Tree Seeds Walk Sat, Nov 12th
10 am-11am; Place: Old Gick Farm Trail Trees adapt extremely well to their climate! You would be surprised to know all of the different adaptations that have occurred over thousands of centuries. Often times, the type of adaptations indicate natural obstacles within the particular ecosystem. During this mile long walk, we will talk about the tree life cycle and its relationship to animals and the ecosystem. Please dress appropriately for weather and ticks. This program will not occur if there is rain. Directions: From the Wilton Mall (Exit 15 on I87), go north on Route 50 for about four miles. Make a left into the “U” shaped parking lot marked as “Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park”.
Kid's Craft: Fall Leaf Prints Fri, Nov 11th
1 pm-2 pm; Place: Camp Saratoga North TrailCome join us for a brief afternoon stroll as we collect leaves for our craft project! We will be using the natural chemicals in leaves to make prints on fabric. These Fall Leaf Prints make great fall décor for your wall or pillowcase covers! The stroll will be approximately 20 minutes and the craft will be approximately 40 minutes. This program is for children 4 years and older. Please call 450-0321 to register by Nov. 9th. This activity will not take place if there is rain.Directions: From the Wilton Mall (Exit 15 on I87), go north on Route 50 for about four miles. Make a left onto Scout Road. Go straight under the railroad bridge until the crosswalk and make a right into Parking Lot #1.
Nature Self-Portraits, Oct 23rd
Parts of a Flower-Art Exploration Sun, Sept 18th
Painting in Nature Fri, Sept. 16th
10 am-12 pm; Place: Delegan Pond(across the street from Camp Saratoga Parking Lot #1)What better way to be inspired for your artwork! Come down to the Preserve & Park to work on your next masterpiece using oil paint. Spend some time outdoors and let nature be your muse. All supplies included or bring your own! This program is designed for painters of all levels. Preregistration by calling 450-0321 is required by Sept. 14th.Directions: From the Wilton Mall (Exit 15 on I87), go north on Route 50 for about four miles. Make a left onto Scout Road. Go straight under the railroad bridge until the crosswalk and make a right into Parking Lot #1.
Monarch Butterfly Walk Sat, Sept. 10th
2 pm-3 pm; Place: Old Gick Farm trailJoin us for a nature walk with the Monarch butterflies. The walk covers about a mile of gently rolling terrain. We will be looking for the butterflies during their peak season just before they start to head to Mexico for the winter. The monarch butterflies love WWPP for its many nectar species and its open pine/oak savannah. The walk will not take place if there is rain. Directions: From the Wilton Mall (Exit 15 on I87), go north on Route 50 for about four miles. Make a left onto Scout Road. Go straight under the railroad bridge until the crosswalk and make a right into Parking Lot #1.
Pond Exploration! Sat, Sept. 10th
Dragonflies and Damselflies11am-12 pm; Place: Delegan Pond(across the street from Camp Saratoga Parking Lot #1) What is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly? If you’re not sure, stop by Delegan Pond to learn about the dragonfly and damselfly life cycles as well as the pond ecosystem. After the 20-minute lesson, we will explore for critters in our pond using dip nets. This program is for children 4 years old and older.Directions: From the Wilton Mall (Exit 15 on I87), go north on Route 50 for about four miles. Make a left onto Scout Road. Go straight under the railroad bridge until the crosswalk and make a right into Parking Lot #1.
Art Exploration Series Final Part! Tues, August 30
Art Exploration Series Part 2! Tues, Aug 23rd
Parts of a FlowerDiscover the beauty behind flowers! Join us while we dissect a flower to understand its parts and recreate our own version of a flower using creative crafts. The program will take place at the picnic table pavilion near the dining hall at Camp Saratoga at 10:30 am. to have some creative fun. (You do not have to attend every one of the art series activities to come.)
Arts Exploration Series Part 1! Tues, Aug 16th
Field Ecology Walk, Sat. Aug 13th
Place: Camp SaratogaTime: 10:30amEnjoy a guided hike through the fields of Camp Saratoga. Learn about the unique animals, grasses and wildflowers and their adaptations to our dry sandplains habitat. Come discover the diverse creatures throughout these open areas of nature. Meet us at the kiosk by Parking Lot #1 on Scout Road at Camp Saratoga at 10:30 am for this hour-long walk.
Pond Series Pt. 4: Tues, Aug 9
Wetland Ecology Walk: Sat, Aug 6th
Time 10:30amBring: lots of bug spray!Wetland communities are very fragile and delicate ecosystems. Come explore the wetlands at the Neilmann parcel with Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park! We will be meeting us at the Neilmann parking lot on Ruggles Road just south of King Road at 10:30 am for an hour-long exploration.
Pond Series Pt. 3 (Tues, Aug 2nd): Insect Transformations!
Conservation Walk (Sat, July 30)
Time: 10:30 amPlace: Old Gick Farm TrailWilton Wildlife Preserve & Park has been involved with various conservation efforts within the Saratoga Sandplains and the surrounding forest. Come join us as we walk through the Oak/Pine Savannah and learn the importance of this early successional habitat. We will also be looking at the forest community and understanding the characteristics that help maintain a thick understory habitat. The walk will leave at 10:30 am from the parking lot on Route 50 which is just under four miles past Wilton Mall and will take place on the Old Gick Farm trail.
Pond Series Pt.2 (Tues, July 26th): Discovering Plant Life!
Time 10:30 amPlace: Delegan Pond (across from Camp Saratoga kiosk)Discovering Plant Life! Plant life helps to maintain the life within ponds. Stop by the pond at Camp Saratoga and learn about the pond habitat and the different types of vegetation that provide the base of the food chain for all the critters in the pond community! After we’ve learned about these plants, we will explore the pond by using our dip nets. Meet by the Pond at Camp Saratoga at 10:30 am for this hour long activity. (You do not have to attend every one of the pond series activities to come.)
Pond Series: Part 1
Breathing Underwater!Exploring the pond is a great way to inspect the wonders of life that live under the water. Stop by the Pond at Camp Saratoga and learn about the pond habitat and how so many little critters are able to breathe under the water. After we’ve learned about these animals, we will explore for some in our pond using dip nets. Meet by the Pond at Camp Saratoga at 10:30 am for this hour long activity. (You do not have to attend every one of the pond series activities to come.)
Karner Blue Butterfly Walks
Dates: July 8th, 15th and 22ndTime: 10:30 amPlace: Old Gick Farm trailCome to the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park for a nature walk to look for the endangered Karner blue butterflies. The walks will leave from the parking lot on Route 50 which is just under four miles past Wilton Mall and take place on the Old Gick Farm trail. The walks should last about an hour and cover a mile of gently rolling terrain. We will be looking for butterflies from the 2nd brood. They have just recently emerged and we will see if we can find them as they search for nectar and mates in the open pine/oak savannah that is their habitat in the Saratoga Sandplains. The butterflies that are in the second brood will lay eggs that will overwinter and hatch next spring once the wild blue lupine that they feed on has come up again. The walk will not take place if there is rain. Please dress appropriately for weather and insects.
Wilton Wildlife at Wilton Community Day
Tabling at Wilton Community day is one of our annual events. This year we will be doing some fun nature activities. Stop by and see what we have in store for you! The event takes place of July 9 at Gavin Park. We will be tabling from 11 - 4:00.
Stryders Take on Camp Saratoga
The annual Saratoga Styder's Fun Run Series will be taking place everyother Monday night starting June 27th. The 5K race will take place on the rolling, wooden terrain around historic Camp Saratoga. Race entries of $5 are accepted at the door starting at 5:30pm. The race starts at 6:15pm sharp, rain or shine. For more details about the race and the Stryders click on the following link, Fun Run Series. Race Dates: June 27th, July 11th, July 25th, August 8th, and August 22nd