We're Open!!!
Visiting Hours:

Monday to Friday

10:00 AM- 4:00 PM

Saturday

9:00 AM- 1:00 PM


Thank you for your patience while we brought this exciting new space to life—we think you’ll agree it was well worth the wait! Come explore the transformed Animal Room, visit our animals in their beautiful new habitats, and bask in the stunning nature murals. We can’t wait to welcome our community back and share this special new space!


A special thank you to our lead donor, The Darien Foundation, and the challenge grant from The Riley Family Foundation. We are also so grateful to The Borman Family Foundation and The Rogers Family Foundation, Jon and Colleen Thompson, The Blackman Family Foundation, and the Hausberg Family.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet
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Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe
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Sands of Time

Stark beauty of desolate dunes
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For a list of all our wonderful donors to the animal room renovation, see below:

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We inspire passion and respect for the natural world through nature education, hands-on experiences with nature, and environmental action and stewardship.

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Huge shoutout to Kris Barker at the Gardener’s Center for offering us native perennials to replant at the DNC! Victoria and Lindsey having been replanting them around the Nature Center and we can’t wait to share their growth. Thank you for helping Pollinator Pathway continue its mission in providing continuous critical habitat for pollinators! ??? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Huge shoutout to Kris Barker at the Gardener’s Center for offering us native perennials to replant at the DNC! Victoria and Lindsey having been replanting them around the Nature Center and we can’t wait to share their growth. Thank you for helping Pollinator Pathway continue its mission in providing continuous critical habitat for pollinators! 🌱🐝🌿 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
a rainbow of rain boots on a rainy day! ??️☔️? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
a rainbow of rain boots on a rainy day! 🌈🌧️☔️💦 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
?HAPPY HALLOWEEN!? We recently asked our preschoolers what they were going to be for Halloween and were met with quite the selection of costumes! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
🎃HAPPY HALLOWEEN!🎃 We recently asked our preschoolers what they were going to be for Halloween and were met with quite the selection of costumes! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
October at the Nature Center is full of programming and events! #darienct #dariennaturecenter Join us at our grand reopening to see our beautiful new animal room! No registration is required. Please join Dr. Amanda Craig and her intern, Mia Torres, at the Darien Nature Center for a special parent-child workshop designed for 4th and 5th graders and their parents. This summer, Mia spent time learning about child development and exploring programs designed to support children and families. Inspired by what she learned, she teamed up with Dr. Craig to create a meaningful evening focused on something every family can relate to: staying connected as kids grow and emotions get bigger. Together, Dr. Craig and Mia will lead an interactive workshop where parents and children can talk, laugh, learn, and get curious about one another. Through engaging activities and conversation, families will explore emotions and practice simple communication tools they can continue using at home. We hope families leave understanding one another a little better—and with a few new ways to communicate, navigate big emotions, and stay connected as kids grow. Nothing to do during early dismissal days? We still have openings in our Thursday Hike & Campfire program! Pumpkin Decorating is back and better than ever! Join us in your costume for a scavenger hunt, S’mores, costume photo shoots with the animals, and pumpkin decorating! We will provide you with a pumpkin and lots of natural materials to create your one-of-a-kind pumpkin! Create your pumpkin, then take your picture with a snake or spider and toast a marshmallow for a tasty S’more!
October at the Nature Center is full of programming and events! #darienct #dariennaturecenter Join us at our grand reopening to see our beautiful new animal room! No registration is required. Please join Dr. Amanda Craig and her intern, Mia Torres, at the Darien Nature Center for a special parent-child workshop designed for 4th and 5th graders and their parents. This summer, Mia spent time learning about child development and exploring programs designed to support children and families. Inspired by what she learned, she teamed up with Dr. Craig to create a meaningful evening focused on something every family can relate to: staying connected as kids grow and emotions get bigger. Together, Dr. Craig and Mia will lead an interactive workshop where parents and children can talk, laugh, learn, and get curious about one another. Through engaging activities and conversation, families will explore emotions and practice simple communication tools they can continue using at home. We hope families leave understanding one another a little better—and with a few new ways to communicate, navigate big emotions, and stay connected as kids grow. Nothing to do during early dismissal days? We still have openings in our Thursday Hike & Campfire program! Pumpkin Decorating is back and better than ever! Join us in your costume for a scavenger hunt, S’mores, costume photo shoots with the animals, and pumpkin decorating! We will provide you with a pumpkin and lots of natural materials to create your one-of-a-kind pumpkin! Create your pumpkin, then take your picture with a snake or spider and toast a marshmallow for a tasty S’more!
?October’s Full Moon is the Hunter’s Moon! ? The Hunter’s Moon will reach peak illumination at 12:12am EDT on Monday October 26. The best time to view the Hunter’s Moon will be Sunday night for our non-noctural viewers. How did the Hunter’s Moon get its name? This full moon represents the seasonal shift from gathering crops to preparing meat to last throughout the winter months ahead. After the Harvest Moon, fields are cleared of their crops, the leaves have mostly fallen off their trees, and animals are easier to spot in the forest and field. Game such as deer and other wildlife have spent their summers and early fall fattening up. The bright full moon also offers extra light at night allowing hunters to track their game longer into the night. Alternate names for the Hunter’s Moon include; Drying Rice Moon (Dakota), Falling Leaves Moon (Anishinaabe), Freezing Moon/Ice Moon (Ojibwe, Haida), and Migrating Moon (Cree). #darienct #dariennaturecenter #huntersmoon
🌕October’s Full Moon is the Hunter’s Moon! 🌕 The Hunter’s Moon will reach peak illumination at 12:12am EDT on Monday October 26. The best time to view the Hunter’s Moon will be Sunday night for our non-noctural viewers. How did the Hunter’s Moon get its name? This full moon represents the seasonal shift from gathering crops to preparing meat to last throughout the winter months ahead. After the Harvest Moon, fields are cleared of their crops, the leaves have mostly fallen off their trees, and animals are easier to spot in the forest and field. Game such as deer and other wildlife have spent their summers and early fall fattening up. The bright full moon also offers extra light at night allowing hunters to track their game longer into the night. Alternate names for the Hunter’s Moon include; Drying Rice Moon (Dakota), Falling Leaves Moon (Anishinaabe), Freezing Moon/Ice Moon (Ojibwe, Haida), and Migrating Moon (Cree). #darienct #dariennaturecenter #huntersmoon
Back in the groove! ?????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Back in the groove! 🍁🍃🌞🪿🐢🍂 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Last week we officially reopened our beloved animal room and building to the public! Last Thursday we hosted our donors for our grand unveiling, including our Lead Donor @thedarienfoundation and our Challenge Grant Donor the Riley Family Foundation. We are honored to have so many wonderful community members support us through this renovation. Saturday we got to welcome the public back with animal encounters and s'mores! Make sure to stop on by soon to visit! ????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Last week we officially reopened our beloved animal room and building to the public! Last Thursday we hosted our donors for our grand unveiling, including our Lead Donor @thedarienfoundation and our Challenge Grant Donor the Riley Family Foundation. We are honored to have so many wonderful community members support us through this renovation. Saturday we got to welcome the public back with animal encounters and s'mores! Make sure to stop on by soon to visit! 🕊🍂🐢🐇🐍 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Thank you for your patience while we brought this exciting new space to life—we think you’ll agree it was well worth the wait! Come explore the transformed Animal Room, visit our animals in their beautiful new habitats, bask in the stunning nature murals, roast a s’more, and enjoy some up-close snuggles with our animal ambassadors. We can’t wait to welcome our community back and share this special new space! A special thank you to our lead donor, The Darien Foundation, and the challenge grant from The Riley Family Foundation. We are also so grateful to The Borman Family Foundation and The Rogers Family Foundation, Jon and Colleen Thompson, The Blackman Family Foundation, and the Hausberg Family. #dariennaturecenter #darienct
Thank you for your patience while we brought this exciting new space to life—we think you’ll agree it was well worth the wait! Come explore the transformed Animal Room, visit our animals in their beautiful new habitats, bask in the stunning nature murals, roast a s’more, and enjoy some up-close snuggles with our animal ambassadors. We can’t wait to welcome our community back and share this special new space! A special thank you to our lead donor, The Darien Foundation, and the challenge grant from The Riley Family Foundation. We are also so grateful to The Borman Family Foundation and The Rogers Family Foundation, Jon and Colleen Thompson, The Blackman Family Foundation, and the Hausberg Family. #dariennaturecenter #darienct
Finding the whole rainbow in Cherry Lawn Park! ??????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Finding the whole rainbow in Cherry Lawn Park! 🌼🍃🌈🐢🌞🍁🍂 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Another great volunteer day in the books! Thank you all our volunteers who showed up to help move woodchips into our classrooms! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Another great volunteer day in the books! Thank you all our volunteers who showed up to help move woodchips into our classrooms! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Thank you to everyone who braved the nor’easter and attended Fireside: Under the Harvest Moon 2026! What an absolutely beautiful night of community coming together to support the Darien Nature Center. We extend special thank you’s to @oxridgeridingandracquetclub for letting us use their space so last minute, @atriadarien for sponsoring our bar, gorgeous florals from @b.ladyflorals, @hudsonheightsband for their insane musical talents, and to our board, staff, community partners, corporate sponsors & Fireside committee!! See you next year ? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Thank you to everyone who braved the nor’easter and attended Fireside: Under the Harvest Moon 2026! What an absolutely beautiful night of community coming together to support the Darien Nature Center. We extend special thank you’s to @oxridgeridingandracquetclub for letting us use their space so last minute, @atriadarien for sponsoring our bar, gorgeous florals from @b.ladyflorals, @hudsonheightsband for their insane musical talents, and to our board, staff, community partners, corporate sponsors & Fireside committee!! See you next year 🌕 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
New Spot. Same Fabulous Fireside! The forecast may be rainy and windy, but Fireside Under the Harvest Moon is still on—and we’re bringing the party indoors! Join us at the Ox Ridge Riding & Racquet Club, where soaring ceilings and a roaring fire will create the perfect warm and cozy setting for a fantastic fall evening. Sip our signature Golden Harvest Margarita, enjoy fabulous light bites from Palmer’s Market, and hit the dance floor with crowd-favorite cover band Hudson Heights! AND DON’T MISS THE AUCTION! Our Silent and Live Auctions are packed with incredible items and one-of-a-kind experiences—from coveted sports tickets and fabulous getaways to local favorites, special experiences and plenty of surprises. There truly is something for everyone—and every bid supports the Nature Center! 100% of auction proceeds directly support Nature Center programming throughout the year, so bid often, bid generously—and have some fun while you’re doing it! Check out the auction now and start planning your bids! JOIN US AT OUR NEW LOCATION Ox Ridge Riding & Racquet Club 512 Middlesex Road Darien, CT Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 PM The weather may have changed our location, but it certainly won’t dampen the celebration! We can’t wait to eat, drink, dance, bid and celebrate with you at Fireside! #darienct #dariennature
New Spot. Same Fabulous Fireside! The forecast may be rainy and windy, but Fireside Under the Harvest Moon is still on—and we’re bringing the party indoors! Join us at the Ox Ridge Riding & Racquet Club, where soaring ceilings and a roaring fire will create the perfect warm and cozy setting for a fantastic fall evening. Sip our signature Golden Harvest Margarita, enjoy fabulous light bites from Palmer’s Market, and hit the dance floor with crowd-favorite cover band Hudson Heights! AND DON’T MISS THE AUCTION! Our Silent and Live Auctions are packed with incredible items and one-of-a-kind experiences—from coveted sports tickets and fabulous getaways to local favorites, special experiences and plenty of surprises. There truly is something for everyone—and every bid supports the Nature Center! 100% of auction proceeds directly support Nature Center programming throughout the year, so bid often, bid generously—and have some fun while you’re doing it! Check out the auction now and start planning your bids! JOIN US AT OUR NEW LOCATION Ox Ridge Riding & Racquet Club 512 Middlesex Road Darien, CT Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 PM The weather may have changed our location, but it certainly won’t dampen the celebration! We can’t wait to eat, drink, dance, bid and celebrate with you at Fireside! #darienct #dariennature
A message about native pollinators from Victoria! There are many different ways to support our pollinators! This is just one of the ways to encourage above ground cavity nesters, to find a safe place to reproduce and over-winter! ??? #darienct #dariennaturecenter #nativepollinators
A message about native pollinators from Victoria! There are many different ways to support our pollinators! This is just one of the ways to encourage above ground cavity nesters, to find a safe place to reproduce and over-winter! 🐝🌼🍃 #darienct #dariennaturecenter #nativepollinators
Happy Autumn Equinox!!!! At exactly 8:04pm EDT the northern hemisphere has officially entered Fall! Technically today is the astronomical start to Autumn. The Autumn Equinox is what’s called an “celestial equator”, think of the equator on Earth extending out into space, the equinox will occur when the Sun’s center passes through that line! This equinox marks the days becoming shorter than nights as the Sun rises later and nightfall arrives earlier. The Autumn equinox is a time to celebrate the changing of the seasons and welcoming the months ahead. Celebrate the arrival of Autumn by having a bonfire, stargazing, harvesting apples, making leaf art, collecting autumn treasures, and reading books about fall! ?????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Happy Autumn Equinox!!!! At exactly 8:04pm EDT the northern hemisphere has officially entered Fall! Technically today is the astronomical start to Autumn. The Autumn Equinox is what’s called an “celestial equator”, think of the equator on Earth extending out into space, the equinox will occur when the Sun’s center passes through that line! This equinox marks the days becoming shorter than nights as the Sun rises later and nightfall arrives earlier. The Autumn equinox is a time to celebrate the changing of the seasons and welcoming the months ahead. Celebrate the arrival of Autumn by having a bonfire, stargazing, harvesting apples, making leaf art, collecting autumn treasures, and reading books about fall! 🍁🍂🪾🌌🍎🌲 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
?September’s full moon is the Harvest Moon!? Swipe to learn more information about the history of the Harvest Moon! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #harvestmoon
🌕September’s full moon is the Harvest Moon!🌕 Swipe to learn more information about the history of the Harvest Moon! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #harvestmoon
@flytradewind is a proud sponsor of Fireside 2026 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
@flytradewind is a proud sponsor of Fireside 2026 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
What a gorgeous Saturday we had celebrating the release of “The Path” by Pamela Paul! Thank you to every one who joined us for story time. Make sure to stop by our trails and follow the story path by the @darienlibrary ?? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
What a gorgeous Saturday we had celebrating the release of “The Path” by Pamela Paul! Thank you to every one who joined us for story time. Make sure to stop by our trails and follow the story path by the @darienlibrary 🌳🌲 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
??Vermont GoodWood is a proud sponsor of Fireside 2026! Vermont Goodwood has been a long time partner with the Nature Center providing the firewood supply for past Fireside events!??
🔥🔥Vermont GoodWood is a proud sponsor of Fireside 2026! Vermont Goodwood has been a long time partner with the Nature Center providing the firewood supply for past Fireside events!🔥🔥
Today September 14, marks a significant and devastating new federal ruling regarding the Endangered Species Act. Enacted in 1973, The ESA was put in place to provide a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. This law required federal agencies, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the USA Fisheries Service to ensure that actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat of such species. The law also prohibits any action that causes a “taking” of any listed species of endangered fish or wildlife. (definition taken from the EPA). As of today, those laws and actions set into place in 1973 are being rolled back. Under the new ruling, habitat modification, degradation, and destruction have been removed from the ESA’s original definition of harm. Actions that indirectly affect the protected species by altering their surrounding environment are no longer blocked. #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Today September 14, marks a significant and devastating new federal ruling regarding the Endangered Species Act. Enacted in 1973, The ESA was put in place to provide a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. This law required federal agencies, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the USA Fisheries Service to ensure that actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat of such species. The law also prohibits any action that causes a “taking” of any listed species of endangered fish or wildlife. (definition taken from the EPA). As of today, those laws and actions set into place in 1973 are being rolled back. Under the new ruling, habitat modification, degradation, and destruction have been removed from the ESA’s original definition of harm. Actions that indirectly affect the protected species by altering their surrounding environment are no longer blocked. #darienct #dariennaturecenter
New album just dropped: How Our Teachers Spent Their Summers in Nature ????⛰️?? #dariennaturecenter #darienct
New album just dropped: How Our Teachers Spent Their Summers in Nature 🌱🐚🐋🛶⛰️🌌🌊 #dariennaturecenter #darienct
Our animals went back to school this week! PS can you spot our newest animal ambassador?? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Our animals went back to school this week! PS can you spot our newest animal ambassador?? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Darien Children’s Library, Darien Nature Center, and Barrett Bookstore are excited to welcome author, Pamela Paul, to a special family storytime event! Saturday September 12 from 11am - 12pm here at the Nature Center! Join us for a book discussion and read aloud with Pamela Paul, plus lively songs with a children’s librarian! The fun continues with a hand-on craft and a self-guided nature walk activity. Follow the link in bio to register for the event or head to the Darien Library’s events page to register. Registration is required to attend this event. Pamela Paul’s new picture book, The Path, is a playful celebration of community, nature, and the magic of cooperation. #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Darien Children’s Library, Darien Nature Center, and Barrett Bookstore are excited to welcome author, Pamela Paul, to a special family storytime event! Saturday September 12 from 11am - 12pm here at the Nature Center! Join us for a book discussion and read aloud with Pamela Paul, plus lively songs with a children’s librarian! The fun continues with a hand-on craft and a self-guided nature walk activity. Follow the link in bio to register for the event or head to the Darien Library’s events page to register. Registration is required to attend this event. Pamela Paul’s new picture book, The Path, is a playful celebration of community, nature, and the magic of cooperation. #darienct #dariennaturecenter
?Fireside 2026 is upon us! Come dance the night away under the Harvest Moon with live music from @hudsonheightsband . With only 21 days to go, the Harvest Moon is quickly approaching its peak in the night sky. Head to the link in bio to purchase tickets today!! ? ??Fireside is the Nature Center’s largest fundraiser of the year and a wonderful opportunity for you to make a meaningful contribution to support our mission. As a part of the Darien Community the Nature Center provides access to hands-on nature education, community programming and outreach, inspires the next generation of environmental stewards, and connects with public schools to grow our environmental literacy programs. ?? #darienct #dariennaturecenter #darienevents
🌌Fireside 2026 is upon us! Come dance the night away under the Harvest Moon with live music from @hudsonheightsband . With only 21 days to go, the Harvest Moon is quickly approaching its peak in the night sky. Head to the link in bio to purchase tickets today!! 🌌 🌕🌕Fireside is the Nature Center’s largest fundraiser of the year and a wonderful opportunity for you to make a meaningful contribution to support our mission. As a part of the Darien Community the Nature Center provides access to hands-on nature education, community programming and outreach, inspires the next generation of environmental stewards, and connects with public schools to grow our environmental literacy programs. 🌕🌕 #darienct #dariennaturecenter #darienevents
??August’s full moon is the Sturgeon Moon! ?? Swipe to learn more information about the history of the Sturgeon Moon! ? #dariennaturecenter #darienct #sturgeonmoon
🌕🌕August’s full moon is the Sturgeon Moon! 🌕🌕 Swipe to learn more information about the history of the Sturgeon Moon! 🐟 #dariennaturecenter #darienct #sturgeonmoon
The end of August spent at Chipmunks Camp! ????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
The end of August spent at Chipmunks Camp! 🐛🐢🪶🐾🌱 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Kinda chic to have native flowers for pollinators ?#darienct #dariennaturecenter Kinda chic to be a monarch caterpillar on milkweed ? Kinda chic to be a bumblebee on aster ? Kinda chic to be a tiger swallowtail on echinacea ?? Kinda chic to have a meadow ?? Kinda chic to have bee balm ? Kinda chic to be a dragonfly ?
Kinda chic to have native flowers for pollinators 🦋#darienct #dariennaturecenter Kinda chic to be a monarch caterpillar on milkweed 🐛 Kinda chic to be a bumblebee on aster 🐝 Kinda chic to be a tiger swallowtail on echinacea 🌸🦋 Kinda chic to have a meadow 🌞🌼 Kinda chic to have bee balm 🪻 Kinda chic to be a dragonfly 🌱
Are you searching for a fun activity to enjoy with your little one this fall? Come join our Babes in the Woods class! This class is for children born between September 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, along with a caregiver. Babes in the Woods is made just for our youngest nature explorers and is a wonderful way to get to know our preschool programs. Your child can take part in hands-on, age-appropriate activities that let them explore, discover, and play at their own pace, with support from our experienced DNC teachers. Every class features a special animal encounter and ends with a guided nature walk through Cherry Lawn Park. Spending time in nature gives young children many chances to move, use their senses, build confidence, grow their curiosity, and connect with the world around them. Even at this age, exploring outdoors helps set the stage for a lifelong love of learning and nature. There is still space in our Tuesdays or Thursday 10:45AM classes. Come play, explore, and learn with us this fall! *link in bio*
Are you searching for a fun activity to enjoy with your little one this fall? Come join our Babes in the Woods class! This class is for children born between September 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, along with a caregiver. Babes in the Woods is made just for our youngest nature explorers and is a wonderful way to get to know our preschool programs. Your child can take part in hands-on, age-appropriate activities that let them explore, discover, and play at their own pace, with support from our experienced DNC teachers. Every class features a special animal encounter and ends with a guided nature walk through Cherry Lawn Park. Spending time in nature gives young children many chances to move, use their senses, build confidence, grow their curiosity, and connect with the world around them. Even at this age, exploring outdoors helps set the stage for a lifelong love of learning and nature. There is still space in our Tuesdays or Thursday 10:45AM classes. Come play, explore, and learn with us this fall! *link in bio*
Wearing those same smiles, we knew it, we knew you’d have a great time at Summer Camp! ????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Wearing those same smiles, we knew it, we knew you’d have a great time at Summer Camp! 🦋🐍🪼🦒🐢 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
The Nature Center’s largest fundraiser of the year is fast approaching! Join us for an evening of live music, great food, coming together with your friends, and a fabulous silent auction! link in bio for tickets! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
The Nature Center’s largest fundraiser of the year is fast approaching! Join us for an evening of live music, great food, coming together with your friends, and a fabulous silent auction! link in bio for tickets! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Tiny Microphone Interview: What’s Your Favorite Ocean Animal? Edition!! The PR team for dolphins has been working overtime it seems! ????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Tiny Microphone Interview: What’s Your Favorite Ocean Animal? Edition!! The PR team for dolphins has been working overtime it seems! 🐟🐙🐬🐳🐡 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
??Atria Darien is a proud sponsor of Fireside 2026!?? Link in bio for tickets and more info! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
🔥🔥Atria Darien is a proud sponsor of Fireside 2026!🔥🔥 Link in bio for tickets and more info! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Fireside 2026 Tickets are now on sale!!!! Join us September 26 from 7:00-11:00pm under the Harvest Moon! Fireside is our annual fundraiser that helps support our mission behind everything we do. See you there! Link in bio for event info and ticket purchases! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Fireside 2026 Tickets are now on sale!!!! Join us September 26 from 7:00-11:00pm under the Harvest Moon! Fireside is our annual fundraiser that helps support our mission behind everything we do. See you there! Link in bio for event info and ticket purchases! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Please enjoy this sneak peak of our Animal Room transformation coming soon! We are so grateful to the @thedarienfoundation for kick starting this journey with us and being our lead donor. #darienct #dariennaturecenter Our beam is becoming a part of our mural of trees ? Our 30 ft walls are being encased in a mural that reflects a native forest here in Connecticut! We can’t wait to welcome our community back soon ?
Please enjoy this sneak peak of our Animal Room transformation coming soon! We are so grateful to the @thedarienfoundation for kick starting this journey with us and being our lead donor. #darienct #dariennaturecenter Our beam is becoming a part of our mural of trees 🌳 Our 30 ft walls are being encased in a mural that reflects a native forest here in Connecticut! We can’t wait to welcome our community back soon 💚
A massive thank you to our friends over @thegardenerscenter for letting us borrow their sluicing table last week during our Geology Unit! Our campers were able to sift through water and sand to find their very own minerals to take home! ???
A massive thank you to our friends over @thegardenerscenter for letting us borrow their sluicing table last week during our Geology Unit! Our campers were able to sift through water and sand to find their very own minerals to take home! 🪨🔮🩶
?The Full Moon in July is the Buck Moon! Why the name? The Buck Moon is when the antlers of male deer (known as bucks) are in their full growth period. Every year bucks regrow and shed their antlers producing larger and more impressive sets as they age. The Buck Moon will rise on Wednesday July 29 and reach peak illumination at 10:36 A.M Eastern Time. Look southeast after the sunsets to watch it rise!! ? ???? There are several other names for the July Full Moon including; Feather Moulting Moon (Cree), Salmon Moon (Tlingit), Berry Moon (Anishinaabe), Moon When the Chokecherries are Ripe (Dakota), Month of the Ripe Corn Moon (Cherokee), Raspberry Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe), Thunder Moon (Western Abenaki), and the Halfway Summer Moon (Anishinaabe). #darienct #dariennaturecenter #buckmoon
🌕The Full Moon in July is the Buck Moon! Why the name? The Buck Moon is when the antlers of male deer (known as bucks) are in their full growth period. Every year bucks regrow and shed their antlers producing larger and more impressive sets as they age. The Buck Moon will rise on Wednesday July 29 and reach peak illumination at 10:36 A.M Eastern Time. Look southeast after the sunsets to watch it rise!! 🌕 🦌🦌🦌🦌 There are several other names for the July Full Moon including; Feather Moulting Moon (Cree), Salmon Moon (Tlingit), Berry Moon (Anishinaabe), Moon When the Chokecherries are Ripe (Dakota), Month of the Ripe Corn Moon (Cherokee), Raspberry Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe), Thunder Moon (Western Abenaki), and the Halfway Summer Moon (Anishinaabe). #darienct #dariennaturecenter #buckmoon
???Fireside 2026 tickets go on sale two weeks from today. Join us on September 26 under the Harvest Moon for our annual fundraiser!??? #darienct #dariennaturecenter #darienevents ??Thank you to our Direct Fireside 2026 sponsors!??
🔥🔥🔥Fireside 2026 tickets go on sale two weeks from today. Join us on September 26 under the Harvest Moon for our annual fundraiser!🔥🔥🔥 #darienct #dariennaturecenter #darienevents 🔥🔥Thank you to our Direct Fireside 2026 sponsors!🔥🔥
Summer Camp moments on film ?? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Summer Camp moments on film 📸📷 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Week 3: grasslands, tundras, deserts, and gardens oh my! Time spent learning about biomes and gardens is a certified great time! ???????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Week 3: grasslands, tundras, deserts, and gardens oh my! Time spent learning about biomes and gardens is a certified great time! 🦏🦘🦒🐫🐊🪼🐍🦋 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
?? Tiny Microphone Interview: “What’s your favorite Dinosaur?” Edition! ?? We might have a bias in our fossil record as the T. rex remains the most popular of dinosaurs. Fun fact, the pterodactyl isn’t actually a dinosaur! It is a type of animal known as a pterosaur (or flying reptile) that lived during the age of dinosaurs! Think of them as cousins rather than siblings! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
🦖🦕 Tiny Microphone Interview: “What’s your favorite Dinosaur?” Edition! 🦕🦖 We might have a bias in our fossil record as the T. rex remains the most popular of dinosaurs. Fun fact, the pterodactyl isn’t actually a dinosaur! It is a type of animal known as a pterosaur (or flying reptile) that lived during the age of dinosaurs! Think of them as cousins rather than siblings! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Snapshots from the last few weeks of summer camp! #darienct #dariennaturecenter ????❄️?
Snapshots from the last few weeks of summer camp! #darienct #dariennaturecenter 🍓🦋🐠🌞❄️🦉
??Our first Full Moon of Summer!! ??June’s Full Moon is the Strawberry Moon! The Strawberry Moon tends to be the last Full Moon of Spring or the first of Summer, a time when flowers are blooming and there is a great abundance of early fruit. The Strawberry Moon doesn’t get its name from the fruit itself but the color of the Moon will be due to its proximity to the horizon and the sun’s light rays passing through the denser layers of our atmosphere. Alternate names for the Strawberry Moon include Blooming Moon (Anishinaabe), Green Corn Moon (Cherokee), Hoer Moon (Western Abenaki), Birth Moon (Tlingit), Egg Laying Moon (Cree), and Hatching Moon (Cree). Honey Moon and Mead Moon have also become alternate names coming from European naming. June has been known historically as the month of marriage and of course following marriage comes the “honeymoon” , a cheeky way to tie in an alternate Moon name. ??? The Strawberry Moon will reach peak illumination at 7:56PM EST on June 29. #darienct #dariennaturecenter #strawberrymoon
🍓🍓Our first Full Moon of Summer!! 🍓🍓June’s Full Moon is the Strawberry Moon! The Strawberry Moon tends to be the last Full Moon of Spring or the first of Summer, a time when flowers are blooming and there is a great abundance of early fruit. The Strawberry Moon doesn’t get its name from the fruit itself but the color of the Moon will be due to its proximity to the horizon and the sun’s light rays passing through the denser layers of our atmosphere. Alternate names for the Strawberry Moon include Blooming Moon (Anishinaabe), Green Corn Moon (Cherokee), Hoer Moon (Western Abenaki), Birth Moon (Tlingit), Egg Laying Moon (Cree), and Hatching Moon (Cree). Honey Moon and Mead Moon have also become alternate names coming from European naming. June has been known historically as the month of marriage and of course following marriage comes the “honeymoon” , a cheeky way to tie in an alternate Moon name. 🍓🌕🌝 The Strawberry Moon will reach peak illumination at 7:56PM EST on June 29. #darienct #dariennaturecenter #strawberrymoon
Taking a moment to shout out our two interns, Jacob and James, on their last day here with us at the Nature Center as our 2026 interns! Jacob and James spent time in our classrooms with our students, helped with Summer Camp prep, and even got to hang out with our animals! We were incredibly lucky to have these two here with us during the end of the school year! Wishing them the best on their next journeys! ???? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Taking a moment to shout out our two interns, Jacob and James, on their last day here with us at the Nature Center as our 2026 interns! Jacob and James spent time in our classrooms with our students, helped with Summer Camp prep, and even got to hang out with our animals! We were incredibly lucky to have these two here with us during the end of the school year! Wishing them the best on their next journeys! 🦎🍀🦋🌱 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
While much of our fundraising this year has focused on transforming our animal room, the daily work of the Nature Center continues. Caring for our animals, maintaining our building and trails, supporting our dedicated staff, and providing high-quality educational programs all rely on annual support from our community. As we approach the end of our fiscal year, please consider making a donation of any amount by June 30. Every gift helps sustain the programs, animals, and experiences that connect our community to nature. The Darien Nature Center receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of donors like you. Together, we are inspiring curiosity, fostering environmental stewardship, and building a greener future for Darien. We are deeply grateful for your support. Thank you for being part of our community. #dariennaturecenter #darienct
While much of our fundraising this year has focused on transforming our animal room, the daily work of the Nature Center continues. Caring for our animals, maintaining our building and trails, supporting our dedicated staff, and providing high-quality educational programs all rely on annual support from our community. As we approach the end of our fiscal year, please consider making a donation of any amount by June 30. Every gift helps sustain the programs, animals, and experiences that connect our community to nature. The Darien Nature Center receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of donors like you. Together, we are inspiring curiosity, fostering environmental stewardship, and building a greener future for Darien. We are deeply grateful for your support. Thank you for being part of our community. #dariennaturecenter #darienct
One last Tiny Microphone Interview during the last week of school. “What’s your favorite Animal!” ???????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
One last Tiny Microphone Interview during the last week of school. “What’s your favorite Animal!” 🦖🦎🐊🦍🐘🐆🐎🐖 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Scenes from the first few days of Summer Camp! ????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Scenes from the first few days of Summer Camp! 🌞🦎🦉🐠🦋 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
What a fantastic day at Darien Pride!! Thank you to every one who stopped by our tent and met our animal ambassadors! @darienctpride ❤️????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
What a fantastic day at Darien Pride!! Thank you to every one who stopped by our tent and met our animal ambassadors! @darienctpride ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
??We made it to the Summer Solstice! ?? The longest day of the year is finally upon us where the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. The Summer Solstice is a time to welcome the Sun fully back into our lives, getting outside more, getting together with family and friends, and enjoying what these Summer days have to offer us! You can celebrate the Solstice by watching the sunrise or sunset, lighting candles, having a bonfire together, eating dinner or any meal outside, go swimming, and take time to reflect on Summer memories. Happy Summer Solstice everyone!! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #summersolstice
🌞🌞We made it to the Summer Solstice! 🌞🌞 The longest day of the year is finally upon us where the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. The Summer Solstice is a time to welcome the Sun fully back into our lives, getting outside more, getting together with family and friends, and enjoying what these Summer days have to offer us! You can celebrate the Solstice by watching the sunrise or sunset, lighting candles, having a bonfire together, eating dinner or any meal outside, go swimming, and take time to reflect on Summer memories. Happy Summer Solstice everyone!! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #summersolstice
? It’s Happening! ? We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we have successfully completed our capital campaign to reimagine the Darien Nature Center’s Animal Room! This exciting milestone would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of our supporters. We are especially grateful to The Darien Foundation, our Lead Donor, whose initial $50,000 grant launched this project and whose additional $20,000 grant helped us cross the finish line so that construction can begin next week. We would also like to recognize the extraordinary support of The Riley Family Foundation. Their $50,000 challenge grant inspired our community to rally behind this project and created tremendous momentum throughout the campaign. And a heartfelt thank you to every donor, family, volunteer, and friend who believed in our vision. We cannot wait to share this beautiful new space with you. Stay tuned as construction begins and the transformation unfolds! #thedarienfoundation #dariennaturecenter #darienct #06820 #capitalcampaignsuccess
🎉 It’s Happening! 🎉 We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we have successfully completed our capital campaign to reimagine the Darien Nature Center’s Animal Room! This exciting milestone would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of our supporters. We are especially grateful to The Darien Foundation, our Lead Donor, whose initial $50,000 grant launched this project and whose additional $20,000 grant helped us cross the finish line so that construction can begin next week. We would also like to recognize the extraordinary support of The Riley Family Foundation. Their $50,000 challenge grant inspired our community to rally behind this project and created tremendous momentum throughout the campaign. And a heartfelt thank you to every donor, family, volunteer, and friend who believed in our vision. We cannot wait to share this beautiful new space with you. Stay tuned as construction begins and the transformation unfolds! #thedarienfoundation #dariennaturecenter #darienct #06820 #capitalcampaignsuccess
⚠️ Important Announcement⚠️ In preparation for our upcoming animal room renovations, starting tomorrow June 5th the Nature Center will be closed to the public (our final day of classes will operate as normal!!) We look forward to welcoming you back later this summer! Stay tuned for behind the scenes updates! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
⚠️ Important Announcement⚠️ In preparation for our upcoming animal room renovations, starting tomorrow June 5th the Nature Center will be closed to the public (our final day of classes will operate as normal!!) We look forward to welcoming you back later this summer! Stay tuned for behind the scenes updates! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Last week, Nature Educators Lindsey and Victoria went on a mission to remove multiple fishing lines that were impacting our pond at Cherry Lawn. There was a significant amount of fishing line cut from branches hanging over the pond, in the pond, and floating into the water. The fishing lines had bobbers, hooks, and fishing lures attached to them, all of which could cause multiple problems if an animal were to ingest them or get caught in them. Please swipe to the second photo to see what was recovered. Always remember to clean up after yourself and cast your lines responsibly. #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Last week, Nature Educators Lindsey and Victoria went on a mission to remove multiple fishing lines that were impacting our pond at Cherry Lawn. There was a significant amount of fishing line cut from branches hanging over the pond, in the pond, and floating into the water. The fishing lines had bobbers, hooks, and fishing lures attached to them, all of which could cause multiple problems if an animal were to ingest them or get caught in them. Please swipe to the second photo to see what was recovered. Always remember to clean up after yourself and cast your lines responsibly. #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Taking inspiration from @maritimeaquarium in honor of Pride Month. We can’t help but agree with them that biodiversity is one of our greatest strengths. The Nature Center is proud to be a partner of @darienctpride and a place in our community that welcomes people and families of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Happy Pride Month! ?️‍??️‍? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Taking inspiration from @maritimeaquarium in honor of Pride Month. We can’t help but agree with them that biodiversity is one of our greatest strengths. The Nature Center is proud to be a partner of @darienctpride and a place in our community that welcomes people and families of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
☀️? days in the sun ?☀️ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
☀️🌞 days in the sun 🌞☀️ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
“Once in a Blue Moon,” the second Full Moon for the month of May, the Blue Moon! Don’t let its name fool you, the color of the moon will not be blue. The Blue Moon will reach its peak illumination at 4:45AM EDT on Sunday May 31. This Full Moon will appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual as the moon is about to reach apogee. (Apogee refers to the point when the Moon is farthest from Earth.) You might be wondering, well all the other Moons have traditionally had alternate names, stemming from folklore or indigenous peoples across North America, where are the other names for the Blue Moon? In short, this moon doesn’t have any! The term Blue Moon only really came about in the 1980s due to a mistake that was printed in a 1946 issue of Sky & Telescope magazine and has gone viral ever since. The story goes that James Hugh Pruett had written an article for the Sky & Telescope magazine, misinterpreting an article from a 1937 article in the Maine Farmer’s Almanac that said “a blue moon occurs when a season has four full moons, rather than the usual three” Pruett had mistakenly thought that the article means a blue moon is a second full moon within the same month.” (LA Times Article, Kirchofer, 04/02/1999). This mistake led to the now common mis-definition of “Blue Moon.” #darienct #dariennaturecenter #bluemoon
“Once in a Blue Moon,” the second Full Moon for the month of May, the Blue Moon! Don’t let its name fool you, the color of the moon will not be blue. The Blue Moon will reach its peak illumination at 4:45AM EDT on Sunday May 31. This Full Moon will appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual as the moon is about to reach apogee. (Apogee refers to the point when the Moon is farthest from Earth.) You might be wondering, well all the other Moons have traditionally had alternate names, stemming from folklore or indigenous peoples across North America, where are the other names for the Blue Moon? In short, this moon doesn’t have any! The term Blue Moon only really came about in the 1980s due to a mistake that was printed in a 1946 issue of Sky & Telescope magazine and has gone viral ever since. The story goes that James Hugh Pruett had written an article for the Sky & Telescope magazine, misinterpreting an article from a 1937 article in the Maine Farmer’s Almanac that said “a blue moon occurs when a season has four full moons, rather than the usual three” Pruett had mistakenly thought that the article means a blue moon is a second full moon within the same month.” (LA Times Article, Kirchofer, 04/02/1999). This mistake led to the now common mis-definition of “Blue Moon.” #darienct #dariennaturecenter #bluemoon
⚠️Please be advised that the content in this post may be disturbing and upsetting to some viewers.⚠️ Recently there has been an uptick in fishing lines being left behind here at the pond in Cherry Lawn Park. And unfortunately the trash left behind by irresponsible fisherman has led to the death of a Gadwall Duck. Despite efforts from the staff here at the Nature Center and reaching out to local organizations, we were not able to capture the duck to free it from the fishing line that was wrapped around its beak and body. As seen in the photos, the duck had become entrapped in the fishing line. Due to the fishing line, the duck was unable to open its mouth (the line had completely wound its way around its bill) and had the line entangled around its whole body. The deceased duck was also found with a giant ball of fishing line next to it. It is important to remember that Cherry Lawn Park is not only shared by the community but the animals that reside in our community. Carelessly discarding fishing line can lead to serious harm and in the case of this duck, death. Fishing line can entangle animals or be ingested leading to starvation, strangulation, and deep wounds. While our staff always try to clean up fishing lines that have been left behind, it is the responsibility of fishermen to clean up after themselves, ensuring that they clean up their lines and hooks and casting their lines to not tangle in the trees surrounding the pond. Ultimately the death of this duck (and other animals that have died from irresponsible fishermen) could have been prevented. #darienct #dariennaturecenter
⚠️Please be advised that the content in this post may be disturbing and upsetting to some viewers.⚠️ Recently there has been an uptick in fishing lines being left behind here at the pond in Cherry Lawn Park. And unfortunately the trash left behind by irresponsible fisherman has led to the death of a Gadwall Duck. Despite efforts from the staff here at the Nature Center and reaching out to local organizations, we were not able to capture the duck to free it from the fishing line that was wrapped around its beak and body. As seen in the photos, the duck had become entrapped in the fishing line. Due to the fishing line, the duck was unable to open its mouth (the line had completely wound its way around its bill) and had the line entangled around its whole body. The deceased duck was also found with a giant ball of fishing line next to it. It is important to remember that Cherry Lawn Park is not only shared by the community but the animals that reside in our community. Carelessly discarding fishing line can lead to serious harm and in the case of this duck, death. Fishing line can entangle animals or be ingested leading to starvation, strangulation, and deep wounds. While our staff always try to clean up fishing lines that have been left behind, it is the responsibility of fishermen to clean up after themselves, ensuring that they clean up their lines and hooks and casting their lines to not tangle in the trees surrounding the pond. Ultimately the death of this duck (and other animals that have died from irresponsible fishermen) could have been prevented. #darienct #dariennaturecenter
We love being a part of @darienctpride ❤️????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
We love being a part of @darienctpride ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Presenting: the Tiny Microphone Interview! Brought to you by our preschoolers in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week 2026! Enjoy! ????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Presenting: the Tiny Microphone Interview! Brought to you by our preschoolers in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week 2026! Enjoy! 🐝🪲🍀🐇📚 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
?? A sneak peak for our upcoming Animal Room renovations! ?? Our nocturnal crew will be wide awake in their new habitat, turning the lights down and the energy up. In the transformed Animal Room, a beautifully designed snag tree will come alive at night as our sugar gliders and hedgehog eat, explore, and run to their hearts’ content. By day, it will offer a cozy place to rest; by night, an enriching world designed just for them—just like the stunning tree created for our owls. We cannot wait to share this incredible new space with you. We know it will spark curiosity, connection, and joy for everyone who walks through our doors. ?Interested in helping us meet our goal? Click the link in our bio to donate today! ?#darienct #dariennaturecenter
🌙🌙 A sneak peak for our upcoming Animal Room renovations! 🌙🌙 Our nocturnal crew will be wide awake in their new habitat, turning the lights down and the energy up. In the transformed Animal Room, a beautifully designed snag tree will come alive at night as our sugar gliders and hedgehog eat, explore, and run to their hearts’ content. By day, it will offer a cozy place to rest; by night, an enriching world designed just for them—just like the stunning tree created for our owls. We cannot wait to share this incredible new space with you. We know it will spark curiosity, connection, and joy for everyone who walks through our doors. 🌜Interested in helping us meet our goal? Click the link in our bio to donate today! 🌛#darienct #dariennaturecenter
Rain or shine, Spring into Nature was a wonderful celebration of our Earth and Community! Swipe to the end to watch @wildlifeincrisis release a hawk back into the wild! Thank you to everyone who attended and volunteered! ?????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Rain or shine, Spring into Nature was a wonderful celebration of our Earth and Community! Swipe to the end to watch @wildlifeincrisis release a hawk back into the wild! Thank you to everyone who attended and volunteered! 🐝🌈🌎🌸🌷🐛 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Appreciating our teachers all year and every day! ??????? #teachersppreciationday #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Appreciating our teachers all year and every day! 📚🐛🪲🍀🦋🌼🐝 #teachersppreciationday #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Scenes from Crickets Vacation Camp! ????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Scenes from Crickets Vacation Camp! 🐢🐝🌷🌎🌈 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
???The first of two Full Moons for the month of May, the Flower Moon! The Flower moon will reach its peak illumination at 1:23 PM EDT on Friday May 1. Head outside the night of April 30 to catch a glimpse! The Flower Moon gets its name from, you guessed it, the abundance of flowers that spring up across North America this month! ??? The alternate names for the Flower Moon include; Budding Moon & Leaf Budding Moon (Cree), Planting Moon (Lakota, Dakota), Egg Laying Moon (Cree), Frog Moon (Cree), and the Moon of the Shedding Ponies (Oglala). These names are in reference to the awakening of local flora, marking the time for when seeds should be planted for farming season, the activities of animals by Springs return, and tell us that warmer weather is on its way! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #flowermoon
🌸🌷🌻The first of two Full Moons for the month of May, the Flower Moon! The Flower moon will reach its peak illumination at 1:23 PM EDT on Friday May 1. Head outside the night of April 30 to catch a glimpse! The Flower Moon gets its name from, you guessed it, the abundance of flowers that spring up across North America this month! 🌺🪻🌼 The alternate names for the Flower Moon include; Budding Moon & Leaf Budding Moon (Cree), Planting Moon (Lakota, Dakota), Egg Laying Moon (Cree), Frog Moon (Cree), and the Moon of the Shedding Ponies (Oglala). These names are in reference to the awakening of local flora, marking the time for when seeds should be planted for farming season, the activities of animals by Springs return, and tell us that warmer weather is on its way! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #flowermoon
??? Happy Earth Day!!!! ???
🌎🌍🌏 Happy Earth Day!!!! 🌏🌍🌎
All the colors of Cherry Lawn Park ??⭐️????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
All the colors of Cherry Lawn Park 🍅🍊⭐️🍀🦋💜🌸🦌 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
This past Sunday we held our Spring Volunteer Day! Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who braved the rainy weather and joined us cleaning up the trails here at Cherry Lawn! ??️? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
This past Sunday we held our Spring Volunteer Day! Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who braved the rainy weather and joined us cleaning up the trails here at Cherry Lawn! 🌳🌧️🌈 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
We are THRILLED to announce that we are officially open to the public tomorrow, Saturday, April 18! ? We are so grateful for our community’s patience and understanding over this past month while we were closed to the public. A big shout out to our administration, staff, and service providers - especially Fox Hill Builders and Hightower Restoration - for working hard to get our building ready for this reopening! We cannot wait to welcome our community back tomorrow!
We are THRILLED to announce that we are officially open to the public tomorrow, Saturday, April 18! 🥳 We are so grateful for our community’s patience and understanding over this past month while we were closed to the public. A big shout out to our administration, staff, and service providers - especially Fox Hill Builders and Hightower Restoration - for working hard to get our building ready for this reopening! We cannot wait to welcome our community back tomorrow!
We can’t get over how amazing it is to have all of our students back at class! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
We can’t get over how amazing it is to have all of our students back at class! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Our Social Media Manager went on vacation and left the preschool in charge of posting!! Please enjoy these drawings of our favorite animals (mythical and real!) #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Our Social Media Manager went on vacation and left the preschool in charge of posting!! Please enjoy these drawings of our favorite animals (mythical and real!) #darienct #dariennaturecenter
ASMR DNC style! For best user experience use headphones and remember our animals are not trained actors nor agreeable to using a microphone while eating. Enjoy! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
ASMR DNC style! For best user experience use headphones and remember our animals are not trained actors nor agreeable to using a microphone while eating. Enjoy! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
?Save the Date!? Join us under the Harvest Moon on September 26, 2026 for our annual fundraiser! Stay tuned for more info coming soon! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #darienevents
🔥Save the Date!🔥 Join us under the Harvest Moon on September 26, 2026 for our annual fundraiser! Stay tuned for more info coming soon! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #darienevents
?? This isn’t an April Fool’s joke, April’s full moon is the Pink Moon! Also known as the Paschal Moon, this Full Moon actually sets the date for Easter! The Pink Moon is the first Full Moon of Spring and will reach its peak illumination at 10:12PM EST the night of April 1, 2026. ?? You might think that the name “Pink Moon” will indicate that the Full Moon will take on a pink or rosy hue, but it actually comes from an early spring bloom wildflower native to eastern North America: Phlox subulata, or its common names creeping phlox or moss phlox. This pretty pink flower tends to be in full bloom around the April Full Moon, lending its colorful petals to the Moon! ??? The Pink Moon is also known as the Breaking Ice Moon (Alogonquin), Moon When the Streams are Again Navigable (Dakota), Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Tlingit), Moon of the Red Grass Appearing (Oglala), Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Lakota), Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs (Dakota), Frog Moon (Cree), and the Sucker Moon (Anishinaabe, named after the harvest of sucker fish). Make sure to take in the glow of the first Spring Full Moon! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #pinkmoon #fullmoon
🌸🌕 This isn’t an April Fool’s joke, April’s full moon is the Pink Moon! Also known as the Paschal Moon, this Full Moon actually sets the date for Easter! The Pink Moon is the first Full Moon of Spring and will reach its peak illumination at 10:12PM EST the night of April 1, 2026. 🌸🌕 You might think that the name “Pink Moon” will indicate that the Full Moon will take on a pink or rosy hue, but it actually comes from an early spring bloom wildflower native to eastern North America: Phlox subulata, or its common names creeping phlox or moss phlox. This pretty pink flower tends to be in full bloom around the April Full Moon, lending its colorful petals to the Moon! 🌸🌸🌸 The Pink Moon is also known as the Breaking Ice Moon (Alogonquin), Moon When the Streams are Again Navigable (Dakota), Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Tlingit), Moon of the Red Grass Appearing (Oglala), Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Lakota), Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs (Dakota), Frog Moon (Cree), and the Sucker Moon (Anishinaabe, named after the harvest of sucker fish). Make sure to take in the glow of the first Spring Full Moon! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #pinkmoon #fullmoon
Our annual Earth Day Celebration is right around the corner! Join us on April 25 from 10:00am - 2:00pm for a fun and festival style Earth Day celebration at the Darien Nature Center! ??? This year, our focus is on protecting Darien’s water! Activities include painting a rock for our kindness garden, Music with Natasha, Soundwaters, Community based art projects, Rent a Chicken, water testing & pollution modeling, a Hawk release from Wildlife in Crisis, face painting, a storywalk in the forest, and animal interactions. Community organizations such as Pollinator Pathway, The Darien Land Trust, and the Garden Club will also be in attendance! Registration is required to attend this event. Follow the link in bio to register now! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #darienevents
Our annual Earth Day Celebration is right around the corner! Join us on April 25 from 10:00am - 2:00pm for a fun and festival style Earth Day celebration at the Darien Nature Center! 🌎💧🌳 This year, our focus is on protecting Darien’s water! Activities include painting a rock for our kindness garden, Music with Natasha, Soundwaters, Community based art projects, Rent a Chicken, water testing & pollution modeling, a Hawk release from Wildlife in Crisis, face painting, a storywalk in the forest, and animal interactions. Community organizations such as Pollinator Pathway, The Darien Land Trust, and the Garden Club will also be in attendance! Registration is required to attend this event. Follow the link in bio to register now! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #darienevents
Happy Spring Equinox! ?? Otherwise known as the Vernal Equinox. At exactly 10:46 AM EDT the Northern Hemisphere will officially be in Spring! The Spring Equinox will have almost the exact same amount of daylight as there is darkness, as both the Northern and Southern hemispheres are sitting equal, neither hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun! ??? Today is a day to spend outside welcoming the Sun and warmth back into our lives! Spend your day planting seeds, baking bread, having a bonfire, spend time in the sun, make a fairy house, and bring fresh flowers into your home! From now until June, the days will keep getting longer and filled with more sunshine! ???? #darienct #dariennaturecenter #springequinox
Happy Spring Equinox! 🌸🌸 Otherwise known as the Vernal Equinox. At exactly 10:46 AM EDT the Northern Hemisphere will officially be in Spring! The Spring Equinox will have almost the exact same amount of daylight as there is darkness, as both the Northern and Southern hemispheres are sitting equal, neither hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun! 🌸🌷🪻 Today is a day to spend outside welcoming the Sun and warmth back into our lives! Spend your day planting seeds, baking bread, having a bonfire, spend time in the sun, make a fairy house, and bring fresh flowers into your home! From now until June, the days will keep getting longer and filled with more sunshine! 🌸🌷🪻🌳 #darienct #dariennaturecenter #springequinox
An official statement from the Darien Nature Center ? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
An official statement from the Darien Nature Center 💚 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
✨These are the people running the Nature Center✨ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
✨These are the people running the Nature Center✨ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
?? searching for the tiniest bit of green this March ?? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
🍀🌱 searching for the tiniest bit of green this March 🍀🌱 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
What we’ve been up to lately! ?????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
What we’ve been up to lately! 🦕🐍🐠🐡🌲🌎 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
We sincerely apologize for today’s unexpected closure at the Nature Center. We were not aware of the situation until staff began arriving at the building before classes started for the day. As soon as we understood the extent of the situation we contacted families as quickly as possible. The preschool has experienced significant water damage and is currently undergoing remediation. We are actively assessing the situation and will keep you updated as we learn more. Please have notifications turned on to receive updates regarding whether the damage will impact our ability to hold school tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility - The Darien Nature Center ? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
We sincerely apologize for today’s unexpected closure at the Nature Center. We were not aware of the situation until staff began arriving at the building before classes started for the day. As soon as we understood the extent of the situation we contacted families as quickly as possible. The preschool has experienced significant water damage and is currently undergoing remediation. We are actively assessing the situation and will keep you updated as we learn more. Please have notifications turned on to receive updates regarding whether the damage will impact our ability to hold school tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility - The Darien Nature Center 💚 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Beware the Ides of March? More like beware the Full Worm “Blood” Moon that is coinciding with a rare lunar eclipse! ??????? The Worm Moon will reach its peak the morning of Tuesday March 3 at 6:38 am EST, for those who are not early birds, be sure to check it out tonight Monday March 2! The March Full Moon has been considered the seasonal turning point for when signs of Spring slowly start to return. The Worm Moon gets its name from the belief that earthworms would reappear as the soil started to warm up in the early spring, drawing the attention of robins and signaling the change from winter into spring. Alternative names for the Worm Moon include Sugar Moon (Ojibwe), Wind Strong Moon (Pueblo), Sore Eyes Moon (Dakota, Lakota, Assiniboine), Goose Moon, and the Crow Comes Back Moon (Northern Ojibwe). As mentioned before, this full moon coincides with a lunar eclipse. The eclipse will reach its greatest point at 6:33 am EST, casting an orange or coppery red glow (where the blood moon name comes from). Monday night head on outside every few hours to watch the moon change colors. This is a total lunar eclipse which means that the Earth’s shadow will slowly move across the full moon giving it a coppery glow and darkening the moon’s appearance. This lunar eclipse will be visible across most of North America (swipe to see more info on a total lunar eclipse). Early birds get the blood moon worm moon! ? #darienct #dariennaturecenter #wormmoon #bloodmooneclipse #lunareclipse
Beware the Ides of March? More like beware the Full Worm “Blood” Moon that is coinciding with a rare lunar eclipse! 🪱🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🪱 The Worm Moon will reach its peak the morning of Tuesday March 3 at 6:38 am EST, for those who are not early birds, be sure to check it out tonight Monday March 2! The March Full Moon has been considered the seasonal turning point for when signs of Spring slowly start to return. The Worm Moon gets its name from the belief that earthworms would reappear as the soil started to warm up in the early spring, drawing the attention of robins and signaling the change from winter into spring. Alternative names for the Worm Moon include Sugar Moon (Ojibwe), Wind Strong Moon (Pueblo), Sore Eyes Moon (Dakota, Lakota, Assiniboine), Goose Moon, and the Crow Comes Back Moon (Northern Ojibwe). As mentioned before, this full moon coincides with a lunar eclipse. The eclipse will reach its greatest point at 6:33 am EST, casting an orange or coppery red glow (where the blood moon name comes from). Monday night head on outside every few hours to watch the moon change colors. This is a total lunar eclipse which means that the Earth’s shadow will slowly move across the full moon giving it a coppery glow and darkening the moon’s appearance. This lunar eclipse will be visible across most of North America (swipe to see more info on a total lunar eclipse). Early birds get the blood moon worm moon! 🪱 #darienct #dariennaturecenter #wormmoon #bloodmooneclipse #lunareclipse
Yesterday our staff participated in a professional development day where they spent time discussing nature based books for our bookclub pilot program, having conversations with ECCP about supporting preschoolers with emotions regulation, and ended the day with an informative tree hike lead by Victoria! ???? #dariennaturecenter #darienct
Yesterday our staff participated in a professional development day where they spent time discussing nature based books for our bookclub pilot program, having conversations with ECCP about supporting preschoolers with emotions regulation, and ended the day with an informative tree hike lead by Victoria! 🌲🌳🪾🦆 #dariennaturecenter #darienct
❄️❄️❄️ We might all have snow fatigue, but our outdoor classrooms and Nature Center look very pretty covered in fresh snow! ❄️❄️❄️
❄️❄️❄️ We might all have snow fatigue, but our outdoor classrooms and Nature Center look very pretty covered in fresh snow! ❄️❄️❄️
It was natural science week here at Groundhogs Camp! ?✨???✨ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
It was natural science week here at Groundhogs Camp! 🪐✨🌎🦕🔭✨ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
A message from Nature Educator Lindsey about birding! Did you know that this upcoming weekend (February 13-16) the Great Backyard Bird Count is taking place?! Watch this video to learn more about how you can participate in citizen science and stay tuned for more info graphics later in the week! ?️????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter #gbbc #birding #backyardbirding @cornellbirds @audubonsociety
A message from Nature Educator Lindsey about birding! Did you know that this upcoming weekend (February 13-16) the Great Backyard Bird Count is taking place?! Watch this video to learn more about how you can participate in citizen science and stay tuned for more info graphics later in the week! 🕊️🦅🦆🦢🦃🦉 #darienct #dariennaturecenter #gbbc #birding #backyardbirding @cornellbirds @audubonsociety
?Happy Valentine’s Day from our animal ambassadors! ?They’ve all felt the love this week from our students and visitors leaving them Valentine’s cards. Now’s your chance to be an extra special Valentine for our animals by becoming an animal sponsor! Interested in learning more about sponsoring one of our animals? Follow the link in bio! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #valentines
💗Happy Valentine’s Day from our animal ambassadors! 💗They’ve all felt the love this week from our students and visitors leaving them Valentine’s cards. Now’s your chance to be an extra special Valentine for our animals by becoming an animal sponsor! Interested in learning more about sponsoring one of our animals? Follow the link in bio! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #valentines
New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks, only one can win the Super Bowl this Sunday! Six of our animal ambassadors had their names drafted to our Darien Nature Center Roster to cast their votes in which team is going to win. A classic East Coast vs West Coast showdown. Vote below who you think will be the victor! #dariennaturecenter #darienct #superbowlsunday #superbowl2026
New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks, only one can win the Super Bowl this Sunday! Six of our animal ambassadors had their names drafted to our Darien Nature Center Roster to cast their votes in which team is going to win. A classic East Coast vs West Coast showdown. Vote below who you think will be the victor! #dariennaturecenter #darienct #superbowlsunday #superbowl2026
Incase you missed the video of Nature Educator and resident bird enthusiast Lindsey talking about the 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count, here are some more details about the upcoming bird count! Go back and watch Lindsey’s video about how to get involved and check out @cornellbirds website for more details! Happy Birding!! ?️????????‍⬛? #darienct #dariennaturecenter #greatbackyardbirdcount #birding
Incase you missed the video of Nature Educator and resident bird enthusiast Lindsey talking about the 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count, here are some more details about the upcoming bird count! Go back and watch Lindsey’s video about how to get involved and check out @cornellbirds website for more details! Happy Birding!! 🕊️🦅🦆🦜🦢🐓🦃🪿🐦‍⬛🦩 #darienct #dariennaturecenter #greatbackyardbirdcount #birding
?Rising at a very snowy time in Connecticut this full Moon is appropriately named! February’s full moon is named the Snow Moon!? The Snow Moon will reach its peak illumination at approximately 5:09 EST on Sunday February 1st. Weather permitting, step outside to catch a glimpse! The Snow Moon gets its name from the typical heavy snowfall that happens during the month of February. According to the National Weather Service, February tends to be the snowiest month in the United States. Historically speaking, the alternative names for the Snow Moon have had connections to animals. The Bald Eagle Moon or Eagle Moon (Cree), Bear Moon (Ojibwe) Black Bear Moon (Tlingit), [fun fact: both the Bear Moon and Black Bear Moon refer to the time of year when bear cubs are born!], Racoon Moon, (Dakota), Groundhog Moon (Algonquin), and Goose Moon (Haida). Like other full moons, there’s no shortage of alternate names. Due to the scarcity of food during this time, The Cherokee called the moon the Month of the Bony Moon and Hungry Moon. ?❄️?️
🌕Rising at a very snowy time in Connecticut this full Moon is appropriately named! February’s full moon is named the Snow Moon!🌕 The Snow Moon will reach its peak illumination at approximately 5:09 EST on Sunday February 1st. Weather permitting, step outside to catch a glimpse! The Snow Moon gets its name from the typical heavy snowfall that happens during the month of February. According to the National Weather Service, February tends to be the snowiest month in the United States. Historically speaking, the alternative names for the Snow Moon have had connections to animals. The Bald Eagle Moon or Eagle Moon (Cree), Bear Moon (Ojibwe) Black Bear Moon (Tlingit), [fun fact: both the Bear Moon and Black Bear Moon refer to the time of year when bear cubs are born!], Racoon Moon, (Dakota), Groundhog Moon (Algonquin), and Goose Moon (Haida). Like other full moons, there’s no shortage of alternate names. Due to the scarcity of food during this time, The Cherokee called the moon the Month of the Bony Moon and Hungry Moon. 🌕❄️🌨️
❄️not big fans on being “snowed in” over here!❄️ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
❄️not big fans on being “snowed in” over here!❄️ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Two bam or not two bam, that is the question! Thank you to @goldcoastmahjongclub for hosting our mom’s night out! And of course to all our DNC moms who joined us! ??️❄️ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Two bam or not two bam, that is the question! Thank you to @goldcoastmahjongclub for hosting our mom’s night out! And of course to all our DNC moms who joined us! 🌸🀄️❄️ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Our outdoor classrooms showed signs of animals in winter this morning! Can you guess which critters left their prints behind?? ???? #darienct #dariennaturecenter ecenter
Our outdoor classrooms showed signs of animals in winter this morning! Can you guess which critters left their prints behind?? 🐾🐾🐾🐾 #darienct #dariennaturecenter ecenter
For the first full moon of the year, it’s the Wolf Moon! The Wolf Moon will reach its peak at 5:03 A.M. EST on the morning of Saturday January 3, 2026. This full moon will be the first full moon of the year 2026, occurring at perigee (the moon is at its closest point to Earth). Make sure to take a peek at the Moon Friday January 2 if you’re not a 5:00 A.M. early bird). Where did the Wolf Moon get its name from? It’s believed that it is called the Wolf Moon because wolves were more likely to be heard howling around this time. There is the old folktale that wolves howl due to the full moon, but it isn’t actually true! Wolves howl to locate other pack members, define territory, coordinate their hunting, and reinforce pack bonds. Other names for the Wolf Moon include Center Moon (Assiniboine people), Cold Moon (Cree), Frost Exploding Moon (Cree), Freeze Up Moon (Algonquin), Severe Moon (Dakota), Hard Moon (Dakota), Canada Goose Moon (Tlingit), Great Moon (Cree), Greetings Moon (Western Abenaki) and the Spirit Moon (Ojibwe). Talk about a popular moon! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #wolfmoon
For the first full moon of the year, it’s the Wolf Moon! The Wolf Moon will reach its peak at 5:03 A.M. EST on the morning of Saturday January 3, 2026. This full moon will be the first full moon of the year 2026, occurring at perigee (the moon is at its closest point to Earth). Make sure to take a peek at the Moon Friday January 2 if you’re not a 5:00 A.M. early bird). Where did the Wolf Moon get its name from? It’s believed that it is called the Wolf Moon because wolves were more likely to be heard howling around this time. There is the old folktale that wolves howl due to the full moon, but it isn’t actually true! Wolves howl to locate other pack members, define territory, coordinate their hunting, and reinforce pack bonds. Other names for the Wolf Moon include Center Moon (Assiniboine people), Cold Moon (Cree), Frost Exploding Moon (Cree), Freeze Up Moon (Algonquin), Severe Moon (Dakota), Hard Moon (Dakota), Canada Goose Moon (Tlingit), Great Moon (Cree), Greetings Moon (Western Abenaki) and the Spirit Moon (Ojibwe). Talk about a popular moon! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #wolfmoon
?️?️Extra Extra! We have a new dove that needs a name! We’re so excited to have this lady join us here at the Nature Center, but we need your help naming her! Using the poll below, vote on your favorite choice and check back in a few days to see which name has come out on top!?️?️ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
🕊️🕊️Extra Extra! We have a new dove that needs a name! We’re so excited to have this lady join us here at the Nature Center, but we need your help naming her! Using the poll below, vote on your favorite choice and check back in a few days to see which name has come out on top!🕊️🕊️ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Happy New Year from all of us here at the Nature Center! We hope you have a year filled with adventure and exploration of the great outdoors! Did you know that 2026 is the year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac (which officially starts on February 17)? The Fire Horse to be specific! While we don’t have a horse here at the Nature Center, make sure to stop by and wish our animals a Happy New Year! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Happy New Year from all of us here at the Nature Center! We hope you have a year filled with adventure and exploration of the great outdoors! Did you know that 2026 is the year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac (which officially starts on February 17)? The Fire Horse to be specific! While we don’t have a horse here at the Nature Center, make sure to stop by and wish our animals a Happy New Year! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Summer Camp 2026 registration launches tomorrow for current families and members!!! Here’s a quick look back on Summer Camp 2025! ✨????? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Summer Camp 2026 registration launches tomorrow for current families and members!!! Here’s a quick look back on Summer Camp 2025! ✨🌈🌻🌞🪐🫧 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Happy Winter Solstice! Get ready to celebrate the longest night of the year! The Winter Solstice also marks the day with the shortest amount of daylight. Don’t fret about the lack of daylight though, from here on out the days will be getting longer and sunsets will be happening later. The Winter Solstice is the official first day of the Winter season, astronomically speaking, meteorologists still determine the actual start of Winter, but the alignment of the moon and stars can help us celebrate the changing of the seasons! Make sure to spend some time outside today watching the sunrise or sunset, gather evergreen branches to decorate with, make diy bird feeders, light candles, hang homemade paper snowflakes around your home, and make pomanders for a cozy winter time scent. #darienct #dariennaturecenter #wintersolstice❄️
Happy Winter Solstice! Get ready to celebrate the longest night of the year! The Winter Solstice also marks the day with the shortest amount of daylight. Don’t fret about the lack of daylight though, from here on out the days will be getting longer and sunsets will be happening later. The Winter Solstice is the official first day of the Winter season, astronomically speaking, meteorologists still determine the actual start of Winter, but the alignment of the moon and stars can help us celebrate the changing of the seasons! Make sure to spend some time outside today watching the sunrise or sunset, gather evergreen branches to decorate with, make diy bird feeders, light candles, hang homemade paper snowflakes around your home, and make pomanders for a cozy winter time scent. #darienct #dariennaturecenter #wintersolstice❄️
It’s hard to believe that we’re already getting ready for Summer Camp 2026! Early Bird pricing for Summer Camp registration starts Wednesday January 14 for Current Families and Members!! ☀️? For more information regarding Summer Camp 2026 registration, what’s new this year, timelines, and themes head over to our website to learn more. Keep your eyes peeled for our Summer Camp 2026 Information email that will be sent out later today. Not on our email list? Now’s the time to join via the link in bio. ?✨??? #darienct #dariennaturecenter
It’s hard to believe that we’re already getting ready for Summer Camp 2026! Early Bird pricing for Summer Camp registration starts Wednesday January 14 for Current Families and Members!! ☀️🌻 For more information regarding Summer Camp 2026 registration, what’s new this year, timelines, and themes head over to our website to learn more. Keep your eyes peeled for our Summer Camp 2026 Information email that will be sent out later today. Not on our email list? Now’s the time to join via the link in bio. 🌈✨🌙🌿🐇 #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Snowbirds camp through a film camera! ? From all of us here at the Nature Center have a wonderful holiday season! ❄️?✨?️#darienct #dariennaturecenter
Snowbirds camp through a film camera! 📸 From all of us here at the Nature Center have a wonderful holiday season! ❄️🌲✨🕊️#darienct #dariennaturecenter
We’ve reached the end of the year! Time flies when you spend your days outside! Next up Snowbirds Camp! ?✨?️⭐️ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
We’ve reached the end of the year! Time flies when you spend your days outside! Next up Snowbirds Camp! 🌲✨🕊️⭐️ #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Our last full moon of the year! The Cold Moon, also known as the Long Night Moon (Mohican), will reach peak illumination on December 4 at 6:14pm (EST)! The name comes from a Mohawk name that talks of the frigid weather conditions that start to happen this time of the year. The Mohican name, as said before, the Long Night Moon gets its name from how the moon rises. The Long Night Moon will rise during the “longest” nights of the year as we approach the Winter Solstice on December 21 (the Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year)! Other names for the Cold Moon include, Drift Clearing Moon (Cree), Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree), Moon of the Popping Trees (Oglala), Hoar Frost Moon (Cree), Snow Moon (Haida, Cherokee), Moon when the Deer Shed Their Antlers (Dakota), Little Spirit Moon (Anishinaabe), and the Winter Maker Moon (Western Abenaki). ?❄️☁️?️ #dariennaturecenter #darienct #coldmoon #supermoon
Our last full moon of the year! The Cold Moon, also known as the Long Night Moon (Mohican), will reach peak illumination on December 4 at 6:14pm (EST)! The name comes from a Mohawk name that talks of the frigid weather conditions that start to happen this time of the year. The Mohican name, as said before, the Long Night Moon gets its name from how the moon rises. The Long Night Moon will rise during the “longest” nights of the year as we approach the Winter Solstice on December 21 (the Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year)! Other names for the Cold Moon include, Drift Clearing Moon (Cree), Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree), Moon of the Popping Trees (Oglala), Hoar Frost Moon (Cree), Snow Moon (Haida, Cherokee), Moon when the Deer Shed Their Antlers (Dakota), Little Spirit Moon (Anishinaabe), and the Winter Maker Moon (Western Abenaki). 🌕❄️☁️🌨️ #dariennaturecenter #darienct #coldmoon #supermoon
Saturday’s are back at the Nature Center! Make sure to register for our December 6 and December 13 sessions! Follow the link in bio for more information and registration! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
Saturday’s are back at the Nature Center! Make sure to register for our December 6 and December 13 sessions! Follow the link in bio for more information and registration! #darienct #dariennaturecenter
“Five miles off the coast of Maine and slightly overdue, a circus ship was steaming south in fog as thick as stew.” ?????? The grand reveal of our Lit Tree Lane 2025 Christmas Tree!! The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen! It’s our best estimate that this book was read approximately over 50 times last year in one particular Nature Time for Two’s class and continues to be one of the most beloved books amongst all our students and staff here at the Nature Center. Make sure you stop by the Darien Library and vote for the fan favorite tree! PS. If your student has Lindsey & Lulu or Lindsey & Victoria as teachers this year, make sure to search the tree for the admit one tickets they decorated! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #darienlibrary #thecircusship
“Five miles off the coast of Maine and slightly overdue, a circus ship was steaming south in fog as thick as stew.” 🚢🦓🐅🐆🦁🫐 The grand reveal of our Lit Tree Lane 2025 Christmas Tree!! The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen! It’s our best estimate that this book was read approximately over 50 times last year in one particular Nature Time for Two’s class and continues to be one of the most beloved books amongst all our students and staff here at the Nature Center. Make sure you stop by the Darien Library and vote for the fan favorite tree! PS. If your student has Lindsey & Lulu or Lindsey & Victoria as teachers this year, make sure to search the tree for the admit one tickets they decorated! #darienct #dariennaturecenter #darienlibrary #thecircusship
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Calendar

October 2026

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun

28

29

30

1

2

3

4

DNC Closed

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

DNC Closed

12

13

14

15

16

17

10am Grand Opening

18

DNC Closed

19

20

6pm Amanda Craig Event - The Nature of Emotions

21

22

2pm Early Dismissal Hike with Victoria

23

Storytime with the Animals

2pm Early Dismissal -Animals with Ray

24

25

DNC Closed

26

27

3pm Pumpkin Decorating

28

3pm Pumpkin Decorating

29

30

31

1

DNC Closed