Friends of Goodwin Forest
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These events are jointly sponsored by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) Division of Parks, and Friends of Goodwin Forest.
The James L. Goodwin Forest and Conservation Center were gifts to the people of Connecticut from James L. Goodwin, one of America's first professional foresters and a long-time CFPA Board Member. The Center is jointly managed by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) and the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) Division of Parks.


PREREGISTRATION IS
​Currently required
FOR ALL PROGRAMS.

Find us at 
23 Potter Road, Hampton, CT 06247

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Call:  860-455-9534
Email:  Deep.Goodwin@ct.gov



If you DO NOT receive a confirmation email within one hour of registration please CHECK YOUR SPAM.
​Several people have reported our emails going directly to their spam boxes. 



We make every effort to accommodate our guests.  Courses that require registration fill up very quickly so please register early to avoid disappointment.  (If your plans change, please let us know so we can offer your spot to someone on the waiting list.). If the class is full, we will put you on a waiting list and notify you if a spot becomes available or when the class is repeated.  Thank you.

Hikin' with Lichens
Saturday, May 21, 2022 
10:00am - 12:00pm
The much anticipated sequel to the popular Mosses program.  Join Master Naturalist Juan Sanchez as we explore lichens.  This composite organism of two of three different species can live in almost any environment, survive almost any condition, and is responsible for creation of the first soils which made Earth habitable for both flora and fauna. Learn to identify some of these little chemical factories that can turn sunlight and stone into usable nutrients necessary for life.  You will never look at a lichen covered rock the same way again.   
Register Here

Geology of Connecticut at Bigelow Hollow State Park
Monday, May 23, 2022 
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Where: 
Bigelow Hollow State Park
298 Bigelow Hollow Rd
Union, Connecticut 06076
Crushed, piled up, broken down, ripped apart, frozen over, smoothed out, finally melted and now washing away. Join Geologist and one of CFPA's Public Allies AmeriCorps service members Bryan Avery, as we discover Connecticut's Geologic History at Bigelow Hollow State Park. Learn how ancient rocks make modern habitats and how we got to the landscape we have today.  Parking Area TBD.  
With any questions, please contact Bryan Avery at bavery@ctwoodlands.org, 860-346-8733 
Register Here

​
NEMBA Fun Ride
Saturday, June 4th
9:00



Join the Quiet Corner New England Mountain Biking Association for Short, Intermediate, & EPIC loops in the Goodwin/Natchaug Forests. All loops will be marked for self-guided rides. The Goodwin/Natchaug combination provides riders with a vast array of trails, route options, and miles upon miles of endless terrain to explore. Running through part of both of these state forests, there is also the Airline Trail that provides a scenic option for the more casual rider. Helmets required.
$10 NEMBA member
$15 non-NEMBA member
Registration


Post ride food available for purchase from Hungry Lion food truck!

Join us for an EPIC weekend and participate in the Goodwin EPIC Bike Run Challenge! 
9:00 am start both days

Sat, June 4th
Join Quiet Corner NEMBA and mountain bike any of the arrowed loops (novice, intermediate, & advanced loops available)


Sun, June 5th
 Join Friends of Goodwin Forest for a 10k or 30k trail run (pre-registration required for the run!)

winners will be publicized and given bragging rights!

GOODWIN FOREST TRAIL RUN

​SUNDAY JUNE 5TH

9:00 AM

Registration and Details Here

Trails Day Hike to Governors Island
Saturday, June 4, 2022
10:00am - 12:00pm A 4 mile round trip hike out to Governors Island and back on moderately even terrain. The walk will be led by the new Goodwin Forest Naturalist Educator and include some brief history about the forest and information about seasonal flora and fauna. Make sure to bring water.
Register Today at www.ctwoodlands.org/events 
​
Summer Solstice Hike and Bonfire
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
8:00pm - 10:00pm
Come out and celebrate the longest day of the year with an hour long moonlight walk followed by a bonefire and s'mores!
Register Today at www.ctwoodlands.org/events 
​
Learn to Make a Letterbox
Saturday, June 25, 2022
10:00am - 12:00pm A family event to learn about the history of letterboxing, find an example letterbox, and finally, learn to make your own stamp! Materials will be provided.
Register Today at www.ctwoodlands.org/events

Have you checked out our blog?  We share our expertise on a variety of environmental topics.  If you'd like to contribute, email us!

Have you attended programs at the Goodwin Conservation Center? 
We'd love your feedback so we can improve our logistics and content. 

Submit
Donations make a difference.  Through your support, we've been able to extend programs through the winter and sponsor special guests.  

CHECK YOURSELF FOR TICKS AFTER ANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITY.  



                               GEOCACHING
​If you love mixing technology and the outdoors, geocaching may be the perfect activity for you.  It involves searching for hidden objects in the landscape with coordinates and clues.  Goodwin State Forest is home to a few geocaches.  Try and find the secret treasure!  Go to https://coord.info/GC19ZHE

Have you heard about our Master Naturalist led Meetup Group? 
​

The group is for anyone interested in learning more about Connecticut state parks and forests and are led by Master Naturalists who trained at the Goodwin Conservation Center.     All details are found on the Meetup site.

TRAIL CLOSURES

The portion of the Blue/Yellow Trail between Cannon Road and the Blue Trail is currently closed for safety purposes during a forest harvest which will remove standing dead hazard trees near the trail. Trees are being felled and logs moved with large machinery. It would be very dangerous to be in the area. Please use the Blue Trail as an alternate. The Blue Trail will remain open during the harvest and portions closed for only a few minutes at a time as trees are felled near it. Thank you.
For further information please contact
Forester Edward McGuire at Shenipsit State Forest Headquarters at 860-324-9475.
​

Due to considerable tree mortality (gypsy moth, drought, 2-lined chestnut borer, and other issues), the trail sections marked in black below will be closed until further notice. 
IT IS UNSAFE TO BE IN THESE AREAS. 
Tree removal has begun in order to make the trails safe to pass. 
If you need more information, please contact Matthew Quinn
Clicking on the map will open in a new window.
Picture
Give back to Goodwin and enrich someone’s life.
If you have a passion about a conservation, environmental, ecologically -related topic of your choice that you want to share, this is your opportunity.  We here at Goodwin would like you to present that knowledge to your peers! 
 Host a hike, give a presentation, do some outdoor activities or experiments, or just have an open ended discussion. 
Goodwin Conservation Center is looking for volunteers who have knowledge about various conservation-related topics and the ability and desire to share that knowledge with others. We are looking for with knowledge in all conservation topics including birding, rocks, invasive species, survival skills, pollution, photography, nature technological equipment, etc. etc. 

Teaching experience helps but is not required. For more information, contact Beth Bernard.

For announcements of upcoming events, subscribe to the Goodwin Conservation Center Listserv
To subscribe to the Listserv:


Send an email to  listserv@list.ct.gov

In the email, leave the subject line blank and in the body of the message type:  

Subscribe DEP-Goodwin YourFirstName YourLastName

Goodwin Conservation Programs

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  • HOME
    • Visit >
      • Museums
      • Gardens >
        • Pollinate New England
      • Trails >
        • Goodwin Forest Trail Challenge >
          • Trail Challenge Award
        • Harvest
        • Hiking Tips and Hints
      • Children's Activities >
        • Children's Discovery Trail Fundraiser
    • About Us
    • Membership
    • Volunteer!
    • FGF Minutes
  • Goodwin Forest Trail Run
    • 10K Course
    • 30K Course
    • Directions
    • Race results archive
  • Events & Education
    • Current Programs
    • Native plant sale list
    • Backyard Naturalist
  • MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM
    • Master Naturalist Projects
    • Independent Study & Outreach
  • Exploring Nature