Upcoming Events

Do you work in an environmental field or are you simply interested in environmental issues? If so, join Great Hollow staff and our co-hosts from the Weantinoge Land Trust, Naromi Land Trust, Pratt Nature Center, and Sunny Valley Preserve for Green Drinks on Thursday, March 21st at Housatonic River Brewing in New Milford. Weantinoge's Green Drinks is Litchfield County's monthly happy-hour for environmentalists, providing opportunities to make connections and exchange news about conservation initiatives, local farming, land use, and more. All…

Join our naturalist, John Foley, for a late winter/almost spring family-friendly hike of Pootatuck State Forest. We will look and listen for signs of spring as we make our way around a moderately easy trail loop. On the way, we'll learn some basic tree and plant identification skills, explore a vernal pool, and finally make our way to a beautiful rocky outcrop that overlooks Squantz Pond State Park and Candlewood Lake. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear proper…

Aside from robins being the so-called harbingers of spring, another natural phenomenon that ushers in the turning of the seasons takes place in unique wetlands called vernal pools. On cold and rainy spring nights, specialized amphibians, such as wood frogs and seldom-seen spotted salamanders, undertake their migration to these small and ephemeral woodland pools where they will breed. Because of their critical importance to many species of amphibians, vernal pools are of high conservation importance and a major focus in…

With cold nights and warm days in the forecast, it means only one thing... maple syrup season is here! Come to Great Hollow and learn all about making maple syrup the easy way, right in your backyard. No fancy evaporator systems here; just a hot open fire to gather around for good conversation and to watch the process of boiling sap into syrup, or as the old timers call it, “liquid gold." First we’ll learn how to identify and tap…

Every April for millennia, an odd-looking migratory bird has returned to the Northeast from its far-away wintering grounds to engage in one of the more bizarre mating rituals in the Animal Kingdom. Perhaps you're even familiar with the strange, high-pitched, nasally "pent" sound that can be heard coming from fields and young forests this time of year. These sounds are the mating calls of the American Woodcock, also known as the Timberdoodle. During the last few moments of daylight, male…

Approximately 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year, making it the most common vector-borne illness in the United States today. Connecticut is one of the most affected states in the country, with the 6th highest incidence rate per capita. Come to Great Hollow to hear naturopathic physician, Shawn Carney, N.D. of Northeast Natural Medicine, LLC discuss the science of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, and the most sensitive testing available.  He will also discuss the role of…

As spring gets into full swing, thousands upon thousands of amphibians emerge from their underground hibernation spots and migrate to what are known as "vernal pools" to reproduce. These mass migrations typically happen on one or two “big nights,” which are the first rainy nights after the ground has thawed and temperatures hit the 40s. In this Kids' Nature Night program, we’ll learn about the ecology of vernal pools and the amphibians that are dependent on them. As dusk approaches,…

Join Great Hollow's naturalist, John Foley, and our co-hosts from the Naromi Land Trust for a fun hike to two vernal pools to learn about what's known as "The Big Night". With our flashlights in hand, we will search for salamanders, wood frogs, and egg masses. The date is tentative because weather conditions need to be just right (light rain with temperatures in the mid to high 40s), but with any luck, you'll get to witness the yearly mass migration…