Did Flanders help you find joy this year?
This season, give a gift that makes an impact and donate to our year end campaign. Your tax deductible gift supports the many varied and unique aspects of Flanders and helps us to continue carrying out our mission in our community and beyond- Donate Today!
PLEASE NOTE: ALL VIRTUAL PROGRAM LINKS WILL BE E-MAILED BY NOON, DAY OF PROGRAM
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Flanders Trail Blazers 4-H Club
Do you have a child age 5-18 that loves animals and being outdoors? Then joining the Flanders 4-H Club is the perfect fit! UCONN 4-H is a youth organization whose mission is engaging youth to reach their fullest potential with a motto “To Make the Best Better.” Members will learn all about caring for a variety of farm animals, beekeeping, responsible land care, gardening and forestry. Also, as a club member you will have the opportunity to attend educational meetings, go on field trips or show off your new skills at a 4-H Fair. In the process, you will make new friends, solve problems and make a difference in your neighborhood or even in the world!
The Van Vleck 200-acre campus with our North Barn animals presents perfect opportunities to learn the responsibilities of raising livestock and many land management challenges. For more information, please contact the Flanders office at 203-263-3711 x12.
Second Wednesday of the Month | 6 PM | North Barn | Complimentary, but registration required | REGISTER
Wreath Making Workshops
Learn to build and decorate a beautiful holiday wreath from scratch!
Enjoy a morning or an afternoon session together as a family taking a hike to gather evergreens. We supply a 12-inch reusable metal frame, various greens and decorations like pine cones and ornaments, and will have a supply of natural dried flowers and decorations to select from. Everyone will make their own wreath to take home or give as a gift! Registration required.
Saturdays, Dec 4, 11 and Sundays, Dec 5, 12 | 10 AM or 1 PM | Sugar House | $25 members & $35 non per wreath made |SOLD OUT! Please call the office to be placed on a wait list
Photography Club 2021
Want to join the Flanders Photography Club? Our focus is outdoor nature photography “to foster understanding and appreciation of nature, art and the wonders of the natural world . . .” The Club’s purpose is to promote the development of photographic skills and the art of photography. Meetings will include instruction on the basics of outdoor photography, camera operation, features, techniques and tips as well as presentations, forums, and guest speakers. Plus there will be outdoor exercises and projects, such as macro, wildlife and bird photography.
Third Wednesday of the Month (Nov 17) | 5:30 PM | Studio |$20 members & $40 non per year | REGISTER
Flanders Artisan Marketplace
Looking for one-of-a-kind distinctive gifts that will truly be appreciated by the special people on your shopping list?
Decked out in festive style, the Van Vleck House is the setting for our annual “Artisan Marketplace”. One of the largest artisan markets in the area, you will find a wide variety of quality creations handmade by local crafters and artisans including fiber art, shawls, scarves, cards, Christmas ornaments, framed prints, baskets, soap, sugar scrubs, and lotion bars, fun children’s accessories, quilts, wreaths and greens, hand crafted jewelry, pottery, and more! Proceeds benefit local artisans and Flanders land conservation and educational programs. Are you an artisan? More information on participating. Any questions please call Amber McDonald at 203.263.3711 x12 or email amber@flandersnatuecenter.org.
Nov 12 – Dec 23 | 10 AM – 4 PM | Van Vleck House
CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS
K – 5 Next Generation Science Standards – Aligned Programs
Flanders offers an exceptional collection of field-based K-5 learning experiences to complement the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These 2-hour immersive programs are fun, engaging, and authentic in a classroom of nature’s design.
Each NGSS program focuses on grade-specific standards, helping to prepare students to meet key grade-level performance expectations. Each can be incorporated into a teacher’s unit plans, or can stand as a self-contained experience. >> For More Information
Fun Nature Activities At Home
While at home with your family here are some fun nature related videos of activities that you can do right in your own backyard. From building fairy or troll houses to decorating rocks there is so much to do. So get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather and your time together creating beautiful memories! Don’t forget to post your creations to our Facebook page and Instagram – we look forward to seeing the creativity! Watch our videos!
Birthday Parties at Flanders!
We offer birthday parties on Saturdays or Sundays year round! Affordable and fun there are a variety of nature themed parties to choose from including animals and art to fairy fun. Hiking, games and stories, live animals and even tractor rides can all be made a part of the celebration! Download a flyer or call us for more information to brainstorm what will make for an unforgettable party for your birthday child!
FALL TRAIL HIKE SERIES
Hike the Hetzel
Senior Hikes with Arthur
Black Friday Hike
Leavenworth Preserve Hike
OUR CONNECTICUT WILDLIFE
Meet The Red Fox
LAND TRUST HOT TOPICS SERIES
Are you currently a land trust volunteer and want to hear ways to improve your stewardship work? Are you interested in getting more involved in stewardship activities, helping to keep our lands preserved for future generations?
Look for new hot topics here in 2022!
ADULT & FAMILY PROGRAMS
Needle Felting with Rachel Gerowe
Join Rachel Gerowe of Redbarn Originals for an in person needle felting night in the Flanders Van Vleck Studio! Rachel will guide confident beginners as well as needle felters with some experience through the individual steps to make their own unique needle felted sculpture out of wool. Needle felting is a simple craft in which wool is poked with a special barbed needle to shape it into anything imaginable. Participants can attend for $15 and purchase a kit for an additional fee of $25 (plus tax). November’s kit is cardinals. Class size is limited to 5 participants. Participants must register and pay in advance. Requirements Per Instructor – Due to the small instructional space and time spent together, masks and fully vaccinated only.
Thursday, December 9 – Gnome kit | Closed – Class Full
The Magic Circuit Eco-Tour
Flanders Letterbox Series – New Botany Trail Hike Added!
Flanders has planted several letterboxes on the family friendly trails at their preserves and sanctuaries. Combining art and nature in a fun interactive way, letterboxing is a popular treasure hunting activity done world-wide. GET MORE INFORMATION
Volunteer At Flanders!
Interested in giving back to an organization that is making a difference by preserving land and educating people on the importance of caring for the environment, meeting kindred spirits and making new friends? AND the good feeling that comes with knowing that your time is being spent in a worthwhile way that truly makes an impact?
TO LEARN MORE
Please contact Flanders’ volunteer coordinator Ana Jordan to learn more about becoming a Flanders ambassador or other available volunteer opportunities today!
Flanders Wish List!
Flanders’ mission is to foster the understanding and appreciation of nature, art, and the wonders of the natural world through land preservation, stewardship and education. To help reduce expenses, the donation of supplies, services and/or equipment that are used for fulfilling our mission are greatly appreciated! >Learn more
TO REGISTER
for any programs, call 203.263.3711
or click on the registration link next to the program.
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