Free Stuff To Do This Summer

The CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering free educational programs this summer at Kellogg Environmental Center and Osbornedale State Park in Derby.  

• Friday, July 1, 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Nature’s Fireworks: Fireflies or lightening bugs are lighting up the meadows. Fireflies are not flies, and they are not bugs, they are beetles. How do they light up? How long do they live? What do they eat? Where do they hide the rest of the year? Find out the answers to these questions and more.  Please bring a flashlight. 
• Saturday, July 2 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Name That Tree: Ever wonder when you’re out and about in nature what kind of tree that is?  Come to Kellogg on July 2nd and wonder no more, we will take a walk through Osbornedale State Park looking at the different types of trees that we have in Connecticut.  Learn how to not only identify them, but also about the uses they have and some fun facts. 
• Wednesday, July 6 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Wildflower Walk: Explore common field wildflowers that you may have in your own backyard.  Wildflowers, often called “weeds”, are commonly considered no more than a nuisance and are pulled out of our gardens without a second thought.  But what are those “weeds” called?  Are they native or non-native?  What are some uses for these “weeds”?  These are the major questions you will have answered on this walk.  We will begin with a brief discussion about plant anatomy and adaptations, and then walk through the field of Osbornedale State Park, focusing on the identification of, and the stories attached to, a variety of wildflowers in bloom.  After our walk, we will head back to the Kellogg Center to make a wildflower press. 
• Saturday, July 9 10 a.m. Geology Hike of Osbornedale State Park: Within the forested woodland of Osbornedale State Park are interesting geological features including 200 million year old lava flows, abandoned mines and quarries, and a natural spring.  Observe rocks that were folded and fractured.  Look for quartz, feldspar, and biotite minerals.  Meet at Kellogg Environmental Center for a hike to view these features and learn about the geologic history of the park and Connecticut.  Not for young children, but age ten and older with adults are welcome, length of program dependent on group.  Bring a portable drink and snack.  
• Saturday, July 9 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Tours of Osborne Homestead Museum’s Colonial Revival Gardens: Enjoy a guided walk through the historic rose garden, formal gardens and rock garden. Learn about colonial revival gardens and enjoy the annuals, perennials and rosebushes at the Kellogg Estate. After strolling through the gardens, visit the Osborne Homestead Museum and learn about Frances Osborne Kellogg's passion for gardening and land conservation. 
• Thursday, July 14 10 a.m. Geocaching – The Ultimate Scavenger Hunt: Meet at Kellogg Environmental Center and learn about navigation in the wilderness and how we map our world.  Use the knowledge you have gained, a GPS and compass to hunt for a geocache hidden deep in Osbornedale State Park.  Hike will be a couple miles long and some bushwhacking will be involved. Be prepared - the hike is considered somewhat difficult, length of program dependent on group.  Bring water and a snack with you.  
• Saturday, July 16, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Scavenger Hunt: Come join us, beginning at Kellogg Environmental Center, for a family hike through Osbornedale.  We will go on a scavenger hunt to see interesting parts of the park. 
• Thursday, July 21, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Clues to the Past, Reading the Landscape: Take a walk on the trails of Osbornedale State Park and the Kellogg Estate and discover the past.  The careful observer can search for clues in the natural landscape and discover its past uses.  Find a quarry, a stone lined spring and other signs of past human land use.  Meet at the Kellogg Environmental Center to learn about the changes from field to farm to park. 
• Saturday, July 23, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Beginner Fern and Lichen Identification Walk: Come explore the grounds of the Kellogg Estate and the forest of Osbornedale State Park in search of ferns, lichens and mosses. The program will begin at the Kellogg Environmental Center.  Did you know that ferns, lichens and mosses are some of the oldest plant groups on earth?  Ferns are common plants of the forest and many can be easily identified.  Learn some easy tips to help you identify them.  Find out what makes lichens so interesting and search for mosses as we walk the trails. 
• Friday, July 29, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Fishing Trip: Come join us at Pickett’s Pond on Chatfield Street in Osbornedale State Park to learn a little bit about the pond ecosystem and spend some time fishing in Pickett’s pond.  Basic fish identification, casting techniques and angler ethics will be emphasized.  Participants, 16 and older, are required to have a valid fishing license.  Bait, rods and reels will be available for use.
•  Saturday, July 30, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pond Exploration: Meet at Pickett’s Pond, on Chatfield Street at Osbornedale State Park.  Many interesting animals make their home in the pond.  Hear a story about a pond adventure.  Take part in this catch and release program in search for some of the smaller critters that typically go unnoticed.  
• Tuesday August 9, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Animal Tracking: Join us at the Kellogg Environmental Center to learn about the variety of Connecticut mammals.  Learn how to track many of these animals by looking at their prints and other signs that they leave behind.  We will then take a walk through the trails at Osbornedale to see what kind of evidence of animal activity we can find. 
•  Wednesday, August 10, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pond Exploration: Meet at Kellogg Environmental Center.  Many interesting animals make their home in the pond.  Hear a story about a pond adventure.  Take part in a search at the pond’s edge for some of the smaller critters that typically go unnoticed. 
• Saturday, August 13, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Insect Discovery Walk: Learn about the various insects found in this region of Connecticut and the role they play within the ecosystem.  Take part in a staff led hike through the Kestrel Trail at the Kellogg Environmental Center looking for a multitude of insects in various habitats. 
• Saturday, August 20, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Butterflies and Dragonflies: Meet at the Kellogg Environmental Center to search the gardens and meadows of the Kellogg Estate and Osbornedale State Park that are alive with beautiful butterflies, dashing damselflies and daring dragonflies.  Join us for a walk to look for monarch, swallowtail and skipper butterflies; and learn a few of the common dragon, and damsel flies.  Learn how to attract these fascinating and beneficial insects to your yard. 

The Kellogg Environmental Center, a facility of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Division of State Parks & Public Outreach, is dedicated to providing environmental education to youth and adults. The center is located at 500 Hawthorne Ave., Derby.  

Pre-registration is suggested but not required; all ages are welcome (unless otherwise suggested), but children must be accompanied by adults. 

Call 203.734.2513 to register or for more information.  All these programs are free, but donations are always welcome. Check for future program announcements at www.ct.gov/dep/kellogg