No Child Left Inside Winter Festival

No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival Saturday, February 1, 2014  10 AM - 3 PM  Burr Pond State Park 384 Mountain Rd., Torrington, CT FREE! No registration required Ice-fishing, snowshoeing, ice safety, search and rescue demonstrations, hikes, horses, games, bonfire and more!! Boy Scouts selling hot dogs, chips, hot chocolate and other beverages.  Ice-fishing equipment and snowshoes can be borrowed.  Bring your own skates. Dress for the cold weather.  For more information contact: Diane Joy (860) 424-3973 diane.joy@ct.gov

Forward this email CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection | 79 Elm Street | Hartford | CT | 0610 6

Environment Action Research shows...

> "How many Americans are using environmental information to make everyday decisions?"
> The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) commissioned a groundbreaking national study to measure environmental behavior and attitudes. The results provide NEEF a baseline for its vision that by 2022, 300 million Americans actively use environmental knowledge to ensure the well-being of the earth and its people.
> Survey highlights include:
>
> * Six out of ten American adults take some sort of action when learning about the environmental issues facing the world
> * 61% of adults visited a park or nature center in the last 12 months.
> * 52% of adults consider zoos, nature centers and parks as trustworthy sources for environmental problems and issues.
> * 77% of adults turn the lights off when leaving a room.
> * 9% of adults compost.
> * 59% of adults consider an environmentally conscious lifestyle a lot of work.
> The research surveyed 1,500 individuals between 18 and 74 years of age with demographics in balance with the U.S. Census.
> For more information about NEEF and this survey, please visit http://neefusa.org [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001wg4h-xsAFsOW5iI2lJRz7ZCucGOJvXF8deOivwG0KhOGb1ZRO9m0K-v-Fcku9wYVEOUDqfICUsbhYuLGH76UGorgx-IohRSLmWfHlbqrsh06LFY_5ffrOQ==].
> Stay tuned for more data.
> NEEF is the nation's leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, connecting people to knowledge they use to improve the quality of their lives and the health of the planet. Follow NEEF on Facebook & Twitter @neefusa.
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> National Environmental Education Foundation | 4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW | Suite 160 | Washington | DC | 20008
>
> _______________________________________________
> Connecticut Outdoor & Environmental Education Association

Musical Recycling

A very inspiring group of students from Paraguay, with a musical example of reduce, reuse, recycle.

More photos and information HERE

Fwd: Live owls & hawks, Family Breakfast this Sun. AM, plus much more!

Here are some opportunities to explore outdoors during the winter.  Please share your favorite local winter outings too, by emailing ptacgreenschools @gmail.com  Thanks!

Audubon Greenwich Nature Programs & Special Events:

Saturday, January 25 ~ Saturday, February 22

NEW ~ EARLY BIRD SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION ~ STARTS FEB. 1 ~ One-week Summer Camps June 30-August 15.  Each week brings exciting new themes to lead campers on their adventures. Ideal for children entering grades K-9.  Grades 6-9 campers enjoy off-site field trips!    Early Bird Registration! Sign Up & Save ~ February 1-28, 2014 only!  10% discount off each week of camp enrollment. Regular camp rates begin March. See website for all the details.

WINTER VACATION EXPLORATION DAYS: February 11/12/18/19  ~  9:30 am - 3:30 pm Audubon’s solution to the winter vacation blues! Sign your child up 1 or 2 days of fun during the school vacation. Explore the season with us as we have fun learning how animals and plants survive New England’s harsh winter conditions. Just pack some snacks, lunch, and winter gear. The Audubon experts will take it from there. Open to all children in Grades K-6. SPACE LIMITED & ADVANCE RSVPs ARE REQUIRED. To register, print an application from the Audubon Greenwich website or contact Gigi Lombardi at glombardi@audubon.org or 203-869-5272 x223.  NATURE EXPLORATION DAYS WEBSITE: http://ow.ly/sSny6. See website for all the details.

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AN IMPORTANT PRESENTATION … Brought to you by the Darien Land Trust, Audubon Greenwich & the Darien Nature Center

Thursday, January 30

Mother Nature's Child - Growing Outdoors in the Media Age

A screening & discussion with special guest speaker, Stephen R. Kellert, PhD from Yale University

7:00-8:30 pm @ the Darien Library, Darien, CT
more details posted previously

FILM DETAILS: Mother Nature's Child: Growing Outdoors in the Media Age (2011; Documentary; Not Rated; 57 minutes.)

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Saturday, February 1

Owls of CT: Talk, Walk & Listen

7:00-8:30 pm

Owls are fascinating hunters of the night with special adaptations. Join us for a short hike on the Audubon grounds to call and listen for local owls. Please wear warm clothing with soft, quiet exterior. Bring a small, non-fluorescent flashlight. $5 per  person. Ages 5 & up. Space limited &  reservations required to Ted at 203-869-5272 x230. Presented in coordination with the Bruce Museum in celebration of their new exhibit, In the Dark: Animal Survival Strategies.

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Sunday, February 2

LIVE OWL & HAWK SHOW

With New Canaan Nature Center raptor experts

A Family Breakfast Event & Wildlife Show

9:30-11:00 am

Join us for this special event for families with younger children. Guests enjoy a family- friendly breakfast followed by a fun animal-themed program in Audubon’s Education Center. This month’s event will feature live owls and hawks that live in our area. All ages welcome. Space limited. $10 per person; under 2 years old is free. RSVP to Jeff at x239 or email: greenwichcenter@audubon.org.

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Sunday, February 2

Insects in Winter Walk

1:00-2:30 pm

Learn how insects survive winter’s cold and help us search out some of the hardy insects which are active on the snow and along our winter-chilled Byram river, as well as those hidden away under logs, tree bark, and other retreats. All ages welcome. RSVP required to Ted 203-869-5272 x230.

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WINTER VACATION EXPLORATION DAYS: February 11/12/18/19  ~  9:30 am - 3:30 pm Audubon’s solution to the winter vacation blues! Sign your child up 1 or 2 days of fun during the school vacation. Explore the season with us as we have fun learning how animals and plants survive New England’s harsh winter conditions. Just pack some snacks, lunch, and winter gear. The Audubon experts will take it from there. Open to all children in Grades K-6. SPACE LIMITED & ADVANCE RSVPs ARE REQUIRED. To register, print an application from the Audubon Greenwich website or contact Gigi Lombardi at glombardi@audubon.org or 203-869-5272 x223.  NATURE EXPLORATION DAYS WEBSITE: http://ow.ly/sSny6

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The Annual ‘Great Backyard Bird Count’ (GBBC)

February 14 to Feb. 17, 2014

Join Audubon Greenwich birding experts for one of these wonderful birding programs in Greenwich: Feb. 14 @ Grass Island Park or Feb. 15 @ Audubon Greenwich.  Audubon is a proud participant in this unique, citizen-led scientific bird count happening in yards and neighborhood across the nation each year. The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) results are reported online to the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University and will aid ornithological researchers who are learning where birds spend their winter and how their home ranges change overtime.

Friday, February 14 

The GBBC @ Grass Island Park (near downtown Greenwich)

1:00-2:00 pm

Grab your valentine or some budding naturalists meet Audubon downtown when we survey the open waters, shores, lawns, brushy areas and woodlots for resident winter birds. The list we prepare will be reported to Cornell. Univ.  Meet Ted Gilman in the Grass Island parking area by 1:00 pm. All ages welcome. RSVP required to Ted 203-869-5272 x230. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair from us.  Grass Island Park is near downtown Greenwich and easily reached by Exit 3 off of I-95. The site is also easy to reach from the Greenwich train station (Metro-North line.) DIRECTIONS: Follow Horseneck Lane to Shore Road. Follow Shore Road and turn into Grass Island Park on your left.

… &/OR …

Saturday, February 15

The GBBC @ Audubon Greenwich (in northwest Greenwich)

1:00-2:00 pm

Join Audubon senior naturalist Ted Gilman when he checks who is coming to the sanctuary’s bird feeders. Then, take a short walk on the trails to identify and count birds in the field. Afterwards, return to the Center to sip hot chocolate and report the GBBC bird sightings online to Cornell Univ. All ages welcome. RSVP required to Ted 203-869-5272 x230. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair from us. 

BIRDING RESOURCES ONLINE:

• For GBBC details, explore birdcount.org
• For bird ID guides and a world of bird facts, visit birds.cornell.edu
• To record your bird sightings on any day of the year, join ebird.org

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Saturday, February 22

TRIP: Read Sanctuary & Marshlands (Rye, NY)

8:00 am-12:00 noon

Visit with us as we survey these great sanctuaries for over-wintering ducks, herons, hawks, shorebirds, and others. Meet there or ride from Audubon via van/carpool. Bundle up and bring binoculars. Or borrow a pair of binoculars from us. Ages 8 & up. $5 per person. RSVP required to Ted 203-869-5272 x230.

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NATURE PROGRAM FEES (unless otherwise indicated):

MEMBERS:  $3/adult and $1.50 for children & seniors

FUTURE MEMBERS:  $5/adult and $3 for children & seniors

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

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NOW ON EXHIBIT:

Audubon’s Birds of Prey – in watercolor

Audubon Greenwich

613 Riversville Road

Greenwich, CT 06831

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

MESSAGE SENT BY:

Jeff Cordulack

Events & Communications Manager

CT NOFA Winter Conference on March 1, 2014 | "Food and Agriculture's Future Challenges and Opportunities"

We can't have a healthy and sustainable environment if we don't change our food system.  Join about 800 others who are involved in this important transition which will affect the health of people, communities and the environment.
visit www.ctnofa.org for more information.

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Greetings, Nick Mancini-Grafting Fruit Trees With only five weeks to go, have you checked out our great workshop lineup?  Here's aLINK for the descriptions to date (and more to come!). To discuss young farmers, new farmers, and an inclusive approach to the local food system, CT NOFA is delighted to welcome our keynote speaker Frederick L. Kirschenmann, a Distinguished Fellow at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture in Iowa and President of Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, NY. Dr. Kirschenmann will also be doing a special Master Class for the afternoon entitled "Food and Agriculture's Future Challenges and Opportunities".  If you are planning to come to the Winter Conference, here are a few ways to act now to reduce your registration cost!                                                                                         1) We have extended the early registration deadline to February 8th, so take advantage now and save.    2) Volunteer at the conference and receive a $10 discount for a 2-hour shift.      3) Join CT NOFA and receive a $10 discount.    4) There are reduced rates for students, farm interns/apprentices and seniors.   5) Scholarship opportunities are available for farmers with fewer than 10 years of experience. Click HERE for an application   This year's online registration will close on Monday, February 24th. We encourage you to preregister now to help us plan for as smooth an event as possible, and to get one of the discounts above.   Makes a great gift! For businesses and corporations we also have event sponsorship, advertising and vendor opportunities. This is a great opportunity to reach a large community concerned about sustainability - at the Conference itself  and throughout the promotional period. Links can be found along the right side, above. Please let us know of any business or corporation you think we should contact for event sponsorship. We look forward to seeing you there! Sincerely, Teresa Teresa Mucci Winter Conference Coordinator teresa@ctnofa.org Winter Conference  Main Page Makes a great gift! Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities: Details Here Sign up Here Vendor/Farmers Market/Exhibitor Form    When Saturday, March 1, 2014 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Where Western CT State University Midtown Campus 181 White Street Danbury, CT 06810 What Connecticut's Largest Food, Agriculture and Sustainability Conference.   View More Info CT NOFA 126 Derby Avenue, Derby, CT 06418-2010 203.308.2584

Forward this email CT NOFA | 126 Derby Avenue | Derby | CT | 06418-2010

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FROM:  CT Environmental Leader <CTEnvLeader@yahoogroups.com>, CT Food System List <CT_FOOD_SYSTEM_LEADER-L@LISTSERV.UCONN.EDU> 

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Mother Nature's Child at the Darien Library

On Thursday night, January 30th at 7 p.m., Steve Kellert will be speaking at the Darien Library about the documentary film in which he appears as an expert, "Mother Nature's Child: Growing Outdoors in the Media Age." The film is sponsored by the Darien Land Trust, Darien Nature Center and Greenwich Audubon. He will also be selling his book, "Birthright: People and Nature in the Modern World." Please join us for this special event and feel free to forward invitation to others.

 

Mother Nature's Child:   Growing Outdoors in the Media Age         Join Us Thursday, January 30 at 7:00 p.m.   Mother Nature's Child: Growing Outdoors in the Media Age. (2011); Documentary Feature; Not Rated; 57 minutes.   This film explores nature's powerful role in children's health and development through the experience of toddlers, children in middle childhood and adolescents. Mother Nature's Child asks the questions: Why do children need unstructured time outside? What is the place of risk-taking in healthy child development? How is play a form of learning? Why are teachers resistant to taking students outside? What does it mean to educate the whole child? The film screening will be followed by a brief discussion led by Stephen R. Kellert, Tweedy Ordway Professor Emeritus of Social Ecology and Senior Research Scholar at the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Dr. Kellert is the author of Birthright: People and Nature in the Modern World and Companions in Wonder: Children and Adults Exploring Nature Together. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Bio-Logical Capital, a firm that invests in and implements sustainable land uses on large landscapes, as well as a founding partner of Environmental Capital Partners, a private equity company investing in the environmental sector.     Sponsored by: The Darien Library Co-Sponsored by: The Darien Nature Center, The Darien Land Trust, and The Greenwich Audubon. Register Now     When   Thursday, January 30th 7:00 p.m.   Where   The Darien Library 1441 Post Road, Darien, CT 203-655-1234   What   A very powerful screening and discussion led by Stephen R. Kellert         Stay Connected

 

Email Sponsored By: The Constant Contact Cares for Kids program supports youth oriented nonprofit organizations. Learn more about the Cares for Kids program. More than 500,000 small businesses and organizations trust Constant Contact to connect with their customers and members. Signup for a free 60-day trial.

 

Winter Adventures during February Break at Audubon

Winter Break Adventures ~ fun and educational vacation programs at Audubon Greenwich

Event Date

Repeats every day until Wed Feb 12 2014 . Also includes Tue Feb 18 2014, Wed Feb 19 2014.

Feb 11 2014 - 9:30am - 3:30pm

 

WINTER BREAK ADVENTURES

Tuesdays & Wednesdays ~ February 11, 12, 18, 19

9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Registration Form ~ Winter Break Adventures 2014 

Come experience winter in a whole new way during February vacation! Join us for one or two fun filled days of wintery hikes, games, crafts and outdoor exploration! Children should bring a snack & lunch. Please send snow pants and footwear so they can explore outside in all kinds of wintery weather conditions. 

• Grades: K-5
• Hours: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
• Cost: $65/day for Audubon members; $75/day for future members

Space is limited & advance registration is required. Please print the registration form and send it it as soon as possible. Spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis.

*** SUBMIT YOUR REGISTRATION TO RESERVE YOUR CHILD'S SPACE TODAY ***

Winter Break Adventures Registrar: Gigi Lombardi ~ 203.869.5272 x223

EMAIL OR FAX FORMS TODAY: 203-869-4437 / GLOMBARDI@AUDUBON.ORG

Audubon Greenwich hosts a wide range of public events throughout the year including: guided hikes, bird walks, citizen science programs, special guest speakers, documentary film screenings, and outdoor festivals that celebrate wildlife and nature.

Calendar of Events ~ Winter 2013-2014 (click here for PDF)

Downloadable Resources

• Registration Form - 2014 Winter Break Adventures @ Audubon Greenwich

Animal survival strategies at the Bruce

Opens Saturday, January 25    The dark is a place of mystery. Sometimes scary, always intriguing, the darkness inspires the imagination and encourages exploration.   In the Dark: Animal Survival Strategies invites visitors to explore different environments of darkness and the unique life forms that inhabit them through a combination of hands-on and whole-body interactives, specimens and walk-through dioramas.   A delightfully engaging and informative exhibition for people of all ages and any ability.   Click for More Information   Click for What's New and On View at the Bruce Museum

Pass this Along! Bruce Museum | One Museum Drive | Greenwich | CT | 06830-7157

Bird Walk and First Sunday Science at Greenwich Point - Sunday, February 2

Sunday, February 2, 9:00 - 11:15 a.m.

First Sunday Bird Walk at Greenwich Point

Bring binoculars. Meet at main concession stand in Greenwich Point Park. This is a leisurely outdoor walk of about 2 miles to view birds in their habitats. Held in collaboration with Bruce Museum, Wild Wings and Audubon Greenwich. Free. For information, call weekdays 203-413-6756.

 

Sunday, February 2, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.

First Sunday Science at the Seaside Center:  Oyster Fishing Family Day

Location: Seaside Center, Greenwich Point Park, Old Greenwich.

Experience hands-on oyster fishing with members of the Town of Greenwich Shellfish Commission. Learn about the habitat and natural history of the oyster with in-depth explorations at the Seaside Center. Take a close up look at this amazing bivalve! All activities are free and suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Held in partnership with the Greenwich Shellfish Commission, Health Department and Bruce Museum. For information, call 203-413-6756.

 

 

 

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