Programs & Events at Deer Pond Farm
We are currently offering small group in-person outdoor programming following all current COVID-19 safety procedures. Group size is limited to 15 attendees with a leader and a co-leader. Register early to secure your spot. Please, let us know if you have registered and can no longer attend a program as there is often a wait list. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. Members do receive discounts on programs as well as many other benefits. For more information, click here.
Our trails are open to the public daily dawn to dusk. Please keep a distance of at least 6 feet from other guests and have a mask available for use.
Please contact Deirdra Wallin, center manager at dwallin@ctaudubon.org or 860-799-4074 ext. 134 with any questions or to be put on a wait list for a program.
Schedule Your Own Private Expert-Led Walk
Baltimore Oriole photo by Tomas Koeck
(Available to purchase as a gift too)
Jim Arrigoni, conservation biologist or Stefan Martin, habitat steward will guide you through the diverse habitats of Deer Pond Farm. Information on the flora and fauna as well as our conservation work will be shared. Habitat enhancement and data collection via eBird, CT & NY Bird Atlas and Motus Wildlife Tracking System will be presented.
Contact Deirdra Wallin, center manager, dwallin@ctaudubon.org to schedule.
Fee: $100 for a two hour walk includes up to four pre-registered and pre-paid attendees.
Berries, Big Trees and Boundaries – forestry work at Deer Pond Farm
David Beers
Saturday, April 10
10 a.m. to noon
Register here
Join David Beers, Western District Service Forester with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for a walk through the trails of Deer Pond Farm.
He’ll share his experience as a forester and work done at the sanctuary. David will explain the preserving of white oak old field trees and crown thinning to improve understory berry production for wildlife.
Winter tree identification and boundary marking information will be included.
$10 Members
FREE Member child
$15 Non-members
$5 Non-member child
Conservation Biologist Webinar Series & Guided Walks
Spicebush Swallowtail by Michael Audette
Habitat Enhancement at Deer Pond Farm and In Your Back Yard Webinar
Thursday, April 22, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fee: Free program, suggested $10 donation appreciated
Instructor: Jim Arrigoni
Registration: click here.
As the Connecticut Audubon Society enters its fifth year of managing Deer Pond Farm, we have completed several projects to benefit birds and other biodiversity. In this webinar, we’ll describe: strategic plantings, including the rationale for selecting particular species for food or cover; invasive species management, including techniques used for various species; and providing nest boxes and other structures for cavity-nesting birds. Positive steps you can take at home will also be shared, as well as resources for additional information.
Habitat Enhancement Tour at Deer Pond Farm
Saturday, April 24, 10 a.m. to noon
Fee: $10 Members, Free Child Members, $15 Non-members, $5 Child Non-members
Instructor: Jim Arrigoni
Registration: click here.
Join conservation biologist Jim Arrigoni at Deer Pond Farm for a tour of three habitat enhancement areas. This will include the Bird & Pollinator Garden, the Fall Migration Rest Stop and the Cathedral Trail Bird Ecotone. Plantings, nest box program and invasive species management will be discussed.
Birding
Pileated Woodpecker by Michael Audette
BIRD WALKS
Join birding experts for spring walks to explore the variety of bird species that call Deer Pond Farm home. With such diverse habitats, we can look forward to seeing birds such as the Eastern Bluebird, Red-shouldered Hawks, Pileated Woodpeckers and many others! All levels of birders are welcome on the walks.
Saturday, April 24, 8 a.m. with Stefan Martin
Register here.
Friday, April 30, 8 a.m. with Ryan MacLean
Register here.
Friday, May 21, 8 a.m. with Ryan MacLean
Register here.
BIRD ATLAS BLITZ WALKS
Deer Pond Farm participates in the CT Bird Atlas with the adoption of Block 60D and the NY Bird Atlas as the principal atlaser for priority block Pawling-CE. Learn about these important citizen science projects while participating in these special guided programs focused on identifying and coding breeding bird behaviors. Staff and volunteers will lead small groups on an assigned loop for two hours of bird observation and data collection. Each guided program aims to fully cover our assigned area to obtain a complete snapshot of breeding bird behavior for the specified area during a set time on a set date as we strive to confirm breeding for specific species of birds.
Experienced birder able to identify and code breeding bird behavior? Interested and available to serve as a volunteer leader? Please contact Deirdra Wallin, center manager at dwallin@ctaudubon.org.
Saturday, May 1, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
To register click here.
Saturday, June 5, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
To register click here.
Bird Walks & Bird Atlas Blitz Walks:
Members: $10
Child members: $0
Non-Members: $15
Child non-members: $5
Garden Prep Outdoor Class
Saturday, April 24 – NEW DATE
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
No Fee
To register, click here.
Would you like to have a garden? Need a little help to get started? Join Fabienne Audette, owner of Nibbling Brook Farm and
Gardens to learn about site selection, soil tests, soil amendments and bed preparation methods. Instructions, demonstration and Q&A included in this outdoor program.
Volunteer Trainings via Zoom
By Deirdra Wallin
Volunteer Training via Zoom
All current volunteers are invited to join Deer Pond Farm staff for these trainings. These trainings are designed for all volunteers for education on specific volunteer opportunities as well as the concepts behind them. You do not need to be currently volunteering for a specific opportunity to attend. Volunteers will gain an increased understanding of the work we do at Deer Pond Farm and why.
To register: email Center Manager, Deirdra Wallin at dwallin@ctaudubon.org .
Not a current volunteer?
No matter what your interests or talents, by volunteering at our Deer Pond Farm, you can help promote understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of our natural world. Opportunities includ office and outdoor help, which help keep Deer Pond Farm going. For more information on volunteer opportunities and the volunteer application, click here.
Garden Gaggle & Habitat Helpers
Monday, April 26, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Join our conservation biologist Jim Arrigoni and our habitat steward Stefan Martin to learn about habitat enhancement volunteer opportunities. They will share and explain the value of opportunities including maintaining and monitoring our Bird & Pollinator Garden, identifying and removing invasive plants, and other projects such as seed collecting which support the conservation work at Deer Pond Farm.
Trail Monitors & Co-Leaders
Monday, May 3, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Join our conservation biologist Jim Arrigoni and our center manager Deirdra Wallin to learn how you can support our trail system and our guided programs for public usage. They will share applicable protocols and forms utilized.
First Friday Hike
Join our volunteers, Mary Ann and Allison for fresh air, exercise and good company on a hike. Each month we’ll explore different trails. Pace of hike adjusted to participants. Hiking pole are helpful.
No Fee
Friday, May 7
10 a.m. to noon
To register, click here.
Friday, June 4
10 a.m. to noon
To register, click here.
CT Trails Day
Trails Day is a two-day national event. For more information on CT Trails Day, please click here. Registration, masks and social distancing are required.
NO FEE for participation. 15 person maximum (includes leader)
Trails Day Tree ID Walk
Saturday, June 5
10 a.m. to noon
Register here
Trees provide us with air and shade while also supporting wildlife. Join our local volunteer tree enthusiast, John for this 1.5 walk which will focus on some of the 50+ native trees found at Deer Pond Farm. We’ll walk through an area of pines, hemlocks, and spruces, and then through deciduous woods and teach you how to identify trees.
Trails Day Ecology Hike
Saturday, June 5
12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Register here
Join conservation biologist Jim Arrigoni on a 4 mile hike to one of the farthest corners of Deer Pond Farm, the southern terminus of Carolyn’s Trail. Along the way, we’ll pause to enjoy different habitats including forests, meadows, streams, and vernal pools. We’ll point out any critters that we may encounter. This hike is moderately strenuous due to a quarter-mile hill, but it is well worth the effort!
Trails Day Habitat Highlights Hike
Sunday, June 6
10 a.m. to noon
Register here
Cathy Hagadorn, director at Deer Pond Farm will lead this hike, stopping to highlight several of our habitat enhancement areas. This will include the Bird & Pollinator Garden, the Fall Migration Rest Stop and the Cathedral Trail Bird Ecotone. Plantings, nest box program and invasive species management will be discussed.
Volunteer Opportunities
Photo by Deirdra Wallin
Join us for one workday or the whole season, your time and effort are welcome and appreciated!
Citizen Science: Support research through data collection! From monarchs, to birds and more, Deer Pond Farm supports a variety of citizen science initiatives. Opportunity to work independently or in a group.
Garden Gaggle: Join us in the pollinator garden for maintenance and monitoring! We work while we chat, observe and learn. Our native plants bring in a host of butterflies, bees, and birds. We take the time to enjoy these visitors and conversations with fellow gardeners while weeding and completing other seasonal tasks.
Habitat Helpers: Help us while learning! We’ll work while we talk, and enjoy the camaraderie of collective action to improve our sanctuary. Currently, our focus is invasive plant identification and management. You’ll learn by doing and leave knowing what you can do at home.
Photography: As you enjoy the trails during a guided walk or on your own, take pictures and share with us to utilize on the website, social media and flyers.
For more information and to complete a volunteer application, click here. Contact Deirdra Wallin, center manager at dwallin@ctaudubon.org to further discuss volunteer opportunities.
