Date: Feb 15, 2025 @ 9AM
Location: Haley Farm State Park (24 Haley Farm Ln, Groton, CT 06340)
Join The Connecticut Audubon Society for a winter walk to observe birds at Haley Farm State Park. Registration is required. More details coming soon!
Paddling the Poquonnock
Date: June 28, 2025 @ 9:30AM
Location: Bluff Point State Park (55 Depot Rd, Groton, CT 06340)
Join the Reserve, CT Sea Grant, and CT DEEP Boating for a day of fun paddling on the Poquonnock river. All experience levels are welcome and kayaks and canoes will be available to use for free. Registration is encouraged so a kayak or canoe is available when you plan to arrive. More details coming soon!
Visit our Connect webpage to sign up for announcements about upcoming events.
Past Events
Bluff Point State Park Restoration Plan – public meetings
Dates: Nov 13 or Nov 20, 2024
Location: In-person or virtual
There are two upcoming events to collect feedback and work together to plan for the park’s future. To learn more about the upcoming meetings, click the box above or visit: https://s.uconn.edu/bluffpoint. Your input is critical to the success of our project and to ensure proposed ideas work for all visitors. Registration is encouraged and we hope to see you there!
Guided Paddle of Great Island Estuary
Date: September 6, 2024 Location: 132 Shore Rd, Old Lyme, CT 06371
Join CT Sea Grant and the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve for a gentle guided paddle of beautiful Great Island Estuary on the CT River. During the paddle, we will tour the estuary and learn about this fascinating ecosystem.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Bring your own kayak or rent one for a reduced rate of $30.
Invasive Plant Training
Date: September 17, 2024 Location: Bluff Point State Park
If you are interested in identifying, mapping, and managing invasive terrestrial plants then this event is for you! Join UConn CLEAR, Sea Grant, and the CT NERR team for a hands-on training at Bluff Point State Park. Register today – Space will be limited to 15 participants. Learn more here.
A bird’s eye view: Observation & Monitoring
Dates: Aug 12 – 14, 2024 Location: Various (Old Lyme and Stonington, CT)
The Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve is offering its inaugural Teachers On The Estuary (TOTE) workshop August 12-14, 2024. We’ll explore how climate change is impacting saltmarsh sparrow populations and how scientists monitor osprey nests. Researchers and guest speakers from the University of Connecticut and Connecticut Audubon will lead us in the field to show us the work they do. You’ll walk away with new knowledge, new skills, and new ideas for learning and monitoring in your classroom and schoolyard. This workshop will be geared toward high school level science teachers.
Explore Bluff Point State park
Dates: July 20, 2024 Location: Bluff point State Park
Join the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve as we host educational walks at Bluff Point State Park. Connecticut Audubon will be leading a bird-sighting walk, researchers from UConn will be leading a walk on the geology and history of Bluff Point, and Reserve staff will be leading a walk to talk about our efforts to improve access, control invasive plants, and assess the trail system. Learn more here.
Groton Litter Cleanup
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 / 9AM
Location: Birch Plains Creek Wildlife Area (25 Thomas Rd, Groton)
Join us as we partner with the Baker Cove Watershed Committee (BaCWaC), Town of Groton, and City of Groton to clean up various sites in Groton, CT. Neon vests, gloves, pickers, and bags will be provided. All you need to do is sign up and show up!
Come celebration National Trails Day with a guided walk around Haley Farm State Park. Staff from the Connecticut Reserve and CT Sea Grant will lead a walking tour from the parking lot, along Palmer Cove, and through the upland habitats. If you didn’t know, Haley Farm is part of the newly established Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve, which was designated in Jan 2022 and is one of 30 Research Reserves in the country that study and protect estuarine habitats. Come learn why Haley Farm State Park is so special and about some of the work the Reserve staff is doing to monitor, improve, and protect this area. This walk will be approx. 1.75 miles on some uneven ground. All are welcome, including well-behaved and leashed dogs.
