No Child Left Inside®                             March 2013   

 A Newsletter from the Connecticut Department                                                            Volume 16      

of Energy and Environmental Protection

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Registration for the 2013 Great Park Pursuit is Coming!  Opens at noon on Monday, March 25!    

 

Over the past seven years, families from all across the state have discovered the exciting opportunities available at Connecticut's State Parks and Forests. If you missed the chance to explore these venues or you're ready to experience the fun again, then get ready for the arrival of the 2013 Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint! This year's 5 week adventure kicks off on Saturday, May 11 at Osbornedale State Park in Derby and wraps up Saturday, June 8 at a secret location.
 
With a whole new line-up of clues, hints and featured locations, you and your family will be journeying around the state to learn about new places while having fun in the great outdoors. Hike along an unexplored trail, try and set a new state record for the largest caught fish, commemorate the year of the snake, celebrate national boating week in a canoe, and tap into your creative picnicking skills- all without leaving Connecticut!  

 

Registration opens at noon on Monday, March 25 and will run through noon on Friday, April 26.  Please be sure to register in order to be eligible for prizes.    

 

For more information please contact Rachael Sunny at rachael.sunny@ct.gov or (860) 418-9581. 
DinosaurOpening Day of Trout Season is April 20! 
 
Opening Day for fishing is Saturday, April 20th and the DEEP expects to have over 378,000 trout stocked throughout the state in time for Opening Day.

Over 200 truckloads of trout are scheduled to be distributed throughout the state in preparation for Opening Day. These trout will be released into 102 lakes and ponds and 200 rivers and streams.
 
Fishing and fisheries related information, including stocking events that families can participate in on Opening Day, can be found on the DEEP fisheries website  or follow them on Facebook. 

Anglers can purchase their 2013 fishing licenses directly online, or at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers and DEEP offices.  And kids don't forget to get your Youth Fishing Passport!

FeaturedEventsFeatured Events

  

Event: WalkCT Family Ramble 

Date: Saturday, March 30, 2013 

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: Osbornedale State Park, Derby   

Brief Description: Meet at the parking lot of the Kellogg Environmental Center and join us for a 2.5 mile historic and natural adventure.  We will hike old farm roads bordering wetland areas, cross a dike from a 200 million year old lava flow, and explore evidence of early colonial silver mines, springs, and old stone quarries within the park which was once a dairy farm.  No dogs please.  For more information please contact WalkCT Family Guides Peter and Barbara Rzasa at (203) 888-0358 or  pjrzasa@comcast.net.  

  

Event: Frog Friday
Date: Friday, April 5, 2013 
Time: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Location: Highlawn Forest at CFPA Headquarters, Rockfall
Brief Description: Join Everyone Outside and WalkCT Family Ramble leader Lucy Meigs for Frog Friday. Bring your curiosity! We will observe the amazing transformations that occur in vernal pools, during several scheduled outings throughout the spring. Come to one outing or come to all, to see the life stages of frogs (hopefully "quacking" loudly and looking for a mate), frog and salamander eggs, tadpoles, salamander and insect larvae, etc. Viewing scopes will be provided for looking at creatures.  For more information and to pre-register please contact Lucy at (860) 395-7771 or lucy@everyoneoutside.org.

Event: Pre-Earth Day Birding Event        

Date: Saturday, April 13, 2013
Time: 8:00 am 

Location: Meigs Point Nature Center, Madison   

Brief Description: A day of activities for all ages, including bird walks, lectures, and live bird demonstrations. 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.