Great Hollow

Epic Journeys of Migratory Birds
2020-05-07 10:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Did you know that some migrating birds will fly more than 600 miles in a single day? That’s a lot of flapping! And did you know they can see the magnetic fields of the Earth and use them to determine which way is north vs. south? It’s happening all around us right now as millions of birds are returning to the area to breed after having spent the winter in Central and South America. In this virtual class, we will follow the fascinating and often perilous journeys of migratory birds as they make their way north for the summer. Using real-world data and interactive activities, we will explore how migratory birds navigate, where they stop to rest, and what obstacles they face along the way. This program is most suitable for children ages 6 to 10, but younger and older children (and parents) are more than welcome to participate. Please email our education coordinator Maggie for more details and to register. Free for members and non-members.

Distance-learning Program: Hands-on Habitats
2020-05-12 10:00 - 10:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us on a virtual habitat adventure! From montane forests to the saltmarshes and beaches of the coast, we will explore the many habitat types that can be found in the Northeast, discover what animals live there, and discuss the important services that they provide. After becoming familiar with how habitats work, we will test our knowledge with interactive puzzles and activities. This program is geared towards children ages 6 to 10, but younger and older children, and parents are more than welcome to participate. Please email our education coordinator Maggie for more details and to register. Free for members and non-members.

Virtual Art Show
2020-05-15 08:00 - 2020-06-30 00:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Most art events have been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the 2020 Great Hollow Juried Painting and Photography Show is on – online, that is! This year’s show is a virtual show and can be viewed here until June 30th. The show features 104 fantastic pieces of art by 40 different artists. All works feature aspects of nature found within our preserve or the immediately surrounding area.

The show is a fundraiser for Great Hollow, with 25% of all sales going to support our environmental education, research, and conservation initiatives. Please be sure to check it out and consider supporting local artists and Great Hollow. We thank the many local businesses who sponsored the show by generously donating prizes to be awarded to the show’s winners. Please view them here in recognition of their support.

Biological Invaders!
2020-05-26 10:00 - 10:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Imagine toads the size of dogs, giant snakes, and microscopic insects that can threaten entire forests! Invasive species like these can cause lasting, sometimes irreversible damage to ecosystems and native biodiversity. Join us for our next virtual class for an exploration of the different types of invaders and what we can do to help curb their impact. This program is most suitable for children ages 6 to 10, but younger and older children (and parents) are more than welcome to participate! Please email our education coordinator Maggie for more details and to register. Free for members and non-members.

Buildin' Beavers!
2020-05-28 10:00 - 10:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us for a virtual class all about nature’s ultimate engineers: beavers! In this class, we will explore the many adaptations of the beaver, how they build their dams, and how they are essential to the health of the entire ecosystem.This program is most suitable for children ages 6 to 10, but younger and older children (and parents) are more than welcome to participate! Please email our education coordinator Maggie for more details and to register. Free for members and non-members.

Distance-learning: Masters of Disguise
2020-06-02 10:00 - 10:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
From birds that can mimic car alarms and insects that disguise themselves as plants, to the mesmerizing color displays of a cuttlefish, animals are capable of all kinds of camouflage and mimicry. In this virtual class, we will explore some of the most amazing examples of camouflage and mimicry from around the world, and discover some of the crazy camouflagers that are hiding right in our own backyards. This program is most suitable for children ages 6 to 10, but younger and older children (and parents) are more than welcome to participate. Please email our education coordinator Maggie for more details and to register. Free for members and non-members.

Distance-learning: Lynx High Jinks
2020-06-04 10:00 - 10:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Did you know that we have one of the world’s four species of lynx living right here in Connecticut? You probably know it better as the bobcat (Lynx rufus)! Bobcats, like the one above that was recently snapped by one of our trail cameras, are very common in Great Hollow and the surrounding area, but are exceptionally good at going unseen. Join us in this virtual class as we uncover the secretive lives and behaviors of bobcats and other wild cats of North America, discuss how to identify them, and learn about how we can help protect them in the wild. This program is most suitable for children ages 6 to 10, but younger and older children (and parents) are more than welcome to participate. Please email our education coordinator Maggie for more details and to register. Free for members and non-members.

Invasive Plant Walk & Talk
2020-06-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
As stay-at-home orders for Connecticut and nearby areas of New York are lifted, we will be gradually resuming events and programs at Great Hollow that are entirely outdoors and conducive to social distancing. The first such event will be an invasive plant walk on June 13th. Invasive plants are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity and a major challenge in conservation. There are now more than 100 non-native species of plants that have become established in Connecticut alone! Unfortunately, many are still widely sold at garden centers and planted by homeowners. Come to Great Hollow to learn how to identify many of these plants, hear about how and when they were introduced to our region, and find out what you can do to be a responsible property owner. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5/person for non-members is greatly appreciated. We are limiting attendance to only 10 people to allow for social distancing. Please email John at jfoley@greathollow.org to register.

Guided Paddle of the Great Swamp
2020-06-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Patterson Recreation Center, Marble Road, Patterson, NY, 12563, United States
Safely enjoy the outdoors with us on a naturalist-guided paddle of the Great Swamp in Patterson, New York. The Great Swamp is a regionally significant wetland that is home to a wide diversity of plant and animal life, including threatened and endangered species. During our paddle, we are likely to see herons, kingfishers, colorful songbirds, painted turtles, a variety of dragonflies and perhaps a beaver, among other wildlife.
The paddle will be fairly easy and last approximately 2 hours round-trip. Please bring your own canoe or kayak if you have one and only share a boat with members of your household. A limited number of canoes can be provided upon request.
Attendees should have previous paddling experience and be comfortable operating their boats without any instruction or assistance. PFDs (life vests) are encouraged and you should bring your own if you have one. Please email John Foley at jfoley@greathollow.org to register or request additional information. Please note in your email how many people will be in your party and whether you will or will not need to borrow a canoe/kayak. Space is very limited. Open to people ages 13 and up. A suggested donation of $20/person for non-members and $15 per person for members is greatly appreciated.
We will meet at the Patterson Environmental Park at 10 am. Directions: Take Route 311 into downtown Patterson and turn south onto Front Street near the Metro-North railroad crossing. Head south a few blocks to the access road just past the Patterson Recreation Center. Turn left onto Marble Rd. at the railroad crossing (Caution – Be careful, there are no traffic control devices) and follow the dirt road to the end.

"Buck Moon" Hike
2020-07-04 20:30 - 21:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Cap off your 4th of July with a moonlit, naturalist-guided hike at Great Hollow, and learn what this month’s “Buck Moon” is all about. We’ll also look and listen for owls and other creatures of the night as we trek up to the Quaker Brook waterfalls. Please wear sturdy footwear and bring a flashlight or headlamp (make sure the batteries work beforehand). The hike is weather-dependent. Appropriate for children ages 8 and up. Please, no dogs. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5/person for non members is greatly appreciated. We are limiting attendance to only 12 people to allow for social distancing, and advanced registration is required. Please sign up in advance by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. We’ll meet at 8:30 pm in the visitor’s parking area by Great Hollow’s main entrance.

Field App Basics for Citizen Scientists
2020-07-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
With the advent and explosive popularity of smartphones has come the development of countless apps to help identify and inventory biodiversity. From plants to insects to birds, there’s a field-guide app for just about everything and many also allow you to share your observations that can later be used by scientists in myriad ways. Popular citizen science apps like eBird have created massive databases that are allowing professional scientists to conduct studies on a scale that would never have been imaginable before. Come to Great Hollow on July 18th to learn the basics of some of these apps like iNaturalist, eBird, and PlantSnap so you can join the age of citizen science. We’ll even put the apps to use as we venture around Great Hollow, identifying and recording whatever interesting things we encounter. Please sign up in advance by emailing John. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5/person for non-members is greatly appreciated. We are limiting attendance to only 12 people to allow for social distancing, and advanced registration is required.

Autumn Explorations
2020-09-12 13:00 - 15:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Let’s get in the spirit of autumn with an exploration of nature’s changing seasons! Join us as we search for weevils hiding in acorns (pictured left), learn why leaves change colors, and hike the woods to look for tell-tale signs of autumn’s arrival. After we complete our woodland exploration, we will wrap up with nature crafts and games.
This is a drop-off program open to children ages 5 to 10. Registration is $10/child for members and $15/child for non-members. Attendance is limited to 10 children to allow for social distancing, and advanced registration is required. Please email our education coordinator, Maggie, at mcozens@greathollow.org with questions or to register.

Stargazing and Folklore
2020-09-18 20:30 - 22:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us around a campfire as we learn about the stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies told through the legends of the indigenous people of the Americas. Just as the Greeks created stories with the constellations, the Native Americans also saw figures in the sky. Hear about legends of people who, separated by an ocean, are surprisingly similar to the stories we are familiar with.
We’ll be learning about the night sky from Chris Keenan, New Fairfield resident, Eagle Scout, Cub-master, and retired US National Park Ranger. This event is free for members while a suggested donation of $5/person for non members is greatly appreciated. We are limiting attendance to only 15 people to allow for social distancing, and advanced registration is required. Suitable for children ages 6 and up. Please sign up in advance by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. Feel free to bring your own binoculars or telescope if you have them.

Sunset Painting & Photography
2020-09-24 17:00 - 19:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
With its diverse landscape that includes mountains, rolling hills, meadows, forests, streams, and historical buildings, Great hollow is a popular destination for plein-air painters and nature photographers. But few have experienced Great Hollow in the changing light of the late afternoon and early evening. Join accomplished artist and teacher, Sharon Nakazato, from Friends of the Great Swamp as she leads us on an evening of inspiration and art that is all about capturing the beauty of nature at sunset. Artists of all media and abilities are invited.
Free for members and non-members. *Attendees are responsible for bringing all of their own supplies/equipment. Please register by emailing Sharon at sharon_nakazato@comcast.net

Happy Harvest!
2020-10-10 13:00 - 16:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
The Fall Harvest is an exciting time of year when farmers are busy gathering vegetables, grains, and fruits. Celebrate the harvest with us as we get our hands dirty in our vegetable garden and learn about how farmers grow their crops, why it’s important to have healthy soil, and what other animals are up to during this bountiful season! We will touch on topics ranging from agriculture and soil science to nature-themed crafts and games. This is a drop-off program that is open to children ages 5 to 12. Registration is $15 per child for non-members and $10 per child for members. Please email our education coordinator, Maggie, at mcozens@greathollow.org to sign up. Space is limited.

Kids' Nature Night: A Great Hollow-ween
2020-10-16 17:30 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Let’s get in the spirit of Halloween at Great Hollow! In this Kids’ Nature Night event, we’ll venture into the autumn woods for an exploratory evening hike and a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. Afterwards, we’ll warm up by a campfire for spooky story-telling before wrapping up with games and a gourd-decorating contest. This is a drop-off program open to children ages 6 to 12. Registration is $15 per child for non-members and $10 per child for members. Please email our education coordinator, Maggie, at mcozens@greathollow.org with questions or to sign up.

Fall Foliage Hike
2020-10-24 11:00 - 12:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Come enjoy the fall foliage with us as we explore the northern portions of Great Hollow and the scenic overlook in the neighboring Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area. Our hike will begin at the trail-head for Great Hollow’s purple trail off of Hardscrabble Road and traverse through second-growth forest and thickets of mountain laurel. We’ll then finish at an overlook that provides beautiful views of Great Hollow in fall foliage.
The hike will last about an hour and a half and will be moderately difficult in some sections. Leashed dogs are permitted. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5/person for non members is greatly appreciated. We are limiting attendance to only 12 people to allow for social distancing and advanced registration is required. Please register by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. We will meet directly at the trailhead for our Purple Trail that is located on the south side of Hardscrabble Road. A map can be viewed here. Please park along the side of the road if all spaces in the small pull-off area are taken.
Photo by Justin Goodhart.

Wine and Craft Night: Holiday Wreaths
2020-11-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
**This event is now full but a second session has been added on November 21. Please email us to register, as described below.**
Adults, join us for a relaxing evening of good conversation and wine while learning how to create ornamental wreaths just in time for the start of the holiday season! Learn to make a festive burlap wreath that can be used for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, no prior experience is necessary. Bring your own wine, beer, or whatever you like to enjoy while crafting along with your own glasses, utensils, etc. Registration is $25 for non-members and $20 for members, and includes all wreath-making supplies. Space is limited to allow for social distancing, and face coverings are required. Please register in advance by emailing our education coordinator, Maggie Cozens.

Holidays at the Hollow: DIY and Wine Gift Baskets
2020-12-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Interested in creating personal, uniquely crafted presents and decorations this year? Adults, get in the spirit of the holiday season and join us for an evening of crafting and conversation with our DIY & Wine night! In this workshop you will be learning how to make your own Holiday gift basket: create and pour scented candles, bath bombs, soaps, and miniature carrying baskets. Bring your own wine, beer, or whatever you like to enjoy while crafting along with your own glasses, utensils, etc. Registration is $35 for non-members and $30 for members, and includes all supplies.
Space is limited to allow for social distancing, and face coverings are required. Check out our kids’ version of this event! Please register in advance by emailing our education coordinator, Maggie Cozens, at mcozens@greathollow.org.

Holidays at the Hollow: Crafty Christmas
2020-12-12 12:00 - 15:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Have some crafty kids? Bring them down to our holiday craft workshop! In this event, we will encourage your children’s natural creativity to make thoughtful, unique presents and decorations just in time for the holidays. We will start off with a hike in the woods to find inspiration in the natural world and forage for crafting materials. Once we have all the pine cones, acorns, and feathers we need, we will head back to Great Hollow to get crafting! In addition to making ornaments, we’ll learn how to create soaps and weave small, simple baskets.
Registration is $20 for non-members and $15 for members, and includes all supplies. Space is limited to allow for social distancing, and face coverings are required when indoors. Please register in advance by emailing our education coordinator, Maggie, at mcozens@greathollow.org.

Kids' Nature Night: Enigmatic Owls
2020-12-18 17:30 - 19:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Did you know that Connecticut is home to eight owl species? Or that owls lack a sense of smell and swallow their prey whole? Come join us for this Nature Night program in which we learn all about one of nature’s most formidable nighttime predators! We’ll visit with our resident barred owls and screech owls, dissect owl pellets, and conduct experiments to better understand how owls fly and hunt. Afterwards, we will gather around the fire and wrap up with games and crafts.
This program is best suited to children ages 6-12. Registration is $20 for non-members and $15 for members. Space is limited to allow for social distancing, and face coverings are required when indoors. Please register in advance by emailing our education coordinator, Maggie, at mcozens@greathollow.org.

Weekday Drop-off: Winter Birds
2020-12-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Where do migratory birds go in the winter and how do they find their way there? How do the ones that stay behind in the cold survive? Join us as we explore the fascinating world of birds in the winter! We will head into the woods with our binoculars to see how many birds we can find and identify before heading indoors for activities and a bird craft. This is a drop-off program best suited for children ages 6 – 12. Masks will be required at all times. Registration is $10 per child for non-members and $5 for members. Email our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for additional information or to register.

Virtual Program: Fearless Foxes
2020-12-31 10:00 - 10:40 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Friend or foe? Few animals are as fascinating and polarizing as foxes! Secretive by nature, foxes inspire a lot of curiosity and confusion. In this virtual program, we’ll learn all about the behaviors and adaptations of Connecticut’s gray and red foxes, and work to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions about them. This program is most suitable for children ages 6 to 10, but younger and older children (and parents) are more than welcome to participate. Please email our education coordinator Maggie to register. A suggested donation of $5 per child for this program is greatly appreciated and can be made here.

Weekday Drop-off: Secrets of the Snow
2021-01-06 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us for a romp through the winter woods as we learn all about the science of snow and the animals that live amongst it! In this afterschool program, we’ll search for animal tracks in the snow, explore winter wildlife behaviors, and discuss the science of ice crystals! This is a drop-off program best suited for children ages 6 – 12. Refgistration is $10 for non-members and $5 for members. Masks will be required at all times. Email our Education Coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for additional details and to register.

Afterschool Drop-off: Where are all the bugs?
2021-01-13 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Have you ever wondered what happens to insects during the winter? Contrary to popular belief, not all insects die in the cold season. So, do they sleep all winter like bears? Or do they fly south like birds? Join us for this afterschool program all about the wild world of insects in winter! We’ll explore the woods in search of evidence of our creepy-crawly friends under rocks, tree bark, and deep beneath the soil while discussing their adaptations and survival techniques. Afterwards, we’ll head indoors for insect-themed crafts and activities. This is a drop-off program best suited for children ages 6 – 12. Masks will be required at all times. Email our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for additional details or to register.

Winter Ecology Walk and Talk
2021-01-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Did you know that when animals hibernate, they don’t really “sleep” through the winter? Join our naturalist, John Foley, for a winter ecology hike through Great Hollow where we’ll learn how specially adapted plants and animals survive the winter. John will also share some tips on how to identify some of our trees and other plants when they have no leaves. If there’s snow on the ground, we’ll look for and identify animal tracks. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars if have some so you can look for wintering birds along the way. Please dress warmly and wear proper footwear for hiking. No dogs, please. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5/person for non-members is greatly appreciated. We are limiting attendance to only 12 people to allow for social distancing and advanced registration is required. Please sign up by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Afterschool Drop-off: Wild Winter Weather
2021-01-20 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Winter is a wild time in the atmosphere that can lead to severe weather conditions. In this afterschool program, we’ll learn all about the science of winter weather: the different types of storms, how they form, and how we can predict when they will happen. We’ll also learn how to identify clouds, measure wind speeds, and observe meteorological signs in the natural world. This is a drop-off program best suited for children ages 6 – 12. Masks will be required at all times. Email our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for additional details or to register.

Surveying Winter Birds
2021-01-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Calling all birders! Did you know Great Hollow has been a sponsor of the Connecticut Bird Atlas since 2018? The Bird Atlas is a massive statewide project led by UConn and DEEP to map the distribution and land-cover associations of all bird species that occur in Connecticut. Nearly all of the data that go into the project are collected by “citizen scientists” like you! Come take a hike with our naturalist, John Foley, and learn how you can conduct bird surveys for the Atlas. Those with minimal or no birding experience are welcome, as John will show us the basics of identifying birds by sight and sound. Remember to bring binoculars if you have them. Please dress warmly and wear proper footwear for mild hiking. We’ll meet in the visitors’ parking area by the main entrance. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5/person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Space is limited to allow for social distancing and advanced registration is required. Please sign up by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Think Small!
2021-01-23 13:00 - 15:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
How do small mammals like chipmunks, moles, and voles survive the winter? Where do they live and what do they eat? In this Saturday drop-off program, we will learn all about the winter adaptations of small mammals. We’ll hike into the woods to learn about their habitats, experiment with insulation techniques, look for tracks if there’s snow on the ground, and (hopefully) spot a few of these creatures in action! This is a drop-off program best suited for children ages 6 – 12. Masks will be required at all times. Email our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for additional details and to register.

Wolf Moon Hike
2021-01-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Enjoy a moonlit, guided hike up to Great Hollow’s waterfall with our naturalist, John Foley, and learn what this month’s “Wolf Moon” is all about. We’ll look and listen for owls and other nocturnal animals while taking in the beauty of a forest that’s bathed in moonlight. Please wear sturdy footwear and bring a flashlight or headlamp (please make sure the batteries work beforehand!). The hike is weather-dependent and limited to only 12 people to allow for social distancing. Appropriate for children ages 10 and up. No dogs, please. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5/person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Advanced registration is required. Please sign up by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.
