5  A Private Tour of the Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy: The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of waterfowl and wetlands through research, education, and conservation action. The Conservancy maintains a diverse collection of live waterfowl from around the world with an active breeding program that provides birds to reintroduction programs and educational facilities. This private tour to this most extraordinary facility should not be missed. Tour: 10:00A.M. Meet in the Museum parking lot at 9:45AM. Members: $10.00 Non-members: $15.00. A portion of the proceeds goes to Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy.

11 - 17  Museum Children Free Week Courtesy of Tara and Arthur Diedrick. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.

12  Hike to Cat Swamp and Apple Hill with Dale Jones FM 97.3 WZBG and Gerri Griswold TheyÕre at it again! Springtime can only mean one thing…Gerri somehow manages to rope Dale into leading another hike! Explore the stunning vistas from the Apple Hill viewing platform and stalk the lively beaver activity around lesser known Cat Swamp. A treat awaits you at the end of the hike just for putting up with our nonsense! 10:00 A.M.. Meet in front of the A.B. Ceder Room…FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center's programming expenses.

18   Star Party This astronomy program is organized by members of the Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club and the Mattatuck Astronomical Society. The topic of this eveningÕs lecture is Binoculars, Telescopes, and Eyepieces. Weather permitting, there will be Star gazing after the program. 7:30 P.M., A.B. Ceder Room. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You are invited to bring your own telescope or binoculars. At this Star Party meeting on Friday, May 18, the Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club will dedicate a telescope donated to the club by Jules Lloyd of Southington in memory of his son, Aric.…FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation CenterÕs programming expenses.

19    A Musical Evening with Folk Artist Willie Nininger A mainstay of the Greenwich Village Folk Scene in the 70's and 80's, Willie has M.C'd and performed in the legendary Fast Folk Musical Revues, played clubs and concerts across the U.S., wrote and performed the title song for the Winter's Night compilation CD that inspired the still popular Winter's Night concert tours, wrote songs for the Captain Kangaroo show and kids TV specials, perennially won the Folk City Bob Dylan imitator's contests, developed a reputation as a great folk humorist and gained notoriety as a top flatpick guitarist with his solo acoustic bluegrass version of the William Tell Overture (you have to hear it to believe it).
   The New York Post calls him "an all-smiling down-right charming performer who gets more enjoyment out of doing his musical thing than anyone else in recent memory". The Boston Herald said of Willie, "Nininger was hilarious in and between songs, displaying a sly and daffy wit".
   7:00 P.M., A.B. Ceder Room, Members: $10.00 Non members: $15.00 BYOB, Refreshments will be available for purchase. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

20   Fly Casting with Dr. Frank Schildgen from Trout Unlimited Dr. FrankÕs passion for this graceful sport runs as deep as a river. Learn about fly fishing from one of the best. No experience or equipment is required. Get hooked! 1:00 P.M. on the lawn in front of the A.B. Ceder Room. For more information please call Frank Schildgen at 860-489-5622. Free admission.

25 - 31   Museum Children Free Week Honoring Helen Ryan Donnelly. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.

26    Tree Foliage Identification Walk with Lukas Hyder White Memorial Foundation Forest Superintendent Lukas Hyder points out the finer details of tree identification through foliage. Dress for the weather! 10:00 A.M., Meet in the Museum parking lot!…FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center's programming expenses.

28   Memorial Day
MUSEUM CLOSED

2  Exploring Ongley Pond with Marlow Shami: In springtime Ongley Pond is simply teeming with an abundance of plants and animals. Marlow will arm you with a net and help you to identify your finds. 2:00 P.M…FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center's programming expenses.

8 - 14  Museum Children Free Week In Memory of Louise W. Willson. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.

9  Circumnavigating Five Ponds with James Fischer and Gerri Griswold Spend a few hours in the company of your nature loving colleagues as Jamie and Gerri lead you around each of the Five Ponds. Will Teal Pond reveal her cache of Lady Slippers? Will the beavers be at it on Fawn Pond? Will the herons be out on Heron Pond? Will lily pads smother the surface of Plunge Pool? How many dragon flies will you see at Beaver Pond? The Mountain Laurel should be in full bloom. Pack a lunch! Gerri will provide dessert! 10:00A.M. Š 1:00P.M. Meet in the Museum parking lot…FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center's programming expenses.

10  Litchfield Hills Road Race
MUSEUM CLOSED

15   Star Party This astronomy program is organized by members of the Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club and the Mattatuck Astronomical Society. Weather permitting, there will be Star gazing after the program. 8:00 P.M., A.B. Ceder Room. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You are invited to bring your own telescope or binoculars…FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center's programming expenses.

16  Dog Day! A Hike with ManÕs Best Friend! Gather up Fido and make your way to White Memorial for our first ever dog walk! Stroll along the Pine Island Trail, pass through the chestnut grove, hook around the back of Ongley Pond to the Lake Trail and work your way towards Windmill Hill. All dogs must be on a leash. Upon completion of the walk you and Bowser will be rewarded with a treat! Gerri Griswold leads the way! 2:00 P.M.. Meet in the Museum parking lot. Please register by calling 860-567-0857. FREEÉ Donations will be accepted to help defray …FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center's programming expenses.

17  Fly Casting with Dr. Frank Schildgen from Trout Unlimited Dr. FrankÕs passion for this graceful sport runs as deep as a river. Learn about fly fishing from one of the best. No experience or equipment is required. Get hooked! 1:00 P.M. on the lawn in front of the A.B. Ceder Room. For more information please call Frank Schildgen at 860-283-8001. Free admission.

23  A Celebration of Bats 2012 is The Year of the Bat! Help Gerri Griswold celebrate the year and her 20 years of bat education and rehabilitation! A lecture featuring Bugsy, a Big Brown Bat, will begin the eveningÕs festivities then head off to the Activity Shed for a special concert provided by The Woulds! The Woulds (Alice-Anne Harwood and Robert Messore) know something about celebrations! Words cannot begin to describe the contagious joy these two artists bring to their blend of folk/contemporary music. They are simply delicious!!!!! (as will be the charming bat cupcakes served during their concert!) Pack a picnic or BYOB! The event is on rain or shine. Come out and show your support for bats! Lecture: 6:00 P.M., Concert: 7:00P.M. Please call 860-567-0857 to register.…FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center's programming expenses.

29 - July 5  Museum Children Free Week In Memory of Louise W. Willson. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.

23  The Springfield Tornado: One Year After Talcott Mountain Science Academy Meteorologist (and WMCC favorite) Tom Alena whirls into the A.B. Ceder Room with a fascinating program about the June 1, 2011 tornado which pummeled Springfield, Massachusetts. In his one hour presentation, Alena will present photographs and experiences as told in his book, The Springfield Massachusetts Tornado: Observations Along the Damage Path. He will also detail the meteorological conditions that led up to the storm. On Saturday morning weÕll take a road trip to Springfield and in a two hour interpretive walk with Tom Alena, visit many of the scenes photographed in his book one year after this major weather event. Friday June 29: 6:00 P.M. A.B. Ceder Room Saturday June 30: 9:00 A.M. Meet in the Museum parking lot and carpool to the Springfield College parking lot where our walking tour will begin around 10:30 A.M. Call 860-567-0857 to register. …FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center's programming expenses.

4  Independence Day
MUSEUM CLOSED

6  Red, White, and BLUES!!!!! Jimmy Griswold in Concert!: 7:00P.M. in the Activity Shed. Suggested donation: $10.00. Call in early May for more details.