ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, will offer a variety of fun and educational activities in October.
BITTERSWEET WREATHS – Oct. 5, 2 p.m.
Bring your own clippers and gardening gloves for this 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. FEE: $6. Please call to register.
NATURE AS MENTOR – Oct. 13, 2 p.m.
Join Marlow Shami, a nature-based teacher, artist, healer, and writer, who will conduct the Nature As Mentor program for adults. Learn the magnificent language of nature in this powerful workshop. Discover your unique niche as part of our planet’s restoration plan.
The wisdom of elder/earth-based cultures, as well as recent empirical research in the fields of eco-psychology and environmental psychology, mindfulness-based stress reduction, meditation, and energy medicine, provide the foundation of this 90-minute program. Attendees acquire simple tools to access the guidance they seek and restoration needed for negotiating the challenges of daily life. Discover how to actively engage in caring for our shared home. Adults only. Please call to register. FEE: $20 per person.
AUTUMN FESTIVAL – Oct. 19, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Celebrate this wonderful season with the staff and the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center (FANCI)!
Take a ride through our community gardens and fields in our horse-drawn story wagon, where you’ll hear some spooky Halloween tales! Learn about bats, spiders, and owls! Have some fresh apple cider and baked goods. Visit the Nature Shop to buy some creepy and crawly nature-related items. Enjoy nature-related exhibitors and vendors. You can try your hand at pumpkin painting, get your face painted, and make some original crafts. All proceeds will benefit the Nature Center’s exhibits.
RAIN or SHINE. No park admission fee. Call us for more information: 203-736-1053.
SELF DEFENSE WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN – Oct. 23, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Learn life-saving techniques and how to take control of a potentially dangerous situation using practical, effective tactics. Today, self-defense is more important than ever. Refuse to be a victim!
This workshop at the Nature Center is a must for women of all ages, so sign up today! Presented by the Assembly of the Martial Arts Academy. FEE: $20 (cash or check payable to AMAA, due by Oct. 21).
For more information call Theresa, 203-506-3816 or the Nature Center, 203-736-1053.
NATURE EXPLORERS – Wednesdays, Oct. 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13, 10–11:30 a.m.
Join us for this 4 week pre-school/toddler program for children ages 2-5 with their adult explorer. Participants will have fun exploring nature every week in these outdoor classes, which are loosely structured, influenced by the seasons and the interests of the children. We will go outside to explore nature every class so please dress for the weather. Classes will end with a light snack and conversation. TUITION: $40 for all 4 weeks, Class is limited to 10 children. Please call to register: 203-736-1053.
NUTS AND NESTS – Oct. 26, 2 p.m.
Nuts to you! Gone to seed, everything is squirrel feed! Explore the Nature Center’s Woodland Trail with Ranger Amie to observe our local squirrels building nests and hoarding nuts and seeds for the winter. Collect wild food for them and make a squirrel feeder to take home. For ages 6 and up. FREE. Please call to register.
NOVEMBER
A PASSION FOR BIRDS WITH HENRY LAPPEN – Nov. 2, 2 p.m.
This unique interpretive program for families helps people understand and connect with birds and other wildlife. Using masks, comedy, and loads of audience participation, artist Henry Lappen explores how and why birds have adapted to their environment. He explains the science while demonstrating how the birds move and act. Participants get to try on the masks and soar as eagles, stalk as herons, and swim as puffins. FEE: $6 per person; please call to register. For all ages.
FALL FOLIAGE HIKE – Nov. 3, 1 p.m.
Join the Nature Center naturalist for a stroll through our woodlands, old fields, and wetlands.
Enjoy the beauty and the crisp fall air while learning about New England’s flora and fauna. Wear appropriate shoes for this moderate hike. FREE. Please pre-register.
* * * ONGOING PROGRAMS * * *
Creature Feature – Saturdays, noon
Come to meet our furry, scaly, and feathery animal ambassadors. You’ll have the chance to touch and hold them in this FREE family program for all ages.
Sunday Guided Hikes – Sundays, 1 p.m.
Join a Nature Center guide for fun, exercise, and learning about our trails! See the above listings for hikes with a specific theme.
Fiber Arts Group – Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
Get together with others to work on your fiber arts projects! Bring any kind of fiber work - knitting, felting, crocheting, etc. A great way to dedicate time to your handiwork and socialize too. FREE.
This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center.
