SEPTEMBER
PLEASE NOTE: ALL VIRTUAL PROGRAM LINKS WILL BE E-MAILED BY NOON, DAY OF PROGRAM
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Flanders Environmental Book Club
Flanders is excited to announce the launch of the Flanders Environmental & Nature Book Club!
Photo Club Photo Opening Night & Daily Exhibit
Come out and meet the photographers of Flanders’ Nature Photography Club! Their work will be showcased in the historic Van Vleck House. An opening night “Meet and Greet” wine reception is planned for Friday, September 23 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The photography will be on exhibit for the following two weeks from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closing on Friday, October 7. Some of the photography will be available for sale.
Flanders Trail Blazers 4-H Club
Do you have a child age 7-18 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! More information.
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 | Location to be Announced | Complimentary, but registration required | REGISTER
Photography Club 2022
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 | 5:30 PM | Studio |$20 members & $40 non per year | REGISTER
CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS
“Off From School” Adventure Days at Flanders
Are you looking for a great opportunity for your children, grades kindergarten through 5th, to get some outdoor exercise, learn more about the animals that make up their world and bring their science books to life on their days off from school?! Each of the days will be packed with exploring the great outdoors, as well as age appropriate stories, games and art projects! We will care for them, entertain them and educate them while giving them a memorable day!
ROSH HASHANAH: Monday, Sept. 26
YOM KIPPUR: Wednesday, Oct. 5
COLUMBUS DAY: Monday, Oct.10
REG.15 PROF. DEV.: Monday, Oct. 17
ELECTION DAY: Tuesday, Nov. 8
VETERANS DAY: Friday, Nov. 11
Trail House | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM or 12:30 – 4:30 PM or 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | HALF DAY: $35 members & $45 non | FULL DAY: $70 members & $90 non | REGISTER
Flanders Farm School – October is Pumpkin Time!
Parents and children will love Flanders Farm School where kids can be “a farmer for the day” visiting and helping to feed the animals that call the Flanders’ North Barn home in a small group setting. Children this month will learn the life cycle of a pumpkin, seed to fruit. Each child will pick a pumpkin to decorate and take home to celebrate the harvest!
Friday, Sept. 30 & Sat, Oct. 1 | 10:00 AM – 2 PM | Groups of 10 – 15 every 30 minutes | The North Barn | $7members & $12 non per adult – children are complimentary | REGISTER
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! Call Amber McDonald at (203) 263-3711 x12 for more information to brainstorm what will make for an unforgettable party for your birthday child! For more information, download a new Birthday Flyer!
SUMMER TRAIL HIKE SERIES
Senior Hikes with Arthur
Join retired Flanders Executive Director, Arthur Milnor, for easy to moderate casual walks taken on forest trails. A great opportunity to get outside, observe what’s happening in the natural world, learn something new and maybe even meet new friends. This hike is not just for seniors. All are welcome!
Wednesday, September 14 | 9:30 AM | Bellamy Preserve, Munger Ln, Bethlehem | Complimentary members & $5 non | REGISTER
Leavenworth Preserve Hike
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
ADULT & FAMILY PROGRAMS
The Complex Pro Nature Art of William Kent
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
Goat Yoga
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.
Connecticut Wildlife – Snakes in Connecticut
Connecticut is native to 14 species of snakes. Brian Kleinman (the owner of Riverside Reptiles Education Center) will present a 50-minute long slide presentation on the natural history and identification of our indigenous snake species. After the slide presentation you will meet and touch some live snakes!
Saturday, October 1 | 2 PM | South Barn | $10 members & $15 non & $5 children under 12 yrs old | REGISTER
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
Forever Connected!
Volunteer Your Time – A gift of your time and talent is a very important contribution. Flanders offers regular opportunities for members and friends to share their skills and interests with the organization and community. Seasonal events at Flanders, such as Maple Sugaring, Flanders Festival, Field & Forest 5K, Flanders Annual Benefit & Auction, and our Holiday Wreath Making Workshops depend upon the work of hundreds of dedicated volunteers to make them successful. From a Land Trust perspective, Flanders relies on its volunteers to carry on its mission of preserving and caring for more than 2,400 acres of protected property in the region. Whether you would like to volunteer regularly or just help when you have the time, Flanders needs you!
Consider Joining A Committee – Ready to get more involved with Flanders and share your expertise? Join one or more of our volunteer lead committees to help us meet our goals and objectives and further our mission and vision. By being a committee member you will help grow Flanders and make a deep impact! Here is a list of our committees with a brief description:
» LEARN Committee—Promoting and teaching the understanding and appreciation of art, farming, and nature to adults and families.
» Art Committee—Organize art related programs and conserve founder Natalie Van Vleck’s history and archives.
» Land Management Committee—Managing Flanders’ 2,400+ acres of open space.
» Land Acquisition Committee—Acquiring important open space lands.
» Development/Fundraising Committee—Helping raise funds to support Flanders’ Mission.
» Historic Van Vleck Committee—Ensuring Flanders facilities are properly maintained and/or restored.
Want To Lead A Hike, Program Or Class? Do you have a talent that you would like to share? Flanders is always looking for new instructors.
TO LEARN MORE – 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
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