Coastal Center Programs & Events
Horseshoe Crab Tagging at Milford Point
Project Limulus researchers from Sacred Heart University will share information about this ongoing research and monitoring program studying horseshoe crab ecology in Long Island Sound. The program will begin with a brief introduction and information session outdoors, then will head to the beach in search of horseshoe crabs. Participants should wear shoes or rubber rain boots that can get wet and sandy, a sun hat and plenty of sunscreen; we will be walking out along the beach. Members $9/person; Non-members $12/person. Pre-registration required. This program is held at The Coastal Center, 1 Milford Point Road, Milford, CT.
Sunday, June 11 9:00-11:00 AM – REGISTER HERE
Saturday, June 17 1:00-3:00 PM – REGISTER HERE
Coastal Center birders, take Connecticut Audubon’s 125th Anniversary 125-Bird Challenge! It’s a fun way to make the most of your visits to our sanctuaries. Details here!
Beginner Adult Avian Watercolor Class
WINTER/SPRING Avian Watercolor Class
Beginner Adult Avian Watercolor series:
Sundays: All classes 1:30-3:00p.m.
With Winter upon us and Spring soon to come, it is a wonderful time to be surrounded by the beauty of natures changing cycles. Few places allow the practicing artist to view these changes directly, and especially not from such a beautiful bank of large windows, which overlook both wetlands and river. All of this, while being warm, comfortable, and in a friendly, educational environment.
This series of classes is designed for the pure beginner. We will learn about watercolor tools, uses, products and techniques. The student will learn simple perspective techniques and composition skills. These fundamentals will help the student achieve dimension in their work, which is a highly sought after skill. We will look at the Artists and the Art History where these fundamentals originated. Students will have drawing and painting exercises, in order to relax and experiment with watercolor, and also make their own watercolor chart to use as a reference. We will look at and discuss avian anatomy, and finally compose a scene with one or two birds in their natural habitat. This will all be accomplished step by step, class by class, with your teacher Jeanne Board-Fayumi.
This series is appropriate for those 18 years of age and above. The class fee includes the use of all drawing and watercolor materials. Participants may want to bring a smock or old shirt. Masks are required while in the building.
Program dates are:
February 26
March 5, 12,(skipping 3/19), 26
April 2, (skipping 4/9), 16, 23, 30
Class size is limited to 12 adults. Minimum enrollment of 6 participants for program to run.
Members $130; Non-members $170
2022 International Big Sit! Birding Challenge
The Surf Scopers Big Sit 2019 photo by Frank Mantlik
The Big Sit! is an annual, international, noncompetitive birding event founded and hosted by the New Haven (Connecticut) Bird Club. This year on October 9th, we hope to break our Big Sit record of 107 bird species seen in 2020, which earned us first place in a competition of 102 teams! We’ll start before dawn and end after dark. We pledge to SIT! (with conviction!) to raise funds to support the Coastal Center.
Please help us by pledging your support. Your tax-deductible contribution allows us to achieve our ambitious goal of raising more than $7,000 by seeing (or hearing) 100+ species from one place in one day at one site near the Milford Coastal Center.
Your generous support allows us to monitor and protect threatened nesting species such as Piping Plovers and Least Terns, to offer adult birding courses, lectures, and field trips, and to deliver school programs to thousands of children annually. This includes the adaptation of our exciting hands-on Science in Nature curriculum, designed to meet the national and state science standards, to meet the needs of in-person or remote classrooms. It is our hope that this curriculum will aid in insuring future generations of conservationists.
We cannot do this without you, and we thank you in advance for your generosity!
Please, pledge or donate today. Remember, 100% of your donation to the Big Sit! directly supports the Coastal Center at Milford Point and helps us remain a leader in conservation and experiential environmental education.
You can pledge online at www.ctaudubon.org/BigSit.
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
- Birthday Parties: Look no further! The Coastal Center at Milford Point is the perfect place to celebrate your child’s birthday with an outdoor nature exploration program. 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
- Girl Scout Programs: For details click here.
- Cub Scout Programs: For details click here.
