No Child Left Inside®
 
October 2015 


A Newletter from the Connecticut Department
of Energy & Environmental Protection 
 Volume 24 








  
 

 













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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request an accommodation contact us at (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov 
 








No Child Left Inside®: The Great Park Pursuit
Celebrated its 10th Year

It was another successful spring as we celebrated our 10 Year Anniversary of the No Child Left Inside® Great Park Pursuit (GPP): CT State Parks Family Adventure.  Our kick-off event was Family Fishing Day on May 9, 2015 at Gay City State Park in Hebron, with close to 2,000 people in attendance!  The adventures continued as we celebrated Boating Day, Connecticut Trails Day, Geology Day, Interpretive Centers Day, Family Farm Day and the Campout Finale at Ft. Trumbull State Park.  

On the final day of the adventure 168 teams received a 2015 Connecticut State Park and Forest Season Pass for participating in all 7 events. Even though not everyone was able to attend every event, hundreds of teams were able to spend some quality time with family and friends in Connecticut's state parks, forests, and trails!  Check out our photos from the 2015 events. 

We are already gearing up for next year's Great Park Pursuit.  We will be kicking off our next set of adventures on May 7th at Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury.  Stay tuned for more details!
Nature Centers
 
The following list of State Parks & Forests offer programs and activities on a year round basis. This is a great time of year to visit the park and participate in a special event.

 Historical Parks & Museums

The following museums have limited hours through Columbus Day weekend.  Please visit the webpage for details regarding hours of operation and special events:
 
Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam 
Osborne Homestead Museum, Derby (through October 25)
Stone Museum at Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted 
  
The museums at these locations are open through the end of October.   
Topsmead State Forest, Litchfield

 Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, is open year round every day except Monday.

The 237th Year of Encampment will be taking place at Putnam Memorial State Park, Redding, on November 7, 2015. Go to the Friends and Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park website for more information
Saltwater Fishing Day
 
Several hundred people braved a sultry summer day on August 15, 2015 to try their hand at saltwater fishing, crabbing and bird watching on the pier at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London.  The Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) Program teamed up with No Child Left Inside®  to provide instruction, fishing equipment and bait for anglers of all ages.  
Featured Events

Water, Water, Everywhere!
Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, 341 Milford St. (Rt. 69), Burlington
4:00 PM, Wednesday, October 7, 2015
This program offers an educational look at the water cycle, watersheds, river conservation, a walk to a waterfall, and more!
For more information:  Kelly Cannon; 860-424-3011 or kelly.cannon@ct.gov

Wild Mushroom Foraging 
James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, 23 Potter Road, Hampton
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Guest Connie Borodenko will lead us through a morning of all things mushrooms! 
This program is free for Friends of Goodwin Forest (FGF) members, fee for non-members is $5 per person, $10 per family.
Registration required
For more information:  Emma Lorusso 860-455-9534 or emma.lorusso@ct.gov

Creatures of the Night! 
James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, 23 Potter Road, Hampton
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Saturday, October 10, 2015
Come and join us for this Halloween-themed program.
For more information:  Emma Lorusso 860-455-9534 or 

Nature Crafts:  Leaf Art 
James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, 23 Potter Road, Hampton
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Monday, October 12, 2015
Bring your imagination and using glue, paper, and leaves make a stunning collage of animals, scenes, or even just abstract colors to take home and frame! All materials will be provided. Recommended for ages 6 and above.
For more information:  Emma Lorusso 860-455-9534 or emma.lorusso@ct.gov

Vampires in Connecticut
Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby  
6:30 PM, Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Join Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni PhD, Emeritus State Archaeologist, for an informative presentation on the history of vampires in Connecticut. 
Pre-registration is required. 
For more information: Donna Kingston at (203)734-2513 or donna.kingston@ct.gov

Fall Foliage Hike
Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, 341 Milford St. (Rt. 69), Burlington
1:30 PM, Saturday, October 24, 2015
This program offers a walk along a tree I.D. trail, a lesson on what trees provide to animals, and what makes leaves change color each fall.
Pre-registration is required.
For more information:  Kelly Cannon; 860-424-3011 or kelly.cannon@ct.gov



Featured Activity - Agricultural Fair Season

Connecticut Agricultural fairs are an important part of our state history. Agricultural fairs, some dating back to the early 1800s, bring our communities together each year to celebrate our agricultural achievements.

There are about 20 major fairs in Connecticut. Major fairs are generally the largest fairs in the state, typically with entertainment, amusements, rides and games, and mechanical or animal pulling events, as well as competitions and exhibits of livestock, fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods, handcrafts, and hobbies.

District fairs tend to be somewhat smaller than major fairs, both in size and exhibit capacity, but otherwise are similar to major fairs with respect to the competitions offered.  Connecticut is also known for its 4-H fairs (the four Hs stand for head, heart, hands, and health). Youth in 4-H programs manage and run these fairs for the purposes of displaying the work of 4-H members throughout the state. 4-H fairs have exhibits of livestock, fruits and vegetables, flowers, home arts, and other projects.

For a complete list of fairs, please visit the website for the Association of Connecticut Fairs.

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