Help Nix the Knotweed July 11 at Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center

Nix the Knotweed Saturday, July 11 9:30-11:30 a.m. Join Ranger Maria and the Conservation Corps as we continue our long-term effort to manage invasive Japanese Knotweed on the Nature Center property using non-chemical methods. Volunteers will help cut and remove knotweed from sensitive habitat areas to encourage native plants to return.  Bring a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, and a snack.

Register for Nix the Knotweed

Learn to craft seed bombs May 2 at Ansonia Nature Center

Seed Bomb Crafting and Hike May 2 at 1:30 p.m. ANSONIA - Support habitat restoration efforts by crafting seed balls to disperse on a hike, and take an extra seed ball home for yourself! Support native plants this National Wildflower Week by helping the Nature Center disperse seed balls. Seed balls (or seed bombs) are made by combining seeds, clay, and a bit of soil into a protective ball. This program will begin with the creation of seed balls (so be prepared for muddy hands!), then a hike to disperse them in our woods to support habitat restoration efforts.  Participants will also be able to make a seed ball for themselves to take home! FREE - donations welcome! The Center is at 10 Deerfield Lane.

Register for Seed Bombs

Ansonia Nature Center to hold animal shelter building program

 This is shared from a press release.

Beacon Falls Public Library to host presentation on bobcats at senior center

BEACON FALLS - Learn how to coexist with our neighbor the bobcat in a presentation at Beacon Falls Senior Center, 57 N. Main St.

 Local wildlife expert Paul Colburn will join us with this informative talk and answer your questions about wild cats.

Call Beacon Falls Public Library to RSVP at 203-729-1441 or register on Eventbrite.

This presentation focuses on the history of bobcats in Connecticut, an overview of bobcat habitat, diet, behavior, reproduction, and current research efforts. 

Bobcat artifacts are shared with the audience. Mountain lions are discussed.

Colburn is a 2015 graduate of the Connecticut Master Wildlife Conservationist Program and a certified Master Wildlife Conservationist. 

The MWCP is a Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection adult education program that trains volunteers in the fields of wildlife management, natural history and interpretation. Colburn is a dedicated advocate for wildlife and is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others. 

He is particularly focused on teaching the basics of living responsibly with wildlife. He has provided hundreds of wildlife presentations for a wide variety of public and private organizations in all corners of the state. 

He is a graduate of Wesleyan University and served honorably in the United States Army.

This is shared from the Beacon Falls Public Library Facebook page.

Help needed in habitat restoration efforts at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - Join the Ansonia Nature Center’s “Land Stewards Team” at 9 a.m. Saturday and help us in our efforts in habitat restoration. 

Japanese Knotweed is invasive vegetation that poses a threat to our Nature Center habitats and waterways. We will gather as a team to do a second carbohydrate starvation cut in sensitive Knotweed infested areas. 

Easy to do with families with older children. Click HERE to register.

The Nature Center is at 10 Deerfield Lane.

This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature Center.

Ansonia Nature Center to host habitat restoration program

ANSONIA - Join the Nature Center’s “Land Stewards Team” at 9 a.m. July 8 and help us in our efforts in habitat restoration.  Japanese Knotweed is invasive vegetation that poses a threat to our Nature Center habitats and waterways. We will gather as a team to do a second carbohydrate starvation cut in sensitive Knotweed infested areas.  Easy to do with families with older children. Click HERE to register online.

The Ansonia Nature Center is at 10 Deerfield Lane. This is a press release from the Center.

Naturalists at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby to host Insect Safari

DERBY - Take part in an Insect Safari at 10 a.m. July 3 with staff from Kellogg Environmental Center. Meet our naturalists in the parking lot at 500 Hawthorne Ave. 

Learn about habitat, insects, and collection methods. 

Fields are great places to find a variety of insects and other invertebrates.  

Explore the meadow next to the Kellogg Estate and search under trees of the Estate grounds.  Search for caterpillars and eggs that are hidden in the plants, and learn about the food web in the field. 

Participants will be aided in identifying their “catches” prior to releasing them back to the animals’ appropriate habitat. 

Program concludes back at the tent near the Center where participants can use microscopes to get a closer look at some of the items and organisms that were found. Insect safari is suitable for all ages; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Since field habitats are full of sun, please dress appropriately with hats and sunscreen.  

Long pants are best with socks and closed toe shoes to protect feet and legs. Apply insect repellant prior to the start of the program, following directions on the label.  

Registration is required to participate in this free program.  

Find registration information at https://www.depdata.ct.gov/calendar/viewev.asp?id=7445 on the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Calendar of Events webpage.

The Kellogg Environmental Center, a facility of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s State Parks & Public Outreach Division, is located at 500 Hawthorne Ave. It is open 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 

For information or directions email donna.kingston@ct.gov or phone the Kellogg Environmental Center, 203-734-2513.

This is a press release from the Kellogg Environmental Center. 

Derby Public Library to host talk on bobcats in Connecticut

DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled a program, The Bobcat: Connecticut’s Secretive Cat, at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30.    

DEEP photo/Paul J. Fusco

Presenter Paul Colburn, certified Master Wildlife Conservationist, will focus on the natural history of bobcats in Connecticut and give an overview of the bobcat habitat, diet, behavior, reproduction, and current research efforts.  

Bobcat artifacts will be shared with the audience.  Recommendations for optimum coexistence with our 

bobcat population will be offered. 

Mountain lions also will be discussed.  

Registration is requested.

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth 

St., call 203 736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 

This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.        

Kellogg Center in Derby to train citizen scientists to count butterflies, bees

DERBY - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection invites those interested in becoming citizen scientists to join DEEP staff and volunteers for a training session at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave.  

After training, you will be able help DEEP staff and volunteers count monarch butterflies and bumble bees as part of a research team project.

  Monarch Watch training – monarch butterflies

   7 p.m. May 17 

 Great Sunflower Project training – bumble bees

  10 a.m. June 4

Families and individuals may take part in either, or both, of the programs, but must attend a training.   

Upon completion of the training program(s) we will ask you to be part of the Kellogg volunteer research team recording the activity of monarchs and bumble bees in the fields and gardens surrounding the Kellogg Environmental Center.  

Research takes place May through September.  

Volunteers will be scheduled for weekdays or weekends based on their availability.  

Data will be compiled and submitted to the national website research stations, helping scientists understand population fluctuations in North America and how it relates to habitat loss, diversity and climate.

This is a great family event to get children and parents outside observing the natural environment.  All ages can help collect information and photos of bee and butterfly activity.  

Registration for either, or both, of the free trainings is required.  

For further information, directions, or to register, call the Center, 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.  

This is a press release from DEEP.