June 3

DIRT: The Secret Life of Soil by Arm of the Sea

Where does food “come from” and from what is it made? Here’s a lively primer for urban bumpkins and upcountry gardeners of all ages. Fusing cutting-edge science and age-old puppetry, DIRT takes audiences on an extravagant journey of discovery into the Great Underneath—revealing the epic alchemy of plants, the fungi’s dance of mutual delight, and the microbes’ herculean labors. Featuring live music and a myriad of puppet figures ranging from 12 inches to 12 feet tall, the show reminds earthly residents of all ages how profoundly essential is the ground beneath their feet. Bring your picnic blankets and folding chairs for this outdoor spectacle. 7:00 p.m. Activity Field, Arm-of-the-Sea Theater is an award-winning arts ensemble --and Jim Henson Foundation grant recipient-- based in New York’s Hudson River Valley. This beautiful event is FREE to the public! In the event of rain, it will be held in The Activity Shed. For more information: www.thecattailgathering.com

June 4

Dawn Chorus with Fran Zygmont

Rescheduled From May 7, 2022
The dawn chorus occurs when birds sing at the start of a new day. In a given location, it is common for different species to do their dawn singing at different times. Of course…in order to experience this incredible performance you must be up before the birds! Join The Bird Whisperer, Fran Zygmont as he and early bird Gerri Griswold take you to some favorite birding haunts just before the crack o’ dawn. Breakfast at Patty’s afterwards! 5:00 a.m., Meet in front of the A. B. Ceder Room. Please pre-register for this program by calling 860-567-0857 or register online www.whitememorialcc.org. Members: FREE, Non-members: $10.00. The program is limited to 15 early birds!

June 4

Connecticut Trails Day!

Trails Day is a two-day national event (the first weekend in June) that pays tribute to all the wonderful trails our country has to offer. If there was ever a time to celebrate our amazing Connecticut trails, 2022 is it! Trails and open spaces have become the places to escape to and enjoy in recent challenging times.

Exploring the Lake and Butternut Brook Trails with Gerri Griswold

Enjoy a happy ramble along the sweeping Lake Trail. Enjoy a spectacular view of Bantam Lake, then continue through the amphibian occupied wetlands through the old Berkshire Ice House ruins. The Butternut Brook Trail may reveal the handiwork of beavers, one of nature’s most accomplished architects. 10:00 a.m., Meet in front of the A. B. Ceder Room. FREE…donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Amphibian Amble with Erin Josefson

For All Ages
Join us on a jaunt to find those sleek and slimy creatures we call amphibians. We’ll look under rocks and boards and visit a pond armed with dip nets in order to reveal as many frogs, toads, and salamanders as we can. After identifying and marveling at these cool critters, all amphibians will be safely returned to their hiding spots. Wear long pants and shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy! 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room for a brief introduction on our native amphibian species before we head out on the property. Masks are required inside and when we cannot be socially-distanced outside. FREE…donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

June 8

Yoga in the Garden: A Morning Sadhana at White Memorial

In the garden behind the White Memorial Museum, we will practice gentle, Vinyasa yoga as we listen to the birds, feel the morning breezes, and celebrate the warmth of the summer sun. Class will be followed by a brief guided meditation for those who would like to participate. This is an all levels, all ages program and requires no prior yoga or meditation experience! Recent studies have shown the benefits of yoga, which include stress reduction, improvement in strength, flexibility, and balance.

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Please bring a mat and water (sunscreen/bug repellant if desired). Each class is $10 (with $1 of each going to White Memorial). Come to one, several, or all! For information and to check in event of rain, please call 860-309-9489.

Covid/Payment Protocol: Mats must be at least 6 feet from one another.  Please do not attend class if you aren’t feeling well. Payment may be exchanged without touch through Venmo (to @Judith-Ehrman-Shapiro). Other forms of payment include cash, check, and credit card. The teacher may not have change, so please bring exact amount.

About our Facilitator: Judith Ehrman-Shapiro, PhD, BC-DMT, NCC, RYT is a Board-Certified movement therapist, nationally certified counselor, and a registered yoga teacher. She was a 29-year employee of Waterbury Hospital, and currently operates the Evolving Center, a private practice, in Winsted.

June 9

Nature’s Nursery Series

Join us on the second Thursday of each month from May-August for an hour-long program designed just for your young nature lovers. Every session will include a story, an encounter with a live animal, and an activity or craft. Parents/Caregivers, we ask that you stay for the duration of the program. Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room. 4-5pm. Advanced registration is required. To register, please call 860-567-0857 or visit whitememorialcc.org. Space is limited. Masks are required inside and when we cannot be socially-distanced outside. Please inquire about financial aid as needed. Members: $9/child per session or $30/whole series, Non-Members: $13/child per session or $50/whole series

June 11

A Sunrise Hike to Apple Hill and Cat Swamp with Gerri Griswold

What better time to catch the awakening of Nature than at the crack-o-dawn? Join Gerri for a hike along her two favorite trails! We’ll ascend Apple Hill to greet the sun, then make our way to Cat Swamp to visit the Brave Old Oak, the carpet of princess pine, and a wood duck, kingfisher, and heron...maybe even a bobcat or beaver! Meet at the Apple Hill Trailhead off East Shore Road at 4:30 am. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy, waterproof boots. The program is free but you must pre-register by calling 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org

June 12

Litchfield Hills Road Race

Museum Closed

June 15

Yoga in the Garden: A Morning Sadhana at White Memorial

In the garden behind the White Memorial Museum, we will practice gentle, Vinyasa yoga as we listen to the birds, feel the morning breezes, and celebrate the warmth of the summer sun. Class will be followed by a brief guided meditation for those who would like to participate. This is an all levels, all ages program and requires no prior yoga or meditation experience! Recent studies have shown the benefits of yoga, which include stress reduction, improvement in strength, flexibility, and balance.

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Please bring a mat and water (sunscreen/bug repellant if desired). Each class is $10 (with $1 of each going to White Memorial). Come to one, several, or all! For information and to check in event of rain, please call 860-309-9489.

Covid/Payment Protocol: Mats must be at least 6 feet from one another.  Please do not attend class if you aren’t feeling well. Payment may be exchanged without touch through Venmo (to @Judith-Ehrman-Shapiro). Other forms of payment include cash, check, and credit card. The teacher may not have change, so please bring exact amount.

About our Facilitator: Judith Ehrman-Shapiro, PhD, BC-DMT, NCC, RYT is a Board-Certified movement therapist, nationally certified counselor, and a registered yoga teacher. She was a 29-year employee of Waterbury Hospital, and currently operates the Evolving Center, a private practice, in Winsted.

June 18

Edible Plant Walk with Andy Dobos ~ The Forest Wolf

Andy Dobos will help you learn some common, easily identifiable edible wild plants and how to responsibly harvest and prepare them. Walk through field, forest, and wetland edge, as Andy identifies, gathers, and gives tips for preparation.

Dobos has special permission to pick plants on WMF property. All the plants we cover will be species one could find in their back yard or old farmland or woodlot so no excuses for not making future use of what you will learn! Bring notebook, camera, and dress for the weather LIMITED TO 15!  Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00p.m., Members: $15.00 Non-members: $25.00, Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org

June 22

Yoga in the Garden: A Morning Sadhana at White Memorial

In the garden behind the White Memorial Museum, we will practice gentle, Vinyasa yoga as we listen to the birds, feel the morning breezes, and celebrate the warmth of the summer sun. Class will be followed by a brief guided meditation for those who would like to participate. This is an all levels, all ages program and requires no prior yoga or meditation experience! Recent studies have shown the benefits of yoga, which include stress reduction, improvement in strength, flexibility, and balance.

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Please bring a mat and water (sunscreen/bug repellant if desired). Each class is $10 (with $1 of each going to White Memorial). Come to one, several, or all! For information and to check in event of rain, please call 860-309-9489.

Covid/Payment Protocol: Mats must be at least 6 feet from one another.  Please do not attend class if you aren’t feeling well. Payment may be exchanged without touch through Venmo (to @Judith-Ehrman-Shapiro). Other forms of payment include cash, check, and credit card. The teacher may not have change, so please bring exact amount.

About our Facilitator: Judith Ehrman-Shapiro, PhD, BC-DMT, NCC, RYT is a Board-Certified movement therapist, nationally certified counselor, and a registered yoga teacher. She was a 29-year employee of Waterbury Hospital, and currently operates the Evolving Center, a private practice, in Winsted.

June 24

STAR PARTY

Members of the Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club and the Mattatuck Astronomical Society organize this astronomy program Weather permitting; there will be star gazing after the program. MASKS ARE REQUIRED IN THE CEDER ROOM. 8:00 P.M., A.B. Ceder Room. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You are invited to bring your own telescope or binoculars. FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

June 25

Watery  Wonderlands: The Beauty of Bogs with Pete and Barb Rzasa and Special Guest Kyle Turozci from Earthtones Native Plant Nursery

Bogs are some of the most important ecosystems in the world. They are home to an abundance of vital flora and fauna and are well worth our attention. Meet in the Ceder Room for a brief presentation about identifying plants in a bog. On hand will be expert Kyle Turozci from Earthtones native Plant Nursery in Woodbury, CT. Learn how to make a tiny bog right in your back yard! Then, travel to Mohawk State Forest in Goshen / Cornwall  for a short hike to the Black Spruce Bog,  one of the few bogs we have here in Connecticut. Kyle, Pete, and Barb will help you ID bog plants in the wild. 9:00 a.m. Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room. We’ll caravan to Mohawk State Forest. The program is free but you must register by calling 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org .Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

June 29

Yoga in the Garden: A Morning Sadhana at White Memorial

In the garden behind the White Memorial Museum, we will practice gentle, Vinyasa yoga as we listen to the birds, feel the morning breezes, and celebrate the warmth of the summer sun. Class will be followed by a brief guided meditation for those who would like to participate. This is an all levels, all ages program and requires no prior yoga or meditation experience! Recent studies have shown the benefits of yoga, which include stress reduction, improvement in strength, flexibility, and balance.

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Please bring a mat and water (sunscreen/bug repellant if desired). Each class is $10 (with $1 of each going to White Memorial). Come to one, several, or all! For information and to check in event of rain, please call 860-309-9489.

Covid/Payment Protocol: Mats must be at least 6 feet from one another.  Please do not attend class if you aren’t feeling well. Payment may be exchanged without touch through Venmo (to @Judith-Ehrman-Shapiro). Other forms of payment include cash, check, and credit card. The teacher may not have change, so please bring exact amount.

About our Facilitator: Judith Ehrman-Shapiro, PhD, BC-DMT, NCC, RYT is a Board-Certified movement therapist, nationally certified counselor, and a registered yoga teacher. She was a 29-year employee of Waterbury Hospital, and currently operates the Evolving Center, a private practice, in Winsted.