Programs and Events at the Fairfield Nature Center
Please note the following holiday hours for the Fairfield Nature Center:
Wed. Dec. 24: Open 10am to 1pm
Thur. Dec. 25 through Sat. Dec. 27: CLOSED
Wed. Dec. 31: Open 10am to 1pm
Thu. January 1: CLOSED
Trails remain open daily, dawn to dusk.
Winter Nature Detectives
December 29 and 30, 2025
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
For Kindergarten through Grade 2
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 animals. Games and crafts will round out the fun each day! For grades K through 2, this drop-off program will inspire curious minds while examining nature’s winter adaptations up-close.
Pre-registration required. Sign up soon – spaces will fill quickly for this holiday week program!
Price per session: Members $55 per person, Non-members $65 per person.
Monday, December 29: Register here.
Tuesday, December 30: Register here.
Please bring a peanut-free snack, lunch and warm outdoor wear appropriate for weather conditions. This program will take place at the Fairfield Nature Center, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield.
Meet the Animals – Reptiles
Big Tony, Eastern Box Turtle
Saturday, January 10, 2026
10:30 to 11 a.m.
The animal ambassadors at the Fairfield Nature Center would love to meet you! Come join us for this unique and up-close chance to learn about the reptiles who reside at our Center. Find out why they are here, what care and food they need, and how they are special. You’ll also hear how, in their role as ambassadors, they teach visitors, school groups, and others in our community about the wildlife around us, as well as what we can do to protect their natural habitats. Great for all ages; registration is recommended but walk-ins are welcome.
Cost: $5 per family (up to 5 people). Register here.
This event takes place at the Fairfield Nature Center, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT.
Story Corner
Thursday, January 15, 2026
10 a.m.
Come join us for a story featuring a nature-themed picture book that is perfect for little explorers. After listening to the story we’ll get to meet a few of our Center’s live animal residents/ambassadors that appear in the book. For this class we’ll read “Over and Under the Snow” by Kate Messner.
Registration is preferred; walk-ins welcome.
Members free; Non-members $10 per family.
Register here.
This program meets at the Fairfield Nature Center, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT.
Winter Naturalist Program
Wednesdays, January 21 – February 18, 2026
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.*
5-Part Adult Learning Series; must be 18 or older
While the weather 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. Lucky for us, this offers remarkable opportunities to explore and view the natural world in new ways. Join us for this intriguing series that pulls back the curtain on New England wildlife and habitats in winter. Learn from field experts: who is active, who is sleeping, who comes to spend the winter in Connecticut and why.
January 21 – Winter Birds: Presented by Stefan Martin, CT Audubon Conservation Manager.
January 28 – Winter Walk: Presented by Stefan Martin, CT Audubon Conservation Manager.
February 4 – Winter Plants: Presented by Botanist Jim Cortina. *A 3-hour class, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.
February 11 – Planting for Wildlife: Presented by Dave Havens, CT Audubon educator/naturalist.
February 18 – Shore in Winter: Presented by Dave Havens, CT Audubon educator/naturalist. This program meets at Sherwood Island.
Series fee: Members $150, Non-members $208.
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 the February 18 class meets at Sherwood Island in Westport.
Nature Tots – Winter Series
Tuesdays: January 27, February 10, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24 2026
10 – 10:45 a.m.
(No class on February 3 or 17)
What do animals do in the winter? How do they survive in 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. Pre-registration is required.
Series fee (per child): Members $140; Non-members $175.
To sign up for all 7 sessions: Register here.
Single session fee (per child): Members $20; Non-members $25.
January 27: Register here.
February 10: Register here.
February 24: Register here.
March 3: Register here.
March 10: Register here.
March 17: Register here.
March 24: Register here.
Please wear appropriate indoor/outdoor clothing and footwear. This program is held at the Fairfield Nature Center, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT 06824.
Ongoing Programs
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- 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.
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.
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 Scout programs through the Center, click here.
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. (Please note, we cannot schedule birthday parties during the summer months of June, July and August.)
Click here to view the brochure. To book a party, please email Jane Guenther or call 203-259-6305 ext. 109.
