Celebrate the biodiversity of nature this Earth Day. Explore Grace Farms’ 80-acre preserve and enjoy programs and activities highlighting the importance of preserving woodlands and wildlife.

10 am – 12 pm
Native Plants, an interactive station where families can learn more about how our area’s local plant species contribute to biodiversity.

Managing Meadows, a conversation about how to grow and nurture the native meadows where bees, butterflies, and birds thrive.

12 – 1 pm
The Biodiversity of Birds of Prey, a demonstration with Master Falconer Brian Bradley.

1 – 2 pm
Nature Walk | Native Birds, a guided birdwatching walk with Master Birder Frank Mantlik where visitors will discover the diverse species that live on Grace Farms’ 80-acre preserve (on-site registration required).

2 – 3 pm
Nature Walk | Preserving Biodiversity, a guided walk through Grace Farms’ diverse ecosystems, including open meadows, woods, wetlands, and ponds (on-site registration required).

Coexisting with Native Wildlife, a demonstration on the beauty and diversity of our area’s wildlife with local wildlife experts.

3 – 4 pm
The Biodiversity of Birds of Prey, a demonstration with Master Falconer Brian Bradley.

Free event.

Join Master Birder, Frank Mantilik, and Grace Farms Nature Initiative Director, Mark Fowler, for an introduction to our area’s owl species. Participants will be led on a guided walk through the Grace Farms Walking Trails as night falls, hoping to hear and see a few of these spectacular species.

We’ll be walking on mown trails, which may be wet, so please wear appropriate footwear, and dress for the weather.

Frank Mantlik works as a birdwatching tour leader for Sunrise Birding LLC (www.sunrisebirding.com). An avid birder and naturalist for over 40 years, he has been active in many bird/nature organizations, including the CT Ornithological Association (current vice-president, past-president, member CT Avian Records Committee, bird identification workshop leader), CT Audubon Society (trip leader, photo exhibits), New Haven Bird Club (lectures, trip  and workshop leader), Saugatuck Valley Audubon Society (field trips, lectures, Christmas Bird Count). Also an accomplished photographer with many published credits (Audubon, Birding, North American Birds, Birdwatcher’s Digest, Field and Stream, The New York Times).

On Saturday, September 24th from 12-4 PM, The Norwalk Land Trust will hold it’s fifth “Discovery Day” at The Preserve at Farm Creek, 34 Sammis Street in Rowayton. This sixteen-acre tidal estuary property is of special importance in the natural circle of life in our community. 

Bring the whole family for a day of natural wonder and fun.

Don’t miss the highlights:

12:30-1:30 PM “SKYHUNTERS IN FLIGHT” Falconer Brian Bradley will display his falcons, hawks and other birds of prey in a fascinating show.

 1:30-2:15 PM “INFINITE ROOTS” Henry Jones and his exciting percussion group “Infinite Roots” are masters of African drum and dance instruction. They will perform and interact with the audience.

 2:30-4:00 PM “DRE TOWEY” The music of singer/songwriter Dre Towey, winner of three Parent’s Choice Awards for her special ability to entertain family audiences, will enchant your children.

 12-4:00 PM THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK “TOUCH TANK” The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk will bring to Farm Creek a “Touch Tank” filled with incredible sea creatures for you to experience.

There will also be games, face-painting, a scavenger hunt and food.  Guided tours for the whole family will show you the special significance of this Land Trust Preserve that was purchased with donations from the community. Thank you again.

  Special thanks to Fairfield County Bank for their sponsorship of this event.

 Discovery Day is free to the public. However, a $10 donation per family is suggested to help steward the 28 properties and nearly 100 acres NLT protects in Norwalk.

 Hope to see you there!

Grace Farms will be commemorating Earth Day on Saturday, April 23 with a celebration of the natural world.  Insightful programs tied to our five initiatives—nature, art, community, justice, and faith—as well as the 80-acre landscape and its diverse habitats, will be open to the public for free admission from 10 am to 4 pm. Join in the opening of our Community Garden, watch a live falconry demonstration, enjoy outdoor painting, encounter a temporary art installation by artist Kysa Johnson, or listen to a panel discussion from experts about climate change and modern slavery.

Register here https://gracefarms.secure.force.com/ticket/#sections_a0F1a0000037gGMEAY

Nature Views | 10 am–4 pm, Grace Farms

Grace Farms is home to some of the most naturally preserved landscape in the area. This was accounted for in SANAA’s construction of the River building, which embraces and enhances the natural curves of the Earth. Meander through the River building and landscapes, or simply enjoy the scenery over lunch, coffee or tea.

Little Suns | 10 am–4 pm, Library

Get light, give light! A crucial initiative for Earth Day, Little Suns are a project started by artist Olafur Eliasson and engineer Frederik Ottesen to provide sustainable light for everyone. The proceeds from Little Sun sales will help provide discounted Little Suns to families and individuals among the 1.1 billion worldwide who have no access to the electrical grid.

Landscape Continuum by Kysa Johnson | 10 am–4 pm, Pavilion

Kysa Johnson is a contemporary artist known for her immersive works which explore patterns in nature that exist at the extremes of scale. For Earth Day, she will create a temporary, site-specific installation inspired by the landscape at Grace Farms. The project will be completed during the event and remain on view through May 2016.

Open Art Studio for Kids | 10:30-2:30, West Barn

Facilitated, hands-on workshops inspired by artist Kysa Johnson’s exhibition Landscape Continuum.

Community Garden Opening | 11 am–3 pm, Community Garden

The Community Garden at Grace Farms is an organic garden that supports the Foundation's sustainability initiatives, overseen by staff and volunteers. Twenty raised beds will be home to a variety of plants, flowers, vegetables, and fruits scheduled to provide usable produce from May through October. We invite Earth Day attendees to help us to plant flowers and sow seeds.

Market | 10 am–4 pm, Plaza

Meet a variety of local farmers, beekeepers, and syrup makers who will be on-site offering their expertise and products for sale in the plaza.

Sustainable Capitalism:  A 21st Century Response to Climate Change & Modern Day Slavery | 10 am–12 pm, Sanctuary 

Experts will discuss issues related to sustainable capitalism in response to the effects of climate change and modern day slavery.  Matthew J. Diserio from Water Asset Management, LLC will discuss how private capital and transparent water pricing to cover its total delivery costs is a solution to our nation’s drought and water infrastructure challenges and can ensure a sustainable water supply.  A panel discussion will follow with experts including Dr. James Cockayne, lawyer, author, and head of United Nations University; Martin Whittaker,  CEO of JUST Capital, which specializes in tracking corporate performance and environmental impact; Diana Mao, President and Co-Founder of Nomi Network, a nonprofit organization that helps victims and survivors of trafficking; and Benjamin Skinner, award-winning journalist and author of A Crime So Monstrous:  Face to Face with Modern-Day Slavery.

James Moss & Fe, Fi, Fo | 11 am–12 pm & 12:30–1:30 pm, West Barn

Listen to percussionist James Moss explore the sounds of different cultures from various parts of the world. With 20 years of experience as a musician and music educator, his instruction is widely sought and covers native instrument making, performance, music history, and theory.

Chasing Ice Documentary | 11:15 am–12:30 pm; 1–2:15 pm; 3–4:15 pm, Lower Commons

Chasing Ice is an Emmy award-winning documentary film that follows environmental photographer James Balog as he travels to the artic to tell the story of the world’s changing climate. Watch as he risks his life to gather evidence from dangerous exploratory extremes in order to accomplish his mission to shift the course of history and save our planet.

Painting Wildlife with Betsey Fowler | 11 am-12:30 pm & 1–3 pm, West Barn Courtyard

Families are invited to join a free-flow, come as you please, session led by wildlife and nature artist Betsey Fowler. Betsey has captured the true essence of wildlife worldwide through her extensive travels with her husband, Jim Fowler, renowned naturalist and host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. After attending top art schools around the country and receiving two Master’s degrees, Betsey found a way to express her love of life and nature through her art, which is directly impacted by her experiences with animals in the wild.

Geothermal Well Tour | 12:30 pm –1 pm & 2 pm–2:30 pm, Mezzanine

Learn about the geothermal well system that uses sustainable energy to heat and cool the River building at Grace Farms. The tour will include information about the closed-loop geothermal systems, and the planning process of our 55 geothermal wells, which are dug 500-feet deep into the ground.

Birds of Prey – Free Flight Falconry Demonstration | 12:30–1 pm & 3–3:30 pm, North Pines

Wildlife Ambassador, Emmy-nominated naturalist, and National Geographic Channel filmmaker, Mark Fowler, will present Birds of Prey free flight demonstrations with raptors. Mark and the falconers will simulate prey using lures to inspire the falcons, hawks and owls to soar and dive through the sky, then return for a food reward.

Progressive Reading | 12:30–2 pm, Library

Continuing the tradition of progressive readings at Grace Farms, performers will be reading selections from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Pond.

Explore Nature’s Wonders | 1–1:45 pm & 2–2:45 pm, Outside the Commons

The New Canaan Nature Center will lead nature tours of the 80-acre property of Grace Farms, exploring the many ecosystems and natural habitats that exist here. In addition to viewing wildlife on the tour, naturalists will bring native wildlife from The New Canaan Nature Center for guests to discover along the trail. Keep your eyes open for the American Kestrel nesting box, placed strategically on site as part of Grace Farms Foundation’s Kestrel Nesting Box Recovery Program.

About the Kestrel Nesting Box Recovery Program:

Grace Farms Foundation’s Nature and Wildlife Ambassador, Mark Fowler, is introducing a nesting box recovery program at Grace Farms to provide the American Kestrel, which is on the Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species list of Connecticut, places to nest and potentially breed, in hopes to increase their numbers around Connecticut and the Northeast.

Exhibition Talk | 1:30-2 pm, Pavilion

A casual conversation with artist Kysa Johnson and Grace Farms Foundation’s Director of Arts Initiatives Kenyon Adams.

Healing Water!–You Can Tell A Lot About A Country By The Way It Manages Its Water...  | 2:30–3:30 pm, Library

Breath, Hands, Wood, Sky | 2–3:15 pm, Willows

Experience the beauty of live South Asian classical and folk music, featuring multi-instrumentalist and composer, Pawan Benjamin on bansuri with Shivalik Ghoshal on tabla.

Tea Service | 11 am–5 pm, $5

Tea service will be provided all day, where participants can enjoy a sampling of teas from various regions of the world.

Used, Working Cell Phone Drive | 10 am–3 pm, East Barn

Upon entry, Grace Farms' staff will collect used, working cell phones for the Domestic Violence Crisis Center. 

Do you want to know more about the trees in your local woods? The traits most often used to describe tree species—leaves, buds, and twigs—are high and out of sight on most trees or, in the case of leaves, absent for half the year. Join naturalist Michael Wojtech for an exploration of bark, the tree characteristic that is always visible, in every season. In addition to learning about species identification, you will also begin to discover why such a variety of bark characteristics exist. Why do some species have smooth bark, while on others it is thick and broken? Why do layers of bark peel away in curly strips?

About the Presenter
Michael Wojtech spent his childhood roaming the pine barrens of southern New Jersey. After a 15 year career in business he decided to pursue his love of natural history and writing. He earned his Master’s Degree in Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England, where he edited the journal Whole Terrain. His thesis at Antioch on tree bark became the basis for his book, Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast. Michael is a freelance writer, educator, illustrator, and photographer. His main focus is trees, but he encounters many other aspects of natural history that he can’t help but dive into. He lives tucked into the woods of western Massachusetts.

Michael will be available to sign copies of his book, Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast. For more details visit:www.knowyourtrees.com.