No Child Left Inside®                           January 2013   

 A Newsletter from the Connecticut Department                                                            Volume 15      

of Energy and Environmental Protection

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7th Annual No Child Left Inside Winter Festival!   

  

The 7th annual No Child Left Inside Winter Festival will be held on Saturday, February 2nd from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington.  Come out and enjoy a full day of outdoor adventure.  

 

Activities will include ice fishing, fish fry, snowshoeing, tracking, ice safety rescue demonstrations by the Torrington Fire Department, visits from Resources in Search and Rescue and DEEP's Environmental Conservation Police Canine Unit, and a bonfire complete with marshmallow roasting!

 

The festival is FREE and requires no registration. 

 

For more information please contact Rachael Sunny at rachael.sunny@ct.gov or (860) 418-9581. 
 
Fishing is a fun family activity that can generate memories to last a lifetime.  The Inland Fisheries Division is excited to announce the YOUTH FISHING PASSPORT, a new program designed to get young people hooked on fishing.

Specifically, anyone under the age of 16 can obtain their own Youth Fishing Passport via the DEEP online sportsmen licensing system.  As a passport holder you can be recognized for participation in activities, benefits, and support and encouragement.

Activities:   Through the Youth Fishing Passport Program people are encouraged to participate in activities like "geo-catching" and the "fishing challenge" to experience the diversity of fishing opportunities in Connecticut.

Benefits:  To ensure youth have every opportunity to have a successful fishing trip, a variety of incentives, rewards, and benefits are being offered to youth passport holders by various bait and tackle shops and the fishing industry.  A complete listing is available on the Youth Fishing Passport Web Page.

Support & Encouragement:  Fishing is fun!  Sometimes however, getting started can seem a daunting task.  But do not worry you and your family can take free "learn to fish" classes through the Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) family fishing program. 

For more information regarding the Youth Passport Program please visit www.ct.gov/DEEP/YFP or contact Mike Beauchene at 860-424-4185 or mike.beauchene@ct.gov.
DinosaurThe Museum at Dinosaur State Park Will Be Closed Due to Construction
 
Please note that starting on Monday, February 25th the Museum at Dinosaur State Park will be closed for construction.  The tentative reopening date is April 4th but we will be sure to notify you once it is officially reopened with its brand new Discovery Room!

The Museum will be open for February School Vacation programs February 16-17 and February 19-24.  A complete list of scheduled events can be found on the NCLI Events Calendar.

FeaturedEventsFeatured Events

  

 

Event: Year of the Snake Children's Program 

Date: Saturday, January 26, 2013 

Time: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: Sessions Woods WMA, Burlington  

Brief Description: Learn about Connecticut's snakes during this children's program.  Make an informative poster to teach others about these fascinating animals.  For more information and to pre-register please contact Laura Rogers-Castro at (860) 675-8130 or laura.rogers-castro@ct.gov 

 

Event: Family Ramble: Winter Walk Along the Shepaug 
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2013 
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Steep Rock Preserve, Washington
Brief Description: Come explore a winter wonderland through one of Steep Rock Association's beautiful preserves!  Walk an easy, fairly flat route along the Shepaug River as we appreciate the beauty of the season.  We will make our way to an old train tunnel that was used for the Shepaug Railroad that is a sight to be seen this time of year as massive icicles adorn the passageway.  For more information please contact WalkCT Family Guide Jen at roxburygardener@gmail.com or visit WalkCT.

Event: Star Gazing        

Date: Saturday, February 9, 2013
Time: 7:00 pm 

Location: Meigs Point Nature Center, Madison   

Brief Description: We will be touring the heavens with special guests from local astronomy clubs if the sky is clear.  If cloudy, we will do some night activities and an owl prowl.  For more information please contact Ranger Russ Miller at (203) 245-8743 or rangermpnc@gmail.com 

 

View a Complete List of Events 

No Child Left Inside® is an initiative of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.