Join Land Management Volunteer, Dave Terry, for a guided hike of our Leavenworth Preserve. This 126-acre property contains former logging roads that have been developed into a low-impact trail system. Dress for the weather and wear terrain appropriate footgear. Hike is easy to moderate, 60 to 90 minutes, 1.5-mile loop.
Saturday, Sept 17  | 10 AM |Leavenworth Preserve, Pilgrim Trail, Woodbury |Complimentary members & $5 non |REGISTER

Join Flanders Curator, Marc Chabot, for a presentation on CT artist William Kent. William Kent lived and worked in New Haven and then retreated to rural Durham CT where he lived and worked tirelessly on his prints and sculptures in relative obscurity until his death in 2012. Kent loved every living thing and the vast diversity of life in nature. We will examine Kent’s training and work as both a prolific sculptor and printmaker, and how his work reflected his creative vision and desire to call out corruption, greed; nurturing respect for and harmony with our natural world.
Date TBD  | 7 PM | Studio | $10 members & $15 non |REGISTER

Local professional artist, Dita Carley is leading this workshop. Oil pastels are one of the most overlooked mediums. Oil pastels are lush in color, easy to handle, portable, versatile, and yet relatively inexpensive! Participants will experiment with different techniques such as blending and scratching in and create a landscape painting. This workshop will focus on the beautiful landscape of Flanders. We will go out into the field and choose which view pleases to paint. The class is suitable for beginning and more advanced levels of artists. All materials will be supplied, and students will receive a set of oil pastels to bring home.
Tuesday, May 24 (rain date Wed, May 25) | 1 PM | Studio | $30 members & $35 non | REGISTER

Join Monique Bosch, Organic Land Care Coordinator and Soil Health Technician for CT NOFA: The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut, as she shares her passion for composting, whether it be thermophilic, static pile, or composting with worms. We’ll also take a close-up look at compost under the microscope and learn about the ‘soil food web’ in compost that can be used to bring our own gardens ‘back to life’. Other regenerative ag principles will be described and adapted for the home garden.
Wednesday, May 25 | 7 PM | South Barn | $10 members & $15 non | REGISTER

Join Chris Wood on a bird walk at the Flanders’ Whittemore Sanctuary. Forest and wetland bird nesting activity will be the walk’s focus, including several species of warblers and thrushes. Late and lingering migrants should also be present, and several ducks and other wetland birds will be found around the bog. Participation limited to 8.
Sunday, June 5 (rain date Sat, June 11) | 8 AM | Whittemore Sanctuary (Rte 64, Sherman Hill, Woodbury) | $10 members & $15 non | REGISTER

Connect with nature and furry baby Nigerian dwarf goats at Goat Yoga classes being held at Flanders’ Van Vleck Farm and Sanctuary. Experienced yoga instructors will be leading guests in this one-hour gentle class suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced yogis & yoginis! Adorable Nigerian dwarf goats will be frolicking & cuddling with you as you flow through the class on the picturesque Van Vleck Farm. Participants should keep in mind that they’ll be outside, practicing with live animals and some degree of messiness (and a LOT of silliness) may be involved so they should dress accordingly, wearing comfortable clothes and bring along a yoga mat or towel.
Sundays, June 12, July 10, August 7, Sept 11 | 9:30 AM | North Barn | $20 members & $25 non for adults & $10 ages 15 & under
Sundays, June 26, July 24, August 21, Sept 25 | 6:00 PM | North Barn | $20 members & $25 non for adults & $10 ages 15 & under
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Stone walls are common features of the forested landscapes in New England. Their story begins during the most recent Ice Age. Then during the colonial period, these stones were turned into fences, which remain now long after most of the fields they enclosed were abandoned. Join Dr. Mitch Wagener as he discusses the geological origin of the stones, the contrasting ideas of land ownership of Native Americans and European colonists, and the ecological impact that stone walls have today.
Thursday, June 16 | 7 PM | Studio | $10 members & $15 non | REGISTER

Come out and enjoy nature and take some great photographs with your camera or cell phone. Bring your telephoto, macro or wide angle lens—whatever you have. We’ll enjoy a scenic morning walk along the trails, ponds and woods at the beautiful Van Vleck Nature Sanctuary and capture great photos of wildlife, wild flowers, landscapes—and birds of course. Photography hints and help along the way from Flanders Photography Chair, Michael Audette.
Saturday, June 18 | 9 AM | Studio | $5 members & $10 non | REGISTER

Join The 3 Foragers as they teach the edible plants and fungi of summer with their original photos and recipe ideas featured in an educational slideshow, and finish with a walk outside to put some of those newly learned skills to the test. Learn how to identify, sustainably harvest, and prepare the wild foods of summer, from beach plums to invasive wine berries, including some of the choice summer fungi like chanterelles and the myriad of pored boletes.
Saturday, June 25 | 10 AM | Sugar House | $10 members & $15 non | REGISTER

If you love old buildings, this is your chance to tour and learn the history of the Van Vleck House (c. 1786) and the Studio (1928). Your guide is Anne Westerman, a long time Flanders member and past Board President. Following the building tours, there will be a short sunset walk/hike to the favorite outdoor space of Flanders’ founder, Natalie Van Vleck.
Wednesday, July 6 | 6 PM | Studio | $10 members & $15 non | REGISTER

Wildlife is all around us, whether in our own backyards or on the trails at Flanders. But have you ever considered the secret world that is under a log? It is teaming with living creatures, plants, and fungi. This underworld is often overlooked as we simply step over the log. Put down the binoculars and pick up a magnifying glass and join us to uncover the diversity of life we’ll find in a rotting log!
Saturday, July 23 | 10 AM | Studio | $10 members & $15 non | REGISTER

Are you curious about nocturnal insects? Everyone’s familiar with daytime insects, but rarely have a chance to see the array of moths, beetles, and other insects who wait until dark to emerge from their daytime hiding places. We will be collecting, observing, and learning about nocturnal insects and their relatives. This is a great family program. Please bring a headlamp or flashlight and a sense of adventure!
Friday, August 12 | 8 PM | South Barn | $10 members & $15 non | REGISTER

Learn how to identify, sustainably harvest, and prepare the wild foods of autumn, from acorns through minty wintergreen leaves, including golden honey mushrooms and maitake, the “dancing mushroom.” Join us for an engaging talk with The 3 Foragers to learn about the edible plants and fungi of autumn, how to identify them, and recipe ideas! We will start with a slide show and head outside to walk around the grounds.
Saturday, September 10 | 10 AM | Sugar House | $10 members & $15 non | REGISTER