Programs & Events at Deer Pond Farm
Members receive discounts on programs as well as many other benefits. For more information, click here.
Unless otherwise noted, guided program fees are:
Member: $5 Member Child: Free Non-Member: $10 Non-Member Child: $5
Our trails are open to the public daily dawn to dusk.
Please call 860-799-4074 with any questions or to be put on a wait list for a program.
After your program or hike, feel free to pack a lunch and enjoy on our teaching terrace. We are also happy to provide you with recommendations on local places to eat and visit after coming to Deer Pond Farm.
Spring Bird Walk
Saturday, May 17, 8-10 a.m.
Free
Join Angela Dimmitt, president of Western CT Bird Club, for this early morning bird walk at Deer Pond Farm. Learn about, see, and hear numerous songbirds that are migrating through the area and those that will be nesting here.
Register here for the May 17 Spring Bird Walk.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
June First Friday Hike
June 6, 2025, 9 to 11 a.m.
Free
Our Volunteer Guides will lead this 2- to 3-mile hike at Deer Pond Farm. Enjoy birdsong, summer blooms, and good company on this casual hike.
Register here for the June 6 hike.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
CT Trails Day Nature Hike
June 7, 2025, 1 to 3 p.m.
Free
Join Deer Pond Farm staff for a CT Trails Day Hike! We will cover 3 to 4 miles of our 15-mile trail network. Learn about birds, trees, plants, butterflies, amphibians, and more. Come explore with us!
Register here for the June 7 Trails Day hike.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Summer Songbird Walk
June 12, 2025, 9 to 11 a.m.
$5 Members, $10 Non-Members
Birders can enjoy hearing and seeing summer woodland and meadow birds at Deer Pond Farm. Staff member Lori will guide this walk and will give tips on identifying birds by song. All birding levels welcome.
Register here for the June 12 Songbird Walk
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Mt. Laurel Trail Nature Hike
June 18, 2025, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
$5 Members, $10 Non-Members
Join us at Deer Pond Farm for a 4-mile, moderate difficulty hike on our Laurel Trail for a view at our fully blossoming mountain laurel grove. Learn about how the CT state flower came to be, how it is protected, and which wildlife love laurel.
Register here for the June 18 Mt. Laurel Trail Hike.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Summer Bird Count Walk
June 21, 2025, 9 to 11 a.m.
$5 Members, $10 Non-Members
Join us at Deer Pond Farm for the national annual summer bird count. We expect to observe breeding songbirds, raptors, and more! We may also see some young fledgling birds at our nest boxes and purple martin gourds.
Register here for the June 18 Laurel Trail Hike.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Forestry/Silviculture Webinar
June 24, 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom
Free
Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer (CT Licensed Forester) will present on the practices of silviculture. Learn about managing woodlands for diverse needs of people and wildlife. She will explain a brief history of forestry in New England, and share details of how foresters create land management plans for wildlife, biodiversity and recreation.
Register here for the Zoom link to the June 24 Forestry/Silviculture webinar.
Free to attend. Suggested Donation $10. Registration required.
Create Your Own Nature Walk!
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker by Brian Bennett
Can’t make a guided program this month? Create your own nature walk! Use the resources below to make the most of your time exploring the 15 miles of trails spanning Deer Pond Farm.
Deer Pond Farm Suggested Hikes – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Bird Checklist – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Nature Scavenger Hunt – for 8 and under, for 9 and up.
Deer Pond Farm Spring Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Summer Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Fall Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Winter Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Sanctuary Rules – click here.
Directions – click here.
Click on each month to view birds that can be seen each month at Deer Pond Farm:
January February March April May June
July August September October November December
Please note: dogs, horses, fishing, swimming, camping, fires, hunting and collecting are not permitted.
Thank you for staying on the trails.
Schedule Your Own Private, Expert-Led Walk
Baltimore Oriole photo by Tomas Koeck
(Available to purchase as a gift, too!)
During this two hour walk, a staff member will guide you through the diverse habitats of Deer Pond Farm. Participants will learn about the local flora and fauna, as well as the conservation work being done at Deer Pond Farm. Habitat enhancement and data collection projects utilizing eBird, Connecticut & New York Bird Atlas, and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System will also be shared.
Please call (860) 799-4074 to schedule.
Fee: $100 for a two hour walk. This includes up to eight pre-registered and pre-paid attendees.
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 Center Director Cathy Hagadorn, chagadorn@ctaudubon.org to further discuss volunteer opportunities.
