Coastal Center Programs & Events
Coastal Center at Milford Point – Big Sit! 2024
The Big Sit! A great chance to support bird conservation
Help the Coastal Center’s Birds by Supporting the Big Sit Bird Challenge!
On October 13, 2024, the Connecticut Audubon Society’s B.W. Surf Scopers birding team (Jim and Patrick Dugan, Frank Gallo, Tina Green, Frank Mantlik, Tom Murray and George Amato) is working to support the Coastal Center at Milford Point. Our goal is to raise more than $7,000 (what we raised the last two years) by spotting as many different species of birds as possible from within a 17-foot diameter circle as a part of The Big Sit! They’ll start before dawn and end after dark. They pledge to SIT! (with conviction!) to raise funds to support the Coastal Center. Please help them by pledging your support. Your tax-deductible contribution allows them to achieve their ambitious goal of raising $7,000 by seeing (or hearing) 100+ species from one place in one day at one site near the Milford Coastal Center.
Every dollar you pledge will help us sustain our important, far-reaching, education and conservation efforts.
Coastal Center Canoe Tours 2024
Join us on a guided canoe tour of the Charles E. Wheeler Salt Marsh. Steeped in local history, the marsh offers an abundance of birds and other wildlife, beautiful vistas, and a chance to paddle and relax. This guided tour is great outdoor adventure. We provide the canoes, equipment, and guide. You provide the paddling power.
When registering for a canoe tour you understand the following guidelines:
- The entire program is outdoors and will last approximately 2.5 hours.
- It is required that one person in each canoe have some paddling experience.
- PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE PHYSICALLY ABLE TO PADDLE THE ENTIRE TRIP
- You are responsible for bringing the correct number of people for your canoe.
- Please wear shoes that can get wet, bring water, a sun hat, sun shirt, and apply sunblock and bug spray before arriving. It is often cooler at the coast; we suggest bringing a jacket.
- Please bring a snack or lunch & drinking water—we will stop halfway through for a rest and snack/lunch.
- Minimum age to be a passenger in the canoe – 8 years old.
- To paddle you must be 15 years or older.
- Anyone 15 years and under must be accompanied by an adult on all trips.
- All equipment is included when using a Coastal Center canoe.
- Only Bring Your Own Kayak participants may register as an individual.
- WAIVERS FOR EACH PARTICIPANT MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO lcrocco@ctaudubon.org BEFORE THE TOUR.
- A tour may be cancelled or postponed on short notice due to adverse weather, including wind. Participants will be notified by email approximately 2 ½ hours prior if the canoe tour will be cancelled.
- Pre-registration required. Walk-ins not permitted.
- Launching is not permitted at the Coastal Center at any time unless you are pre-registered with our group.
Coastal Center Canoes We provide the PFDs, paddles, canoes. When you register for a Coastal Center canoe, you are registering for either a 2 or 3 person canoe. The registration fee includes all the people in the canoe. You are responsible for bringing the necessary people required to paddle your canoe.
2-person Canoe: Members $70; Non-members $95
3-person Canoe: Members $90; Non-Members $125
Bring Your Own Kayak a limited number of spaces are available. You must pre-register to participate in the tour. You must bring your own boat, equipment, PFDs, paddles.
Members: 1-person kayak $35; Non-members: 1-person kayak $45.
WAIVERS FOR EACH PARTICIPANT MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO lcrocco@ctaudubon.org BEFORE THE PROGRAM DATE. Waivers will also be available before the start of the tour. Adults must sign waivers for anyone under 18.
Canoe tour waiver click here
Sunday, September 22, 2:00 p.m. (bring a snack) – FULL
Coastal Center Canoes THIS PROGRAM IS FULLY BOOKED, THANK YOU!
Bring Your Own Kayak THIS PROGRAM IS FULLY BOOKED, THANK YOU!
NEW DATE ADDED! Sunday, October 6, 12:30 p.m. (bring a snack)
Coastal Center Canoes REGISTER HERE
Bring Your Own Kayak REGISTER HERE
This program is held at the Coastal Center at Milford Point, 1 Milford Point Road, Milford, CT 06460.
Birthday Parties at the Coastal Center
Interested in hosting your child’s birthday at the Coastal Center? Milford Point is the perfect place to celebrate your child’s birthday, with a 45 minute nature program included.
Many of our birthday programs also include an animal meet-and-greet.
For details click HERE. To schedule a birthday party, please contact Louise Crocco at 203-878-7440 ext. 502 or via email: lcrocco@ctaudubon.org
Ongoing Programs
- In-person Programs at the Coastal Center, your school or local park. Click HERE for program brochure.
- For more school program information click HERE
- Scout Programs: For details click HERE.
