Connecticut Audubon Society
Center at Glastonbury


1361 Main Street
Glastonbury, CT 06033
860-633-8402

Center Hours:
Tuesdays through Saturdays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sundays: 1-4 p.m. (please call first).
Closed Mondays.

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See a MAP of our 5 Centers
& 19 Wildlife Sanctuaries

Focus: To promote awareness of the Connecticut River ecosystem, the birds and habitats it supports, and foster their preservation through education and related activities.

General Information
Located near the Connecticut River, the state’s major waterway, Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury has taken full advantage of its unique location since opening in 1982. The Center is adjacent to the 48-acre town-owned Earle Park with its forest trails and scenic vistas of Tom's Pond, meadows and bluffs overlooking the Holland Brook river. The Center's 4,000-square-foot facility offers a full range of environmental programs and full calendar of events throughout the year for people of all ages.

Environmental Activities

• Activities on natural history and environmental topics for children, field trips for families and adults.
• Programs for school classes, Scout groups and other organizations.
• Vacation classes
• Teacher workshops
• Nature Hikes

Annual Special Events

• Our Natural World Photography Exhibit -- February
• Banff Mountain Film Festival (February)
• Earth Fair -- April
• Art for Nature's Sake Art Show -- May
• Bird Seed Sales -- all year.

Earle Park Highlights

• 48-acre town park between Main St. & Connecticut River
• Maturing forest of beech, tulip and red oak trees
• State champion bitternut hickory tree
• Silver maple flood plains and red maple swamps
• Bluffs overlooking the Connecticut River
• Trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and horse-back riding
• Tom's Pond and Holland Brook.

Volunteers Needed at our Center

If you are interested in any of the volunteer opportunities described below, call Center director Cindy Bartholomew (860-633-8402 ext. 205) or send Cindy an e-mail.
Our Center is fully handicap-accessible.

--Phone & Reception Hosts: We need cheerful, helpful people (you can bring a friend & work in twos!) who enjoy talking to the public on the phone and in person & can be sympathetic to people who have found hurt or orphaned animals. Some office or clerical help is also appreciated. We need volunteers 9 a.m.-noon on Thursdays & Fridays; noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays; 3-5 p.m. on Thursdays & Fridays. (If you have allergies to fur or feathers this would not be the place for you.) 

--Animal Caregiver Supervisor: Do you work well with children & animals, are kind & patient? We need volunteers 18 years & older with some knowledge of reptiles, birds & amphibians & who are not squeamish, to be present & supervise our Youth Volunteers while they care for our animals, plus assist them in locating materials & proper foods. Volunteers are needed 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and, whenever our Youth Volunteers are unable to come, must be willing and able to clean cages and provide food and water to our animals. 
Trained college student Nathaniel Child holds "Trinity," our resident Red-tailed Hawk. Photo by Sally Carbone.

--Nature Store Volunteers: Unique & fun opportunity! We're looking for 3 volunteers who can work together to increase our products, sales and inventory of Nature Store items related to birds and their habitats. They will work with the Center's director to locate items that will sell well, determine pricing, devise marketing strategies and maintain inventory. Computer skills are necessary. This group will be starting from scratch to create a profitable Nature Store for our Center. 

High School Students: Volunteer
at our Center & Earn Credits!
Many high school students volunteer at our Center and earn school credits at the same time! There's always plenty of work to do and our staff provides training. If you love animals and want to give back to your community, this is a great opportunity! For more information contact Center Director Cynthia Bartholomew or send her an e-mail. Trained high school intern Billy Finn holds "Skittles," a Broad-winged Hawk. Photo by Sally Carbone.

School Environmental Education Programs
For Central Connecticut, Pre-K-Grade 8

For over 25 years the CAS Center at Glastonbury has provided curriculum-related nature programming to schools in Central Connecticut.  We offer 26 different innovative and hands-on programs that conform to both the National Science Standards and the Connecticut Science Framework. Each hour-long program focuses on the natural world, and most include an outdoor component so students can experience their environment, and learn to develop their science skills and their senses, under the guidance of our trained naturalist.

Programs are offered at our Center at Glastonbury (which adjoins Earle Park, a 48-acre town park with a variety of habitats) as well as in your classroom or at an appropriate site of your choice. Due to the interactive nature of our programs, the maximum class size is 25 students.

Our current program offerings include: "Animals from the Center" for Pre-K to Grade 8; "Birds of Prey" for Grades 3-6; "Life Underground" for Grades 2-5; "Native Americans Along the Connecticut River" for Grades 3-6; "Skulls and Skeletons" for Grades 5-8, and "Weathering the Winter" for Grades 3-5, among many others. Read our brochure with a complete list of programs, fees and registration information.

To register & for more info call our Center at 860-633-8402 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Nature Programs for Scouts

Our teacher-naturalists will work with you to develop a program covering appropriate requirements for nature-related badges and projects. Each program is 1 hour and must be scheduled in advance. Tell us about your project and we will plan activities to compliment it. Activities or field studies related to animals, plant life or environmental issues can be arranged. All programs include indoor time and outdoor activities in 48-acre Earle Park adjoining our Center. Read our flyer.

Birthday Parties at the Center at Glastonbury

We offer age-appropriate programs customized to the interests of your child and guests, including "Animals in the Center" (our most popular party), "Pond Life," "A Walk in the Woods," or a party that we design especially for you. Read our flyer.

NEW: "Critter Road Show" Programs
each featuring a visit with 4 Live Animals!

Each of our new 30-minute programs at your pre-school feature a visit with 4 of our live education animals! Choose "Slithering Snakes," "Pirate Parrots," "Wonderful Reptiles," "Soft & Cuddly Mammals," "Tremendous Turtles," "Bird Buddies" or do a "Critter Combo"! Programs are offered year-round by our teacher-naturalists, Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Read our new flyer.

NEW: Literature-based Pre-School Nature Programs

Schedule a 30-minute program -- either at our Center or we'll visit you -- featuring a story, coordinated interactive play and a visit with a live or mounted animal, led by our staff. Programs are limited to 25 students. We offer 5 different book-based programs year round plus a selection of seasonal favorites, Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Read our new flyer.

Directions:
From I-84 in East Hartford

Take Exit 55/Route 2 East to Route 17 Exit and follow from below.**

From I-91 North
Take Exit 25 to Putnam Bridge/Route 3.

Follow Route 3 over Connecticut River to Route 2 East (note: move into left lane quickly for Route 17 Exit) and

**Take Route 17 Exit (Portland/South Glastonbury). Our Center is on the right, 2.5 miles from the exit.

From I-91 South

Take Exit 25N to Putnam Bridge/Route 3.
Follow Route 3 over Connecticut River to Route 2 East (note: move into left lane quickly for Route 17 Exit) and

**Take Route 17 Exit (Portland/South Glastonbury). Our Center is on the right, 2.5 miles from the exit.

From Middletown
Go east on Route 66 to Route 17 North.
Follow through South Glastonbury. Continue on Route 17 another 1.5 miles. Our Center is on the left.

From Marlborough and Southeast
Take Route 2 West to Exit 10, turn left and then turn right at first stop sign.

At first stop light, take left onto Chestnut Hill Road.
Follow for 3 miles to Main Street. At Main Street turn right. Our Center is 1/4 mile on left.