May 2023

May 4

Thursdays, May 4, June 1, July 6, August 3
Ages 3-6 years
Nature’s Nursery Series
4:00-5:00pm
Join us on the first 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. 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

May 5

White Memorial Conservation Center Annual Meeting

3:30 p.m, Foundation Office

May 6

Etuaptmumk Two-Eyed Seeing with Darlene Kacak, Schasghticoke Tribal Nation and Susan Scherf, Institute for American Indian Studies, Washington, CT 

Etuaptmumk is a Mi'kmaw saying that translates to "Two-Eyed Seeing." Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall developed this concept in Nova Scotia to describe how Indigenous perspectives and TK (Traditional Knowledge) should be used as though they are one eye. In contrast, Western ideas about science and knowledge should be used as though they are the other eye. Using them together makes for a more complete picture than one or the other alone. Two-Eyed Seeing is a way of bringing together science and Traditional Knowledge to understand the world better and acknowledge the importance of Indigenous perspectives in science. This concept of Two-Eyed Seeing, as applied in modern times, can lead to powerful transcultural and collaborative work with the goal of leaving the world a better place for future generations. During this presentation, through hands-on experiences and discussions, we will discuss the scientific method and compare it with TK to better understand how these different systems could work together and how they sometimes conflict with each other. However, as Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups become more familiar with one another, these barriers to understanding become lower and lower. Darlene Kascak, from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, will guide participants in a discussion about Native Americans’ Gift Economy beliefs and how the land connects people to the Earth and all living things and compare that to Commodity Driven Economy beliefs and the impact that it has had on ecology and our lives.

Join IAIS Education Director and Traditional Storyteller Darlene Kascak, Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, and IAIS Educator for an interactive presentation and discussion that examines how people can include this "Two-Eyed Seeing" concept in their daily lives to make powerful changes. 10:00 a.m., A. B. Ceder Room, Members: $5.00, Non-Members: $10.00, Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org

BIO

Darlene Kascak (Schaghticoke Tribal Nation) is a Traditional Native American Storyteller and the Education Director at The Institute for American Indian Studies. Her teaching style from a Native American's point of view allows children and adults to have a new understanding of Connecticut's Indigenous Peoples’ lives both in the past and in the present. 

BIO

Susan Scherf is an IAIS Educator, an expert in ecology, a former bird bander on Nantucket, and a former wildlife rehabilitator at Frost Valley YMCA. Susan attributes her knowledge and passion for the natural world to her peers and hands-on learning experiences. Often found with a field guide in her back pocket, Susan inspires others to create a connection to each other and their environment and understand its role in their lives.

May 6

The Natural History and Ecology of New England Ants: Ecosystem Engineers In A Time Of Global Change with Dr. Nick Gotelli, University of Vermont

Ants are seemingly familiar animals, but few people appreciate their amazing life histories and evolutionary success as colonies of "super-organisms". This talk explains those details as well as how ants feature as model organisms in the study of animal behavior and responses to climate change.

About Our Speaker: Nick Gotelli is a professor in the Department of Biology, University of Vermont, where he has taught ecology, evolution, and computational biology for the past 30 years. He is an experimental field ecologist whose study organisms include marine invertebrates, carnivorous plants, and ants of New England forests. He is the author of A Primer Of Ecology (2008, Sinauer Associates), and a co-author of A Field Guide To The Ants Of New England (2012, Yale University Press). 2:00 p.m., ZOOM, Members: FREE,   Non Members: $10.00 Pre-registration is required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org

A ZOOM link to the presentation will be emailed to you on May 5.

May 7

Sunday Guided Museum Tour with Tom Saunders

You’ll learn so much more about Alain and May White and their generous gift to us, by spending time with Museum Docent, Tom Saunders! Tom is available to give tours on the first and third Sundays of every month at 2:00 pm or by appointment. Admission is FREE to Members and $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children ages 12 - 6. There is free admission for children under the age of 6.

May 11 – 17

Museum Children Free Week

Courtesy of Tara and Arthur Diedrick. Free admission to children under the age of 12 when accompanied by an adult.

May 13

Bobbing for Bobolinks at Apple Hill and Topsmead with Gerri Griswold

Spend a couple of hours with Gerri in search of this bubbly grassland bird. It’s Bobolink breeding season and the boys should be out in full force putting on a show! Begin hiking to the top of Apple Hill where numerous sightings have occurred. Then drive over to Topsmead State Forest aka Bobolink Central, meandering the sweeping fields and forests around this venerable State Park. Bring a snack and some water. 8:00 a.m – 11:00 a.m.., Meet at the Apple Hill Trailhead off East Shore Road. Limited to 15. The program is free but you must pre-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.

May 13

Nature Tag Sale

Come to the Activity Shed between 11 am and 3 pm. Choose something from our eclectic collection of goodies and leave a donation in the jar! No haggling as if you are in a Marrakesh souk! Why not become a member during your visit or buy a super snazzy bit of White Memorial swag from the gift shop! Early birds will be dispatched in the nicest way possible! Rain or shine! If you would like to donate nature themed items in good condition to the tag sale, please email: [email protected] None of your college text books, please! Thank you!

May 18

Babies in Backpacks with Kelly Orr

For Ages 6 months to 2 years!

Come and explore the great outdoors in a way that your child can get excited about! The third Thursday of every month we will enjoy a hike with your child in a babywearing carrier or follow their pace if they are mobile.  There will only be expectations of exploring the world around us, not of a mile mark or speed.  Depending on the energy level of the group we will use our bodies to move in nature for 30 minutes, followed by an activity.  We will read books about the outdoors, enjoy touch and feel stations, use sand and water bins and more! This will be a year-round program. The goal is to encourage family time outdoors in all seasons.  We will still play outside in rain, snow, heat, and cold.  Unsafe weather will push us indoors.  Plan to get a little dirty, and come with weather appropriate clothing, sunscreen and bug spray as needed.  Caretakers must stay for the duration of the program. Please park in the horse trailer parking and meet in the Pollinator Garden.  

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Members: $9/child per session or $30/whole series, Non-Members: $13/child per session or $50/whole series Pre-registration is required by calling 860-567-0857 or register online here: www.whitememorialcc.org  Space is limited. Please inquire about financial aid as needed.

May 19

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. 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.

May 20

Hitting White Memorial’s Peaks with Gerri Griswold

It’s not as difficult a feat as it may sound! Today we’ll hike up Windmill Hill, Wheeler Hill, Apple Hill, Laurel Hill, and Schermerhorn Hill! We’ll drive from point to point and discover some interesting features and (hopefully) signs of wildlife along the way! Plan on a 4 to 5-hour outing. Dress for the weather. Bring snacks and water, wear sturdy hiking boots. A walking stick or hiking pole might even come in handy! 10:00 a.m., Meet in front of the A. B. Ceder Room. Please pre-register by calling 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses

May 21

Sunday Guided Museum Tour with Tom Saunders

You’ll learn so much more about Alain and May White and their generous gift to us, by spending time with Museum Docent, Tom Saunders! Tom is available to give tours on the first and third Sundays of every month at 2:00 pm or by appointment. Admission is FREE to Members and $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children ages 12 - 6. There is free admission for children under the age of 6.

May 25 – 31

Museum Children Free Week

Honoring Helen Ryan Donnelly. Free admission to children under the age of 12 when accompanied by an adult.

May 27

Edible Plant Walk with Andy Dobos

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. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.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

May 29

Memorial Day

Offices Closed