Wildlife Adventures (1.5 Hours)

 Enter the world of wild animals that inhabit our field and forest environments. Learn to interpret animal signs, examine mounted animals and view slides of our area's wildlife.

Upon arrival to the preserve, groups will be formed and oriented in the parking lot.  Students will then enter the Orchard House to learn about the animals that inhabit the 280-acre Preserve. Animal signs such as tracks, scats and food caches and middens, (the remains of eaten material) will be shown. Slides of native Connecticut mammals will be viewed to familiarize students with the variety of mammals that inhabit our lands. Selected mounted specimens of Connecticut mammals, such as coyote, bobcat, mink, raccoon, porcupine, squirrel, and birds owls, grouse, hawks and woodpeckers will be viewed as students learn of their habits and habitats. Then students will then proceed outdoors for a trail walk to put their newfound knowledge to work, looking for signs of the preserve’s wild inhabitants.

A one group rotation will start at the Wildlife Center then proceed  to a trail walk. A second group’s rotation will start with a trail walk and will conclude at the Wildlife Center.