Programs and Events at the Fairfield Nature Center
Holiday Schedule for the Fairfield Nature Center and Nature Store:
Tuesday, December 24 — closing early at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, December 25 and Wednesday, January 1 — closed
Trails remain open daily, dawn to dusk
The Birds of Prey Compound at the Fairfield Nature Center is currently closed.
Winter Nature Detectives
December 23, 27, 30
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Kids take their eyes off screens and focus them on forest trails during this investigation of wildlife in winter. Join the Center’s nature detective squad to have fun patrolling the sanctuary, searching for clues and signs of animal life. Games and crafts will round out the fun!
For ages 6 to 8, this drop-off program will inspire curious minds while examining nature’s winter adaptations up-close.
Sign up soon – spaces are filling for this holiday break program!
Pre-registration required. Price per session: Members $55 per person, Non-members $65 per person.
Monday, December 23: Register here.
Friday, December 27: Register here.
Monday, December 30: Register here.
Please bring a peanut-free snack, lunch and warm outdoor wear appropriate for weather conditions. This program takes place at the Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield.
Full Moon Hike
Photo: David Cox, CAS
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
6 p.m.
When the sun goes down, the nighttime comes alive with activity! During this nocturnal adventure, under the light of the Wolf Moon, we’ll explore the Sanctuary with Connecticut Audubon’s Conservation Manager Stefan Martin and learn about wildlife that is active at night.
Members $15 per person, Non-members $20 per person. Pre-registration required. Register here.
Ages 6 and up (children must be accompanied by an adult). No strollers please. Bring a flashlight. This program meets at the Fairfield Nature Center, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT 06824.
All About Tree Bark
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
(rain date Thursday, Jan. 23)
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
What is tree bark? How is it formed? How does it benefit the tree? Why is it important in an ecosystem? These are some of the questions that will be discussed in this intriguing program with botanist Jim Cortina. After an indoor introduction and a break for lunch, we will walk in the sanctuary to examine the great variety of bark on different species of trees.
Members $15, Non-members $20. Pre-registration required. Please register here.
Bring a lunch, dress for the weather and bring binoculars if you have them. This program takes place at the Fairfield Nature Center, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT.
Girl Scout Daisy Petal Program: Use Resources Wisely
Saturday, January 25, 2025
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle, let’s make our world a better place! Led by our teacher/naturalist, we’ll play Recycle Relay and discover new uses for old things. Each Daisy will take home ideas and a personal poster to share with their family.
Fee: $10 per scout. Register here.
Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Petal badges are not included. At least one adult from each troop must accompany and stay with their group for the duration of the program. For questions, please call 203-259-6305 ext. 109. This program will be held at the Fairfield Nature Center, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT.
Nature Tots
Tuesdays: January 28, February 4, 11, 25; March 4, 11, 2025
10 – 10:45 a.m.
(No class February 18)
What do animals do in the winter? How do they survive in the cold temperatures? Young nature explorers discover the answers to these questions and more in this engaging, indoor/outdoor program. Activities may include stories, crafts, games, experiments, live animal visitors and explorations. For ages 2-3 years accompanied by an actively participating adult.
Series fee (per child): Members $120, Non-members $150.
To sign up for all 6 sessions: Register here.
Single session fee (per child): Members $20, Non-members $25.
January 28: Register here.
February 4: Register here.
February 11: Register here.
February 25: Register here.
March 4: Register here.
March 11: Register here.
Pre-registration is required. Please wear appropriate indoor/outdoor clothing and footwear. This program is held at the Fairfield Nature Center, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT 06824.
Winter Naturalist Program
Thursdays, February 6–March 6, 2025
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Adult Learning Series
While winter might seem uninviting, many mysteries and changes in nature are revealed in the winter landscape. With shorter days and longer, colder nights, plants and animals must adapt or relocate to survive the seasonal challenges. Through indoor presentations and outdoor exploration, this intriguing series pulls back the curtain on New England wildlife and habitats in winter. Learn from field experts who is active, who is sleeping, and who comes to spend the winter in Connecticut and why. Topics include winter plants, birds, marine life and much more.
Sessions and presenters are:
February 6: Winter Birds–Stefan Martin, CT Audubon Conservation Manager.
February 13: Winter Walk–Stefan Martin, CT Audubon Conservation Manager.
February 20: Winter Plants–Jim Cortina, botanist.
February 27: Planting for Wildlife–Dave Havens, CT Audubon educator/naturalist.
March 6: The Shore in Winter, Dave Havens–CT Audubon educator/naturalist. Note: this program will be held at Sherwood Island.
Series fee: Members $150; Non-members $208 (includes a one-year Connecticut Audubon membership).
Must be age 18 or older. pre-registration required. Please register here.
Classes meet at the Fairfield Nature Center, 2325 Burr St., Fairfield, CT – except for March 6 which meets at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.
Ongoing Programs
- Field Trips for Home Learning Groups: Enrich your home learning group by taking a field trip to the Center at Fairfield for hands-on, outdoor, environmental programs. Click here for program brochure.
- Science in Nature — Distance Learning: Bring the excitement and learning of our Science in Nature programs to your classroom with these live, virtual programs. Click here for program brochure.
- Science in Nature — In-Person Learning: Offerings include programs at your school, field trips to the Center at Fairfield or a local park. For the All Grade Level brochure, click here.
- Outreach Programs: Our animal-focused programs are ideal for individuals, libraries, scout troops, senior centers and more. Click here for details.
- Birthday Parties: Celebrate your child’s birthday with a nature-based party at our Center. Click here for details.
- Scouting Programs: Ongoing, customized science- and nature-related scouting programs are also available on- or off-site. Click here for details.
Outreach Programs
Enrich yourself, or the offerings of your group or organization, with our outreach learning programs. Ideal for individuals, libraries, scout troops, senior centers, Parks and Recreation departments and more, they can also be tailored to meet your specific needs. Programs can be in-person or virtual (via Zoom). Click here for brochure.
Birds of Prey – Encounter with one or more raptors on a bird handler’s glove. You’ll learn about the natural history of these magnificent birds, while discovering their unique physical and behavioral adaptations. We’ll discuss different raptor species and their amazing behavioral and predatory adaptations, as well as their conservation status and critical role in the environment.
Program fee: $300. Length: 60 minutes.
Meet the Animals – Unlock the basics behind how scientists classify animals into groups. We’ll focus on five basic animal groups: invertebrates, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. By comparing representative animals and their features, discover how the animals are related, what special traits they have, and better understand why they are classified the way they are. The program also includes live animals and mounted species.
Program fee: $165. Length: 60 minutes.
Backyard Birding – Learn how to identify backyard birds by sight and sound, who is at the feeder during each season and what their feeding habits are. Also covered will be bird characteristics, ways to entice birds to your feeder, what feeders and seed to use, and where to place feeders for bird safety and best viewing. This program includes a PowerPoint presentation, and there will be samples of bird feeders and seed that can be used in your backyard to attract birds.
Program fee: $165. Length: 60 minutes.
To schedule, please email our program manager at tkevalis@ctaudubon.org.
Birthday Parties
Celebrate your child’s birthday with Connecticut Audubon! We provide a fun-filled, 45-minute, nature-based program for your child and up to 15 guests, plus an additional 45 minutes for your own birthday fun. Age-specific themes (appropriate for ages 3 and up) to choose from include Naturalist Adventures, Slither and Slime, Creature Feature and more!
You can schedule a birthday party on Saturdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. or from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Weekday parties are available on a limited basis by request.
Click here to view the brochure. To book a party, please email Jane Guenther or call 203-259-6305 ext. 109.
Scouting Programs
The Fairfield Nature Center provides programs that meet the needs of scouts and their leaders. Our teacher-naturalists will lead scouts through hands-on, science-based programs during which they will discover unique habitats and wildlife while working towards badge requirements. Our ongoing scouting programs may be scheduled for weekdays and weekends (based on availability). For Girl Scout programs through the Center, click here. For Boy Scout programs, click here.
Connecticut Audubon’s Dr. Science: Using Binoculars for Birding
Ever wonder how you could use your binoculars to get an “eagle-eye” view of some of your favorite birds? Join Connecticut Audubon’s Dr. Science as she shares (and demonstrates) some dos and don’ts, including how you can listen, spot and focus in on your next super-incredible nature experience.
See below for our previous Dr. Science adventures:
Episode 1: Skunk Cabbage, click here.
Episode 2: Estuaries, click here.
Episode 3: Beach Grass, click here.
Episode 4: Rockweed, click here.
Episode 5: Mud Snails, click here.
Episode 6: Bivalves, click here.
Episode 7: The Great Blue Heron, click here.
Episode 8: Life Under a Log, click here.
Episode 9: The Wood Frog Story, click here.
Episode 10: Owl Pellets, click here.
Episode 11: Dandelions, click here.
Episode 12: Snakes, click here.
