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Weekday parties are available on a limited basis by request.
Click here to view the brochure. To book a party, please email Jane Guenther or call 203-259-6305 ext. 109.
Scouting Programs
The Center at Fairfield provides programs that meet the needs of scouts and their leaders. Our teacher-naturalists will lead scouts through hands-on, science-based programs during which they will discover unique habitats and wildlife while working towards badge requirements. Our ongoing scouting programs may be scheduled for weekdays and weekends (based on availability). For Girl Scout programs through the Center, click here. For Boy Scout programs, click here.
The next nature-related badge program scheduled for this fall is:
– Boy Scout Badge Day, Saturday, November 4 – more info and registration here.
Sponsor an Ambassador Bird
Sponsoring an Ambassador Bird at the Center at Fairfield is a rewarding way to ensure the welfare of a bird of prey that cannot survive on its own. It’s a unique present for someone special or as a treat for yourself!
Your sponsorship will support the daily upkeep of your chosen bird, and the considerable amount of scrumptious raptor feed it eats — and yes — that does mean dead mice and rats!
You can also honor your favorite person, organization, teacher, or class with the gift of an owl, falcon or hawk sponsorship. It’s the perfect way to symbolically introduce them to the hunters of the sky! Click here for sponsorship information.
Connecticut Audubon’s Dr. Science: Using Binoculars for Birding
Ever wonder how you could use your binoculars to get an “eagle-eye” view of some of your favorite birds? Join Connecticut Audubon’s Dr. Science as she shares (and demonstrates) some dos and don’ts, including how you can listen, spot and focus in on your next super-incredible nature experience.
See below for our previous Dr. Science adventures:
Episode 1: Skunk Cabbage, click here.
Episode 2: Estuaries, click here.
Episode 3: Beach Grass, click here.
Episode 4: Rockweed, click here.
Episode 5: Mud Snails, click here.
Episode 6: Bivalves, click here.
Episode 7: The Great Blue Heron, click here.
Episode 8: Life Under a Log, click here.
Episode 9: The Wood Frog Story, click here.
Episode 10: Owl Pellets, click here.
Episode 11: Dandelions, click here.
Episode 12: Snakes, click here.
