Community Corner

Esty to Hold "Commissioner in Your Corner" Event Saturday in Rockfall

DEEP commissioner invites public to Connecticut Forest and Park Association's Winter Trails Day.

 

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Daniel C. Esty will hold a series of "Commissioner in Your Corner" events, including one this weekend in Rockfall. 

The event will piggyback the 's Winter Trails Day (schedule below). As part of the event, Esty plans to hike with Eric Hammerling, Executive Director of CFPA and will discuss energy and environmental issues of interest.

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“The ‘Commissioner in Your Corner’ events are designed to highlight the tremendous natural resources our state enjoys and also make certain that I am available to meet and hear from the public," said Esty who also plans to be available at noon.

CFPA and REI have teamed up for outdoor fun and invites all to explore the winter landscape in the Highlawn Forest (see video) behind the CFPA office in Rockfall. The day's activities will go from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include gear demos, snowshoeing clinics, guided hikes (on snowshoes supplied by REI if the snow cooperates), WalkCT Family Ramble activities, and more! Winter is a great time of year to get outside and visit the New England forests, if you are prepared. Snowshoes, x-country skis, insulated boots, and the right clothing layers will help to make the experience more enjoyable. Pre-registration is recommended. To register, click here.

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Winter Trails Day Schedule

Clinics - Learn about snowshoes, xc-skiis, and how to dress for an outdoor winter adventure.

Snowshoe - 10:30am, 10:45am, and 11am 
Layering - 1pm, 1:15pm, and 1:30pm
XC Skiing - 10:35am, 11:30am, 1pm, and 2pm

Hikes - Short (30 - 45 minute) CFPA guided hikes in the forest behind the CFPA office. Join us as we explore the forest - on snowshoes if the weather cooperates!  A limited number of snowshoes for both adults and children will be available free of charge.  Get here early as the snowshoes are available on a first come basis. We'll still guide hikes without snow, so wear sturdy boots. For families with young children (10 and under) please see the following Family Ramble.

Hike start times - 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., and 2:15 p.m.

Family Ramble - Join Family Guide for this family oriented walk in the Highlawn Forest. We will explore the winter woods, look for signs of animals, and play some outdoor games. If there's snow, we'll be snowshoeing!  Get here early if you need snowshoes so that we start on time!

Ramble start times:  11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

Ranger Rick GeoCache Trail (GPS required) - A self-guided hike with clues given out at the Family Fun Corner. CFPA has a limited number of hand-held GPS units available; bring your own if you have one.  This activity is available all day.

Stories by the fire - Gather around the fire in CFPA's outdoor education area with Lynn Kochiss, a local educator of the year, as she reads a variety of children's nature story books.  A great activity for families!

Story Times - 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 1:45 p.m.

Family Fun Corner - Available all day, the Family Fun Corner is a mix of hands-on activities (counting tree rings, tree identification, sorting table of natural materials, and creating a wildlife track guide). Self-guided scavenger hunts will also be available for families to use on their own (scav hunts available are: animal home hikes, snow, rain, wildlife, etc.)

Information provided by the CFPA website.


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