Woodcock Nature Center
Woodcock Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental education organization based in Wilton, Connecticut, spanning 152 acres that straddle Wilton and Ridgefield. Founded in 1972 by former Ridgefield First Selectman J. Mortimer Woodcock, the center has spent more than fifty years creatively reconnecting its community with the natural world.
Each year Woodcock welcomes over 4,000 learners of all ages through school field trips, a popular summer camp, after-school enrichment, scout programs, and hands-on animal encounters. The preserve's nearly four miles of trails, natural playground, pond, wetlands, and outdoor aviaries are open to the public year-round, free of charge.
Woodcock's outdoor aviaries are home to its ambassador animals — two non-releasable birds of prey and nearly twenty resident reptiles and amphibians — who help staff bring the natural world to life for visitors of every age. The center receives no funding from local towns or the state of Connecticut, relying instead on the generosity of private donors, foundations, and special events to keep its programs and trails free and open to the community.
Our mission is to creatively re-connect the community with nature and to one another.
Woodcock Nature Center's Work
The following are a couple highlights of the impactful work of Woodcock Nature Center.
Environmental Education Programs
Woodcock offers a full slate of hands-on programming, including Pre-K nature classes, K-8 after-school enrichment and single-day programs, high school research projects, scout and Eagle Scout/Gold Award projects, birthday parties, and a summer camp voted Best Summer Camp in Ridgefield. Programs are designed to give learners of every age direct, personal experience in nature.
Woodcock's outdoor aviaries are home to non-releasable birds of prey and nearly twenty resident reptiles and amphibians who serve as ambassador animals for educational programs. The center's nearly four miles of trails, historic stone walls, pond, wetlands, and vernal pools are open to the public dawn to dusk, every day, at no cost.
Ambassador Animals & Trails
Community & Conservation
Woodcock's Pollinator Garden, established in 2016 as the first official stop on the Northeastern Pollinator Pathway, has earned Certified Butterfly Habitat status from the North American Butterfly Association. The center also hosts community events, guided hikes, and citizen science opportunities like FrogWatch that connect neighbors with the land and with each other.
Join us in supporting Woodcock Nature Center
75% of this month's donations will go towards this month's partner, Woodcock Nature Center.
This month and every month, Wild Boyz Photography will be partnering with one nonprofit. 75% of any donations that we receive during the month will go to the nonprofit. Help Woodcock Nature Center today!