Thursday, September 15, 2016

Make a wreath, take a hike, celebrate autumn at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, offers a variety of fun and educational activities in October.

BITTERSWEET WREATHS – Oct. 1, 2 p.m.
Bring clippers and gardening gloves for this FREE workshop led by Ranger Dawn. When you collect these beautiful orange-berried vines, you’re actually helping the park by removing this invasive plant species. Please call to pre-register. 

NATURE’S CHILD: Leafy Critters – Oct. 7, 10 a.m.
Join our ranger to create an animal out of leaves that have already fallen from the trees and shrubs in the park. 

Go for a fall discovery hike to learn why leaves change color! 
TUITION: $7 per child ($5 for family-level FANCI members and Ansonia residents). Please call to pre-register for this class for preschoolers and their adults. 

HIKE AND DRAW WITH AMIE ZINER – Oct. 8 and Nov. 12, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Ranger Amie, ANRC’s resident artist, will teach this FREE outdoor drawing class at the Nature Center. We will walk to a number of pretty spots along the trails, collecting small things to draw and stopping to do some landscapes, in pencil and watercolor. 

Bring your own sketchbook and pencils, portable watercolor and brush (optional), a portable stool if desired, and a water bottle. You must be able to walk on an easy trail for a mile or two. Please preregister.

ASTRONOMY: Lunar Sketching – Oct. 8, 7 p.m.
Come to Ansonia's darkest location for some fun viewing the moon with Bob Carruthers and the New Haven Astronomical Society. Get a chance to see the first-quarter moon's surface on Bob's TV camera as well as sketch its craters. Bring a clipboard and pencil. 
Class size is limited; please register in advance. 

MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION FOR BEGINNERS – Oct. 9, 1 p.m.
What are those weird things that pop up in the woods after the rain? Are you mystified by wild mushrooms? Curious? Scared? Or do they make you hungry? Join a foraging family who hunt, photograph, identify, and eat the fungi in New England. The three foragers are from southeast CT and members of the CT Mycological Society and the North American Mycological Association. 

This program will dispel myths, teach how to safely identify mushrooms, and discuss mycophagy, the cooking and eating of wild mushrooms. Bring mushrooms you find in your yard and we’ll use our newly learned skills to identify them. Fee: $5 per person; call to register.

PET LOSS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP – Oct. 9 and Nov. 13, 1 p.m.
Losing a beloved animal can be tragic and a very emotional time for humans. There are numerous resources to turn to for the loss of a human loved one; however, there are limited options for when we lose an animal. 

Susan Wilson has created this support group for those who have lost an animal or have one in the process of moving on. Join us for these free sessions.

BACK TO BASICS: Soap Making with Goat’s Milk - Oct. 15, 2 p.m.
This two-hour class will provide the basic skills you’ll need to make wonderful soaps! 

Attendees will learn basic safety and traditional techniques required for this time-honored craft which makes great gifts—or soaps to keep for your own use. Soap samples and recipes will be provided. Bring a small container for your take-home samples. 
Instructor: Dawn Sotir. Fee: $10 per person. Registration required.

FULL HUNTER’S MOON HIKE – Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. 
This full moon is often referred to as the Full Hunter’s Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon. Many moons ago Native Americans named this bright moon for obvious reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the deer are fattened, and it’s time to begin storing up meat for the long winter ahead. 

Historically this moon was honored and served as an important feast day among many tribes. Join the Nature Center guides as we lead you around our park by the light of the moon. For all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). Wear comfortable walking shoes for uneven terrain. Fee: $1. Please register.

AUTUMNFEST – Oct. 22, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Celebrate this wonderful season with the staff and the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center (FANCI)! Take a ride over hill and dale in our horse-drawn story wagon, where you’ll hear some spooky Halloween tales! Meet some bats, spiders, and owls! Have some fresh apple cider and baked goods. 

Visit the Nature Shop to buy some creepy, crawly nature-related items. Enjoy nature-related exhibitors and vendors. You can try your hand at pumpkin painting, get your face painted, children’s games, live music, explore a maze, go on a spooky hike and make a craft. 
All proceeds will benefit the Ansonia Nature Center. 
Rain or shine. No admission fee. 

FALL DISCOVERY HIKE – Oct. 30, 1 p.m.
Join the Nature Center naturalist for a stroll through our woodlands, old fields, and wetlands. Enjoy the beauty and crisp fall air while learning about New England’s flora and fauna. 

Wear appropriate shoes for this moderate hike. Free. 

Call 203-736-1053 for information and to register for all programs.



This is a press release from Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center.    


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