This weekend | Citizen Science bird Count

WINTER 2014-2015 NATURE PROGRAM CALENDAR

(click above for PDF calendar)

 

Birds & Citizen Science For All

This Saturday, December 13

Learn how to identify and count birds for 'Citizen Science' projects like the National Audubon Society's local Christmas Bird Count (CBC) the next day, the Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb. 13-16), or Project FeederWatch (ongoing in winter). For either class, RSVPs are required.

 

ADULTS: Winter Birding for Adults

10:30 am-12:00 noon

An adult-friendly presentation about winter birds and how to submit your observations for the benefit of science. This includes identification practice at bird feeders and a short bird walk outdoors. RSVPs required to Ted: 203-930-1353 or tgilman@audubon.org. Programs: $3/members; $5/non-members and suitable for all ages, unless otherwise indicated

 

ALL AGES: Bird Watching 101 & CBC Practice

1:30-2:30 pm

Learn facts about winter birds, best feeding practices, and how to count birds in your backyard and give scientists your data! So grab the kids to learn about what can be done at home. RSVPs required to Ted: 203-930-1353 or tgilman@audubon.org. Programs: $3/members; $5/non-members and suitable for all ages, unless otherwise indicated

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Sunday, Dec. 14

Second Sunday Hike

9:30am-11am

A great way to learn the Audubon Greenwich trails and a bit of natural history, too ~ every 2nd Sunday of the month! Simply send a quick RSVP, grab your walking shoes, and hit the trails for Sunday morning hiking fun! Free for members. $5 otherwise. Ages 7 & up suggested. RSVP required. RSVP to: greenwichcenter@audubon.org or 203-869-5272 ext. 349.

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Sunday, Dec. 14

Audubon's Christmas Bird Count

Since the Christmas Bird Count's birth on Christmas Day of 1900 with 27 observers at 25 locations across Canada and the United States the Count has grown to include well over 63,000 counters at more than 2200 locations each year from above the Arctic Circle to the waters of the Drake Passage off Tierra del Fuego. The widespread use of CBC data by scientists almost from the beginning of the program have helped lead to the acceptance that citizens can produce valid scientific data in a wide variety of fields. The CBC database continues to add to our understanding of the distribution and status of bird populations across North America with new data available each year. For Audubon's latest ground-breaking Climate Change research that was developed with CBC data, visit: www.audubon.org/climate 

 

INTERESTED IN COUNTING BIRDS? LET US KNOW.

-          To join a Christmas Bird Counting Team in the Greenwich-Stamford CBC counting circle (15 miles wide), contact Ted Gilman at 203-869-5272 ext. 353 or tgilman@audubon.org by Friday, December 12.

-          To count  birds at home  or in your neighborhood, please use the printer-friendly CBC form in our calendar online:

http://greenwich.audubon.org/sites/default/files/documents/2014-2015_winter_calendar_-_audubon_greenwich.pdf

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ABOUT PUBLIC NATURE PROGRAMS

Unless otherwise indicated, programs suitable for all ages and are $3 for Audubon members or $5 for future members.  Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT 06831 (203) 869-5272 http://greenwich.audubon.org

 

To RSVP…or Not? Yes, please do - with one-step event sign-ups! It is quick and easy. RSVP to: greenwichcenter@audubon.org or 203-869-5272 ext. 349. Please include name, number of people, and phone. If an event is full, Audubon will return your call. Otherwise, thank you for signing up and see you at the event.

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ABOUT AUDUBON MEMBERSHIP: Audubon Greenwich family membership starts at $35 per year. Please visit our Greenwich website to learn about all the membership benefits.

 

The Audubon Greenwich mission is to engage and educate people to conserve, restore, and enjoy nature, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. Learn about Audubon Greenwich's education programs, events & camps: http://greenwich.audubon.org/events

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NEW HOURS (effective September 1, 2014)

 

Kimberlin Nature Education Center (Main Building at Audubon Greenwich):

Open Daily ~ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Includes the Nature Store, Hilfiger Children's Learning Center, Oppenheimer Gallery in Kiernan Hall, classrooms, conservation exhibits, restrooms, and Audubon staff offices

 

Audubon Greenwich Hiking Trails & Grounds:

·         Open Daily ~ Sunrise to Sunset

·         Note: From Mid-Sept into January (mostly winter months), the grounds are occasionally unavailable until 9:00 am due to land management activities. When in effect, the gate will be posted. 

 

Sanctuary, Center & Nature Program Admission

·         AUDUBON MEMBERS: Admission is FREE for all current National Audubon Society members

• FUTURE MEMBERS ~ Always welcome: $3/adult and $1.50 for children/seniors
• NATURE PROGRAMS ~ Unless otherwise indicated, $3 for members & $5 for non-members

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Audubon Greenwich Contacts:

To reach staff, please call our main phone number: 203-869-5272 and enter the appropriate phone extension:

·         Store: x360

·         RSVPs/Events Manager: x349 

·         Education: x354

·         Center Director: x350

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THE NATURE STORE AT AUDUBON GREENWICH

Shop to Support Audubon Greenwich. Visit the shop for bird seed, coffee, gifts & more! You are sure to find something for yourself and the perfect gifts for any occasion. Our shelves are stocked with many new items in addition to:

·         Fun and educational children's nature toys, games and puppets

·         The best in birdfeeders and bird feeding accessories

·         A wide selection of nature books for adults and children

·         Quality binoculars and spotting scopes and optic accessories

·         Sturdy bird houses, designed to suit particular species

·         Fresh, high-quality bird seed and feeding supplies

·         Audubon's own Maple Syrup & locally produced honey

 

The Nature Store's goal is to enrich and enhance Audubon's educational programs and your enjoyment of the natural world through the sale of nature oriented merchandise.  Here you can not only get the best in nature products, but can also help answer all your questions. For example, we have the answer to:  What type of birdseed attracts which birds?  Which birdfeeder will go best in your yard?  Which binocular type suits your needs? And almost any other nature question you can ask. Store Contact: Gigi Lombardi, 203-869-5272 ext. 351 or glombardi@audubon.org

 

Audubon Greenwich proudly feature museum-quality natural history prints and artwork ~ these collectable pieces will make a fine gift for someone special. Learn more about the Oppenheimer Gallery at Audubon Greenwich or visit Oppenheimer Website for a wide selection of prints that can be ordered through Audubon Greenwich.

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GUIDED TOUR GIFT CERTIFICATES

Experience nature in new ways with a professional Audubon guide

Give the gift of nature this holiday season! Purchase a gift certificate for a personalized tour of our 285-acre sanctuary or other natural areas in the region. These unique experiences are customized to your interests and guaranteed to uncover natural wonders you've never experienced before. 1.5 hour tours for up to ten guests, starting at $150, can be scheduled any time of year. To reserve a gift certificate today, call 203-869-5272 ext. 351 or email: greenwichcenter@audubon.org.

One and a half hour tour certificates are $150. To order your tour gift certificate, contact Gigi Lombardi at 203-869-5272 x221 or by email: glombardi@audubon.org or stop in the Nature Store for other wonderful gift ideas.

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MUSEUM-QUALITY PRINTS BY AUDUBON & OTHER MASTERS

 

The Oppenheimer Gallery at Audubon Greenwich specializes in museum-quality, limited edition prints of John James Audubon and other masters of natural history including Gould and the Hudson River School collections. These unique and highly-collectable prints are available from the Audubon Greenwich Nature Store and 30% of the all purchases benefits Audubon Greenwich's conservation mission. 

 

Drop in the gallery to view the latest exhibition or make an appointment to view the fifty best of Audubon's Octavos and New-York Historical Society watercolors. For an appointment to view our wide selection prints, please call 203-869-5272 and ask for Gigi Lombardi (x351) or Jeff Cordulack (x349.)

 

To view the complete collection of Audubon's avian prints available via the Audubon Greenwich Nature Store, visit: www.audubonart.com and then call Audubon Greenwich to order.

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The Audubon Greenwich mission is to engage and educate people to conserve, restore, and enjoy nature, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. To learn more about Audubon Greenwich and our upcoming events and camp experiences, visit us online: http://greenwich.audubon.org

 

Audubon Greenwich | 613 Riversville Road | Greenwich, CT 06831

 

RSVP HOTLINE: (203) 869-5272 ext. 349

http://greenwich.audubon.org/events

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MESSAGE SENT BY:

Jeff Cordulack

Events & Communications Manager

jcordulack@audubon.org

203-613-8813

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December 21 | Outdoor Family Survey and Third Sunday Nature Play at GEC

Hi All,

Attached is a flier about our next Third Sunday Family Nature Play Day at the Garden Education Center.  It has been a lot of fun developing these family events in the GEC Garden and Greenhouse at the Montgomery Pinetum.  I've been following the lead of local families as they explore environmental topics through play.  Some families prefer to grab a passport and clues and take their time finding hidden homemade stamps at nature play stations, since you can try all the nature play challenges on your own.  Others like a more guided experience, or bring along their friends.  Nature Play is ideal for age 3-11, but all ages are welcome. Last month's exploratory stations on compost had families digging, tossing leaves, spinning bins, and spotting red wigglers.  This month, our guide will be Denise Savageau, and is on the first day of winter! 

If you cannot attend, I'd still love to hear from you.  If you could take a minute to help local nature-based groups identify our barriers to play.  The survey is based on the article:  BRING DOWN THE BARRIERS: Five Causes of Nature-Deficit Disorder; Five Challenges for the New Nature Movement, written by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods.  Most importantly, the survey also provides a space to share your winter memories of outdoor play.  Since beginning this regular Nature Play day, we have learned so much about the history of our green spaces in Greenwich, hearing from parents and grandparents, where and how we used to play, and how we value the outdoors in different ways.

Thanks for contributing, and hope to see you there!
CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY or go to  http://greenfanzines.com/2014/09/25/survey-says-play/

Warmly,
Deanna

P.S. Flier has been approved for distribution by Linda Valentine, 25-50 copies may be placed at each school.  I've attached a pdf and jpg, in case one format is easier to distribute.  Thanks for your support!

PTAC Green Schools Co-Chair

Director of Youth Programs

The Garden Education Center of Greenwich

www.gecgreenwich.org

youth.director@gecgreenwich.org

Cold Water Rescue Demo at Greenwich Point 12.07.2014

 

First Sunday Science at the Seaside Center
Cold Water Rescue Demonstration at Greenwich Point Park
Sunday, December 7, 1:30 – 4:00 pm

An ice-fishing hole on frozen Lake Erie was the ideal training ground to prepare for cold water rescues for Officer Joe Turcsanyi of the Greenwich Marine Police. On Sunday, December 7, he will demonstrate some of what he learned at Greenwich Point Park in Old Greenwich for the First Sunday Science at the Seaside Center event from 1:30 to 4:00 pm. Officer Turcsanyi and his team from the Greenwich Marine Police will offer a talk and cold water rescue demonstration.  Members of the Greenwich Police are trained in underwater search and rescue as well as surface and underwater ice rescue. Although water safety is important year-round, cold water can make immersion a life-threatening situation in a very short time.

The program will begin inside the Innis Arden Cottage at the park with a 30-minute talk about the challenges of water safety and rescues in winter. The officers will then go outside to demonstrate cold water rescue techniques in the waters of Long Island Sound. The public is invited to try out equipment such as throw ropes, hooks and even the special suits that rescuers need to safely perform as emergency responders.

The hands-on program, organized by the Bruce Museum and Greenwich Shellfish Commission, is free and appropriate for all ages.  For more information, contact Cynthia Ehlinger, Bruce Museum Seaside Center Manager, at 203-413-6756 or cynthiae@brucemuseum.org.

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