Connecticut Audubon Society

Connecticut Audubon Society's 19 Wildlife Sanctuaries
Most are open to the public seven days a week from dawn to dusk.
Free admission for CAS members; non-member admission fees are posted.

As stewards of over 2,600 acres of wildlife habitat around the state, Connecticut Audubon Society's wildlife sanctuaries offer visitors beautiful tranquil settings where they can observe birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats. Interpretive signage and boardwalks provide information, insights and unique perspectives.

Click here to see the Map of our Nature Centers, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Offices statewide.

There are 6 major bird habitat types in Connecticut. The Map indicates which of these
bird habitats can be found in each CAS Wildlife Sanctuary, using the following key:

Key Bird Habitats Found in Connecticut Audubon Society Sanctuaries:

FOR = Forest; GR = Grassland; SH = Shrubland;
CO = Coastal; IW = Inland Wetlands; TM = Tidal Marshes.

When you vist any of our Wildlife Sanctuaries, please observe the following nature etiquette:

"Please help us protect the plants and wildlife in this preserve.
No camping, hunting, trapping, fishing,
collecting or destruction of plants or wildlife.
No dogs allowed.

Use marked foot trails only.

Motorized vehicles prohibited.

Please don't litter -- leave no trace behind.
Please don't damage or destroy anything on the property."

FROM I-95: Take Exit 15 to Route 7 to Merritt Parkway and follow from * below or take Exit 38 connector to Merritt Parkway, go south on the Merritt and follow from * below.
FROM I-91 southbound: Take Rt. 15 South (Wilbur Cross Hwy./Merritt Parkway) in Meriden and follow from * below.
FROM I-84: Take Route 8 East to Merritt Parkway and follow from * below.
*FROM THE MERRITT PARKWAY: Take Exit 42 and head north on Route 57, Weston Road. Follow Rt. 57 until it intersects with Rt. 53 (Newtown Turnpike). Take a right and head north on Rt. 53. Take the second right (which is Lords Highway). Travel ¾ mile to its terminus. A small parking area and sanctuary sign mark the trail entrance.

3. Birdcraft Sanctuary, 6 acres adjacent to CAS Birdcraft Museum, Unquowa Road, Fairfield

Situated near downtown Fairfield, this songbird sanctuary, the first of its kind in the nation, was established in 1914 by conservationist and Connecticut Audubon Society founder Mabel Osgood Wright. The sanctuary comprises 6 acres of upland habitat with trails and a teaching bridge and learning pavilion that span a one-acre pond.

FROM I-95: Take Exit 21 - Mill Plain Rd. Head north on Mill Plain Rd., about ½ mile. At the first stop sign, take a right onto Unquowa Rd. and follow from * below.
FROM I-84: Take Routes 25, 8 or 91 South to Wilbur Cross/Merritt Parkway (Route 15) south and
FROM MERRITT PARKWAY (Route 15): Take Exit 44.
From northbound: turn right off ramp onto Congress Street, From southbound: turn left at the first light, left at the second light, go under bridge and at next light, take right onto Congress St.
Proceed straight onto Congress Street to first stop sign. Take left onto Burr Street. Continue straight to stop sign at the bottom of hill. Continue straight onto Mill Plain Rd. to the 4th stop sign. Turn left onto Unquowa Rd. and follow * below.
. On Unquowa Rd., continue straight under the I-95 overpass, immediately take driveway on your left into the Birdcraft Museum parking lot.

4. Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary, 155 acres adjoining CAS Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield

One of the most actively used sanctuaries, the property features streams, ponds, forest and fields that are managed for their diverse plant and animal communities. Seven miles of trails include the Chiboucas Wheelchair-accessible Trail for the Disabled, an observation platform, interpretive signage and an Algonquin wigwam replica. Seven miles of excellent trails and boardwalks with interpretive signage crisscross the sanctuary. A self-guided brochure is available at the Center. There is a nominal admission fee for non-members and non-residents of Fairfield.

FROM I-84, take Routes 25, 8 or I-91 South to Wilbur Cross/Merritt Parkway (Route 15) and
FROM MERRITT PARKWAY: Take Exit 44.
From northbound: turn right off ramp onto Congress Street, From southbound: turn left at the first light, left at the second light, go under bridge and at next light, take right onto Congress St.
Proceed straight onto Congress Street to first stop sign. Take right onto Burr Street. Facility is 0.9 miles on the left.
FROM I-95: Take Exit 21 - Mill Plain Rd.
Proceed north on Mill Plain Rd. approximately 4.5 miles to CAS Center. (At the 3rd stop sign, Mill Plain Rd. turns into Burr Street - continue straight.)

5. Elsa Feiler Denburg Woodland Conservation Area, 10 acres across the street from CAS Center at Fairfield, Burr Street, Fairfield

The trail established here makes a short loop through the wooded property.

FROM I-84, take Routes 25, 8 or I-91 South to Wilbur Cross/Merritt Parkway (Route 15) and
FROM MERRITT PARKWAY: Take Exit 44.
From northbound: turn right off ramp onto Congress Street, From southbound: turn left at the first light, left at the second light, go under bridge and at next light, take right onto Congress St.
Proceed straight onto Congress Street to first stop sign. Take right onto Burr Street. Facility is 0.9 miles on the left.
FROM I-95: Take Exit 21 - Mill Plain Rd.
Proceed north on Mill Plain Rd. approximately 4.5 miles to CAS Center. (At the 3rd stop sign, Mill Plain Rd. turns into Burr Street - continue straight.)

One of the newest land gifts to Connecticut Audubon Society, this 60-acre property includes open pastures and upland forest separated by wetlands and a small stream. Trails are in place on the woodland portion of the land.

FROM MERRITT PARKWAY: Take Exit 44.
From northbound: turn right off ramp onto Congress Street, From southbound: turn left at the first light, left at the second light, go under bridge and at next light, take right onto Congress St.
Proceed straight onto Congress Street to second stop sign. Proceed straight and take first left onto Cross Highway to the end. Take right onto Redding Road and after bridge, take a quick left onto Cross Highway. Take the second right onto Merwins Lane and proceed about 0.6 mile. Sign and small parking area for Connecticut Audubon Society sanctuary will be on left.
FROM I-95: Take Exit 21 - Mill Plain Rd.
Proceed north on Mill Plain Rd. to third stop sign. Continue straight up hill, onto Burr Street, to first stop sign. Take a left onto Congress Street, continue to next stop sign. Proceed straight and take first left onto Cross Highway to the end. Take right onto Redding Road and after bridge, take a quick left onto Cross Highway. Take the second right onto Merwins Lane and proceed about 0.6 mile. Sign and small parking area for Connecticut Audubon Society sanctuary will be on left.

7. John W. Field Sanctuary, 14 acres, The John Mahoney Sanctuary, Old Academy Road, Fairfield

This forested site has a pond encircled by a trail.

FROM MERRITT PARKWAY: Take Exit 44.
From northbound: turn right off ramp onto Congress Street, From southbound: turn left at the first light, left at the second light, go under bridge and at next light, take right onto Congress St.
Proceed straight onto Congress Street and take the first left onto Mine Hill Rd. At the bottom of the hill, the road intersects with Old Academy Road. The sanctuary is straight ahead. There are two entrances to the east and west of this intersection.
FROM I-95: Take Exit 21 - Mill Plain Rd.
Proceed north on Mill Plain Rd. to third stop sign. Continue straight up hill, onto Burr Street, and take the third left onto Old Academy Road to its end. The sanctuary entrance will be straight ahead. Take a right and park along side of road.

9. Edward Steichen Memorial Wildlife Preserve, 54 acres, Chestnut Woods Road, Redding

Huckleberry Swamp, as those who frequent it fondly call this preserve, consists of 54-acres. An ecological survey made in cooperation with the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies was completed in 1976.

FROM I-95: Take Exit 24, take right off exit and left at the first light. Follow signs to toward Route 58 North (Black Rock Turnpike) Follow from * below.
FROM MERRITT PARKWAY: Take Exit 44. From northbound: turn left off ramp onto Congress Street, then left at light onto Route 58 North. From southbound: turn left at the first light, right at the second light onto Route 58 North. Follow from * below.
. Stay north on Route 58 to Redding. In Redding, take a left at Christ Church (large white church) and proceed 1.9 miles to the junction with Route 107. Follow Rt. 107 south, 1 mile and take a right onto Route 53. Travel north approx. 2.4 miles to Umpawaug Road. Turn left onto Umpawaug Rd. and follow from ** below.
FROM I-84/Route 7: Take Exit 5 to Route 53. Follow south approx. 10 miles and take right onto Umpawaug Rd (if you come to the junction with Rt. 107, you've gone too far.)
Follow from **.
** On Umpawaug Rd., proceed 0.5 miles. Turn right onto Marchant Road and go 0.8 miles to Chestnut Woods Rd. Turn left and go 0.5 miles. Look for a break in the stone wall that marks the beginning of the property and entrance to Huckleberry Swamp Boardwalk Trail.

10. Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary, 8 acres adjacent to CAS Coastal Center at Milford Point, Milford Point Road, Milford

Connecticut Audubon Society manages this wildlife habitat in cooperation with the New Haven Bird Club, on behalf of its owners, the State of Connecticut. A boardwalk protects the dune and beach habitat that faces Long Island Sound. The inland site of the preserve is adjacent to the 840-acre Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh.

FROM I-84 East: Take Rt. 8 south to I-95 North or Exit 27 to I-691 to Rt. 15 south (Merritt Parkway) to Exit 54 connector to I-95 south and follow from * below.
FROM I-84 West: Take I-91 South to I-95 south and follow from * below.
FROM I-91: South to Rt. 15 (Merritt Parkway). Take Exit 54 connector to I-95 South and follow from * below.
FROM MERRITT PARKWAY (Rt. 15): Take Exit 54 connector to I-95 South and follow from * below.
* From I-95 No. & So.: Take Exit 34. Turn right at light at end of ramp. Go ½ mile to 3rd light and take left onto Naugatuck Ave. Go 0.8 mile to 2nd light and take right onto Milford Point Rd. Follow Milford Point Rd. approx. ½ mile (passing tennis courts on right) to the stop sign at Seaview Ave. Take a right, and proceed SLOWLY to the end of the road, bearing to the right a the road's end to Coastal Center and the sanctuary entrance and parking area.

11. Jane and George Pratt Valley Preserve, 150 acres, Cascades Road, Bridgewater and New Milford

Due to the fragility of this sanctuary, admission is granted by written permission only. This old farmland includes a field, a stream with a dramatic gorge and forest growth. Parts of the property are still farmed.

FROM I-91: Take I-84 west in Hartford or I-691 in Meriden to I-84 West.
Take Exit 9, Route 25 North to Brookfield. Go to * below.
FROM I-84: Take Exit 9, Route 25 North to Brookfield. Go to * below.
FROM ROUTE 7 South: In New Milford, take Route 202 North a short distance to intersection with Rt. 67. Follow Rt. 67 south approx. 4 miles to Cascade Road on right. Follow Cascades Rd. 0.1 mile to sign and parking area on left.
FROM ROUTE 7 North: Take I-84 East to Exit 9 (Rt. 25 North) and follow from * below.
FROM I-95: Take exit 27A to Route 25 North, follow Rt. 25 to Brookfield and follow from * below.
* At the stoplight in Brookfield, take a right onto Rt. 133 and proceed 7 miles to its terminus with Rt. 67 in Bridgewater. Take a left onto Rt. 67 and proceed 1.4 miles to Cascade Rd. on the left. Turn left onto Cascades and proceed 0.1 mile to the sign, fence and parking area on the left.

One of the least-developed sites owned by Connecticut Audubon Society, these 700 acres provide ample room for exploration. There are upland hardwoods, ponds and streams throughout the property. Trails are minimal.

FROM I-95: Take Exit 27 to Rt. 8 North. Follow from * below.
FROM I-91: Take I-84 West in Hartford or I-691 West in Meriden to I-84 West to Rt. 8 North. Follow * below.
FROM I-84 (East or West): Take Rt. 8 North and follow * below.
* From Route 8: Take Exit 44. Proceed west on Route 4 approx. 5.2 miles. Take a right onto East Street North. The sanctuary is 5.2 miles north of Route 4 and East Street North intersection. Look for posted signs on the right.

This parcel includes 64 acres of tidal wetlands that have been designated "of international importance." The property adjoins the Mattabesset River. Trails and access are limited.

There is an upland forest and small stream on this 4-acre site. It has access to the adjacent State Park with upland forests and the Connecticut River floodplain. Camping is available at the State Park.

From I-84 Eastbound: Take I-691 to Rt. 66 East and follow to Middletown. Follow directions from * below.
From I-84 Westbound: Take I-91 south in Hartford to Exit 22 for Route 9 to Route 66 in Middletown. Follow directions from * below.
From I-91 Southbound: Take Exit 22 to Route 9 to Route 66 in Middletown. Follow directions from * below.
From I-91 Northbound: Take exit for Route 66 East in Meriden. Follow Rt. 66 to Middletown. Follow directions from * below.
* From Middletown: Take Route 66 East. Go through town of Portland and continue on 66 to Colbalt. In Cobalt, turn right (south) at traffic light onto Rt. 151. Continue through Middle Haddam. Follow signs for Hurd Park and turn right off Rt. 151 onto Hurd Park Road at light. Continue on Hurd Park until you see Clarkhurst Road on your right. There is an easy spot to park (please do not block driveways) and you can start exploring the southeast side of the road and/or walk along Clarkhurst Rd. which is closed to traffic. An easy trail (about 1-mile long) slopes downward to the CT River flood plain and continues along a meadow on the river side.

This 65-acre upland site includes a small field and a stream. It overlooks the Connecticut River just above the town of East Haddam. New trails and signage were recently installed.

From I-91 Southbound: Take Exit 22, Rt. 9 south and follow from * below.
From I-91 Northbound or Route 15 North (Merritt Pkwy): Take Route 66 East in Meriden to Rt. 9 south and follow from * below.
From I-84 Eastbound: Take I-691 in Cheshire to Rt. 66 to Rt. 9 South and follow from * below.
From I-84 Westbound: Take I-91 South in Hartford to Rt. 9 South and follow from * below.
* From Route 9: Take Exit 7 (E. Haddam/Moodus.) Turn left at stop sign (82E & 154N), then right at light to stay on Rt. 82E (Tyberville). Cross river on Rt. 82 and then turn left onto Rt. 149 after bridge. Continue 0.7 mile and turn right onto Landing Hill Rd. After 0.8 mile, turn left onto Creek Row and continue 0.2 mile to #137.

The natural beauty of this 233-acre sanctuary can be easily explored through its well-developed trails. Highlights include upland forest, limited field, swamp and wetlands.

From I-95 Westbound: Take Exit 82 to Route 85 North. Past Lake Konomoc, take the first right, Turner Road and follow from * below.
From I-95 Eastbound: Take Exit 76 to I-395 and follow I- 395 directions:
From I-395: Take Exit 77 (Waterford and Rt. 85) and proceed north on Route 85. Past Lake Konomoc take the first right on Turner Road and follow from * below.
From Hartford area: Take Rt. 2 East to Colchester. Take Exit 19 to Route 11 south and follow to intersection with Route 82. Follow Rt. 82 east, about 3 miles to junction with Route 85 (Salem Four Corners). Turn south on Rt. 85, go approximately 4-miles to Turner Road, turn left and follow from * below:
*The Chaney Sanctuary is on the left, just past the intersection with Ridge Hill Rd.

17. Trail Wood: the Edwin Way Teale Memorial Sanctuary, 168 acres, Kenyon Road, Hampton

This is the site of Edwin Way Teale's home and subject of many of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author's writings. There are well-developed trails that access woodland, field, wetland and pond habitats -- all abounding with wildlife. Teale's writing cabin and a small museum has seasonal visiting hours. Connecticut Audubon Society resident staff naturalists serve as caretakers and offer guided walks of the property throughout the year.

From the junction of Rt. 6 and Rt. 97: Go north on Rt. 97 through the town of Hampton. From the Hampton General Store, travel 1.5 miles to Kenyon Road. *Travel .5 miles on Kenyon Rd. (bear right at the 1st fork.) Driveway to Trail Wood on left marked by a sign. From the junction of Rt. 97 and Rt. 44: Travel 5.2 miles south on Rt. 97, turn right onto Kenyon Road. Follow from * above.

Click here for a Trail Wood Sanctuary map.

Until recently, this property was a working dairy farm. A large beaver pond, extensive fields, a hemlock ravine and stream are just a few of the remarkable natural features of this property. Trails have some interpretive signage. Connecticut Audubon Society resident staff naturalists serve as caretakers of the property and offer guided bird walks and other environmental programs.

From I-395: Take Exit 93 and go west on Rt. 101. At junction of Routes 101 and 169, turn right (north) on Route 169, take first right onto Day Road and follow from * below.
From Route 6 East: Turn left (north) onto Route 169 in Brooklyn (turn right if westbound) and continue to junction of Rts. 169 and 101. Go straight through intersection and take your first right onto Day Road and follow from * below.
From I-91 Northbound: Take Exit 25 N to Route 3, across the CT River and then take Route 2 West to I-84 East (go to I-84 directions below.)
From I-91 Southound: Take Exit 35 to I-291 to I-84 East (go to I-84 directions below).
From I-84: Take Exit 69 (Route 74 to Route 44). Follow 74 East to Rt. 44, turn left onto 44 East and follow from * below:
From Route 44 East: In Pomfret, where Rts. 44 and 101 meet, go straight (instead of following Rt. 44 around to left). Follow Rt. 101 approx. ¾ mile and turn left at junction of Rt. 101 and Rt. 169. Go about ½ mile on Rt. 169 and take first right onto Day Road.
* Follow Day Road to "T" in road, take second right into driveway leading to the big red 1895 barn.

Located about 150 yards off shore in the town of Stonington, this 0.7 acre rocky outcrop will be managed to promote nesting terns. No public access.