.

Where You Go To Grow

Art

Art at Flanders is more than something to admire — it’s part of how visitors experience the land. Our trails, farms, and forests have inspired generations of local artists, and their work helps guests see the landscape with fresh eyes. Inside the Van Vleck House, three gallery rooms and the Welcome Center Gift Shop showcase paintings, photography, and mixed‑media pieces that interpret the beauty of our preserves. These works deepen connection, celebrate local ecology, and honor Natalie Van Vleck’s artistic legacy.  

► LEARN MORE

Farm

Unusual for most nature centers, Flanders owns and operates a traditional New England small animal farm, and displays a collection of antique farm tools and equipment. Our animals are cared for by our farm manager and a group of dedicated volunteers.

► LEARN MORE

Education

Central to our mission is to provide opportunities to learn about the natural world–Flanders is devoted to provide high quality NGSS-aligned field trip programs, enriching summer camp, certificate-level adult learning programs as well as casual in-person and virtual lectures and demos for all ages. 

► LEARN MORE

Nature

As an accredited land trust, Flanders stewards and manages 56 properties which are designated to be forever “open space” in the towns of Woodbury, Middlebury, Southbury and Bethlehem. Its 7 preserves have walking trails open to the public dawn to dusk, year-round. 

► LEARN MORE

Fall Family Fun Day – Saturday, Oct 3

8 AM – 4 PM Tag Sale.  Come treasure hunt at our Harvest Hauls Tag Sale and support the Colonial Flanders Capital Campaign!

12 – 4 PM Fall Family Fun Day!  Bring the whole family to enjoy a day full of laughter and fun fall activities!  Admission is Free!

  • Pumpkin Patch & Carving ($10 per pumpkin)
  • Apple Cider Making Demos
  • Live Show by Riverside Reptiles at 2 PM
  • Local Artist Exhibition
Sun, Sept 27 at 10 AM – 2 PM or Mon, Sept 28 at 9 AM – 1 PM Submit up to 3 works in any medium at the Van Vleck Gallery
Fri, Oct 2 - 5th Annual Exhibition of Art. Join us for wine, light refreshments, and the opportunity to meet fellow artists and the public
Sat, Oct 3 - An ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art.
Wed, Oct 7, Nov 7 & Dec 9 - Explore the foundations of permaculture, a holistic and sustainable design system rooted in ecology, community resilience, and regenerative land stewardship
Tues, Oct 8 - Discover the fascinating world of Connecticut’s growing black bear population
Fri, Oct 9 - Monday, Oct 12 and Friday, Oct 16 - Flanders offers a camp-like day of adventures. Enrich time out of school with nature-based learning!

Flanders Welcome Center & Gift Shop

Open Year Round at the Van Vleck House!

Stop by and pick up  some nature products,  our very own maple syrup
or a hiking map!
Hours: M – F | 10AM – 4 PM  & Saturday | 10AM – 2PM | Closed Sunday

Thank you to our generous sponsors!