Outdoor Learning Resources

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Outdoor Learning Resources

Wildlife

Learn About Wildlife
A variety of opportunities to discover wildlife in Connecticut.

Just for Kids
Educational pages with activities, fun facts, and even some coloring pages for kids and families to learn about wildlife together.

Wildlife Fact Sheets
Learn about many of the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates that call Connecticut home. You can also learn more about the state's threatened and endangered species.

Wildlife Habitat Fact Sheets
Find out how you can improve habitat in your yard or neighborhood to benefit wildlife. Learn about special and unique habitats.

Winter Bingo
Find what you can in your neighborhood.

25 Wildlife Activities You Can Do at Home

Family-friendly Projects to Improve Backyard Habitats for Wildlife

Bat Appreciation Day at Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine
This is an annual event, usually held in September. This webpage helps you discover and appreciate the bats that call Connecticut home.

Teaching About Bats
A resource for educators and parents to teach children about bats.

Species of the Week
Every week (starting on Mondays), learn about a different species of plant, animal, or invertebrate that can be found at the Belding Wildlife Management Area in Vernon.

Reptiles and Amphibians
Learn about the natural history of Connecticut's native reptiles and amphibians and the conservation issues they currently face.
Turtles | Salamanders | Snakes | Snake Identification

Know Your Birds
Common Shorebirds of Connecticut | The Birds of Belding WMA | The Birds of Sessions Woods WMA

Forests

Letterboxing in Connecticut State Forests
Letterboxing is fun and exciting. It is about the adventure of finding your way through the woods, and the thrill of reaching your goal. In letterboxing, you visit interesting locations in CT State Forests and collect unique stamps to mark your visit.

Live Wildlife Cameras

Remote cameras have opened a window for observing wildlife in their natural habitats, bringing wildlife into our view and providing an opportunity to study wildlife and learn more about their lives, behavior, and habits. Some of the following live remote cameras feature active nests in Connecticut. This is just a sampling of remote cameras available for public viewing online. Please note that some of these cameras are only live during the nesting season.

Bats Count! Bat Cam at the White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield

Hammonasset Osprey Nest Camera at Hammonasset Beach State Park, near the Meigs Point Nature Center. (Hosted on the Menunkatuck Audubon Society's website.)

Osprey Nation Nest Camera at Connecticut Audubon's Coastal Center at Milford Point.

Falkner Island Lighthouse Camera, hosted on the Menunkatuck Audubon Society's website.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology hosts a variety of live bird cameras on its website. A few interesting ones include a Barred Owl Nest, Red-tailed Hawk Nest, and the Cornell Feederwatch Cam.

Social Media

Follow Connecticut Fish and Wildlife (the Wildlife, Fisheries, and Forestry Divisions) on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Other Related Resources

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region
The Service's blog on Stay at Home Science provides an overview of the series and links to the various posts at the bottom, from the wonders of backyard birding and even some things to learn while playing in the mud.

The Recovering America's Wildlife Act
Find out how you can support this important national legislative effort to keep common fish and wildlife species common. A successful effort will secure funding for much-needed conservation of our most precious natural resources, our fish and wildlife. #RecoverWildlife

Content last updated in July 2023.

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection