Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
Programs & Events
Looking to schedule one of our interactive programs exclusively for your group?
Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday at the RTP Estuary Center!
Youth/Family Programs
Ecology Camp Bonus Adventures Week
August 19-23; 9am-2pm
RTP Estuary Center
Looking to extend your summer fun? Then Dive into a world of discovery with our Ecology Camp Bonus Adventures Week! Whether you’re a budding environmentalist or simply love exploring the wonders of nature, this extended camp week is perfect for you! Each day will include nature hikes, hands-on experiments, art projects and more! Enjoy the flexibility to register for just one day or an entire week of discovery. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today! Let’s explore, learn, and grow together at Ecology Camp! For ages 5-10. Per day cost $60; Week cost $300
Click Here to Register
Little Naturalists
Wednesdays 9:30-10:30am
RTP Estuary Center
Join us for this parent/caregiver and child nature class designed for children who are 3 to 5 years old. Activities will encourage discovery, explorations, and expression through stories, hands-on activities, and art. 7 program series members $100 non-members $120. Single program fee $15 members non-members $18
Session 1 Dates:
Sept 4, 11, 18, 25 Oct 2, 9, 16
Register Here for Single Sessions
Family Ecology Days
Saturday, September 28
9:30-11:30 am
RTP Estuary Center
All ages are invited to participate in a morning of ecology exploration with the RTP Estuary Center! Participate in seasonal activities around our sanctuary. Seasonal activities may include: macroinvertebrate exploration with scopes, plant ID in the pollinator garden, searching for birds with binoculars, animal tracking, and more! Cost $ 25 per family/member $35 non-member
Family Shorebird Walks
Saturday August 10; 9-10:30 am
Saturday, August 24; 9-10:30 am
Saturday, September 28; 1:30-3 pm
Summer is a great time to see shorebirds along the CT coast. We’ll look and listen for these charasmatic birds and enjoy some of our most beautiful coastal parks. Walk is suitable for ages 5 and up. $10 members; $15 non-members; $5 for children ages 12 and under.
– Walk at Rocky Neck will be an approximately .5-1 mile walk on level dirt and sandy terrain. Exposure to wind, sun, and heat possible depending on weather. Restrooms on site.
– Walk at Bluff Point will be an approximately 5-1 mile walk on level dirt and sandy terrain. Exposure to wind, sun, and heat possible depending on weather. Portable toilets on site.
– Walk at Harkness will be approximately 1 mile on level dirt and grassy terrain. Exposure to wind, sun, and heat possible depending on weather. Portable toilets on site.
Saturday, August 10; 9-10:30 am at Bluff Point, Groton – Register here
Saturday, August 24; 9-10:30 am at Rocky Neck, East Lyme – Register here
Saturday, September 28; 1:30-3 pm at Harkness State Park, Waterford – Register here
RTP Estuary Center Afterschool Adventures Program
Registration Open For Sessions 1 and 2
Tuesdays or Wednesdays 3:45-5:00 p.m.
The RTP Estuary Center’s afterschool program allows participants the opportunity to participate in hands-on, inquiry based learning experiences through STEAM based activities. Participants will learn how to use various types of scientific equipment and design, conduct experiments based on different weekly, seasonally-based topics while still leaving room for crafts and games. Themes will reflect the seasonal change found in nature. Each session will run for 7 weeks, meeting once a week from 3:45-5:00 pm. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring a snack and water bottle. Open to Grade K-4. Cost for either Tuesday or Wednesday program for all 7 weeks is $85 for members and $105 for non-members Contact Heather at hkordula@ctaudubon.org for questions. Click Here for required registration paperwork
Busing is provided ONLY for Mile Creek Elementary and Lyme Consolidated students from school to the RTP Estuary Center for drop-off. Parent/Guardian must pick-up from RTP Estuary Center.
Session 1:
Register Here for Session 1 Tuesdays
Tuesday dates: Sept 10, 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22
Register Here for Session 1 Wednesdays
Wednesday dates: Sept 11, 18, 25, Oct 2, 9, 16, 23
Session 2:
Register Here for Session 2 Tuesdays
Tuesday dates: Oct 29, Nov 12, 19, 26, Dec 3,10, 17 * note no program on Nov 5
Register Here for Session 2 Wednesdays
Wednesdays: Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20 , Dec 4, 11, 18 * note no program on Nov 27
Adult Programs
Shorebird Walks
August 15, 27, & 29
September 11 & 14
Most of North America’s shorebird species winter in South & Central America, heading north breed in the high Arctic. Some of these birds breed in CT, while others start their northbound journey in mid-late summer. Join us as we look for many of our shorebird species at some of the best spots around southeastern Connecticut, and learn how you can help these charismatic birds. $13 for members; $18 for non-members.
– Walk in Stonington will be an approximately 1.5-2 mile walk on level dirt terrain. Exposure to wind, sun, and heat possible depending on weather. Portable toilet on site.
– Walk at Harkness will be an approximately 1-1.5 mile walk on level dirt, grass, and sandy terrain. Exposure to wind, sun, and heat possible depending on weather. Portable toilets on site.
– Walk in Madison will be an approximately 1.5-2 mile walk on level dirt, sand, and grass terrain. Exposure to wind, sun, and heat possible depending on weather. Restrooms on site.
– Walk at Mamacoke will be an approximately 1-1.5 mile walk on mostly level dirt and marshy terrain, with one steeper area. We will cross one marshy area that can be wet and muddy. Exposure to wind, sun, and heat possible depending on weather. No restrooms on site.
– Walk at Seaside will be an approximately 1 mile walk on level dirt, grass, and sandy terrain. Exposure to wind, sun, and heat possible depending on weather. No restrooms on site.
Thursday, August 15; 9-11 am at Barn Island, Stonington – Register here
Tuesday, August 27; 9-11 am at Harkness State Park, Waterford – Register here
Thursday, August 29; 9-11 am at Hammonasset State Park, Madison – Register here
Wednesday, September 11; 9-11 am at Mamacoke Island, Waterford – Register here
Saturday, September 14; 9-11 am at Seaside State Park Waterford – Register here
Guided Paddles
Saturday, August 17; 9-11 am
Join us as we explore some of southeastern Connecticut’s most scenic waterways by boat! Enjoy birds, wildlife, and fun on the water! Each participant must bring their own kayak/canoe and PFD. Sunscreen, bug spray, and binoculars are encouraged. 10 person maximum. $25 members; $30 non-members
August 17 at Smith Neck Boat Launch, Old Lyme – Register here
Webinars via Zoom
Shorebirds Webinar
Photo by Frank Mantlik.
Wednesday, September 25; 6pm
Shorebirds are some of the champions of the bird world when it comes to migration. Most of the species that can be seen in CT breed in far north in the arctic, spending very little time on their breeding grounds before heading south again to their wintering grounds. In this webinar Conservation and Education Coordinator Joe Attwater will go over this incredible group of birds and which ones you can expect to see in CT. Joe will discuss:
- Breeding & nesting behaviors
- Shorebird migration
- Threats & conservation
- Shorebird families & which species are found in CT
Rhythm of the River
