RESCHEDULED Maple Syrup Family Event
2021-03-06 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Maple syrup season has arrived! Come to Great Hollow and learn all about making maple syrup 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.” 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. Please sign up in advance by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. $10 for non-members, $5 for members.

Weekday Drop-off: Wake Up!
2021-03-10 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Spring is just around the corner and many hibernators are about to come out of their long winter sleep! Join us in this after school program in which we follow the amazing journeys of bears, garter snakes, bats, and other hibernators, as they navigate the world in early spring. Best suited for children ages 6-12. Registration is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. E-mail our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

DIY and Wine Night: Easter Wreaths
2021-03-13 17:30 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Adults, join us for an evening of crafting and conversation with our next DIY & Wine night. In this workshop you’ll learn how to make your own Easter burlap wreath complete with a distressed finish wooden accent. No previous experience necessary. Please feel free to bring your own wine, beer, or whatever you like to enjoy while crafting. 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. Please register in advance by emailing our education coordinator, Maggie Cozens.

Weekday Drop-off: Shamrock Celebration
2021-03-17 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us as we celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with a celebration of the Irish natural world! From the astounding landscapes to the many creatures – both real and mythical! – we will explore the similarities and differences between the Connecticut landscape and the Emerald Isle. Best suited for children ages 6-12. Registration is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. E-mail our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Weekday Drop-off: Seeds and Spring
2021-03-24 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Spring is upon us! One of the first signs of spring is the re-emergence of plants. In this after school program, we’ll learn all about the amazing adaptations of seeds, plants, and their life cycles, before trying our hand at planting some seeds of our own! Best suited for children ages 6-12. Registration is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. E-mail our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Photography "Open Screen Night"
2021-03-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
The Great Hollow Photographers Club invites all local photographers to participate in a virtual “Open Screen Night” via Zoom on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 7 pm. Open Screen Night is not limited to nature images. All subjects and genres are welcome, and can include street, architecture, composites, portraits, macro, still life, underwater, etc. Anything goes – show us your favorite images! (But keep in mind this is a family event, please!)
Presenting photographers will each have 7 minutes to show their photos and discuss them. You must be able to join the Zoom meeting in order to present your photos. The 7-minute time limit will be strictly enforced, so please prepare accordingly. To apply, email your photos to the event host at Info@AtelierVGI.com no later than Thursday, March 18. GHPC will present them from the event host’s computer. Photographers will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait for the deadline!
Please email Info@AtelierVGI.com with any questions.

SOLD OUT First Signs of Spring Hike
2021-03-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join our naturalist John Foley and members of Friends of the Great Swamp for a special (almost) spring hike. We’ll explore the fields and forests of Great Hollow in search of early blooming, spring ephemeral wildflowers, learn some helpful tips for spring plant and tree identification, and keep our eyes and ears open for any early spring migrant birds. Advanced registration is required and attendance will be limited to allow for social distancing. We’ll meet in the visitor parking lot by Great Hollow’s main entrance. Please, no dogs. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Sign up by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

SOLD OUT A Great Hollow Easter Egg Hunt!
2021-03-27 13:00 - 14:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us for an Easter celebration at Great Hollow! In addition to an egg hunt, we will decorate eggs, make simple baskets, and learn all about the natural world in the spring! 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 at all times. Please register in advance by emailing our education coordinator, Maggie, at mcozens@greathollow.org.

Weekday Drop-off: Rabbit Romp
2021-03-31 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Did you know Connecticut is home to two species of rabbits and only one of them is native? Join us for this after school program in which we learn all about the invasive eastern cottontail and the threatened New England cottontail! Best suited for children ages 6-12. Registration is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. E-mail our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Frog Frolic SOLD OUT
2021-04-03 11:00 - 12:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join Great Hollow and the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy 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 far as a half 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! Be sure to wear proper footwear and take precautions against ticks. We’ll meet at the Towner Hill Preserve trailhead off of Route 37 in Sherman, about 0.25 miles north of the White Silo Winery (32 Rt. 37 East, Sherman, CT 06784). Parking is very limited and advanced registration is required to allow for social distancing. Sign up by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. No dogs, please.

Woodcock Walk SOLD OUT
2021-04-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area, 190 Cornwall Hill Rd., Patterson, NY, 12563
Every April, an odd-looking migratory bird returns to the Northeast from its far-away wintering grounds to engage in one of the more bizarre mating rituals in the Animal Kingdom. It’s the American woodcock, also known as the “timberdoodle.” During the last few moments of daylight, male woodcocks perform an unusual courtship display that the famous naturalist, Aldo Leopold, called “the sky dance.” The males repeatedly spiral high up into the air and then return to the ground in a wild zig-zag, all in hopes of impressing and attracting one of the females watching and judging their performance. Join us on a guided evening walk to one of the locale places where woodcocks can often be seen engaging in their aerial displays. We will meet in Great Hollow’s visitor parking area at 7 pm and then take a short drive over to the Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area off Cornwall Hill Rd. in Patterson, NY. You may also meet us there directly if you prefer (190 Cornwall Hill Rd., Patterson, NY, 12563). Please dress appropriately for the weather, and bring a flashlight, as we will be returning to our vehicles in the dark. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members is greatly appreciated. No dogs, please. Advanced registration is required and space is limited to allow for social distancing. Sign up by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. *Please note that while we will do our best to see woodcocks, there is no way to guarantee it.

Afterschool Program: April Showers
2021-04-07 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
In this afterschool program, we’ll be taking a look at the science of spring, plant growth, and rainfall. We’ll hike in the woods and make observations before heading inside for a rain stick craft! Best suited for children ages 6-12. Registration is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. E-mail our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Afterschool Program: Migration Madness!
2021-04-14 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
The birds are back! In this afterschool program, we will explore the fascinating journey of birds as they make their ways home for the summer. We’ll play games, bird watch, and learn all about the science of migration. Best suited for children ages 6-12. Registration is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. E-mail our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Afterschool Program: Happy Earth Day!
2021-04-21 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
April 22nd is Earth Day! Join us for this after school program in which we celebrate the planet. Through games, hiking, and crafts, we will explore the importance of appreciating and looking after our common home. Best suited for children ages 6-12. Registration is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. E-mail our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Nature Night: Spring Songs
2021-04-23 17:30 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
What’s all that noise?! The peepers and wood frogs are out in full force and night time is the best time to hear their singing! In this nature night, we will explore the marsh, play games, and make frog-related 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.

Flower Moon Hike
2021-04-24 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 months “Flower 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. Advance registration is required. Please sign up by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Afterschool Program: Slippery Salamanders
2021-04-28 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
It’s salamander season! Let’s spend today’s afterschool program learning all about these fascinating creatures, searching for them under rocks, and studying their behavior. Best suited for children ages 6-12. Registration is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. E-mail our education coordinator Maggie at mcozens@greathollow.org for more information or to register.

Spring Wildflower Hike
2021-05-01 10:00 - 11:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join our naturalist, John Foley, as we seek out early blooming, perennial wildflowers known as spring ephemerals. We’ll learn how to identify them and talk about the natural history of these short-lived woodland flowering plants. Please meet in the Great Hollow visitors’ parking lot at 10:00 AM, and dress properly for the weather and for walking on trails. Also, don’t forget to bring your binoculars so you can look for spring migrant birds while we’re at it! Free for members; a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Advanced registration is required and space is limited to allow for social distancing. No dogs, please. Sign up by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Saturday Drop-off: Mother's Day Crafts
2021-05-01 13:00 - 15:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Mother’s Day is coming up and we’ve got you covered! In this drop-off program, we will be learning all about nature’s most famous mothers, such as bears, spiders, and opossums, head out in the woods for a hike and activities. After that, we’ll spend time making presents for our own mothers! We’ll be crafting bath bombs, decoupage, and cards. Registration is $25 for non-members and $20 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.

DIY Wine Night: Springtime Floral Design
2021-05-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Unleash your creative side and learn how to design a beautiful, captivating floral centerpiece with Susan Spanger of Bloomful Floral Design. Susan will teach you about shape, line, and symmetry, how to properly select flowers, and how to condition blooms to ensure longevity. Arrangements will be full of the best of the season including ranunculus, parrot tulips, freesia and garden roses in vibrant colors. This is the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill and grab some quality time with friends leading up to Mother’s Day. And, you can enjoy your arrangement for yourself or impress someone with a gift! This event is suitable for all experience levels and one-on-one guidance will be offered to all participants. Space is limited to allow for social distancing and masks will be required. Registration is $50.00 per person and includes flowers and all other supplies. Please email Maggie Cozens at mcozens@greathollow.org to register.

Spring Migration Bird Walk
2021-05-23 08:00 - 09:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
**CANCELLED**

Join local birding expert, Angela Dimmit, for a guided walk to look for colorful spring migrants that will be making their long and arduous journeys from their tropical wintering grounds to their northern breeding grounds. Ms. Dimmitt will show us where to look and how to identify the more than 50 migratory bird species that can pass through Great Hollow this time of year. Remember to bring binoculars and wear sturdy footwear for walking on trails. A suggested donation of $5/person is greatly appreciated. We’ll meet in Great Hollow’s visitor parking area by the main entrance at 8 am. Attendance will be limited to allow for social distancing, so please register in advance by emailing John Foley at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Nature Night: Bizarre Bats
2021-05-28 17:30 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us for a Nature Night all about the wild world of bats! In this program, we will learn all about these misunderstood animals, review the species you can see right outside your home, discuss why they’re important for the environment, and play games to understand how they navigate the world at night. This program is most suitable for children ages 6 to 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.

Hike the Hollow for National Trails Day - Sold Out
2021-06-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT Join Great Hollow’s naturalist John Foley and Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust director Bill McCann for a special guided tour through Great Hollow Nature Preserve and the neighboring Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area, as we celebrate National Trails Day. We’ll first pay a visit to Great Hollow’s resident birds of prey and then trek through fields and forests along the Red Trail while making our way up to the Tucker’s Run waterfall. There we’ll take a short snack break and learn about the history of the “Hollow,” and why it has become one of the area’s most ecologically significant protected areas. Afterward, we’ll continue our hike through a hemlock forest along our Orange and Yellow Trails while learning some basic tree identification tips and searching for migrant birds (bring binoculars if you own a pair). The hike will be moderately challenging in some areas and feature both steep uphill and downhill terrain, so wear sturdy footwear. The hike will likely last around two hours. Please meet in Great Hollow’s visitor parking area by the main entrance at 10 am. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to join. Attendance will be capped to allow for social distancing, so please register in advance by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Virtual Art Show open until June 30
2021-06-23 08:00 - 2021-06-30 23:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
The annual Great Hollow Juried Painting and Photography Show is open and runs through June 30th. This year’s show is virtual again and can be viewed here. It features more than 150 fantastic pieces of art by more than 50 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!

(Pictured above: 2021 first-place winner “Eastern Bluebird,” by Christina Maschke, in colored pencil.)

Music on the Lawn - Dylan Doyle Trio
2021-06-26 18:00 - 20:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
We are monitoring the weather and as of 3 pm, the show is scheduled to go on. Check back here for updates. Please consider bringing chairs instead of a blanket in case the lawn is wet.
**Non-member tickets are sold out**

Get ready to stretch out, relax, and enjoy the scenery from Great Hollow’s expansive lawn while listening to the rock and blues sounds of the Dylan Doyle Trio. Dylan Doyle has packed the house at Daryl’s Place and routinely plays for audiences at venues such as Mohonk Mountain House and many of the Hudson Valley’s wineries and craft breweries. Touring nationally since age 15, Dylan became a seasoned professional at a very young age. He has played with such notable musicians as Rob Stoner (of Bob Dylan and Don Mclean’s band), John Platania (of Van Morrison and Natalie Merchant), Ben Cauley (of Otis Redding), and Bill Payne (of Little Feat). Stoner called Dylan one of the most prodigious players he has known with abundant natural talent. John Platania has referred to Dylan as “The Future.” Ben Cauley, after playing with Dylan in Memphis said, “Dylan Doyle sounds like a young Jimi Hendrix.”

This event is BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything), so bring a blanket or camping chairs to sit on and bring your own food and refreshments (alcohol permitted for those 21 and over).

Tickets are a suggested donation of $10 per person for non-members and free for members, and must be purchased in advance HERE.
NO WALK-INS WILL BE ALLOWED. Individual Level members receive 1 free ticket and Family Level members and above receive up to 4 free tickets. Children ages 10 and under are free for all. **Members: you must log in to the Great Hollow website with the username and password that you created when you joined in order to receive your free ticket(s).**

Once you have completed your transaction, simply print your confirmation email or present it on your smartphone to the attendant at the entrance for admission. You will not receive a physical “ticket” in the mail or anything else besides the email confirmation of your transaction.

This event is generously sponsored by Edward Jones Investments and all proceeds benefit Great Hollow’s mission of environmental research, education, and conservation.

*Rain date: Friday, July 16th.

Plein Air Art Days
2021-07-01 09:00 - 2021-07-18 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join accomplished artist and teacher, Sharon Nakazato, of Friends of the Great Swamp for plein air art days at Great Hollow. All artists are invited to capture the beauty of Great Hollow through drawing, painting, and photography. Great Hollow provides a diverse array of subjects for artists, including open wetlands, streams, a waterfall, forested trails, and historic barns and homes. Artists of all media and abilities are invited (including photographers). 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 to register.
Sessions:
Thursday, July 1, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Thursday, July 8, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sunday, July 18, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Invasive Plant Walk & Talk
2021-07-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
*Registration for this event is full and now closed*
Invasive plants are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity and a major challenge in conservation around the world. 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. Please email John at jfoley@greathollow.org to register.​

Free Cookout and Live Reptile Show
2021-07-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
*NOTE: we are monitoring the weather and as of now (7am, July 11), this event is still on as scheduled and will remain on unless posted otherwise. Please check back here or our Facebook page for updates.*
We’re celebrating summer and the return of “normal” with a cookout and live reptile show for our fantastic local communities. Join us for free burgers and hotdogs, and an interpretive program from Riverside Reptiles that you won’t soon forget! They’ll take us through the wonderful world of reptiles and amphibians, explain what makes them different from each other, and show us some critters that range from tiny frogs to 10-foot long pythons. This event is free and open to all ages!
Please note:
Touching and posing for pictures with the animals is fully up to the discretion of the demonstrator from Riverside Reptiles, and is not guaranteed.
Food will be first come, first served.

Music on the Lawn - Echoes of Sinatra
2021-07-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
**THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT**
Please do not email or call Great Hollow to ask if additional tickets are available. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Come to Great Hollow to hear the “Echoes of Sinatra,” an exciting show based on the life of the great American icon, Frank Sinatra. Show creator, Steve Kazlauskas, and the Tony T. Orchestra pay tribute to this legendary performer with stories and songs that bring back the golden era, when swing was king! The group includes professional musicians who’ve performed on Broadway and TV, recorded on major record labels, and toured with international acts. Together they present a musical tribute to one of the greatest performers of all time.
This event is BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything), so bring a blanket or camping chairs to sit on and bring your own food and refreshments (alcohol permitted for those 21 and over). Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased in advance HERE. No walk-ins will be allowed. Children under the age of 10 are free and do not require a ticket.
This event is generously sponsored by Edward Jones Investments, Luks Realty of New Fairfield, and Patterson Auto Body. All proceeds benefit Great Hollow’s mission of environmental research, education, and conservation.

Music on the Lawn - The Special Sauce Band
2021-08-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
**UNFORTUNATELY, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO AN ILLNESS OF ONE OF THE BAND MEMBERS. ALL PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED TICKETS WILL BE REFUNDED**

Special Sauce are five seasoned musicians and friends. Each playing in successful musical projects over the years, they’ve developed an incredible catalog of Rock, Soul, Blues and Funk. For more information on the band click here.
This event is BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything), so bring a blanket or camping chairs to sit on and bring your own food and refreshments (alcohol permitted for those 21 and over).
This event is generously sponsored by Edward Jones Investments, Luks Realty of New Fairfield, and Patterson Auto Body. All proceeds benefit Great Hollow’s mission of environmental research, education, and conservation.
