Bringing Natalie Home: An Exhibit of Natalie Van Vleck’s Art
2025-01-01 00:00 - 2025-12-31 23:59 UTC
After many years of being kept in storage, Natalie’s art will be on display in the newly renovated Van Vleck Gallery! In 1926, Natalie urged her parents to buy the saltbox house, which dates back to 1786 along with the accompanying farm land. She then built her art studio next door in 1928. This is the first comprehensive exhibit of Natalie’s artwork in the newly established gallery located inside the historic house. The exhibit opens on Friday, February 7 and her artwork will be on display throughout the year.
Exhibit Summer Hours: Monday thru Friday 10 AM to 4 PM and Saturdays, 10 AM to 2 PM |Van Vleck House

Scout Programs
2025-01-01 00:00 - 2035-12-31 23:59 UTC
We can help your Boy and Girl Scouts earn badges and complete community service projects! Programs can be tailored to the needs of individual troops. Eagle Scout and Gold and Silver Award projects have been done at Flanders. For a list of ideas which we feel would benefit Flanders—or with an idea of your own, email Program Coordinator, Ana Jordan, at ana@flandersnaturecenter.org.

Little Explorers
2025-06-10 00:00 - 2025-08-30 23:59 UTC | Trail House
What a wonderful world we share with nature! Our young explorers will be amazed as they hike trails, scoop in the pond, explore the farm and investigate insects in the meadow. Hands on learning activities engage and entertain children as they discover insects, birds, amphibians, lessons build a foundation of environmental awareness that can last a lifetime.
AGES 3–5

Farming Fun
2025-06-10 - 2025-08-30 | North Barn
Children will love the hands-on experiences of a New England farm! The wonders of new life create joy as children hold fuzzy baby chicks or cuddle piglets, and ponies entertain as children gather eggs to calculate incubation and learn about technology through time in our antique farm tool museum. This unique and memorable experience includes hikes, stories, games, art and old-fashioned fun!

Kids in the Kitchen
2025-06-10 - 2025-08-30 | Van Vleck House, 5 Church Hill Rd, WOODBURY, CT, 06798, United States
Young Chefs will be creative in the kitchen as they learn lifelong culinary skills. We use farm fresh ingredients to connect the “dish of the day” to the ground where it grows. Local food choices are mixed with a heaping scoop of wholesome fun to encourage kids to grow up healthy, strong in mind and body. Children enjoy learning about proper use of tools, new techniques, and safe food handling. Next generation young chefs will experience a meaningful connection to our earth home through food . . . from soup to nuts! Bon Appetite! Space is limited!

Marzahl Refuge Hike
2025-08-25 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Land Management Volunteer Bob Burke will lead a hike of our Marzahl Refuge. This property has a spectacular, quintessential New England stream with multiple small waterfalls that winds its way through a pine forest. Hike is a moderate, 60 to 90 minutes, 1.5-mile loop.

Autumn Foraging: Talk, Walk, and Tasting!
2025-08-25 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Join The 3 Foragers as they teach the flavors of autumn foraging for wild plants and mushrooms with an educational slideshow of all-original photos. We will take a hands-on walk on the property to touch, smell, and examine some of the living specimens. The program will end with a tasting of the seasonal bounty, prepared by Karen and Robert using fresh plants and mushrooms, and sharing goodies from their pantry and preserved stash. Come taste the wild!

Flanders Garden Club
2025-08-25 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Calling all green thumbs!!! Join the newly formed Flanders Garden Club dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the gardens surrounding our historic 1786 Van Vleck House and Natalie Van Vleck Studio both located at 5 Church Hill Rd in Woodbury. The garden club will meet regularly to discuss garden projects, conduct adult and children’s garden programs, visit notable gardens, and tend to the Flanders Van Vleck House & Studio Gardens. Professional gardener, Fabienne Audette, is heading up the club. Fabienne earned her Master’s degree in Horticulture from The Ohio State University. She has worked at both the Cleveland and New York Botanical Gardens. We are very lucky to have her!

Flanders Environmental Book Club
2025-08-25 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Join reading enthusiasts and book club leaders, Adele Falco and Ingrid Manning, in discussing reading that will focus on mostly non-fiction books about nature and the environment. The club would like to investigate and remain open to all aspects of these subjects from science-based teachings to cultural and political influences. It is our hope to have the opportunity to delve deeply into aspects of these topics that affect our community directly, particularly the environmental and natural history of our region, its agrarian history and current trends. The group collectively decides on future titles. We welcome anyone interested in sharing and learning more about these topics to join us for a friendly, educational and hopefully, enlightening discussion on a monthly basis.

Flanders Trail Blazers 4-H Club
2025-08-25 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
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.

Ekphrastic Poetry Writing
2025-10-04 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
An ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art. Woodbury Poet Laureate, Sandy Carlson, will provide an introduction to ekphrastic writing, followed by a tour of the Art and Photography Exhibit in the Van Vleck House. All in attendance will have the opportunity to try their hand at writing a poem (or two) about the art alongside members of Woodbury’s Ekphrastic Poetry Group.

Needle Felting Nights
2025-11-04 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Curious about needle felting? Come and explore the magic! Needle felting is an easy-to-learn craft in which you are able to sculpt wool fiber into anything imaginable simply by poking it with a single barbed needle. Participants will learn to achieve the desired form, firmness, and surface quality in the process. The featured kit includes all materials needed. Choose to bring your own materials for guidance and support on your own project. Other kits will be available for purchase by cash or check.

The Return of the Black Bear
2025-11-06 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Black bears are back in Connecticut—and they’re closer than you think. Once a rare sight, these powerful and intelligent animals are now making regular appearances in neighborhoods, parks, and backyards across the state. Curious, adaptable, and increasingly common, black bears are capturing the public’s attention and raising important questions about safety, conservation, and coexistence.

Black Friday Gratitude Hike
2025-11-28 10:00 - 17:00 UTC
Get outside on Black Friday and join us for a Gratitude Hike. Former board president, Anne Westerman, will lead this hike as we give thanks and enjoy some time out in nature. This hike will traverse our main campus. The natural habitats of the sanctuary, including fields, meadows, forests, wetlands, marshes, streams, and ponds, support a great diversity of wildlife species. Open to ALL!

Beavers: Nature’s Master Engineers
2025-12-04 18:30 - 20:30 UTC
Dive into the world of beavers—Connecticut’s incredible, industrious mammals. Learn how these fascinating creatures shape our landscapes, create wetlands, and support biodiversity through their dam-building talents. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a backyard observer, or simply curious about local wildlife, this program will offer surprising insights into the lives of beavers: how they build, where they live, what they eat, and why they’re vital to healthy ecosystems.

Fall Senior Hikes with Arthur & Kathy!
2025-12-09 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Join retired Flanders Executive Director, Arthur Milnor, and volunteer Kathy Haven for easy to moderate casual walks taken on forest trails. These hikes are a great opportunity to get outside, observe what’s happening in the natural world, learn something new, and maybe even meet new friends! Not just for seniors—all are welcome!

Photography Club 2026
2026-01-01 08:00 - 2026-12-31 17:00 UTC
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.

Adventure Days
2026-02-16 08:30 - 2026-06-01 16:30 UTC
Enrich time out of school with nature-based learning! During school vacation days, Flanders offers a camp-like day of adventures outside, ecological learning, crafts & activities and student-interest driven fun. Journeys on the land together are led by our experienced nature mentors, together exploring hidden brooks, farm pastures, open meadows, amphibian-loving marshes, pine forests and more across Flanders’ 200-acre main campus. Now enrolling for grades K–5 winter and spring vacation days! Pre-registration required.

Natalie Van Vleck – Views of a Timeless Nature
2026-02-20 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Studio, 5 Church Hill Road, Woodbury, CT, 06798, United States
Join Flanders Curator, Marc Chabot, for a a brief discussion about the art included in the new art exhibition themed “Natalie Van Vleck – Views of a Timeless Nature.” This exhibition highlights the enduring beauty and perspective found in Natalie’s art. Due to limited space, prior registration is requested. After the discussion, attendees will be guided into the Van Vleck House Galleries for a viewing of the featured works. The exhibition will then be open Thursdays through Saturdays 10 AM to 2 PM until the end of May. Please call the office for more information.

Fleming Preserve Hike
2026-02-21 11:00 UTC
Join us for a hike on our Fleming Preserve, which is the site of the original Flanders sap house. This beautiful property also includes a former apple orchard, stone walls, and a spectacular scenic overlook. Hike is easy to moderate, 45 to 60 minutes, 1.25 mile out and back.

Maple Syrup Demonstrations
2026-02-21 18:00 - 2026-04-05 15:00 UTC | Sugar House, 48 Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, CT, 06798, United States
Reserve your time to visit the Sugar House as staff and volunteers demonstrate turning sap into syrup with an entertaining mix of science, stories and humor. The entire family will be fascinated by the maple sugar-making process. There is a $5 per person donation suggested, which supports Flanders future maple sugar programming. *Special Early American Maple Demonstrations

Bald Eagles at the Shepaug Dam
2026-02-22 09:15 - 11:00 UTC | Shepaug Dam Rec Area, 2225 River Rd, Southbury, CT, 06488, United States
The bald eagle embodies one of Connecticut’s best conservation success stories. Nesting bald eagles disappeared from our state in the 1950s. Today, through cooperative work between wildlife biologists and landowners, eagles are thriving! Take a field trip with Flanders to the Shepaug Dam Recreation Area in Southbury for an eagle watch! Representatives will be on hand to help with the viewing and to answer questions about America’s national symbol. There is a limited number of spotting scopes available at the site, so feel free to bring binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras. Space is limited on this group visit and you must preregister.

Pancake Breakfast
2026-03-01 08:00 - 12:00 UTC
Join us for our Annual Pancake Breakfast, featuring all you can eat pancakes and sausage, served with Flanders’ maple syrup, butter and a beverage (coffee, tea and/or orange juice). All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit Flanders’ education programs.

Nature’s Little Explorers
2026-03-09 14:30 - 2026-05-18 16:00 UTC
Join us for one or all four of our engaging programs that are specifically designed for caregivers and toddlers to bond together in nature!
Who’s Tracking at Flanders?
Go on a journey to seek out animal tracks at Flanders and signs of animal movement in the landscape. Then make your own tracks with us just like the animals do!
New Shoots, New Growth
Around this time, the hardiest of green plants begin to emerge on the landscape. Join us on a new shoot scavenger hunt where we’ll hike together in exploration. Nature craft and story included.
Seeds, Seeds, Seeds
Discover and play with seeds large and small from corn kernels to broccoli seeds. Plant a vegetable or flower seed with your little one and take home a planted pot to watch grow!
Finding Wildflowers
Join a flowery adventure seeking out and enjoying early spring ephemeral wildflowers! Connect with your little one and the landscape in a guided hike and a wildflower craft.
Baby Animals
Join us for these interactive sessions at our North Barn where baby chicks, baby goats and baby rabbits arrive in spring. Delight in visiting animals, learn their parts, help with tasks, and enjoy a sensory farm experience!

Beekeeping Series
2026-03-14 10:00 - 2026-04-18 11:30 UTC | Studio, 5 Church Hill Road, Woodbury, CT, 06798, United States
Learn to be a beekeeper! Take our popular introductory beekeeping course on the art and science of beekeeping. Led by Al Avitabile, Emeritus Professor in the Biology Department at UCONN, co-author of The Beekeeper’s Handbook, and noted beekeeper and researcher. The workshops will promote the importance of pollinators to our environment and show students how to start and keep a hive, as well as brainstorm new ideas to help keep our pollinators alive and thriving. This series will consist of three classes and two field trips to an apiary. Some basic beekeeping equipment will be provided.

Full Pink Moon Hike
2026-04-01 22:00 - 23:00 UTC | Studio, 5 Church Hill Road, Woodbury, CT, 06798, United States
Join Board Member and Land Management Committee Chair, John Trainor, for a guided spring evening hike of the Van Vleck Farm & Nature Sanctuary. This is a unique opportunity to explore the trails at night and see the sanctuary in a new way under the Full Pink Moon.

Annual Meeting
2026-04-08 18:30 - 20:00 UTC
Please join us as we conduct our annual meeting. We will elect directors, reflect on 2025 accomplishments and share plans for 2026. We will also celebrate our volunteers and announce the 2025 Volunteer of the Year! This is a good opportunity to meet our Board and share ideas. Refreshments will be served. More Information

Summer Foraging: Talk, Walk and Food Tasting!
2026-04-09 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Join The 3 Foragers to learn about the edible wild plants and mushrooms of Summer that can be found all around us. The program begins with a slideshow of original images, and then a hands-on walk and talk in the woods surrounding the Sugar House. We will finish the day with a tasting of prepared items made from wild foods. We will use all of our senses, including taste, to explore edible wild foods. Bring a camera and your sense of adventure, we provide the food!

Vernal Pools: Amphibian Habitat
2026-04-11 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | Sugar House, 48 Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, CT, 06798, United States
Come learn about vernal pools and then explore these amphibian breeding places! Vernal pools are fishless temporary spring ponds that form in the forest essential to many amphibians and other aquatic creatures. During this program, Flanders Environmental Educator Hailey Horan will discuss the importance of vernal pools. Then the group will venture out into the night to discover some of our pools and investigate firsthand what their nocturnal inhabitants are up to! (Weather Permitting)

Community Service Day: Earth Day
2026-04-22 09:30 - 12:00 UTC
Help us make a positive and lasting impact by joining us for a day of service! Volunteers will remove non-native plant species on a Flanders property. The goal is to reduce, minimize, or eliminate the invasive plants, clearing the way for local species to reclaim their territory. Community service hours can be provided for this event. Meeting location, what to pack, what to wear and what to bring will be sent to those who have signed up to volunteer. Please leave all furry friends at home.
