Great Hollow

Kids' Drop-off: Holiday in the Hollow Craft Night
2021-12-10 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Kids join us for a festive evening of holiday crafting. Everyone will get to make 5 different holiday crafts. In between crafts, we’ll enjoy some hot chocolate, roast marshmallows, and listen to some classic holiday tunes. This is a drop-off program open to children ages 5-11. Registration is $20 per child and must be paid in advance. Masks are required when indoors. *Cancellations after December 7th are non-refundable.To register your child please email our education coordinator, Tara.

Holiday Wreath & Wine Night *Sold Out*
2021-12-04 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-12-03 18:00 - 20:00
Adults, join us for a relaxing evening of crafting and conversation with our next DIY & Wine night. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to wire boughs of fresh cut greens, arrange them onto a dried grapevine wreath, and create your own handmade bow. No previous experience is necessary. Please feel free to bring your own wine, beer, or whatever you like to enjoy while crafting. Registration is $30 per person and includes all of the supplies you’ll need. Space is limited to allow for social distancing, and face coverings will be required when indoors. Advanced registration and payment are required and a minimum of three people are needed to reserve a table. Please email our education coordinator, Tara, to be added to our waitlist. *Cancellations after December 1st are non-refundable.

Family Holiday Wreath Making *Sold Out*
2021-12-04 13:00 - 16:30
Families, join us for a festive afternoon of holiday wreath making. In this workshop, you and up to three family members will learn how to wire boughs of fresh cut greens, arrange them onto a dried grapevine wreath, and add decorations such as a bows, pinecones, and bells. No previous experience is necessary! We’ll have our firepit going for s’mores (weather permitting) and be serving hot chocolate. Kids will also be given an ornament to paint and take home. Registration is $45 and includes all of the materials to make one wreath per family. Additional wreath kits can be purchased for $15. Space is limited to allow for social distancing, and face coverings will be required when indoors. *Cancellations after December 1st are non-refundable. Please e-mail our education coordinator, Tara, to join our waitlist.

Kids' Drop-off: Turkey Talk & Walk *Sold Out*
2021-11-20 13:30 - 15:30
Kids, join us for an afternoon of turkey-tastic fun! First we’ll play a game of turkey tag before learning all about these once endangered birds. We’ll finish up our day with a short hike and turkey inspired craft. This program is open to children ages 5-12. Registration is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. Space is limited to allow for social distancing. Masks are required when indoors and when social distancing cannot be maintained outdoors. To be added to the waitlist for this program please email our education coordinator Tara.

Caregivers & Kids: Turkey Talk *Sold Out*
2021-11-20 10:30 - 12:00
Kids and their caregivers, join us for a morning of turkey-tastic fun! First we’ll have story time about – you guessed it – a turkey! Then we will learn a little bit more about wild turkeys in Connecticut before we make a simple turkey-inspired craft. We’ll finish up by playing a game of turkey tag. This program is open to children ages 3.5-5 and their caregivers. Registration is $10 per child for non-members and $5 per child for members. Space is limited to allow for social distancing. Masks are required when indoors and when social distancing cannot be maintained outdoors. To register for this program please email our education coordinator Tara at tewers@greathollow.org

Natural History in Poetry
2021-11-07 13:30 - 15:00
Join us as we appreciate and reflect upon scenes of nature as told by some of history’s greatest poets and writers. Natural history is a field of inquiry in biology involving careful observation of plants, animals, and their habitats. Poets and natural historians share a common impulse to write about what they see in the natural world. On this hike, we’ll complete a loop on the Green and Red trail, interspersed with pauses to read from natural history writers and poets. We’ll share readings from some of the greats, including Henry David Thoreau, Edwin Teale, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Aldo Leopold, Robert Frost, and John Muir. This program is open to all ages and anyone with an appreciation for naturalists and poets alike. Registration is free for members and $5 per person for non-members. Please register in advance by emailing our education coordinator, Tara.

*Sold Out* Kids Nature Night: Halloween in the Hollow
2021-10-29 17:30 - 19:30
Kids, join us for a Nature Night all about Halloween! In this program, we will go on a ghostly hike in the dark looking for Halloween treats. When we return from our hike we will decorate or carve our own pumpkins. This program is open to children ages 7 to 12. Registration is $20 for non-members and $15 for members. Space is limited to allow for social distancing, and masks are required when indoors. To be added to our waitlist, please email our education coordinator, Tara, at tewers@greathollow.org.

Hollow Fest: A fall family fun day!
2021-10-23 12:00 - 15:00
Come out to Great Hollow on Saturday, October 23rd for our fourth annual Hollow Fest extravaganza! There will be fun for the whole family, including cider pressing, pumpkin painting, crafting, games, and more! All the while, we’ll be grilling hamburgers and hotdogs, and making hot apple cider for you to enjoy. Entrance is $5 per person; children 3 and under are free. We hope to see you there! No dogs, please.

*Sold Out* Kids Nature Night: Aaah, arachnids!
2021-10-15 17:30 - 19:30
**This event is sold out** Kids, join us for a Nature Night all about arachnids! In this program, we will learn why spiders aren’t insects, how arachnids are more than just spiders, go on a nature walk, and make a spider-web craft. This program is open to children ages 6 to 12. Registration is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. Space is limited to allow for social distancing, and masks are required when indoors. Please register in advance by emailing our education coordinator, Tara, at tewers@greathollow.org.

DIY & Wine Night: Autumn Grapevine Wreaths
2021-10-08 18:00 - 20:00
Adults, join us for an evening of crafting and conversation on Friday, October 8th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm as we make autumn-inspired grapevine wreaths. No experience is necessary and all crafting materials will be supplied. This event is open to adults 21 and over. Feel free to bring snacks, wine, beer, or whatever you like to enjoy while crafting. This is an indoor program, so masks will be required and attendance will be limited to facilitate distancing. Registration is $25 for members and $30 for non-members, and includes the cost of all materials. To reserve your space, please email Tara

Jazz Night on the Patio
2021-09-25 19:30 - 21:30
Enjoy an intimate night at Great Hollow with an outdoor fire and live jazz performed by the BnB Jazz Trio. 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.
Due to Covid-19 concerns, we will not be providing wine and cheese at the event, as in past years. The event is BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything), so bring your own food and whatever beverages you like to enjoy (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.

Kids Drop-off Event: End of The Summer Harvest *SOLD OUT*
2021-09-18 13:00 - 15:00
Join us in Great Hollow’s new vegetable Garden as we start to wind down the summer growing season and prepare for cooler weather. Children will get their hands dirty clearing out garden beds, planting cool weather crops, and will even get to help make garden fresh salsa! We’ll end our day making a fall-themed craft while nibbling on our homemade treat. This program is open to children ages 6-12. Registration is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Space is limited to allow for social distancing and masks are required when indoors. To join our waitlist, please email our education coordinator, Tara, at tewers@greathollow.org.

Guided Hike at Dover Stone Church & Roger Perry Preserve *CANCELED*
2021-09-11 09:00 - 12:00
**This event has been canceled due to storm damage at the Dover Stone Church** Join our naturalist, John Foley, for an always-popular guided hike at Dover Stone Church and the Roger Perry Preserve in Dover Plains, NY. Stone Church is a steep ravine that ends at an extraordinary cathedral-like cave formation and features a stunning 30-foot waterfall. The walk to that point is easy and takes about 25 minutes. We will then retrace our steps back to the parking lot and carpool a short distance to the Roger Perry Preserve. There, we will walk a trail of pure white sand leading through a red cedar forest. Once known locally as the White Sands of Dover, this site features a series of eroded limestone ridges and stunning bedrock outcrops. Calcium enriched ground water seeps through rivulets, creating an area of rich calcareous wetland fens that support a unique assemblage of rare plants and wildlife.
Both hikes are rather easy and are suitable for children ages 7 and up. Due to the sensitivity of these areas, we ask you to leave your dogs home. We will meet in the visitor’s parking area at Great Hollow at 9 am and then drive to the Dover Elementary School parking lot, or you may meet us directly at the school parking lot at 10 am. Please register by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members is appreciated.

Wildflower Macrophotography Workshop
2021-08-22 10:00 - 12:00
**Registration for this event is filled to capacity and now closed.**

Join professional scientific photographer, Ellen Woods, and Great Hollow’s newest research scientist, Dr. Robert Clark, to learn about Connecticut’s native wildflowers and how to capture their beauty with macrophotography. We’ll walk Great Hollow’s main grounds and the beginning of the Red Trail in search of wildflowers, and then learn the best techniques for taking professional-quality macrophotographs for scientific and educational purposes. Beginners are welcome and no special equipment is required. The program will begin at 10 am in front of the Merritt House (click here for campus map). The wildflower walk and photography demonstration will each be approximately an hour in length. Free for members; a suggested donation of $10 per person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Please register in advance by emailing us at jfoley@greathollow.org.
Ellen Woods is a PhD Candidate at Wesleyan University where she is currently studying the effects of environmental change on plant evolution. Her photography of plants and the insects that feed on them has been highlighted on multiple scientific journal covers, by NPR and the Washington Post, and in the book “Monarchs and Milkweeds.” You can view some of her work here.

Pollinator Walk & Talk
2021-08-15 12:00 - 13:00
Join Master Gardener and Master Naturalist, Lynee Bernstein, for a special walk & talk program all about pollinators. Lynne will discuss the causes of 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. She’ll 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 John Foley at jfoley@greathollow.org to register. Free for members and non-members.

Music on the Lawn - The Special Sauce Band
2021-08-14 18:00 - 20:00
**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.

Music on the Lawn - Echoes of Sinatra
2021-07-24 18:00 - 20:00
**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.

Free Cookout and Live Reptile Show
2021-07-11 13:00 - 15:00
*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.

Invasive Plant Walk & Talk
2021-07-10 10:00 - 11:30
*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.​

Plein Air Art Days
2021-07-01 09:00 - 2021-07-18 12:00
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

Music on the Lawn - Dylan Doyle Trio
2021-06-26 18:00 - 20:30
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.

Virtual Art Show open until June 30
2021-06-23 08:00 - 2021-06-30 23:30
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.)

Hike the Hollow for National Trails Day - Sold Out
2021-06-05 10:00 - 12:00
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.

Nature Night: Bizarre Bats
2021-05-28 17:30 - 20:00
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.

Spring Migration Bird Walk
2021-05-23 08:00 - 09:30
**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.

DIY Wine Night: Springtime Floral Design
2021-05-01 18:00 - 20:00
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.

Saturday Drop-off: Mother's Day Crafts
2021-05-01 13:00 - 15:30
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.

Spring Wildflower Hike
2021-05-01 10:00 - 11:30
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.

Afterschool Program: Slippery Salamanders
2021-04-28 15:30 - 17:30
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.
