Join us in support of community outreach programs.
Join us for a free hike or program
Explore our trails dawn to dusk daily.
Join us in support of community outreach programs.
Upcoming Programs
Under The Harvest Moon
Saturday, September 26 from 7 - 10 pm
*This event has changed locations. View the event page for details.*
Welcome fall with a magical night at Under the Harvest Moon—an unforgettable evening of delicious food, live music, and community celebration. Set against the stunning backdrop of our candlelit pavilion and pond, enjoy a carefully prepared dinner by chefs Sarah and Bernard Bouïssou of À Table in Ridgefield as well as unique live auction items. Proceeds benefit Woodcock's outreach and education programs.
Registration is required. $175 per person. This event is for adults 21+.
Plants and Seeds Guided Hike
Saturday, October 3 from 10:30 am - 12 pm
Embark on a fall guided hike with us! We will be exploring what plants produce in the fall to spread their seeds; from berries and drupes to seed pods and capsules. There is so much to see, learn and appreciate on our trails. Come discover what's out there this time of year!
This program is in partnership with the Ridgefield Conservation Commission.
Registration is free, but required. This program is for adults as well as families.
Minecraft vs Nature
Saturday, October 3 from 1 - 3 pm
Dive into the world of Minecraft while discovering the real-life nature that inspires it! We'll take a hike to explore the different biomes found right here on our property and compare them to those in the game. Back at the Nature Center, we'll get creative with a pixel art craft and meet some resident animals that resemble your favorite Minecraft creatures!
Registration is required. $45 per child. This program is for children in grades 3 - 6.
Storytime: On The Trails
Monday, October 5 from 10 - 11 am
Monday, November 2 from 10 - 11 am
There's no better time than fall for Storytime: On the Trails program! Each session, we will enjoy a walk on our trails led by an educator, pointing out the wonders of nature and sharing fascinating facts about the season, before gathering around for a story. The perfect way to connect with nature and your child as autumn is upon us. This program is for ages 2-6 with a caregiver.
Registration is free, but required.
Beyond the Trail: Take a Walk with our Executive Director
Wednesday, October 14 from 5 - 6 pm
Hear from our Executive Director about what it takes to run a nature center. Do you wonder how we make decisions or plan our programs? Are you curious about fundraising or what it costs to feed the animals? We’ll chat about this and more while enjoying an easy hike, good conversation, and the arrival of fall. We'll walk and talk on this easy hike for adults only.
Aprox 60 minutes. Meet in front of the Nature Center. Plus, take home a special gift!
Special guest: Katherine Gehrmann, Associate Director, Lone Pine Foundation and Woodcock Board Member
Registration is free but required.
Nighttime Wonders - Owl Prowl
Friday, October 16 from 6 - 8 pm
An exciting evening adventure awaits!! We will explore the woods in search of native owls! During our guided hike, we’ll listen for their unique calls—and if we’re lucky, some wild owls may even respond to our recorded ones! To close, we will gather around the campfire for games, s’mores, and cozy fun before heading home.
Registration is required. $45 per child. This program is for children in grades 5 - 8.
Nature Center Open House
Saturday, October 17 from 10 am - 12 pm
Saturday, November 7 from 10 am - 12 pm
A Woodcock team member welcomes you to the nature center for a chance to meet and learn about our ambassador animals. The Nature Center building will be open to guests during the dates/hours listed above.
No registration needed. Just come on by!
Hear Me Out: Storytelling Series at Ridgefield Theater Barn
Sunday, October 18 at 6pm, doors open at 5 pm
The Ridgefield Theater Barn’s Hear Me Out: Storytelling Series returns for an evening of true stories, shared live onstage and rooted in the power of personal connection. For this special evening, we welcome three storytellers from Woodcock Nature Center plus three from Ridgefield Theatre Barn focusing on the theme, Outside/In! Joining them as evening co-host is Lenore Herbst, Executive Director of Woodcock Nature Center, alongside series host Peter Bachmann. Hear Me Out invites storytellers to share real-life moments that are funny, moving, surprising, thought-provoking, and deeply human. Proceeds support both organizations.
Registration is required. All tickets are $45. BYO food and drink. Additional donations to Woodcock at checkout are welcome!
Adult Nature Crafting - Kinusaiga!
Thursday, October 22 from 7 - 9 pm
Dive into the newest viral craft trend - Kinusaiga! This traditional Japanese craft transforms fabric scraps into detailed mosaic pictures without the need for sewing or thread! Each attendee will create a unique piece of art to display in their home.
Registration is required. $45 per person. This event is for adults.
Critters and Costumes!
Friday, October 23 from 10:30 am - 12 pm
Combine the magic of Halloween with the wonders of nature on our not-too-spooky Halloween adventure perfect for your nature-lover! Don your best Halloween costumes, hike our trail and follow clues left by animals to locate a special treat. We'll meet and greet two misunderstood animals, a tarantula and an albino snake, and learn why they are more amazing than scary! We'll end with a seasonal story reading (bring a snack!). Don't forget your costumes and your curiosity!
Registration is required. $30 per child. This program is for children ages 2 - 6 with a caregiver.
Autumnal Outdoor Art
Friday, October 23 from 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Our adventure begins with a whimsical walk in the forest to ignite our imagination. We will learn to use the natural materials we see - golden birch leaves, acorn caps, sticks, and stones - to create a colorful sculpture. Educators will share the work of famous outdoor art creators and teach about the materials we will be using. We will photograph our pieces and take the prints home.
Registration is required. $45 per child. This program is for children in grades 5 - 8.
Autumn Leaves and Amphibians - A Guided Hike
Saturday, October 24 from 10 - 11:30 am
Fall is the great time to be outdoors! As the foliage begins to drop from the trees we'll go searching for all sorts of critters that make use of the leaf litter. Join educator Kevin Andros on the search for salamanders while enjoying the autumn leaves. A guided hike perfect for the whole family.
Registration is free, but required. This program is for adults and families.
Volunteer Day - Habitat Improvement
Saturday, November 7 from 10:30 am - 1 pm
Looking for a way to give back right here in your community? Pull on those work gloves andbe part of our team for the morning. We'll learn about invasive plants and remove them from the Woodcock property. We'll be improving the habitat on our trails by removing some of our prolific invasives like burning bush. Then we'll plant native shrubs in their place! We will have gloves available to borrow but be sure to dress for the trail with closed toed shoes, long pants, and bring water for yourself!
Registration is free, but required. This program is for adults and teens.
Surviving Winter as a Turtle - A Guided Hike
Saturday, November 7 from 1 - 2:30 pm
As the cold wind starts to blow, we know that winter will soon be creeping in. Have you ever wondered what happens to reptiles when it snows? What about the insects and amphibians? Join educator Kevin Andros on a guided hike to learn about what goes on beneath the snow during a cold Connecticut winter. A guided hike perfect for the whole family.
Registration is free, but required. This program is for adults and families.
Discovering Decomposers - A Guided Hike at Harrison-Smith Preserve
Saturday, November 14 from 10:30 am - 12 pm
Fall is the perfect time to be outside exploring! Take in the late autumn scenery while learning about the decomposers that recycle nutrients in our forests! That blanket of leaves that falls to the forest floor doesn't break down by itself - there are a dazzling array of fungi, bacteria, and insects hard at work beyond where our senses are usually focused. We'll look under logs and on the forest floor seeking signs of these decomposers and understand just how important they are to humans and the ecosystems we depend on.
This program is in partnership with the Wilton Land Trust.
Registration is free, but required. This program is for adults and families.