Great Hollow

*Postponed* Kids' Drop-off: Hikin' with Lichen
2022-03-26 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Great Hollow Nature Preserve, 225 CT-37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, United States
**Due to the threat of rain and thunderstorms, today’s hike has been postponed** What exactly is lichen? Is it a fungus? Is it algae? What if we told you it was both?! Kids, join us for a fun hike along the trails of Great Hollow where we’ll be on the hunt for lichen, moss, and fungi. We’ll then observe them under magnification and discuss the differences between the three. We’ll end our day by rewarding our hard work with s’mores by the firepit. This is a drop-off program open to children ages 5-12. Registration is $10 per child for family-level members and $15 for non-members and must be paid in advance. Masks are required when indoors. *Cancellations after March 24th are non-refundable. To join our waitlist, please email our education coordinator Tara.

*Sold Out* Wine & Wreath Night: Woodland Rabbit Easter Wreaths
2022-03-19 18:00 - 20:00
Adults, join us for a relaxing evening of crafting and conversation with our next Wreath & Wine night. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to make a two-dimensional preserved moss rabbit, attach it 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 indoors, and face coverings are optional for fully vaccinated attendees. Advanced registration and payment are required. Please email our education coordinator, Tara, to register. *Cancellations after March14th are non-refundable.

*Canceled* Winter Birding
2022-02-19 09:00 - 10:30
*Canceled due to low enrollment* Come take a hike with our naturalist John Foley to go winter birding! Those with minimal or no birding experience are welcome, as John will show us the basics of identifying birds by sight and sound. Remember to bring binoculars or a camera equipped with a long telephoto lens. We’ll meet in the visitors’ parking area by the main entrance. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5/person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Please sign up in advance by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Snow Moon Hike
2022-02-16 18:00 - 19:30
Enjoy a moonlit, guided hike up to Great Hollow’s waterfall with our naturalist John Foley and learn what this month’s “Snow Moon” is all about. We’ll also 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. The hike is weather-dependent and reservations are required. Appropriate for children ages 8 and up. Please, no dogs. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5/person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Sign up by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

*Canceled* Winter Ecology Walk & Talk
2022-02-12 10:00 - 11:30
*Canceled due to trail conditions *Did you know when animals hibernate, they don’t really “sleep” all winter? Join our naturalist John Foley for a winter ecology hike through Great Hollow where we’ll learn fun facts about hibernation and other adaptations plants and animals have to survive the winter. John will also share some tips on how to identify some of our trees and other plants when they have no leaves. If there’s snow on the ground, we’ll look for animal tracks and interpret the animal’s behavior at the time they were left. Don’t forget to bring binoculars if you have some so you can look for wintering birds along the way. Please dress warmly and wear proper footwear for hiking. Please, no dogs. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5/person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Please sign up in advance by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Kids' Craft Night: Valentine's Day Heart Art
2022-02-11 17:00 - 19:00
Kids, join us for a fun evening of Valentine’s Day crafting. We’ll spend the evening making heart string art, a heart art canvas, and handmade valentines for parents or caregivers. Between projects, we’ll also learn some interesting facts about hearts and love in the animal kingdom. This is a drop-off program open to children ages 5-12. Registration is $20 per child. Please email our education coordinator Tara to sign up.

Winter Tree and Shrub Identification Walk
2022-01-22 10:00 - 11:00
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, January 8th when our naturalist, John Foley, 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 visitor’s 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 John at jfoley@greathollow.org.

Kids' Nature Night: The Lunar Calendar
2022-01-21 17:00 - 19:00
Maybe you have heard of a Harvest Moon, but have you ever heard of a Worm Moon? During this month’s Kids’ Nature Night we will learn about the phases of the moon, the lunar calendar, and its significance to Native Americans. We will observe the moon through a telescope before returning to the classroom to make an edible diagram of the lunar phases using Oreo cookies! Lastly we will make our own turtle shell lunar calendars out of paper to take home. This program is open to children ages 5-12. Registration is $10 per child for family-level members and $15 per child for non-members. Masks are required when indoors. To register your child please email our education coordinator Tara.

*Canceled* Wolf Moon Hike
2022-01-15 18:00 - 19:30
**This event has been canceled due to current weather conditions** Enjoy a moonlit, naturalist-guided hike at Great Hollow while learning what this month’s “Wolf Moon” is all about. We’ll also look and listen for owls and other nocturnal animals as we trek up to the Tucker’s Run waterfall. Please wear sturdy footwear and bring a flashlight or headlamp. The hike is weather-dependent. Appropriate for children ages 8 and up. Please, no dogs. Free for members; a suggested donation of $5/person for non-members is greatly appreciated. Advanced registration is required. Please sign up by emailing John at jfoley@greathollow.org. We’ll meet at 6:00 pm in the visitor’s parking area by Great Hollow’s main entrance.

Winter Break Drop-in Day: Winter Survival **Sold Out**
2021-12-30 09:00 - 15:00
Kids, join us for a day of fun as we learn about winter survival. We’ll cover topics such as cold weather first aid, shelter building, and fire building. We’ll also get to make crafts, explore the trails, and make s’mores. This is a full-day drop-off program open to children ages 7-12. Masks are required when indoors. Advanced registration and payment are required. Registration is $45 per child for family-level members and above, and $55 for non-members. To join our waitlist, please email our education coordinator Tara. *Cancellations after December 27th are non-refundable.

Winter Break Drop-in Day: Winter Animals *Sold Out*
2021-12-29 09:00 - 15:00
Kids, come to Great Hollow and learn all about how animals cope with the cold New England winters. We’ll start our day learning all about winter birds: what they eat, how they stay warm, and how to spot them using binoculars. In the afternoon, we’ll learn all about animals that survive winter by hibernating. We’ll also get to create some crafts and play games outdoors. This is a full-day drop-off program open to children ages 5-10. Masks are required when indoors. Advanced registration and payment are required. Registration is $45 per child for family-level members and above, and $55 for non-members. To register your child, please email our education coordinator Tara. *Cancellations after December 26th are non-refundable.

Winter Break Drop-in Day: Winter Weather *Sold Out*
2021-12-28 09:00 - 15:00
Kids, join us for a day of fun as we explore winter weather. We’ll learn about winter meteorology, the different states of water, and why two snowflakes actually can be alike. We’ll also have some time for crafting and exploration of our hiking trails. This is a full-day drop-off program open to children ages 5-10. Masks are required when indoors. Advanced registration and payment are required. Registration is $45 per child for family-level members and above, and $55 for non-members. To register your child, please email our education coordinator Tara. *Cancellations after December 24th are non-refundable.

Kids' Drop-off: Holiday in the Hollow Craft Night
2021-12-10 17:30 - 19:30
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.
