Weaving & Wine Part 2
2019-03-02 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
*Registration for this event is currently full. Please email us at the address below if you’d like to be contacted if a space opens up or if you would like us to offer this event again*

Weaving & Wine is back by popular demand. If you came last time, come back to either finish your past project or start a brand new one! If you missed the first event, come see what all the fun is about! You’ll enjoy a relaxing evening of good conversation while you learn to weave bird feeders and shelters for our feathered friends. There will be several different feeder and shelter projects to choose from and no prior weaving experience is necessary.
Bring your own wine, beer, or whatever you like to enjoy while crafting. Glasses will be provided. Light refreshments, snacks, and all weaving supplies will also be provided.
$10/person for members; $15 for non-members.
Please contact Sena at sena@greathollow.org with any questions or to register. Space is limited.

Kids Nature Night: Snow Science
2019-03-16 17:00 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
What exactly is snow? How is it formed? Why are there so many different types of it? What do snowflakes look like up close? How can snow actually keep animals (including people!) warm? We’ll discover the answers to these questions and more in this month’s Nature Night. We’ll even get to make a “snowflake” of our very own!
Parents, we will be outside about a third of the evening, so please dress your child(ren) accordingly. Campfire dinner before the activities consists of hotdogs or veggie dogs with all the fixings, juice, and we’ll make our own ice cream for dessert. Please feel free to send your child with a dinner and/or dessert from home if you prefer.
This is a drop-off program, open to children ages 5-10.
$25/child for members; $30/child for non-members.
Please email our Education Coordinator, Sena, at sena@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Green Drinks!
2019-03-21 17:00 - 19:00 | Housatonic River Brewing, 30 Kent Road, New Milford, CT, 06776, United States
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 are welcome and no reservations are necessary. Beer and wine will be available for purchase, and light food and refreshments will be provided.

"Is it Spring yet?" Guided Hike of Pootatuck State Forest
2019-03-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Pootatuck State Forest, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
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 footwear for trail hiking. Leashed dogs are welcome. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Please register by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.
We will meet directly at Pootatuck. Directions from Sherman: drive south on Route 37, pass Haviland Hollow Road, and then turn left on Pine Hill Road. Travel about 1.5 miles and bear right at the fork to the trailhead parking area. From the south: drive north on Route 37 and turn right on Pine Hill Road. Go 1.5 miles and bear right at the fork to the parking area.

Vernal Pool Series Part 1: Vernal Pool Identification and Conservation Seminar
2019-03-30 16:00 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
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 forest management and land use planning. Join our naturalist, John Foley, on Saturday, March 30th for the first part of our 3-part series on the ecology of vernal pools and the critters that call them home. We’ll begin the series with an indoor presentation about the characteristics of vernal pools, how to identify them, and the natural history of the unique species that depend on them. We’ll also discuss the conservation challenges facing these special habitats and how to adequately protect them from development and other threats. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members is greatly appreciated.
Click here and here for information about Parts 2 and 3 of the series.

How to Make Your Own Maple Syrup
2019-03-31 11:00 - 12:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
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 maple trees, hang buckets, and collect sap, and then finally, how to boil it down. Best of all, we’ll have the opportunity to taste the product of our hard work, pure 100% backyard style maple syrup! And if there’s enough, we will also have a limited number of small maple syrup bottles for you to fill and take home.
Please dress warmly and meet in the visitor’s parking area by the main entrance. A suggested donation of $10 per person is appreciated. Please sign up in advance by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Vernal Pool Series Part 2: Night Hike at Towner Hill
2019-04-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Towner Hill Preserve, 35 CT-37, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
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 of spotted salamanders and wood frogs. We will meet at the White Silo Winery in Sherman (32 Route 37) and then carpool just up the street to the Naromi Land Trust’s Towner Hill Preserve. The hike is somewhat steep in some sections. Please bring a flashlight or headlamp, rain gear, and sturdy boots. Kid friendly and recommended! No dogs, please. Reserve a space and sign up to receive updates about the date and time by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. Free for members and non-members.
Part 3 in the series will include a daytime visit to these vernal pools, for anyone who is unable to make the night hike or would rather go in the daylight.

Vernal Pool Series Part 3: Frog Frolic
2019-04-06 11:00 - 12:30 | Towner Hill Preserve, 35 CT-37, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Join Great Hollow Nature Preserve and the Naromi Land Trust for a guided hike to witness the spring migration and breeding of wood frogs. Every spring, wood frogs emerge from hibernation underground and migrate as much as half a mile to their unique and ephemeral breeding habitats, known as vernal pools. We’ll hike up to the vernal pools at the top of the Towner Hill Preserve in Sherman to see wood frogs in action and listen to their chorus of mating calls. The hike is moderately difficult and includes a fairly short, but steep uphill walk. Kid friendly and recommended!
We will meet at the White Silo Winery parking lot (32 Route 37 East, Sherman, CT) and carpool just up the street to the Towner Hill Preserve’s trail head. Please register in advance by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. Space is very limited, and please, no dogs. Free for members and non-members.

Seminar: Naturopathic Management of Lyme Disease
2019-04-13 15:00 - 16:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
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 integrative medicine in addressing other underlying conditions that make Lyme disease symptoms worse and present barriers to wellness.
After graduating with honors as a double major in environmental science and philosophy from Purchase College in New York, Dr. Carney continued to pursue a fusion of these interests by undertaking a career in integrative medicine. He received a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from the University of Bridgeport after having worked for several engineering and environmental science firms and serving as a full-time emergency medical technician. Dr. Carney has studied in a wide array of settings including with physicians from the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society (ILADS), and is a licensed naturopathic physician in both Connecticut and Vermont. He currently practices at Northeast Natural Medicine, LLC in Newtown, CT.

Kids' Nature Night: "The Big Night"
2019-04-13 18:00 - 21:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
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, we’ll take a walk down to Great Hollow’s wetland to look for and learn about some of its resident amphibians.
Parents, please send your child with rain boots or other appropriate footwear for walking in muddy areas. We’ll be outside for a large portion of the evening, so please also dress them in warm clothing.
This is a drop-off program, open to children ages 5-12.
Includes campfire dinner which consists of hotdogs or veggie dogs with all the fixings, and juice. Please feel free to send your child with an alternative dinner from home if you prefer.
$25/child for members; $30/child for non-members.
Please email our Education Coordinator, Sena, at sena@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Spring Break Adventure Camp
2019-04-15 08:30 - 2019-04-19 15:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
*Note: sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are now full. Space is still available on Monday and Tuesday.*
Looking for something fun, active, and educational for your child to do during the school break? Sign them up for Great Hollow’s Spring Break Adventure Camp! Our popular program offers children ages 5 to 10 the opportunity to get outdoors and experience the natural world on our beautiful 825-acre preserve. Each session includes science-based environmental education activities, games, hikes, and live animal encounters. See below for daily themes and topics.
Single day registration available! Members: $45/day for one day or $40/day for multiple days. Non-Members: $50/day for one day or $45/day for multiple days. Drop-off is at 8:30am and pick-up is at 3:30pm. Please contact our Education Coordinator, Sena at sena@greathollow.org or (203) 546-7789 with any questions or to register your child. Space is very limited.

Monday, April 15: I Spy with my Little Eye
After spending the morning engaging in activities and games to strengthen our awareness and observation skills, we’ll explore our streams, forest floor, and lawns in search of the teeny-tiniest of creatures to examine up close with hand lenses and microscopes. We’ll learn all about the amazing and often overlooked world of insects and other invertebrates as we go along on our search.
Tuesday, April 16: Animal Oddities
This day is all about the amazingly weird and seemingly absurd adaptations that many animals and plants have to survive. We’ll dive into the awesome world of exploding ants, disgusting disguises, killer plants, and gulping eyeballs, and have a chance to create some odd creatures of our very own.
Wednesday, April 17: Zombie Apocalypse! [SOLD OUT]

A zombie apocalypse of sorts is underway in the natural world. “Mind controlling” parasites are the culprit and wide variety of plant and animal species become their unwilling victims every day. We’ll investigate the diverse ways parasites infiltrate their hosts and the methods some species have developed to fight back. We’ll also play a round or two of Humans vs. Zombies, a Great Hollow favorite!
Thursday, April 18: Cool Coyotes and Crows! [SOLD OUT]

Coyotes and crows, though often maligned and misunderstood, deserve to be celebrated for the important roles they play in their ecosystems. So we’ll spend the day exploring the natural history of these amazing species, including how they sometimes work together to find food.
Friday, April 19: Great Hollow Olympics [SOLD OUT]

Can you jump as far as cottontail rabbit or see as well as a red-tailed hawk? Can you count the most bird calls or spot the most frogs? Join us for a day of friendly competition as we put our skills to the test to see how they stack up to Great Hollow’s animals, and each other. Let the games begin!

"Pink Moon" Hike
2019-04-19 20:00 - 21:30 | 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 “Pink Moon” and spring flowers have in common. We’ll also look and listen for owls and other creatures of the night 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 reservations are appreciated. 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. Sign up by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. We’ll meet at 8pm in the visitor’s parking area by Great Hollow’s main entrance.

Guided Paddle of the Great Swamp
2019-04-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Green Chimneys, 400 Doansburg Road, Brewster, NY, 10509, United States
**CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR A NEW DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON**
Celebrate Earth Day with a naturalist-guided paddle of The Great Swamp in neighboring Patterson, NY. 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, painted turtles, beautiful dragonflies and perhaps a beaver or otter, among other wildlife. Check out this fantastic video produced by the Friends of the Great Swamp and narrated by James Earl Jones to learn more about this special place.
The paddle will be fairly easy and last approximately 2 hours round-trip. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own canoe or kayak if they have one. 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 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 $25/person for non-members and $15 per person for members is greatly appreciated.
We will meet at 10am in the Green Chimneys parking area on Doansburg Road in Brewster NY. Light snacks and water will be provided, but attendees are also encouraged to bring their own if they would like.

Natural History and Ecology of the Eastern Coyote
2019-04-27 13:30 - 14:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Please join us for guest speaker, Dana Goin’s talk about eastern coyotes, their natural history and ecology, and what we can do to best coexist with them. Coyotes have become exceptionally adept at living amongst humans in recent decades, even going so far as to thrive in cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. They are also very common in our area of Connecticut and neighboring New York, where their howls and “yips” are familiar sounds of the night. Join us to better understand the behavior and benefits of the eastern coyote, and how to empower our community with the tools, information, and resources needed to coexist alongside this often misunderstood and wrongfully maligned predator.
Dana Goin is the Wildlife Outreach Specialist at the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY. She holds a degree in Wildlife Conservation and has worked in various areas around the country studying large and mid-sized carnivores, including mountain lions, coyotes, and bobcats.

Spring Family Hike
2019-05-11 10:00 - 11:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Start enjoying spring by joining our naturalist for a family-friendly educational walk through Great Hollow’s meadows and hardwood forests. Along our walk, we will learn about the ecology of, and how to identify, many spring ephemeral wildflowers that are currently in bloom while we also search out invasive plants that resemble our native flora. While we’re at it, we’ll look and listen for migrating birds that are journeying back from their distant overwintering areas, so don’t forget to bring binoculars if you have them. A suggested donation of $5/person for non-members is greatly appreciated. No dogs, please. To sign up, please email John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Kids' Nature Night: Wild Harvest
2019-05-11 18:00 - 21:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
This installment in our Kids’ Nature Night series is all about foraging for edible wild plants! After we learn how to positively identify our local edibles, we’ll take to the trails to harvest ramps, chives, trout lily, garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed, and dandelions. We’ll bag our bounty up and make recipe cards for tasty treats to make at home, such as knotweed juice (that can be sipped from a knotweed straw!) and a spring greens salad. A brief info sheet on the plants harvested will be sent home with your child.
This is a drop-off program, open to children ages 5-12.
We’ll be outside for most of the evening, so please dress your children in appropriate clothing and footwear.
Includes campfire dinner which consists of hotdogs or veggie dogs with all the fixings, and juice. Please feel free to send your child with an alternative dinner from home if you prefer.
$25/child for members; $30/child for non-members.
Please email our Education Coordinator, Sena, at sena@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Art Show
2019-05-17 18:30 - 2019-05-19 18:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
The Great Hollow Photographers Club is hosting its second annual Juried Painting and Photography Show from 10am-4pm on May 18 and 19 at Great Hollow, and all are welcome to come down and enjoy the fantastic pieces of nature art that will be on display. There will be dozens of selected photographs and paintings featured, by professional and amateur artists from all over Connecticut and New York. All works will be for sale, with 25% of all proceeds benefiting Great Hollow. There will also be an Artist Reception from 6:30 – 8:30 pm on Friday, May 17, which is open to the public.
The juror for photography is Mary Ann Glass and the juror for paintings is Adele Moros.
Mary Ann Glass’s photographs have been described as spiritual and sensual, serious and elegant. She creates her work using a wide range of medium from digital to infrared, manipulated Polaroids, solarized etching plates, encaustics, cyanotypes, other mixed media and iPhoneography. Her work has been in shows at galleries in Manhattan and throughout the Hudson Valley and Connecticut. In addition, she has taught photography and has led workshops in Italy and Australia plus photo tours of the Hudson Valley. She is also one of the founders of RiverWinds Gallery in Beacon, NY.
Adele Moros is a multi media artist with a background in fashion and advertising. Winner of numerous area awards she has been teaching fine art for the past 30 years. She is a Fellow with the International Guild of Miniature Artisans. She has also created life sized pieces for Cow Parade. Her large outdoor works have been seen in NYC, Tokyo, Boston, Stamford and many other cities. Her work is in the Toy and Miniature of Kentucky and slides of her Tiffany Cow are shown during Tiffany lectures at the MET.
Please email artshow@greathollow.org for more information. Artists, please click here for information about how to submit your work.
(Painting above by Adele Moros)

Full Moon Family Hike
2019-05-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us for an evening hike under the full moon! We’ll start off the evening by engaging in games and activities that demonstrate the amazing adaptions of local nocturnal and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) animals. Once the sun sets, we’ll hit the trail and discover the fun and mystery of the woods at night.
Please bring a flashlight or headlamp. If your light doesn’t have a red setting, you will be provided with red cellophane to put over it so that our night vision won’t be hindered on the trail.
Suitable for children ages 4 and up. Please note that our trails are not suitable for strollers.
Free for members; suggested donation of $10 per family for non-members.
Contact Sena at sena@greathollow.org with any questions or to register. Space is limited.

Nature Photography Walk
2019-05-19 08:00 - 09:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join professional photographer, Justin Goodhart for a leisurely walk around Great Hollow with camera in hand (phone cameras are great too!) as we “look for the photo.” When presented with a large and diverse landscape, how do we find a subject to make a powerful and interesting photograph? Justin will walk and talk with the group about how he approaches the scene and looks for photographic compositions. This will not be a technical photo workshop, but technical questions are more than welcome! We’ll meet in the visitor’s parking lot at Great Hollow and please wear good boots/shoes for walking on wet and muddy ground. Free for members and non-members. And don’t forget to check out our second annual Juried Painting & Photography Show afterwards!

Kids' Treasure Hunt!
2019-05-25 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
There’s treasure hidden at Great Hollow and you’ll have to use a map and compass, along with your riddle-solving skills, to find it! We’ll spend the first part of the program learning map and compass basics, and then we’ll break into teams to track down the hidden puzzle pieces that will lead us to our prize that we get to keep!
Compasses will be provided for use during the class or children may bring their own. This is a drop-off program, open to children ages 8-12. Please Contact Sena at sena@greathollow.org with any questions or to register your child.
$10/child for members; $15/child for non-members.
Contact Sena at sena@greathollow.org with any questions or to register. Space is limited.

"National Trails Day" Hike
2019-06-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Celebrate National Trails Day with Great Hollow’s naturalist, John Foley, and the Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust’s director, Bill McCann, as we “Hike the Hollow” and the neighboring Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area. Learn about the history of “the Hollow” and why it has become one of the most ecologically significant areas in both Fairfield County, CT and Putnam County, NY. We will enjoy a scenic vista overlooking northern New Fairfield, trek over a rocky ridgeline, make our way down into a hemlock ravine, break for a snack at the Tuckers Run waterfall, and finally return back to the Merritt House at Great Hollow. The hike will be challenging in some areas and feature steep uphill and downhill terrain, so wear sturdy footwear. Bring a light snack/lunch and water. We will meet in Great Hollow’s visitor’s parking area at 10am and carpool over to the Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area trailhead off of Old Stage Coach Rd. The hike should take between 2 to 3 hours. Free for members and non-members. To register, email John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Kids' Nature Night: The Amazing Superpowers of Bats!
2019-06-08 18:00 - 21:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Did you know that bats have “superpowers” that can rival any super hero? These powers are the adaptations that enable certain bat species to do amazing things, such as flying up to 60 miles per hour, eating their entire weight in insects each night, or being immune to some types of venom. We’ll learn about the adaptions of a few of our native bats and how important these often misunderstood creatures are to people and our environment. Once the sun starts to set, we’ll go on a hike and use our bat detector to eavesdrop on the cool echolocation calls of Great Hollow’s bats.
This is a drop-off program, open to children ages 5-12.
Includes campfire dinner which consists of hotdogs or veggie dogs with all the fixings, and juice. Please feel free to send your child with an alternative dinner from home if you prefer.
$25/child for members; $30/child for non-members.
Please email our Education Coordinator, Sena, at sena@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Invasive Plant Walk & Talk
2019-06-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Non-native invasive plants are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity and a major challenge in conservation. They negatively affect property values, agricultural productivity, public utilities, fisheries, tourism, outdoor recreation, and ecosystem function, and are estimated to cost the U.S. $120 billion in economic damages and control each year. There are now more than 100 non-native species of plants that have become established in Connecticut! Can you identify them all? Come to Great Hollow on Sunday, June 30th 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. Please sign up by emailing John Foley at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Plein Air Art Day
2019-07-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join accomplished artist and teacher, Sharon Nakazato, from Friends of the Great Swamp for a plein air art day at Great Hollow Nature Preserve! Great Hollow provides a diverse array of subjects for artists, including beautiful wetlands, a babbling brook, forested trails, and historic barns and homes. Artists of all media and abilities are invited (including photographers) for a morning of inspiration and art. Free for members and non-members. *Attendees are responsible for bringing all of their own supplies/equipment. Please contact Sharon at sharon_nakazato@comcast.net or (845) 612-1046 with questions or to sign up.

Building a Pollinator Garden
2019-07-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Pollinators need our help! Habitat loss and pesticide use have caused steep population declines in many ecologically and economically important species of pollinators, such as butterflies and bees. Despite the vital roles that they play in ecosystem function and agriculture, the importance and plight of these insects often goes largely unnoticed by the general public. Join the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge and celebrate pollinators with us on Saturday, July 27th by helping to plant Great Hollow’s new educational pollinator garden! Comprised entirely of native pollinator-friendly plants, the garden will be a new tool for us to use in our environmental education programs and provide much-needed habitat for pollinators at the preserve. While we all plant the garden, we’ll talk about the “ecosystem services” provided by pollinators, the species of plants we are planting and why they were selected, and how you can help pollinators on your own property. Children will get to play a game that will show them the pollination process in action and then make a solitary bee hotel to take home with them.
This event is supported by a generous grant from the Environmental Professionals’ Organization of Connecticut.

Mushroom Walk
2019-09-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us as we explore the beautiful and mysterious world of fungi with Western Connecticut State University’s mycologist, Dr. Hannah Reynolds. We’ll look for mushrooms and other fungi along Great Hollow’s trails while learning about their ecology and role in the forest ecosystem. With any luck, we’ll find fungi like giant puffballs, violet corals, chicken of the woods, polypores, shelf fungus, and more. We’ll even learn which ones are edible.
Please sign up by emailing info@greathollow.org. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Please wear proper footwear for hiking and bring water. No dogs, please. We’ll meet by the kiosk at the start of the Red Trail, next to the Merritt House. Click here for a campus map.

Jazz Night on the Patio
2019-09-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Enjoy an intimate night at Great Hollow with live jazz performed by the BnB Jazz Trio, along with complimentary wine and cheese, and s’mores roasted over the fire. The BnB Jazz Trio is a modern working jazz group based out of the Hudson Valley that covers standards by many greats, such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and Thelonious Monk.
Tickets are a donation of $25 per person. All proceeds go towards furthering Great Hollow’s mission to protect land and wildlife, conduct conservation-driven scientific research, and provide outdoor educational and recreational opportunities for our local communities. Scroll down to purchase your tickets online. Please purchase tickets in advance of the event, as a very limited number will be available at the door the day of. Maximum attendance is only 60 guests.

Herrick Trail Hike
2019-09-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Herrick Trail Preserve, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Join us to discover one of Sherman’s best-kept secrets – the Herrick Trail. Managed by the Naromi Land Trust, the Herrick Trail begins from one of the northernmost points of Sherman and connects with the Appalachian Trail in Kent. We will learn about the interesting history of this area, admire large rock outcrops sprouting with mountain laurel and high-bush blueberry, and look for signs of wildlife while we trek our way through shady hemlock and oak stands. This beautiful spot provides not one, but two of the finest unspoiled vistas in our entire area. Amy’s Overlook and the Housatonic Overlook, as they are known, are nestled on top of forested rock outcrops and provide expansive views of the rolling Housatonic Valley hills and the Housatonic River below.
This one-way return hike is moderately difficult and sturdy hiking shoes are a must. Please bring plenty of water. Dogs are permitted but must be leashed at all times. We will meet directly at the trailhead. Directions: From the Sherman center, follow Rt 39 North to the intersection of Rt 55 and turn left. Then turn right on Evans Hill Road and look for the trail kiosk on your left. Parking is located along the road. Please register with John at jfoley@greathollow.org. Free for members and non-members.
Photo courtesy of Rob McWilliams

Kid's Nature Night - Absurd Adaptations
2019-09-28 18:00 - 21:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
*REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT*
Nature Night is back for a whole new season! Join our Education Coordinator, Sena, for this first program in the series that is all about the amazingly weird and seemingly absurd adaptations that some plants and animals have to survive. We’ll start our evening off by cooking dinner over a campfire, and then dive into the awesome world of exploding ants, disgusting disguises, masters of camouflage, zombie fungi, killer plants, and gulping eyeballs! We’ll take a short hike, play animal adaptation games, complete some fun activities, and see some amazing adaptations in action by feeding our resident snake.
This is a drop-off program, open to children ages 5-12. We will be outside at least half of the evening, so please dress your child(ren) accordingly. Dinner consists of hotdogs or veggie dogs with all the fixings, juice, and s’mores for dessert. Please feel free to send your child with an alternate dinner and/or dessert from home if you would prefer. $25/child for non-members; $20/child for members.
(Can you spot the camouflaged bird on the tree?)

Fall Foliage Hike
2019-10-13 11:00 - 12:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Enjoy the fall foliage with us and our friends from FrOGS (Friends of the Great Swamp) as we hike to 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.
We’ll meet at Great Hollow’s visitor parking area at 11am and then carpool up to Hardscrabble Road. The hike will last about an hour and a half and will be moderately difficult in some sections. Leashed dogs are permitted. Please register by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. Free to the public.
Photo by Justin Goodhart.
