Programs & Events at Deer Pond Farm
Members receive discounts on programs as well as many other benefits. For more information, click here.
Unless otherwise noted, guided program fees are:
Member: $5 Member Child: Free Non-Member: $10 Non-Member Child: $5
Our trails are open to the public daily dawn to dusk.
Please call 860-799-4074 with any questions or to be put on a wait list for a program.
Feel free to pack a lunch and a thermos with your favorite warm beverage to enjoy on our terrace or pack a picnic to enjoy in our lawn after your hike.
April First Friday Hike
April 4, 2025, 10 a.m. to Noon at Deer Pond Farm
Free
Join volunteer guides on this 2 to 3 mile hike through Deer Pond Farm. Enjoy camaraderie in nature, spring wildflowers, and fresh air!
Register here for the April 4 hike.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Spring Bird Behaviors
April 8, 10 a.m. to Noon
$5 Members, $10 Non-Members
Join Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer for this program starting in our Deer Pond Farm classroom and ending outside. Lori will describe specialized bird behaviors for spring. This will include how birds manage to complete their harrowing migration journeys, find mates, and begin their breeding process. We will discuss migration, territory disputes, mate selection, nesting, and how to best care for birds that nest in your yard! All birding levels welcome.
Register here for the April 8 Spring Bird Behaviors program.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Family Nature Walk
April 16, 10 a.m. to Noon
Free
Meet us at Deer Pond Farm to join Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer to enjoy a family-friendly nature hike. On this 1 to 2 mile hike, we will use our senses to explore wildlife habitats, identify plants and animals, and we will discuss how to see the forest for the trees! All ages welcome
Register here for the April 16 Family Walk.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Spring Tree ID Class & Walk
April 29, 10 a.m. to Noon
$5 Members, $10 Non-Members
Join John Ehrenreich, author of Native Trees of Connecticut, and Diane Nizlek, CT Audubon Naturalist, for a spring tree identification walk. In the Deer Pond Farm classroom, John and Diane will present how to tell tree species apart in the spring using flowers, seeds, and budding leaves. Then, we will head out onto the trails to see these tree identification markers along the way.
Register here for the April 29 Tree ID class and walk.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Photos above by Linda T. Hubbard
May First Friday Hike
Friday, May 2, 9-11 a.m.
Free
Explore the trails along the ponds, forests, and meadows at Deer Pond Farm on this 2-3 mile casual hike with our volunteer trail guides.
Register here for the May 2 First Friday Hike.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Beginner Birding
Thursday, May 8, 10 a.m.- Noon
$5 Members, $10 Non-Members
Join us at Deer Pond Farm with Lori Lichtenauer, Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist, who will teach you recreational birding basics. Learn about apps such as Merlin & eBird to advance your skills, and how to bird on your “best” behavior. We’ll start in the classroom, and end outside.
Register here for the May 8 Beginner Birding class.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784
Migration Bird Walk
Saturday May 10, 8-10 a.m.
$5 members, $10 non-members
Warblers, tanagers, and vireos, oh my! Enjoy peak avian migration season on Deer Pond Farm’s spacious trails. Lori Lichtenauer, Naturalist, will lead this bird walk focused on neotropical migrants. We’ll explore wetland, meadow, and forest habitat to seek out the biggest diversity of birds. Add to your life list on our walk!
Register here for the May 10 Migration Bird Walk.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Family Nature Walk
Saturday, May 10, 1 to 3 p.m.
Free
Enjoy wildflowers, amphibians, birds, trees, butterflies and more on our family-friendly nature walk with Deer Pond Farm’s Naturalist Lori. Explore the trails of the main campus on this 1-mile loop.
Register here for the May 10 Family Nature Walk.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Birdsong Webinar
Tuesday, May 13, 7-8 p.m.
$5 Members, $10 Non-Members
Springtime and birdsong go hand in hand. Lori Lichtenauer, Deer Pond Farm’s Sanctuary Manager/Naturalist will blend science and music in her Birdsong Webinar. She will explain how and why birdsong has evolved, who is singing, and will share tips and tools for identifying birdsong.
Register here and get the Zoom link for the May 13 Birdsong Webinar.
Spring Bird Walk
Saturday, May 17, 8-10 a.m.
Free
Join Angela Dimmitt, president of Western CT Bird Club, for this early morning bird walk at Deer Pond Farm. Learn about, see, and hear numerous songbirds that are migrating through the area and those that will be nesting here.
Register here for the May 17 Spring Bird Walk.
This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Create Your Own Nature Walk!
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker by Brian Bennett
Can’t make a guided program this month? Create your own nature walk! Use the resources below to make the most of your time exploring the 15 miles of trails spanning Deer Pond Farm.
Deer Pond Farm Suggested Hikes – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Bird Checklist – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Nature Scavenger Hunt – for 8 and under, for 9 and up.
Deer Pond Farm Spring Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Summer Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Fall Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Winter Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt – click here.
Deer Pond Farm Sanctuary Rules – click here.
Directions – click here.
Click on each month to view birds that can be seen each month at Deer Pond Farm:
January February March April May June
July August September October November December
Please note: dogs, horses, fishing, swimming, camping, fires, hunting and collecting are not permitted.
Thank you for staying on the trails.
Schedule Your Own Private, Expert-Led Walk
Baltimore Oriole photo by Tomas Koeck
(Available to purchase as a gift, too!)
During this two hour walk, a staff member will guide you through the diverse habitats of Deer Pond Farm. Participants will learn about the local flora and fauna, as well as the conservation work being done at Deer Pond Farm. Habitat enhancement and data collection projects utilizing eBird, Connecticut & New York Bird Atlas, and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System will also be shared.
Please call (860) 799-4074 to schedule.
Fee: $100 for a two hour walk. This includes up to eight pre-registered and pre-paid attendees.
Volunteer Opportunities
Photo by Deirdra Wallin
Join us for one workday or the whole season, your time and effort are welcome and appreciated!
Citizen Science: Support research through data collection! From monarchs, to birds and more, Deer Pond Farm supports a variety of citizen science initiatives. Opportunity to work independently or in a group.
Garden Gaggle: Join us in the pollinator garden for maintenance and monitoring! We work while we chat, observe and learn. Our native plants bring in a host of butterflies, bees, and birds. We take the time to enjoy these visitors and conversations with fellow gardeners while weeding and completing other seasonal tasks.
Habitat Helpers: Help us while learning! We’ll work while we talk, and enjoy the camaraderie of collective action to improve our sanctuary. Currently, our focus is invasive plant identification and management. You’ll learn by doing and leave knowing what you can do at home.
Photography: As you enjoy the trails during a guided walk or on your own, take pictures and share with us to utilize on the website, social media and flyers.
For more information and to complete a volunteer application, click here. Contact Center Director Cathy Hagadorn, chagadorn@ctaudubon.org to further discuss volunteer opportunities.
