A field-based conservation program for older students ready to make a real impact!
Join local wildlife expert and Riverside Reptiles Education Center owner, Brian Kleinman, for an exciting, hands-on outdoor program designed for middle and high school students who want to go beyond wildlife discovery and step into the world of real conservation work.
In this advanced field club, participants will explore the diverse habitats of East Granby and surrounding areas while learning how conservationists and wildlife researchers monitor ecosystems and protect native species. Students will build practical skills such as:
- Identifying wildlife by sight and sound
- Tracking animals through signs and evidence
- Mapping habitat features and ecosystem changes.
- Learning how to collect meaningful field data.
- Understanding how human activity impacts wildlife - and what we can do to help.
We’ll explore a range of exciting local habitats including East Granby Farms, Suffield Wildlife Management Area, Cowles Park, Great Marsh & Beaver Dam Marsh, the Windsor Locks Canal, and Granbrook Park. Students will work as a team, sharpen their outdoor science skills, and take on real challenges such as spotting invasive species, identifying habitat improvements, and practicing ethical wildlife observation techniques.
This immersive program is perfect for older students who love nature, want deeper science-based experiences, and are interested in environmental careers, volunteering, or building leadership skills in the outdoors.
Get ready to think like a conservationist, explore like a biologist, and make a difference in your own backyard!
Grades: 6th – 12th
Dates: Fridays - 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29
Time: 3 – 4:30PM
Locations: East Granby Farms, Cowles Park, Suffield/Southwick Wildlife Management Areas, Great Marsh & Beaver Dam Marsh, Windsor Locks Canal, & Granbrook Park.
Weekly Schedule & Topics
4/24 – East Granby Farms (Meet in parking lot)
Introduction: Identifying Critical Habitat
East Granby sits in the Central Connecticut River Valley - an area with diverse and important ecosystems. What habitat types exist here, and what wildlife depends on them?
We’ll explore East Granby Farms and begin learning how to recognize key habitat features and what they tell us about the species we might find.
5/1 – Cowles Park (Meet in parking lot)
The Basalt Ridge
The Central Connecticut Valley is divided by the north-south Metacomet Ridge - a volcanic traprock (basalt) ridge with unique talus slopes and habitat zones. About six miles of it runs through East Granby.
We’ll hike up to the ridge through Cowles Park and investigate how habitat conditions shift along the slope.
What species prefer the base of the ridge compared to species found higher up?
5/8 – Suffield/Southwick Wildlife Management Areas (Meet in parking lot on Suffield side)
Grasslands
Undisturbed grassland habitat is critically threatened in Connecticut, but we have access to one of the largest protected grasslands in the state. At this site we’ll listen (and hopefully spot!) the Grasshopper Sparrow, a state endangered species.
We’ll also explore just over the Massachusetts border to visit an artificial vernal pool constructed in 2021 in hopes of reintroducing the endangered Eastern Spadefoot Toad. Will we find one? Maybe!
5/15 – Great Marsh & Beaver Dam Marsh (Meet at bike path parking area off Copper Hill)
Natural Wetlands
Great Marsh and Beaver Dam Marsh are two excellent examples of natural wetlands:
- Great Marsh: wooded swamp
- Beaver Dam Marsh: open cattail marsh
What makes them “natural,” and what wildlife thrives in mostly undisturbed wetlands? We’ll explore both marshes and make careful notes on the species we observe.
5/22 – Windsor Locks Canal Trail (Meet in parking lot north of the Montgomery Mill Apartments)
Man-Made Wetlands
The Windsor Locks Canal took two years to create (1827–1829). It was built to help boats bypass the shallow 5-mile-long Enfield Rapids, and the water also powered mills in the area.
We’ll observe and document the species found here, then compare them to what we found in the natural wetlands.
Which species are shared between both habitats - and which prefer one over the other?
5/29 – Granbrook Park (Meet at Granbrook Park)
Stream Study
Salmon Brook is one of Connecticut’s highest-rated water quality streams, and many rare species can be found in this section near Granbrook Park. How many can we find and observe? We’ll investigate stream life, habitat quality, and the signs of a healthy ecosystem.
Physical Requirements
- Participants should have the ability to walk at least 2 miles each session through varied terrain (sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less).
What to Wear/Bring
- Backpack to carry supplies.
- Notebook/journal (optional)
- Binoculars (if you have them)
- Weather-appropriate clothing and footwear for exploring and getting dirty
- No sandals or open-toed shoes - Comfortable boots or old sneakers are perfect
- Granbrook Park Stream Study footwear: Water shoes, boots, Crocs, or old sneakers (NO BARE FEET)
- Water bottle
- Snack (optional)
A Note re: Bug Spray
Feel free to bring bug spray, but please do not apply it before class. We will only use it if biting insects are unusually heavy (which is uncommon for this time of year). Many bug sprays can be toxic to wildlife (and aren’t great for our health either).
Important Notes
- Brian will send directions 24–48 hours before each class.
- Please plan to arrive 5–10 minutes early so students are ready to begin at 3:00 PM. We only have an hour and thirty minutes to explore each habitat - and it goes fast!
Inclusion and ADA Accessibility
- East Granby Parks and Recreation is committed to providing inclusive and accessible programs for all individuals. We strive to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide reasonable accommodations to facilitate participation in our programs by those with disabilities or medical conditions.
- To ensure that adequate resources are in place for the participant, registration and accommodation requests must be received no later than two weeks prior to the start date of the program.
- Please contact Alicia Van Neil to request accommodation: (860) 653-7660 or aliciav@egtownhall.com.
- Additional information may be requested to better understand the participant’s needs.