Make wreaths, learn about squirrels, more at Ansonia Nature Center

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.

Self-defense class slated Sunday at Derby High School

Ansonia Nature Center offers variety of April activities

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, has slated fun and educational April activities.

FITNESS AWARENESS JOG – Mondays, begins April 2, 5:30 p.m.

Calling all runners who want something out of the ordinary! Ranger Dan will lead you through our 156-acre nature preserve on our two miles of trails while you burn off the weekend’s extra calories. 
We kick off at 5:30 p.m. with a stretch, then gently jog our trails for an hour. All experience levels are welcome, so bring a friend or two! This FREE program is the best way to start off your week. Please register, wear appropriate footwear.

SELF-DEFENSE FOR WOMEN – April 3, 6:30-7:45 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 March 27). 
For more information call Adam Rylski at 203-671-6903, Theresa at 203-506-3816, or the Nature Center.

BEEKEEPING FOR BEGINNERS – April 8, 2 p.m.

This class is an introduction to the fascinating hobby of beekeeping. 
Join Ranger Dawn to learn about beekeeping tools and equipment, how to begin a starter hive, and how to identify honey bees and what they are doing. 
Our observation hive at the Nature Center is a great place to see this incredible system. For ages 14 and up. FEE: $6 per person. Please pre-register.

SPRING TERM JUNIOR RANGERS – Thursdays, April 12–June 7, 3:30–5 p.m.

Calling all children 11-14 years old who love nature! Has your child wanted to work with animals, garden, help maintain our trails, and help with special events? 
This is the opportunity to help the Nature Center during our eight-week after school program. Parental permission is required. Registration began in March.  
Class size is limited; this class fills up fast!  FREE.

NATURE AND PLAY FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS – Sundays, April 15, May 13, June 10, 2:30 p.m. 
Do you have a child aged 8–12 with autism and other developmental delays? Would you like to join a group playtime that meets once a month? Gently led by Ranger Amie, we will explore ways to introduce your child to playing indoors and outdoors at the Nature Center. Activities include meeting animal friends, taking a walk or easy hike, and nature crafts. Playtime begins at 2:30 pm and ends at 4:30 pm (or however long your child would like to stay). Please arrive on time. We will meet inside at the small classroom; children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the class. FREE. Pre-registration required; group limited to 10 children with adult. Session 1 activity: Animal Tracking. 

SPRING NATURE DAYS – April 16–20, 9:30 am–2:30 pm

For children ages 6-11 who love the outdoors and wildlife, these popular classes will be educational and also a chance to explore our 156 acres. 
We will visit habitats such as wetlands, fields, and woodlands. Great time for amphibian searches too! TUITION: $150 priority students (Ansonia residents and current family-level FANCI members), $175 all others.

SPRING CLEANUP – April 21, 10 a.m.-noon

Bring your garden and trail tools! Scouts, youth groups, and students, this is a great community service opportunity. Help beautify our park and get ready for spring and summer. We’ll supply gloves and garbage bags. At 12:30 pm join participants of this citywide cleanup day at Pavilion 1 for lunch and refreshments. 

SUNDAY GUIDED HIKE: Vernal Pools – April 22, 1 p.m.

Learn about local amphibians on this hike to our vernal pools. Help our ranger lift rocks and logs to find these fascinating creatures that secretly inhabit our woodland and wetlands. FREE; please pre-register.

FAMILY ORGANIC GARDEN PROGRAM – Tuesdays, April 24–June 19, 3:30–5 p.m.

We’ll lead fun, family-friendly activities in our organic garden. Learn about growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. Dress appropriately; you will get water and/or soil on your clothing. FREE.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION – April 28, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Every day is Earth Day at the Nature Center! We invite you to honor Mother Earth with our Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center co-hosting this annual event. 
Enjoy hikes, live animals, environmental exhibitors, music and more! Join in interactive activities with Nature Center staff using our new Education Station trail. Food and snacks available from local vendors. 
No park admission fee. All ages welcome; bring family and friends to celebrate Spring! 

*** ONGOING WEEKLY PROGRAMS ***  

Pet Loss Grief Support Group – By appointment

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 FREE support group for those who have lost an animal or have one in the process of moving on. Please call Susan at 1-802-379-4449 to set up an appointment. 

Creature Features – 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 – 1 p.m.

Join a Nature Center guide on Sunday afternoons 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.

Please call 203-736-1053 to register for all events.


This is a press release from the Nature Center.