RTP Prog & Events

Whether you are a nature enthusiast, educator, or curious community member, this series offers a deeper understanding of the Connecticut River as a dynamic, living system: one that connects us all. Discover the living mosaic of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound Watersheds through the CT River Lecture Series that traces biodiversity from mountain […]

Youth and Family Programs

Friday, March 6; 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 7; 3-5 p.m. RTP Estuary Center Learn how to make natural skincare products at the RTP Estuary Center! Use fresh and dried herbs, essential oils, and all-natural ingredients to make your own skincare products and custom scents!   This is a drop-off program open to ages 8-13. $30/person  […]

Session 4 Tuesdays, March 3 – April 21 (*no afterschool April 14) 3:45 – 5 p.m. The RTP Estuary Center’s afterschool program allows participants to engage in hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences through STEAM-based activities. Participants will learn how to use various types of scientific equipment and design and conduct experiments based on different weekly and […]

Saturday, March 14; 1:30-3 pm Harkness State Park, Waterford Spring is a great time to see shorebirds along the Connecticut coast, as many of our migratory species head back north. We’ll look and listen to these charismatic birds and enjoy some of our most beautiful coastal parks. The walk is suitable for ages 5 and […]

Adult Programs

Saturday, February 21; 9-11 a.m. Winter may not seem like the best time to look for birds. However, as the temperature drops, many species can still be found in the state, especially along the coast. Waterfowl seek open water, larks and buntings search for food in open areas, and sparrows seek shelter in brushy areas. […]

Saturday, February 28; 9-11 am North Cove, Essex Winter along the Connecticut River is a great time to see Bald Eagles as they head from frozen inland waters to the open waters along the coast. We’ll search the shores of North Cove for eagles and other winter residents. $ 13 members; $18 non-members. – There […]

Saturday, February 28; 1-3 pm As the temperature starts to drop in Connecticut, we begin to see the winter return of many of our waterfowl species. These ducks and geese breed further north, and when their inland bodies of water start to freeze, they head south to winter along the coast. Join us as we […]

Wednesday March 4; 6-7 pm Wednesday, March 11; 6-7 pm Pleasant Valley Preserve, Lyme In late winter, as the sun sets over open grassy and brushy areas in Connecticut, you can often hear the characteristic “peent” of one of the states most interesting shorebirds, the American Woodcock. Join us as we look and listen for […]

Spring Session – Saturday, March 14; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Summer Session – Saturday, June 13; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Fall Session – Saturday, September 12; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Winter Session – Saturday, December 12; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. While habitat loss poses challenges for birds and wildlife worldwide, creating […]

Webinars via Zoom

Tuesday, February 24; 6-7:30 p.m. This program is in collaboration with the Mystic Aquarium  FrogWatch USA is a community science program designed to monitor frog and toad populations through their calls. Volunteers are trained to identify local frog and toad vocalizations and submit their data from their listening sessions. By participating in the program, volunteers […]

Wednesday, March 18; 6-7 pm There are perhaps no two birds more characteristic of the Connecticut coast than the Bald Eagle and the Osprey, two of our most well-loved and well-known raptor species. Years ago, they were seldom seen, their population having declined sharply before making a strong recovery. In this webinar, Conservation & Education […]