In celebration of Earth Day (Monday, April 21), Grace Farms Foundation has a two-day lineup the following Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27, of programs, activities and expert-led discussions about the importance of restoring local native habitats.
— an announcement from Grace Farms Foundation and the Nature Conservancy
The annual weekend of events, conducted in partnership with the Nature Conservancy, also includes a lecture and community day.
The two-day program provides an opportunity for people across generations to reconnect with nature and learn about practical ways to restore biodiversity to their own backyards or communities.
“There are simple ways that we can all reconnect with and Restore Wild in our own backyards — like planting native and pollinator friendly species — by doing this we help the natural world and our communities thrive,” said Mark Fowler, Nature Initiative Director at Grace Farms Foundation.
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“Through our 80-acre landscape and program partnership with the Nature Conservancy, we hope to mobilize people to be part of the solution and take action to restore a healthy balance between people and nature,” Fowler said.
Photo from Grace Farms Foundation
Grace Farms
Dr. Frogard Ryan, the state director for the Nature Conservancy, said: “People ask me, ‘what can I do to help our planet,’ and one of my answers is we can start by restoring wild in our backyards by attracting pollinators like bees and birds.
“Whether here in Connecticut or across the globe, the Nature Conservancy is grateful to work with partners like Grace Farms Foundation in moving people to conservation action.”
On April 26 at 7:30 pm, Pascal Mittermaier, global managing director of cities at the Nature Conservancy, will give a presentation on how the Nature Conservancy is harnessing nature’s power to build resilient, livable, thriving communities.
Mittermaier, alongside LaTresse Snead, Deputy Director of Global Cities at the Nature Conservancy, and Penn Marchael, Project Manager at Larry Weaner Associates will join the panel, “Restoring Wild in Urban and Suburban Areas,” moderated by Fowler, to discuss actions community members can take to further the restoration movement and learn about the positive impact that “restoring wild” has on local communities.
Advance registration is suggested for this presentation.
Events on Saturday, April 27
On Saturday April 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Grace Farms and the Nature Conservancy will host a variety of free Earth Day-focused events, programs, nature walks, and more for all ages, including:
—Interactive Meadows Plaza — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Features native plants, children’s activities, and demonstrations from Pollinator Pathway about the importance of ecosystems to pollinators.
—Open Arts Studio for Families I Habitat and Home — 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Offers facilitated workshops for children ages 3 to 10 celebrating the importance of restoring natural habitats with a focus on animal architects who build homes and communities.
—Native Bird Walk — 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1 to 2 p.m., and 3 to 4 p.m. — Master Birder Frank Mantlik leads a guided tour of Grace Farms’ walking trails in search of our area’s native birds. On-site registration is required.
—Birds of Prey — 12 noon to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. — A falconry demonstration with Master Falconer Brian Bradley.
—Coexisting with Native Wildlife — 1 to 2 p.m. — A demonstration on the beauty and diversity of the area’s wildlife featuring New Canaan Nature Center.
—The Benefits of Restoring Wild — 1 to 2 p.m. — A conversation with Dave Gumbart, Director of Land Management at the Nature Conservancy, about the important relationship between native plants and the birds and insects that rely on them for food and shelter.
—Restoring Native Meadows — 3 to 4 p.m. — A conversation with Penn Marchael, Founder of Pennington Grey, about planting and maintaining meadows.
More information can be found at the Grace Farms website.
About Grace Farms Foundation
Grace Farms Foundation supports initiatives in the areas of nature, arts, justice, community, and faith, and encourages participation locally and globally.
The Foundation carries out its work through the publicly available facilities and integrated programs of Grace Farms, an 80-acre property owned and operated by the Foundation.
Grace Farms was established as an essential platform for the Foundation, serving as a welcoming place where individuals, not-for-profit organizations, and government entities come together to collaborate for the common good. You can follow Grace Farms on Twitter (@gracefarmsct).
About the Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together.
We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient.
Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit the organization’s website or follow @nature_press on Twitter. or the main Nature Conservancy Twitter account.
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