Great Hollow

Maple Syrup Demonstration
2024-03-09 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | CT
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 turning sap into syrup. 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 100% backyard style maple syrup! If there’s enough, we will also have a limited number of small bottles for you to fill and take home. We’ll meet at 10am in the visitor parking area by the main entrance. There is a suggested donation of $15 for non-members and $10 for members. Advanced registration is required, so please sign up by emailing Ben at blee@greathollow.org. *Rain date is March 17.

Kids’ Drop-off Program: Rabbit Romp
2024-03-24 10:00 - 12:00 | CT
Kids, hop on over for morning of fun at Great Hollow! During this program we’ll learn some fun facts about rabbits and meet our resident rabbit up close. We’ll also set aside some time for fun and games like hopscotch and a rabbit-themed craft. Registration is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Space is limited and advance payment and registration are required. This is a drop-off program open to children ages 6-10. Please contact our education coordinator, Tara, at tewers@greathollow.org to register.

Seminar: The Threat and Spread of the Spotted Lanternfly in Connecticut
2024-04-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Ctr, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect from Asia that is quickly spreading throughout the Northeast and presenting a novel threat to native trees and domestic crops — particularly grapes. Join us at the Sherman Library for a special presentation by our education coordinator, Tara Ewers, about the research she has been doing to better map and predict the spread of the spotted lanternfly through Connecticut’s forests and vineyards. During the presentation, you will learn how to identify the spotted lanternfly during its different life-stages, the ecological and economical threats it poses, and what you can do to help slow its spread. This event is being hosted by the Sherman Library and the Sherman Conservation Commission; please note the location is at the Sherman Library (1 Sherman Ctr, Sherman, CT 06784), not at Great Hollow. Please register through the Sherman Library by clicking HERE

Outdoor Yoga Every Sat. and Sun.
2024-06-08 09:00 - 2024-09-22 10:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join master yoga instructor, Beverly Steiger, on Great Hollow’s spacious lawn or deck for Vinyassa Flow-style classes while taking in the beautiful scenery and serenity of our nature preserve. Beverly is the owner and operator of New Fairfield Yoga and Wellness and is a 500-hour Master Holy Yoga Instructor with numerous additional yoga certifications.
Outdoor yoga at Great Hollow is independently operated by New Fairfield Yoga and Wellness. Registration and payment are handled directly through New Fairfield Yoga and Wellness. To register and pay for a class, please visit their website. Please also direct any questions to them.
Schedule: Every Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 – 10:00 am, all summer.

Giants Rising film screening
2024-06-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Bank Street Theater, 46 Bank Street, New Milford, CT, 06776, United States
Great Hollow and the Bank Street Theater are pleased to co-host a special screening of the critically acclaimed, feature-length documentary, Giants Rising, followed by a Q&A session with the film’s director, Lisa Landers.
As summarized in IMDb, Giants Rising “takes us into the heart of America’s most iconic forests and reveals the secrets and saga of the coastal redwoods–the tallest and among the oldest living beings on Earth. It’s an epic tale that explores the wonders of these silent giants and our dramatic, ever-evolving relationship with them. Living links to the past, redwoods also hold powers that may play a role in our future, including their ability to withstand fire and capture carbon, to offer clues about longevity, and even to enhance our own well-being. How do they do it and how will redwoods keep working their magic as they’re pushed to their limits? Through the voices of biologists, artists, Native peoples and others racing to understand and safeguard these trees, Giants Rising reveals the scientific wonders of redwoods, our deep cultural ties to them, and efforts to help these iconic forests overcome the legacy of logging that nearly wiped them out. It’s a story that offers lessons about resilience and connection, and the promise of solutions that will help us all rise up from the past and face the challenges that lay ahead.”
You can watch the inspiring trailer and find out more about the film here.
The program will start at 6:30 pm on Wednesday June 19th at The Bank Street Theater (46 Bank Street, New Milford, CT) with an introduction by Lisa Landers.
Tickets are only $5 per person and proceeds benefit Great Hollow. Please click here to purchase your tickets.

Live Music on the Lawn
2024-07-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us for a fun evening of outdoor live music featuring The Turnaround. The Turnaround is a Brookfield-based cover band that plays the best of Classic Rock, New Wave, and Alternative from the ’60s to today. They bring your favorite radio hits to life, so be ready to sing and dance all night. 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 $10 for active members and $15 for non-members. Children under the age of 10 do not need a ticket. No dogs, please.
Entry begins at 6 pm. Parking is limited, so we appreciate efforts to carpool with anyone else in your party.
Please order your tickets by clicking HERE. No tickets will be available at the door.
*Rain date: Friday, August 2nd

Wild Foraging Workshop
2024-07-21 12:00 - 14:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join local farmer, forager, educator, and special guest Sarah Lucas of Harlem Valley Homestead to learn how to forage for wild edible plants in the summer. Wild foods can be rich in antioxidants, electrolytes, antibacterials, and phytonutrients. Whether for health, hunger, convenience or curiosity, come and meet some of your backyard resources as Sarah shows us how to find, identify, and responsibly harvest 8 wild edible plants that are currently in season. The two-hour class will include printed handouts, identification and nutritional information, and access to Sarah’s extensive foraging library, and culminate with a simple picnic of dishes made with the very same ingredients we’ll learn about. We will be hiking Great Hollow’s trails, so be sure to wear proper footwear. No dogs, please. Registration is $20 per person and you must sign up in advance by emailing Sarah at sl3026@utsnyc.edu. Payment will be collected at the start of the program and can be made by cash or Venmo. Please note, the program will be held rain or shine but will be cancelled in the event of thunderstorms. Please dress appropriately for the weather, as most of the program will be outdoors.

Insect Ecology and Collecting Workshop
2024-07-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Did you know there’s a “National Moth Week” and it’s right around the corner? Come to Great Hollow to learn all about moths and other insects with our very own insect expert, Ben Lee. In this walk & talk program, Ben will take you on a guided hike focused on the fascinating ecology and life-history of insects. You’ll also get try your hand at some of the techniques scientists use to catch insects, and then learn how to identify what you found under a microscope. You can then take what you learned home with you and discover the wild world of insects living in your own backyard. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Please sign up by emailing Ben at blee@greathollow.org.

2025 Calendar Photo Contest
2024-08-27 17:00 - 2024-10-04 17:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Every year, the Great Hollow Photographers Club creates a wall calendar with spectacular nature photography from our preserve and the surrounding area. The deadline to submit your photos for consideration for the 2025 calendar is midnight on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. There is no charge to enter. Click here to submit your photos. And anyone is welcome to join us on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 6:30 pm at Great Hollow to vote for the winning images!

Photography Club Workshop: How to Create a Photobook
2024-09-14 13:00 - 14:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join Gary Stanford and John O’Donnell of the Great Hollow Photographers Club (GHPC) for a free workshop on “How to Create a Photobook.” Whether your photos are of a trip, nature, or treasured moments, anyone is welcome. Gary and John will focus on defining the objectives for a photobook, editing and sequencing the photographs, adding text to the materials, and selecting an appropriate printer or publisher. Because audience participation is a large part of the workshop, attendees are encouraged to bring their own photobooks to show and discuss, whether in draft form, printed form, or just as ideas.
A resident of Danbury for the past 20 years, Gary Stanford is a retired Vice President of JP Morgan Chase Bank and a lifelong photographer. He currently divides his time between his passion for photography, teaching part time at Henry Abbott Technical HS and ministering at New Hope Baptist church, Danbury. In the photographic realm, Gary is a member of Great Hollow Photographers Club and Candlewood Camera Club. His work can be viewed at his website, garystanford.zenfolio.com.
Sherman resident John Charles O’Donnell is currently a principal at Atelier VGI, a Manhattan-based publisher of limited edition, fine art photobooks (www.AtelierVGI.com). John has spent decades in the media and publishing industries. Using his lens name, John Charles, he is recognized world-wide for his specialty of teddy bear photographs. Together with his wife Masumi, John supervises the One Thousand Bears Project, a private charity which donates photographs of teddy bears to children’s hospitals and orphanages, in order to “help people smile.”
There is no cost for the workshop, but seating is limited and advance registration required by emailing GHPhotoC@gmail.com.
For more information about Great Hollow Photographers Club, please visit the GHPC Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GHPClub.

Plein Air Art Day
2024-09-20 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-26 15:00 - 17:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join accomplished artist and teacher, Sharon Nakazato, for a plein air art day at Great Hollow. All artists are invited to capture the beauty of Great Hollow through drawing, painting, or photography. Great Hollow provides an array of subjects for plein air artists, including open wetlands, a babbling brook, forested trails, and historic barns and homes. Artists of all media and abilities are invited. Free for members and non-members. **Participants are responsible for bringing all of their own supplies/equipment.** Please email or call Sharon at sharon_nakazato@comcast.net or (845) 612-1046 to register.

Kids' Drop-in Day: Fall Ecology
2024-09-27 09:00 - 15:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
**This program is currently full**. Calling all Sherman families! While the Sherman School is closed on the 27th, your kids are welcome to come join us for a day of fall exploration. During this full-day drop-off program, we’ll go on hikes, get creative with crafts, and learn about the many changes occurring in nature this time of the year. Open to children ages 7-11. Registration is $50 per child for Family Level members and $55 for non-members. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. Please email our education coordinator Tara to join our waitlist.

Bird Research Up Close
2024-09-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT, 06784, United States
Celebrate fall migration with a special bird-banding demonstration by Great Hollow ornithologists, Dr. Chad Seewagen and Dr. Sarah Deckel, at the Connecticut Audubon Society’s Deer Pond Farm Sanctuary. Participants will receive a close-up look at how federally and state-permitted researchers safely catch migrating songbirds, mark them with identification bands, and collect measurements and other basic data. We’ll also talk about the remarkable behavioral and physiological adaptations that allow these tiny birds to fly thousands of miles between their northern breeding grounds and southern wintering grounds.
Please register directly through the CT Audubon Society by clicking HERE
Note: This event is at CT Audubon’s Deer Pond Farm (57 Wakeman Hill Rd, Sherman, CT 06784), NOT at Great Hollow.

Hollow Fest (*Relocated*)
2024-10-19 12:00 - 15:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
The Town of New Fairfield has scheduled a Town Fair on the same day we had planned to have Hollow Fest, and rather than trying to compete with this other, larger event in town, we have decided to simply join the Town Fair as a participating organization. We’ll have an informational table, a kids’ crafting activity, and a demonstration of how to make apple cider. Please be sure to stop by and check out everything else the Town Fair has to offer.

*Sold Out* Kids' Nature Night: Halloween Hike
2024-10-25 17:30 - 19:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
**This event is sold out** Kids, join us for a twilight hike to the waterfall where we’ll learn cool facts about Halloween and some of the animals associated with it. After our hike we’ll do some fun Halloween crafting and then make s’mores. This is a drop-off program open to children ages 7-12; registration is $15 per child for Family Level members and $20 for non-members. Space is limited and this event typically sells out. Please email Tara to sign up.

Offsite Guided Hike: the Bat Caves of the Mine Hill Preserve
2024-11-02 11:00 - 13:30 | Mine Hill Preserve, 41°33'31.9"N 73°20'13.6"W, Roxbury, United States
Join us for a unique hiking experience where history meets nature! On this special guided hike of the Roxbury Land Trust’s Mine Hill Preserve, we’ll visit 19th century relics of the area’s iron-mining history and then make our way to the old mines that are now important homes to hibernating bats. You can read more about the fascinating history of the Mine Hill Preserve here. Great Hollow wildlife biologist and hike leader, Dr. Sarah Deckel, will discuss the important role abandoned mines play for bats during winter and the conservation challenges facing our bat populations, such as the devastating disease known as white-nose syndrome, habitat loss, light pollution, and collisions with wind turbines. Note, the mines are gated for safety and we will not be entering them. If you would like to join the hike, please sign up by emailing Sarah at sdeckel@greathollow.org no later than Thursday, October 31. This event is free for members and non-members.
Important Information:
Please meet us at the Mine Hill Preserve parking lot on Mine Hill Road, approximately 0.4 miles west from Route 67 (helpful coordinates: 41.558847, -73.337096), no later than 11 am.
Please print and complete a liability waiver and bring it with you to the hike or scan and email it to Sarah when you register.
Please come prepared for occasionally steep and uneven terrain. The trail system consists of loose gravel, rocks, and exposed roots that might be difficult to navigate. The round-trip distance of our hike will be approximately 2.5 miles, with an elevation gain of 400 feet. No dogs or young children, please.

**Sold Out** Kids' Drop-off Program: Apple Cider Pressing
2024-11-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Kids, join us for an afternoon of hiking and cider pressing! We’ll start with a light hike to visit Great Hollow’s apple trees and talk about the changes trees go through this time of year. We’ll then learn how apples become cider using our old-fashioned cider press and fill small bottles that you can take home with you. Registration is $5 per child for family level members and $10 per child for non-members. This is a drop-off program open to children ages 6 to 12. Please email our education coordinator Tara at tewers@greathollow.org to join our waitlist.

Kids’ Nature Night: Turkey Talk & Owl Prowl
2024-11-16 17:00 - 19:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Kids, join us for an evening of exploration and crafting as we learn about two types of birds that call Connecticut home year-round: turkeys and owls. We’ll learn how turkeys and owls are similar and how they’re different, do some hands-on exploration of real feathers, skulls, and claws, and visit our aviary to see our resident owls. Finally, we’ll end our night with a couple of kid-friendly crafts. Registration is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. Space is limited and advance payment and registration are required. This is a drop-off program open to children ages 6-10. Please contact our education coordinator Tara at tewers@greathollow.org to register your child.

Wine and Wreath Night: Holiday Wreaths
2024-12-06 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-12-07 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. Please feel free to bring your own wine, beer, or whatever you like to enjoy while crafting. Registration is $35 per person for members and $40 per person for non-members. All of the supplies you’ll need are included. Space is limited and this event regularly sells out. Small groups may be seated at mixed tables. Advanced registration and payment are required. Please email Tara at tewers@greathollow.org to register. *Cancellations after November 25th are non-refundable.

Afternoon Holiday Wreath Workshop
2024-12-07 15:00 - 17:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us for a relaxing afternoon of crafting and conversation with our next DIY & Wine event. 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. Please feel free to bring your own beverages and snacks to enjoy while crafting. Registration is $35 per person for members and $40 per person for non-members. All of the supplies you’ll need are included. Space is limited and this event regularly sells out. Small groups may be seated at mixed tables. Minor children ages 13+ may attend with a parent/guardian and create an additional wreath for $20. Advanced registration and payment are required. Please email Tara at tewers@greathollow.org to register. *Cancellations after November 25th are non-refundable.

**SOLD OUT** Kids' Drop-off: Holiday Cookies & Crafts | 5-8 year olds
2024-12-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Kids, join us for an afternoon of crafting and fun. During this drop-off program, you’ll decorate a large gingerbread man with icing and candy. Children will also create two ornaments. Registration is $20 per child and includes all the supplies. Space is limited and this event regularly sells out. Advanced registration and payment are required. Please email our education coordinator, Tara, to join our waitlist.

Winter Solstice Guided Hike & Spiral Celebration
2024-12-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
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 by Great Hollow wildlife biologist, Sarah Deckel. Discover the calming charm of the season as we walk frosty trails to the waterfall while embracing the peaceful quiet of the winter woods. After our hike, we’ll create and gather around a “winter spiral” to symbolize the transition from darkness to light and the gradual return of longer days. Those who choose may then walk the spiral path while reflecting on the past year and setting goals for the year ahead.
Please wear warm clothes and hiking shoes to stay cozy in the winter chill. Bring a small candle if you would like to contribute to the winter spiral. We’ll serve warm beverages to enjoy after the hike. Space is limited (10-15 people), so please email Sarah at sdeckel@greathollow.org by Thursday, December 19th to reserve your spot.

Winter Foraging Workshop
2025-01-25 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 winter! Whether for health, hunger, or curiosity, come meet some of your backyard resources as Sarah shows us how to find, identify, and responsibly harvest wild edibles that are in-season during the winter. The two-hour class will include handouts, identification and nutritional information, and access to Sarah’s extensive foraging library, and culminate with a simple picnic of dishes made with the very same ingredients we’ll learn about. We will be hiking Great Hollow’s trails, so be sure to wear proper footwear. Registration is $20 per person. To sign up, please email Sarah.

Kids’ January Drop-in Day
2025-01-31 09:00 - 15:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Your school may be closed, but Great Hollow is open! Come join us for a day of exploration! We’ll go on hikes and get creative with crafts while learning about the lunar cycle and winter birding. This is a full-day drop-off program open to children ages 7-10. Registration is $50 per child for family-level members and $55 for non-members. Space is limited and advanced payment and registration are required. Please email our education coordinator Tara at tewers@greathollow.org to register.

Seed Dumpling Workshop
2025-02-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Join us and our co-hosts, the Climate Reality Project and Hilltop Hanover Farm, as we make seed balls that you can plant to support native wildflowers and pollinators. All seeds that we will use have been harvested locally at Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown Heights, NY. Come learn how you can improve the quantity and quality of ecotypic native plants in our region and why pollinators need help. Registration is $5 per person to cover the cost of supplies. Sign up by emailing our education coordinator Tara at tewers@greathollow.org.

Winter Tree & Shrub ID Walk
2025-02-09 10:00 - 11:30 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
** Postponed to a TBD future date. Please check back for updates or email blee@greathollow.org to express your interest in signing up **
Identifying trees by their leaves can be easy, but how do you tell one species from another during the 6 months that trees in Connecticut have no leaves? Come down to Great Hollow on Saturday, February 1st when our naturalist, Ben Lee, will teach some basic skills for identifying trees and shrubs during the winter by looking at subtle details in their bark and branch structure. There will also be a discussion of invasive species and the many emerging diseases that trees in our region now face. We will be hiking some of Great Hollow’s trails, so please wear appropriate footwear and dress warmly. Meet in the visitors’ parking area by the main entrance. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5 per person for non-members is appreciated. Please sign up in advance by emailing Ben at blee@greathollow.org.

*Sold Out* Kids’ February Drop-in Day
2025-02-18 09:00 - 15:00 | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
Your school may be closed, but Great Hollow is open! Come join us for a day of winter exploration! We’ll go on hikes and get creative with crafts while learning about the changes occurring in nature this time of the year. This is a full-day drop-off program open to children ages 7-10. Registration is $50 per child for family-level members and $55 for non-members. Space is limited and advanced payment and registration are required. Please email our education coordinator Tara at tewers@greathollow.org to join our waitlist.

Learn How to Make Maple Syrup!
2025-03-08 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 9th, same time
