Connecticut Audubon Society

Connecticut Audubon Society
Center at Fairfield

2325 Burr Street
Fairfield, CT 06824
203-259-6305 ext. 109

Center & Nature Store Visitor Hours:
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
(Closed Sundays & Mondays.)

Our adjoining 155-acre Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary
is open dawn to dusk year-round.

Get Directions

See a MAP of our 5 Centers
& 19 Wildlife Sanctuaries

Governor Rell visited our Center at Fairfield and is holding one of our teaching birds, a European Barn Owl.

In July 2008 Governor Rell visited our Center at Fairfield and met our staff and summer campers (see photo below). Above, Governor Rell holds "Milton," a European Barn Owl and one of our Center's many education animals. Also pictured: Fairfield First Selectman Ken Flatto (l.) and CAS Chairman Ross Strickland. Photos © 2008 Cameron Swallen.

General Information

Located in the historic Greenfield Hill section, Connecticut Audubon Society's Center at Fairfield was constructed in 1971 and adjoins the 155-acre Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary, open dawn to dusk year-round, features rolling woodlands, meadows, streams, marshes and ponds with raised boardwalks and bridges that allow access to a variety of habitats, 7 miles of trails including the Chiboucas Wheelchair-accessible Trail for the Disabled, observation platform, interpretive signage and an Algonquian wigwam replica.

The Center provides an indoor setting for interpretation of the Sanctuary and serves as the hub of youth and adult environmental education programs and activities throughout the year. Our Center features live education animals and other nature-related exhibits and, from late spring and throughout the summer a Butterfly Garden. Farm Pond (right behind the building) is a great place for spotting frogs, turtles and ducks. Our “Birds of Prey” Compound is home to a variety of owls and hawks, two Peregrine Falcons, a Turkey Vulture and other raptors.

Focus: To promote awareness of Connecticut's terrestrial and freshwater wetland ecosystems and foster their preservation through hands-on experience and learning and related activities.

CAS Center at Fairfield Features

Classrooms and meeting rooms
(also available for rent)
Education Animals and Educational Exhibits
Greenhouse featuring a "Sensory" Garden
Nature Store with unique nature-inspired gifts for all ages plus a great selection of bird houses, bird feeders, bird baths, birding guides, bird seed and more! CAS Members receive a 10% discount on all purchases.

On The Grounds

Live "Birds of Prey" Compound
155-acre Roy & Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary: 7 miles of trails including the Chiboucas Wheelchair-accessible Trail for the Disabled, boardwalks, observation platform, interpretive signage, Algonquian wigwam replica.

Environmental Activities

Classes, lectures, workshops related to birds and their habits and the environmental.
Programs for School Groups for students in
Pre-K through Grade 12 (click here).
Programs for Scout Troops (click here) and other community organizations.
Youth Programs held after-school and on weekends including week-long summer day camps and classes (see listings at right).
Birthday Parties that are both fun and educational (click here).
Adult classes in wildlife art and photography.

Annual Special Events

Adirondack Night (Feb.)
Bird Seed Sales Days
(Oct., Dec., Feb., April)
Egg Hunt & Breakfast (spring)
Enchanted Forest (Oct.)

Volunteer Opportunities

Animal Care Program: For young adults 13 to 20 years of age who help us care for the Center's non-releaseable education animals.
(Click here for more information.)

Two costumed volunteers hold animals.

Volunteers Work Their Magic
for “Enchanted Forest”

We want to acknowledge the terrific teenagers who volunteer for our Animal Care Program and the magical job they did helping set up and put on our “Enchanted Forest” event in October. The 250 children and parents who attended had a terrific time, thanks to them. A big “thank you” to Katherine Newquist, Kali Block, Marlon Brigmon, Max Feldman, Kay Labella, Ally Mahar, Katy Parton, Jeffery Rosen and Desiree Swenson. Pictured: Volunteers Kali Block (l.) and Kay Labella introduced our “Enchanted Forest” visitors to “Vega,” a bearded dragon lizard, and “Thadeus,” a corn snake. Photo by Abigail Ray Kozel.

Thank You Maddy! Young Maddy Abramson holds one of the turtles at our Center at Fairfield.
Our Center's education animals say "thank you" to Maddy Abrahamson. Instead of giving party favor bags at her birthday party, Maddy made a donation to help feed and care for them. Donations are greatly appreciated. Teens can also become Animal Care Volunteers; click here for information.
(Photo by Tricia Kevalis.)

CAS's Environmental Education Programs
for Pre-K through Grade 12 Classes
At the Center at Fairfield or at Your School

The 14 programs we offer fulfill specific standards of the Connecticut Science Framework (noted in our brochure) and all include an outdoor component. Your class can visit our Center at Fairfield -- where programs are typically 1 hour, 90 minutes or 2 hours long. Or our teacher-naturalists will visit your school to conduct 45-minute or hour-long programs.
Our current programs are:

»Animal Groups (Grades PreK-5)
»Exploring the Seasons (Grades PreK-3)
»Life in the Woodland (Grades PreK-5)

»Native Americans (Grades PreK-6)

»What Makes a Bird a Bird? (Grades PreK-3)
»Butterflies, Arachnids and More! (Grades 1-5)
»Marshes, Ponds & Streams (Grades 2-6)

»Going, Going, Gone? Endangered Species (Gs 3-6)

»Rock & Roll (Grades 3-5)
»Birds of Prey (Grades 3-12)
»Owls (Grades 3-12)
»Food Chains & Food Webs (Grades 3-6)
»Animal Adaptations (Grades 4-6).
»Down by the Sound (Grades PreK-6) -- New!
See our brochure with details about our Center at Fairfield and Birdcraft Museum's environmental education programs, fees & registration. Or contact Carol Kratzman at 203-259-6305 ext. 112 or ckratzman@ctaudubon.org.

CAS's CANE Program* for K-Grade 2
Students & Parent-Volunteers
Read our 1-page CANE Flyer

for the 2009-10 school year

CAS's CANE (Connecticut Audubon Nature Explorers) Program is offered to students in the 11 Fairfield Public Schools and St. Thomas Parochial School in Fairfield. Parent-volunteers are trained to present three science enrichment programs to their child’s class. Two units are presented in the classroom leading up to one end-of-the-year field study activity. Parents need to attend only one of the three training days offered for each program they volunteer to teach.

--The Kindergarten Fall and Winter Programs are puppet shows; the Spring Program is held on the school grounds.

--The Grade 1 Fall Program is a puppet show; the Winter Program is a hands-on activity about bird beak adaptations; the Spring Program is a trip to CAS's Birdcraft Museum in Fairfield.
--The Grade 2 Programs include the set-up of a salt water tank in the classroom, a "Mystery in the Marsh" activity that challenges students’ detective skills, and a trip to Southport Beach to investigate the variety of wildlife and habitats found there.

In addition to training, Connecticut Audubon Society provides all materials that CANE Parent-Volunteers need in the classroom. There are also CANE Coordinators at each of the 11 Fairfield Public Schools and at St. Thomas Parochial School; they will have more information and complete presentation schedules available at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.

*Connecticut Audubon Society's CANE program began in the 1970s. For the 2008/09 school year, 250 parent-volunteers were trained by our staff and presented CANE programs to 2,400 K-Grade 2 students in 12 Fairfield elementary schools!

Read our 1-page CANE Flyer for 2009-10 school year with training dates, times, locations

Questions? Contact Carol Kratzman, CANE Coordinator, 203-259-6305 ext. 112 or ckratzman@ctaudubon.org

Spotlight on our Center at Fairfield's
Young Members and Volunteers

Many thanks to the following Boy Scouts for completing their Eagle Scout projects at the Center at Fairfield:
To James Belasco for repairing boardwalk along Dirty Swamp Trail.
To Patrick Hoyt for repairing boardwalk along Deer Meadow Trail.
To Ruari Clancy for trail maintenance on Cottontail Cut-off and boardwalk repair on Streamside Trail.
To David Borowy for boardwalk repair between Farm Pond and Streamside Trail.
To Joe Furniss for trail marking along Muskrat Hollow, Oxcart, Dirty Swamp and Fox Run trails and for boardwalk repair along Muskrat Hollow Trail.
To Corey Franzen for boardwalk repair on Muskrat Hollow Trail.
To Matt Marshall for repair of the teaching platform at Farm Pond and a boardwalk on the back lawn.
There’s always more work to be done! If your Cub Scout den or pack or your Scout troop is interested in a community service project, or if you are considering an Eagle Scout project at the Center at Fairfield or at the Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary, please contact Carol Kratzman, Education Coordinator, at 203-259-6305 ext. 112 or ckratzman@ctaudubon.org.

And a big “thank you” to Linnea Scerbo and her Animal Care Volunteers. Our Center’s Animal Care Volunteer Program is staffed by young adults 13-20 years old who volunteer at least one day a week to assist with the care and keeping of the Center’s Education Animals. Our animals need tender loving care 365 days a year, so three cheers to all our Animal Care volunteers for their dedication! If you would like to volunteer, please read about the article about our Animal Care Program. Applications are available at the Center's Nature Store.

About our Animal Care Program

Our Center at Fairfield's Animal Care Program provides 13-20 year olds an opportunity to interact with and care for our non-releasable Education Animals. Our Center is home to many different animal species and our staff and volunteers are dedicated to providing the finest care possible for these "Wildlife Ambassadors." All our animals are in some way unable to survive in the wild, either because of permanent disabilities or because they were raised as "pets" and never learned to hunt for their food. (Photo by Deanna Sojka.)
4 of our young Animal Caretakers pose with their animal. Photo by Deanna Sojka.

Our Education Animals are comfortable in the presence of humans and have been handled extensively by the Center at Fairfield's Animal Care Staff. They are also the star attraction of many classes, programs and special events we offer that are attended by thousands of children and adults every year. As "Wildlife Ambassadors" they can communicate to children and adults in special ways that human educators cannot.

Our Education Animals are a very important part of our environmental education and conservation programs and they are treated with the utmost respect. Therefore they must be cared for by well-trained, dedicated and caring volunteers.

You Can Become an Animal Care Volunteer!*

Our Animal Care Program's main goal is to provide a healthy, safe, enriched environment for our many Education Animals, which rely on our Center staff and volunteers for all their needs. A second goal is to involve and educate young adults in the care of domestic animals and wildlife. These young adults will learn firsthand the importance of environmental stewardship and conservation, and we believe they will spread that message to friends and family.

*Interested in becoming an Animal Care Volunteer? Contact Coordinator Linnea Scerbo at 203-259-6305 ext. 118 or lscerbo@ctaudubon.org. Applications are also available in the Center at Fairfield's Nature Store.

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Directions to CAS Center at Fairfield:

From I-84: Take Routes 25, 8 or 91 south to Wilbur Cross/Merritt Parkway (Route 15). Then see Merritt Parkway directions below.

From Merritt Parkway:
From the north: Take Exit 44/Fairfield, turn left at light at bottom of the ramp. Go left at the next light, go under the Parkway bridge and then turn right at the light onto Congress St.
**At the first stop sign, turn right onto Burr St. The CAS Center at Fairfield is less than 1 mile on the left.

From the south: Take Exit 44/Fairfield, at end of ramp turn right onto Congress St. Follow directions from ** above.

From I-95: Take Exit 21/Mill Plain Rd. Proceed north and straight for 4-1/2 miles (Mill Plain becomes Burr St.) The CAS Center at Fairfield is on the left.

See Listings below or
Click on Links below for:

* * *
Children's Fall Programs

* * *
Family & Adult Fall Programs

* * *
Program Registration Form

Inaugural Birds In Their Habitat
Juried Artists’ Exhibition & Sale,
Featuring 2010 Artist of the Year
James Prosek, Oct. 1-3 --
Save the Dates!

* * *

Fall Bird Seed Sale on Oct. 9

and

Pre-Order Form including
important "Facts About Bird Feeding"

* * *
Nature Store

* * *
Environmental Education
Programs for Grades PreK-12

* * *
CANE Program for K-Grade 2 Students
& Training Dates for Parent-Volunteers

for the 2009-10 school year

* * *
Birthday Party Brochure

* * *
Scout Programs Brochure

Get Involved in Wildlife Monitoring Projects: Want to learn more about the wildlife visiting and living in our Sanctuaries? Connecticut Audubon Society’s Science and Conservation monitoring network is planning trainings for those interested in helping us with several bird and wildlife monitoring projects. For more information about our projects, training dates, and to join our corps of volunteer citizen scientists, please contact teacher-naturalist Carol Kratzman at the Center at Fairfield, ckratzman@ctaudubon.org or conservation biologist Twan Leenders at tleenders@ctaudubon.org.

a boy and girl examine what they've collected from the pond

Discovering what lies beneath the surface.
Photo by Abigail Ray Kozel.

CHILDREN'S FALL PROGRAMS

Nature Nursery: Fall in the Forest
For children 2-4 years old accompanied by an actively participating adult.
Mondays, 9:30-10:15 a.m. on:
Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22.

Autumn wildflowers are blooming, leaves are turning colors, and animals are on the move! We’ll explore the changes in our forest wildlife sanctuary during the fall. Each program includes an outdoor exploration, stories and a craft. Please wear appropriate outdoor attire and footwear. Advance registration required. Single-program fee (for 1 adult and 1 child): $12 CAS Members; $16 Non-members. 6-program series fee (for 1 adult and 1 child): $66 CAS Members; $90 Non-members.

Science Sleuths & Nature Nuts

For children enrolled in grades 3-5.
Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon on:
Oct. 16, 23, 30 and Nov. 6, 13, 20.
Ornithology. Entomology. Ecology. Zoology. With so many “ology’s” to choose from, what’s the difference? Join our teacher/naturalist for a great introduction to the different areas of scientific study. We’ll explore the Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary from the point of view of a different “–ologist” each week to get a different look at the amazing world outside our back door. Advance registration required.Single program fee: $12 CAS Members, $16 Non-members. 6-program series fee: $66 CAS Members, $90 Non-members.

FAMILY & ADULT
FALL PROGRAMS

Family Campfire and Goodnight Walk

Fri., Sept. 24, 6:30--8 p.m. Join us for an evening around a campfire with stories and s’mores. We’ll end our time together with a short walk to experience the sights and sounds of the Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary at night. Suitable for all ages. Advance registration required. Fee: $7/person (family max. $21) CAS members, $12/person (family max. $36) Non-members.

Click here for the flyer Birds in their Habitat 2010 logo

October 2-3

Art Exhibition and Sale

Featuring 2010 artist of the year

James Prosek, www.troutsite.com

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Proceeds Benefit

Connecticut Audubon Society's

education programs in the Fairfield region.

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Preview Party

Friday, October 1, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, Connecticut
with open bar, hors d’oeuvres & silent auction.
Tickets are $75; call 203-259-6305 ext. 109.

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All Ages welcome

Saturday ~ Sunday October 2-3,
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Adults $5.00 ~ Children 10 and under free

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Live birds of prey ~ Book signing

Katie Lee on Saturday, 1-2 p.m.

James Prosek on Sunday, 1-2 p.m.

Refreshments by Super Duper Weenie

Call 203-259-0416 ext. 403 for event details.
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Participating Artists

PHOTOGRAPHY

>Paige Alexander: Photography

>Ellen Hoverkamp: Scanography

www.myneighborsgarden.com

>John Sarsgard: Photography

>Alan Erickson: Photography

TWO-DIMENSIONAL PAINTERS
>Kelly Leahy Radding: Watercolor on paper

www.leahyraddingart.com

>Mary Christiansen: Watercolor on paper

>Banji Getsinger Nicholas: Egg tempera

and silverpoint, www.banjiesart.com

>Marsha Ra: Watercolor on paper

>Katie Lee: Acrylic on board

www.katieleeartist.com

>Mindy Lighthipe: Multi-media on paper

www.mindylighthipe.com

>Sue Adair: Graphite and mixed media

www.suedelearieadair.com
>Julie Bender: Pyrography (burning directly onto wood). www.juliebender.com

>Hillary Parker: Watercolor on paper

www.hillaryparkerwatercolors.com

>Pam Kessler: Watercolor on paper

www.pakessler.com

>Pat Morris: Pastel on paper

>Allan Ryan: Watercolor on paper

http://allanryan.net

SCULPTURE

>Dorcas MacClintock: Bronze

>Fiona Pritchard: Bronze

WOOD CARVING

>Bill Rice: Wood and copper

www.billriceartworks.com

>Jim Maas: Wood

www.birdsinwood.com

PRINTMAKERS

>Lynita Shimizu: Woodcuts

http://www.shimizuwoodcuts.com/

>Ladislav Hanka: Etching

web.me.com/ladhanka

>Marina Terauds: Etching and Mezzotints

www.marinaterauds.com

POTTER

>Tim Christensen: Hand-painted porcelain
http://www.timchristensenpottery.net/

Click here for the flyer

Exclusive Media Sponsorship by

Creature Feature, Thursday, Oct. 7,
4-4:30 p.m. Join us for a live animal program featuring the Center’s resident education animals. Our animal care volunteers and staff naturalist will share interesting facts and stories about our animals. Get up close with some of our mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians and a few creepy crawlies. All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission by donation. Donations of laundry soap or dishwashing soap greatly appreciated. All donations support our Animal Care Program.

Bird Seed Sale and Savings Day
Sat., Oct. 9, 10 a.m.--3 p.m.

Migratory birds will soon stop at your backyard feeders. Our Bird Seed Sale and Savings Day is the perfect opportunity to stock up on quality birdseed at terrific sale prices. CAS staff will help with advice on feeding and selecting seed -- and we’ll even load the seed in your car! Look for your birdseed flyer in the mail or pick one up at the Center to pre-order. Pre orders are due Fri., Sept. 24. We’ll also have plenty of seed on hand for walk-in customers. Click here for our Pre-Order Form including important "Facts About Bird Feeding" (2 pages).

Special Program: "Talons On the Wind -- The Story of CT's Hawk Migration,"
Sat., Oct. 9, 10:30am--noon. When there are hawks overhead, people often wonder, "should we hide the puppy, or, will the hawk kill my cat?” Milan Bull, CAS Senior Director of Science and Conservation, has all the answers about the unique and fascinating world of common backyard hawks. Join Miley for a discussion about the hawks overhead, including where to go to get the best views and what to look for as many species begin their fall migration southward. Following his presentation, you can join Miley for a short walk in our Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary looking for hawks, and see the re-built Hawk Watch Platform at Deer Meadow. Fee: $2/adult and $1/child for CAS Members, $4/adult and $2/child for Non-members. A Broad-winged Hawk at our Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary; photo © 2006 E.H. Soderberg.

Enchanted Forest Annual Event!
Friday, Oct. 22, 5:30-8 p.m. Put on your costume and join us for a guided walk through our Enchanted Forest, discovering the creatures that are awake at night. Our very popular annual Halloween event is a fun, safe, low-key way to celebrate the autumn season. Before or after your walk, come inside for games, crafts, snacks, and meet the Center’s creepy, crawly and feathery critters. Guided walks leave approximately every fifteen minutes. Call to reserve your tickets for one of the following time slots: 5:30, 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30 p.m. Program held rain or moonshine. All proceeds support our education programs. Pre-registration is required and payment is due when you register. Call 259-6305 ext. 109. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fee: $10/child, $8/adult for CAS Members; $14/child, $12/adult for non-members.

Animal Election

Tues., Nov. 2, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Drop in with your child (or by yourself) anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (before or after you vote) and let them cast their vote for their favorite CAS education animal. We’ll have a variety of our education animals on display in the Main Room. Vote for the one that you think is the coolest, creepiest, craziest and more. After you’ve voted, create your own cool critter from recycled materials. All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free, but donations of laundry soap and dishwashing soap greatly appreciated and support our Animal Care program.

Turkey Vultures Are NOT Turkeys!
Sat., Nov. 20, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Explore the differences between Turkeys and Turkey Vultures. Were they named for each other or is it just a coincidence? Discover fun facts about these two species. Fee: $7/person (family max. $21) CAS members; $12/person (family max. $36) Non-members.

A Turkey Vulture perches on a rooftop in Milford; photo by Kathy Nemec-Lucas.

Center at Fairfield Nature Store
We have wonderful bird- and nature-themed gifts, cards, jewelry, toys, games & ornaments plus a wide selection for our backyard birds, including high-quality Lyric bird seed, bird feeders, houses and bird baths. Best of all, CAS Members receive 10% off all purchases! Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Photo of a Downy Woodpecker by Dr. Twan Leenders.

Unique Gift: A Piece of our "Connecticut Woodlands" Tile Mural: Our Center at Fairfield’s custom-designed “Connecticut Woodlands Tile Mural” has a few tiles still available for purchase. Choose a tile to honor your family and friends for years to come, while demonstrating your support for our year-round environmental education programs for children, families and adults. Call 203-259-6305 ext. 109 for more information.

Birthday Parties!

Look no further! CAS's Center at Fairfield is the perfect place to hold your child's next birthday party! Our teacher/naturalists have designed a wide range of "theme" parties to provide your child and their friends with a memorable and fun hands-on learning experience. Call 203-259-6305 ext. 109 for a copy of our free Birthday Party Brochure or click here to read it.

Calling All Scouts!

We have programs designed just for you. Our experienced teacher-naturalists will provide your group with a hands-on learning experience that will fulfill badge requirements for Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Call 203-259-6305 ext. 109 for more information or click here!