Great Hollow

Spring Fling and Earth Day Extravaganza
2025-04-19 12:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us for a fun day of family activities and demonstrations to celebrate Earth Day! There will be demonstrations about composting and beekeeping, a hands-on seed bomb station, crafts for kids, a silent auction, and more. Our friends from the New Fairfield/Sherman animal shelter next door will also be on hand with some adorable dogs and cats looking for a home. And just for kids, there will be a bigtime Egg Hunt on the lawn that you won’t want to miss! (pre-registration required).
Some of our Silent Auction Items Will Include:
1 week of Great Hollow’s Eco-Discovery Summer Camp
Family 4-pack to the Connecticut Science Center
4-pack Excursion on the Essex Steam Train
Complete box set of Harry Potter series (hardcover)
Garden lover’s gift baskets
Audubon Bat Box
Insect Hotel
& More!
Food Trucks:
I’guana Taco Truck
Jesse’s Ice Cream Truck
Looking for more information on the egg hunt? Click here for details and registration.
**RAIN DATE APRIL 26, SAME TIME**

Kids’ Drop-off: Mother’s Day Gifts
2025-04-25 17:30 - 19:00 | 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 making a wooden flower craft and fused glass necklace* for a special adult in your child’s life. In between crafting we will learn all about nature’s most famous animal mothers. Registration is $10 per child for family-level members and $15 per child for non-members. Children can made a second set of crafts for an additional $5. All supplies included. Space is limited and advance payment and registration are required. This is a drop-off program open to children ages 6-12. Please contact our education coordinator, Tara, at tewers@greathollow.org to register your child.
*Necklaces must be fired in a kiln and will need to be picked up following the event. Necklaces can be mailed for an additional $6.00.

2025 Juried Art Show
2025-05-16 18:00 - 2025-05-18 16:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
The Great Hollow Photographers Club’s annual Juried Painting & Photography Show features amazing scenes of local nature captured in photographs, paintings, collages, drawings, and digitally augmented art by talented artists from all over Connecticut, New York, and beyond. Now in its 8th year, the show is one of the region’s most popular and prestigious art exhibitions. Including both painting and photography, the show gives an opportunity to view some of the best nature-oriented art in the Northeast. All artwork is for sale at very reasonable prices, with the proceeds donated to Great Hollow to further its mission. Over the past seven years, the show has raised more than $10,000 for Great Hollow and we hope you will join us for this 8th year of fundraising.
This year’s show will begin with an opening reception on Friday, May 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Great Hollow’s Gate House Barn (click here for campus map). Everyone is welcome and there is no cost at attend! The show will then continue for viewing and sales on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 from 10 am to 4 pm.
If you are an artist and interested in submitting your work to the show, please check back soon for a Call for Artists. The deadline for submissions is midnight on April 15, 2025.

The Wild World of Nocturnal Insects
2025-07-19 20:00 - 21:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Celebrate National Moth Week with insect expert Ben Lee as we learn all about the secret lives of fireflies, moths, and other nocturnal insects. We’ll first set up some special traps for catching insects that are active at night, and then talk about their biology, the important roles they play in our environment, and what we can do to encourage them living in our backyards. We’ll also take a short trek on our trails to search for fireflies and other insects in action. Please wear sturdy footwear, long pants and sleeves in case mosquitos are out, and bring a headlamp or flashlight. Flashlights or headlamps with red light capability are highly recommended because white light can displace fireflies. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Advanced registration is required and space is limited. Please sign up by emailing Ben at blee@greathollow.org.
(Photo: rosy maple moth by S. Mammoser)

Bird Research Demonstration
2025-07-25 08:00 - 10:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join Great Hollow ornithologists Sarah Deckel and Chad Seewagen for an up-close look at how researchers safely capture birds to mark them with identification bands and collect measurements and other valuable data. We’ll talk about the many things scientists use this information for and why it is so important to study birds and monitor their populations. This program is suitable for ages 8 and up. Advanced registration is required and space is limited. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Please email Sarah at sdeckel@greathollow.org to sign up.

Pollinator Walk & Talk
2025-08-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join insect expert, Ben Lee, for a special walk & talk program all about pollinators! We’ll talk about population declines in many ecologically and economically important species of pollinators, the vital roles they play in ecosystem function and agriculture, and how you can help them. Ben will lead us around Great Hollow’s grounds and pollinator garden to look for and identify pollinating insects, talk about the best plants for supporting pollinators, and advise on how you can landscape around your home to provide high-quality pollinator habitat. Please email Ben at blee@greathollow.org to register. Free for members and non-members. Children are welcome but must be attended by a parent/guardian.

Bird Migration Talk at the Sherman Library
2025-09-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Ctr, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
It’s that time of year when billions of birds that spent the summer breeding up north turn around and begin their long migration south for the winter. Join Great Hollow ornithologist Dr. Sarah Deckel for a special talk at the Sherman Library about the wonders of migration and the remarkable abilities of migratory birds. How do birds tell north from south, where do they get the energy to fly thousands of miles, what hazards and obstacles do they face along the way? Why do some birds migrate and others don’t? Dr. Deckel will answer all of these questions and more as she talks about the amazing biology of migratory birds, how humans are making it harder for birds to survive their journeys, and what you can do to help them.
Registration with the Sherman Library is required. Please register by visiting their website or calling (860) 354-2455.

Jazz Night on the Patio
2025-09-12 18:00 - 19:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
**This event is now sold out**
Please do not contact the office asking if it would be possible to still get tickets and please do not attempt to walk into the event. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Join us for the return of an annual favorite – Jazz Night on the Patio. Our friends from the BnB Jazz Trio will be back to provide an intimate night of great music by the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Duke Ellington, alongside a roaring outdoor fire. Feel free to bring whatever food and beverages you would like to enjoy during the show (alcohol permitted for those 21 and over). Chairs will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased in advance, below. Children under the age of 12 are free and do not need a ticket.
*Rain date is Saturday, September 13th, same time

Mushroom Walk & Talk
2025-09-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join Western Connecticut State University professor of mycology, Dr. Hannah Reynolds, on an exploration of the beautiful and mysterious world of fungi. Dr. Reynolds will lead us on a search for mushrooms and other fungi while discussing their ecology and roles 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. Please wear proper shoes for hiking and leave your dog at home. We’ll meet by the kiosk at the start of the Red Trail, next to the Merritt House. Click here for a campus map.
This program is free for members and a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members. Advanced registration is required. Please click HERE to register.
**Rain date is October 4th, same time.

Kids’ Drop-in Day: Fall Ecology
2025-09-23 09:00 - 15:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Kids, come join us for a day of fall exploration! During this full-day program, children will have the opportunity to go on hikes and be creative with crafts while learning about the changes occurring in nature this time of the year. Registration is $50 per child for family-level members and $55 per child for non-members. Space is very limited. Advance payment and registration are required. Lunch and snacks are not provided. This is a drop-off program open to children ages 7-10. Please contact our education coordinator, Tara, at tewers@greathollow.org to register your child.

Fall Foliage & Tree ID
2025-10-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Come enjoy a guided fall foliage hike with our naturalist and Master Woodland Manager, Ben Lee. Attendees will learn how to identify common trees of Connecticut through leaf and bark characteristics. Our hike will begin at the start of the red trail and traverse through a second-growth forest before returning to the patio for light refreshments and an opportunity for additional Q&As. This program is part of our Wonders of the Woods series for adults and is free for members ($20 for non-members; includes admission to all four sessions). To register please email our education director Tara.

Hollow Fest: A Fall Family Fun Day!
2025-10-25 12:00 - 15:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Come out to Great Hollow on Saturday, October 25th for our annual Hollow Fest extravaganza! There will be fun for the whole family, including cider pressing, face painting, pumpkin decorating, crafting, games, and more! All the while, we’ll be making complementary apple cider for you to enjoy and take home. Entry is $5 per adult (cash only, please). Please leave your dog at home.

Meet Your Greens Event
2025-10-30 17:00 - 19:00 | Housatonic River Brewing, 30 Kent Road, New Milford, CT, 06776, United States
Join Great Hollow staff and our friends from several other local environmental organizations for an informal social gathering at the Housatonic River Brewery (30 Kent Road, New Milford). Meet Your Greens is northwestern Connecticut’s “green” happy hour, providing opportunities to make connections and exchange news about environmental issues, conservation initiatives, land use, and more. All are welcome, it’s free to attend, and no reservations are necessary. We hope to see you there!

It's Alive! The Fascinating World of the Forest Floor
2025-10-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Ever wonder where all the dead leaves go? Come find out on a short, guided hike with our naturalist and Master Woodland Manager, Ben Lee. Attendees will learn about some of nature’s decomposers and the vital services they provide for our ecosystem. Our hike will begin at the red trail and traverse through second-growth forest before returning to the patio area for light refreshments and an opportunity for additional Q&As. This program is part of our Wonders of the Woods series for adults and is free for members ($20 for non-members; includes admission to all four sessions). To register please email our education director Tara.

Invasive Species Walk
2025-11-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
What do spotted lanternflies, Asian jumping worms, and Japanese barberry have in common? They are just three of the 6,500+ known invasive species in the United States. But what makes a species invasive and what should we do about them? Come find out on a short, guided walk and talk with our naturalist Ben Lee and education director Tara Ewers. Attendees will learn what traits make a species invasive and how to identify common invasive plants in Connecticut forests. Our day will begin with a short introductory slideshow in the lecture room before we head out to Great Hollow’s red trail. We’ll return to the lecture room for light refreshments and an opportunity for additional Q&As. This program is part of our Wonders of the Woods series for adults. Registration is free for members and $20 for non-members for all four sessions. To register please email our education director Tara.

Kids' Crafts: Holiday Ornaments
2025-11-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Kids, join us for some holiday crafting fun! During this drop-off event children will be making three holiday ornaments: a fused glass ornament*, a decoupage oyster shell ornament, and a painted tree cookie ornament. We will discuss the science behind each of these materials while creating our holiday keepsakes. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. The cost of this program is $15 per child for family-level and above members or $20 per child for non-members. This program is open to children ages 6-12. Please contact Tara to register your child for this event.
*Please note that the glass ornaments will need to be picked up at Great Hollow the following week or at the Sherman Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 7.

Winter Birding
2025-12-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Grab your binoculars and join us for a guided birding walk with ornithologist, Dr. Sarah Deckel. Attendees will learn about some of the more common winter residents as well as how to identify them by sight and sound. Our day will begin with a short introductory slideshow and homemade seed cake feeder activity in the lecture room before heading outdoors. We’ll return to the lecture room for light refreshments and an opportunity for additional Q&As. This program is part of our Wonders of the Woods series for adults and is free for members ($20 for non-members; includes admission to all four sessions). To register please email our education director Tara.

Friday Wine and Holiday Wreath Night
2025-12-05 18:30 - 20:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Adults, join us for a relaxing evening of crafting and conversation with our next DIY & Wine night. In this workshop, you’ll decorate a pre-made balsam fir wreath with winter greens and a handmade bow. You may also bring in any of your own decorations for your wreath. No previous experience is necessary. All of the supplies you’ll need are included. Space is limited and this event regularly sells out.Please feel free to bring your own wine, beer, or whatever you like to enjoy while crafting.
The cost for a table is $200 and includes up to five attendees. Individuals may purchase an individual ticket for $40 and will be seated at a mixed-group table. Advanced registration and payment are required. Please email Tara to with any questions. *Cancellations after November 25th are non-refundable.

Saturday Wine and Holiday Wreath Night
2025-12-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States

Winter Solstice Guided Hike & Spiral Celebration
2025-12-21 13:00 - 19:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Children & Families | 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Adults Only | 5:00 – 7:00 pm

As the longest night of the year approaches, we invite you to connect with nature and celebrate the return of the light during this guided hike. Discover the calming charm of the season as we walk the Great Hollow frosty trails to the waterfall while embracing the peaceful quiet of the winter woods. After our hike, we’ll gather around the winter spiral to symbolize the transition from darkness to light, and celebrate the gradual return of longer days. Folks have the option to walk the spiral path adorned with candles and other decorations while reflecting on the year past, and setting intentions for the year ahead.

This year we’ll be hosting 2 separate sessions, one for children/families (afternoon), and one that is adults only (evening). Please bring warm clothes and hiking shoes to stay cozy in the winter chill. Bring a small candle (optional, can be battery-powered) if you would like to contribute to the winter spiral. We’ll serve warm beverages to enjoy after the hike (cider, hot chocolate and tea). Space is limited (10-15 people), so please RSVP to Sarah Deckel (sdeckel@greathollow.org) by Thursday, December 19th to reserve your spot.

The cost for the program is $10 per person for members and $15 per person for non-members. Children under 10 are free for the family program.

Kids' Nature Night: Lunar Calendars
2026-01-10 16:00 - 18:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Kids, join us for the first full moon of the new year: The Wolf Moon. During this program we will learn about the lunar cycle, make our own lunar calendars, and go outside to view the super moon. This drop-off program is open to children ages 6-12. The cost for this program is $5 for family-level members and $10 for non-members. To register for this program please email our education director Tara.

Curious Adults: Maple Sugaring
2026-03-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Maple syrup season has arrived! Join us for this hands-on program led by our naturalist and CT Master Woodland Manager Ben Lee. We’ll begin in the lecture room with a short presentation on the science behind the syrup. Participants will then learn how to identify sugar maples as well as proper tapping and collection techniques. We’ll discuss boiling methods, filtration, and storage. And we’ll be sure to leave time for Q&As and taste-testing this seasonal sweet treat. Please email our education director Tara to register for this program.

This program is a part of our Ecology Series for Curious Adults
Member Pricing: $20 for the entire series; $5 a la carte
Non-member Pricing: $40 for the entire series; $10 a la carte
Sessions
March 20: Maple Sugaring
April 24: Spring Ephemerals
May 8 or 15: Basics of Bees
June 5: Planting Natives

Learn How to Make Maple Syrup!
2026-03-21 10:30 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Maple syrup season has arrived! Come to Great Hollow and find out how you can make maple syrup right in your backyard. We’ll learn how to identify and tap maple trees, hang buckets, and collect sap, and then finally, how to boil it down and filter it. Best of all, we’ll have the opportunity to taste the product of our hard work – pure backyard-style maple syrup! If there’s enough, we’ll also have a limited number of small bottles for you to fill and take home. We’ll meet at 10:30 am in the visitor parking area by the main entrance. There is a suggested donation of $10 per person for non-members and $5 for members. Advanced registration is required, so please sign up by emailing Ben at blee@greathollow.org.
**Rain date: Sunday, March 22nd, same time

Curious Adults: Spring Ephemerals Hike
2026-04-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Weeks before April showers bring May flowers, a group of wildflowers known as ephemerals put on brief show on forest floors. Join us for a short, guided hike with our naturalist and CT Master Woodland Manager, Ben Lee, and education director, Tara Ewers, as we search for these fleeting flowers of spring. Attendees will learn basic plant identification techniques and the important role these flowers play in spring ecology. Our hike will begin at the trail-head for Great Hollow’s red trail located next to the Merritt House and traverse through second-growth forest on the green trail before returning for light refreshments and an opportunity for additional Q&As. Please email our education director Tara to register for this program.

This program is a part of our Ecology Series for Curious Adults
Member Pricing: $20 for the entire series; $5 a la carte
Non-member Pricing: $40 for the entire series; $10 a la carte
Sessions
March 20: Maple Sugaring
April 24: Spring Ephemerals
May 8 or 15: Basics of Bees
June 5: Planting Natives

Wild Foraging in Spring
2026-05-10 12:00 - 14:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join local farmer and educator, Sarah Lucas, as we learn how to forage for wild edibles during spring. Whether for health, hunger, or curiosity, come and meet some of your backyard resources as Sarah shows us how to find, identify, and responsibly harvest wild edibles that are in-season this time of year. The two-hour program includes handouts with identification and nutritional information about many of the plants we’ll be learning about, as well as a simple picnic of dishes made with the very same ingredients we collect. We’ll be hiking Great Hollow’s trails, so be sure to wear proper footwear and clothing. Registration is $20 per person and advanced registration is required. Please email Sarah with any questions or to sign up.

Annual Art Show
2026-05-15 18:00 - 2026-05-17 16:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Come to Great Hollow for our 9th Annual Juried Painting and Photography Show! You’ll see over a hundred amazing works of nature-based art and meet the artists themselves. All works are for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to Great Hollow. To date, the annual show has raised nearly $12,000 in support of Great Hollow’s conservation science and environmental education initiatives. The event is open to the public and free to attend.
The show kicks off with a reception that is open to all on Friday, May 15th, from 6-8 pm in the Gate House Barn. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. The show then continues through the weekend from 10 am to 4 pm on May 16th and 17th. Be sure to check it out!
Call for Artists for the 2026 Art Show:
Calling all painters and photographers who love nature and would like to participate in the ninth annual art show! Artists are invited to submit up to 4 digital images of two-dimensional work for the competition. Accepted media include photographs, paintings, collages, drawings and digitally augmented art. There is no fee to submit. The hanging fee for the show is $15 for each accepted work. Great Hollow will retain a 25% commission on all works sold during the show. All works must be for sale, as a portion of the proceeds from the show go towards supporting Great Hollow. The deadline for submissions is midnight on Wednesday, April 15. Please click HERE for the prospectus and instructions on how to submit your work for consideration.

Meet Your Greens
2026-05-27 17:00 - 19:00 | Housatonic River Brewing, 30 Kent Road, New Milford, CT, 06776, United States

**POSTPONED** Live Music on The Lawn
2026-06-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY JUNE 7 AT 5PM DUE TO WEATHER

Due to the forecast for thunderstorms and at the band’s request, Saturday’s show has been postponed to the rain date, which is Sunday at 5pm. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to see you then.

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Join us for a fun evening of live music featuring the bluesy rock band, The Outcrops! The Outcrops’ original music fuses the sounds of Duane Allman and Jerry Garcia on a canvas of soul, blues, funk, and psychedelic rock that sounds wholly new while comfortably familiar. Along with their gritty originals and some of the best guitar-playing around, their show also pays homage to bands and artists such as the Grateful Dead, The Band, BB King, and Aretha Franklin. The Outcrops were named New Jersey Band of the Year in 2020, and won first place in the North Jersey Blues Challenge, which sent them to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis earlier this year.
This event is BYOE, so bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and whatever you like to eat and drink while enjoying live music (alcohol permitted for those 21 and older). Tickets are a suggested donation of $15 per person. Children under the age of 13 do not need a ticket. No dogs, please.
Entry begins at 4:30 pm. Parking is limited, so we appreciate efforts to carpool with anyone else in your party.
Please order your tickets online by clicking HERE. No tickets will be available at the door. Please print your order confirmation or be prepared to show it on your phone upon entry. Tickets are refundable until 24 hours before the show. Please email info@greathollow.org if you can’t make it and would like your donation refunded.
*Rain date: Sunday, June 7th, 5 pm (please note earlier start time).
