Whether walking Hill-Stead’s trails, where a wild turkey is likely to cross your path, or spending a morning among friends edging flower beds, you will find here respite from the workaday world. Participate in a variety of activities all year long—maintain the garden, take a guided tour of the estate, join naturalists on bird and tree walks, or amble the trails and meadows on your own.

Get an idea of the rich variety of life at Hill-Stead – view estate naturalist Diane Tucker's list of birds, reptiles, insects and more Seen on Hill-Stead's Trails lately!

Check out Hill-Stead's NATURE BLOG! Read Estate Naturalist Diane Tucker's marvelous musings on Nature at Hill-Stead to see what's happening on the trails and elsewhere on the lush 152-acre ecosystem. Visit hillsteadblog.wordpress.com, and send in your comments! We'd love to hear what you're seeing on the trails, at the pond, in the meadow or in the garden at Hill-Stead, or what you think about Diane's observations. If you haven't been here for a while, it's a great way to catch up on all the nature happenings before coming out to explore – by yourself, with your dog or with the whole family!

Outdoor Adventures, 2012

Nature Walks & Hikes at Hill-Stead Museum
From insects to plants, pond to forest, there is a walk or hike here for everyone. Join Diane Tucker, Hill-Stead's estate naturalist, for an outdoor experience that will take you from one end to the other of Hill-Stead's 152 acres.

HILL-STEAD FAMILY OUTING CLUB
Become a charter member of this select group that enjoys private nature walks with our Estate Naturalist Diane Tucker. Members can join any six of our exciting regularly-scheduled nature walks every year, and will have additional members-only walks and activities. You'll get special emails to tell you about cool things found throughout the year at Hill-Stead. If another moose shows up on the property this year, you'll be the first to know! The Family Outing Club is open to everyone. Memberships cost $35 for museum members and $55 for members-to-be, for up to four people. To join, please call ext 142.

WALK RATINGS: Each walk has been rated easy, moderate or difficult for participants' convenience.

All programs are open to adults and families. Participants are encouraged to to wear sturdy shoes, and to use insect repellent to protect against ticks and insect bites. Unless otherwise noted, nature walks in 2012 are $5 members, $8 members-to-be and require pre-registration by calling 860.677.4787 ext 142.

Walk Ratings
Easy: Walks & hikes are mainly on flat surfaces such as pavement and grassy areas

Moderate: Walks & hikes are mainly on the museum's trails, which include dirt and grassy areas with some hills

Difficult: Hikes are on the museum's trails, which include dirt, rocky and sometimes muddy terrain and some steep hills

January 2012

Winter Nature Walk
January 14, Saturday, 1 pm
Participants of all ages will enjoy this easy-to-moderate mid-winter romp with estate naturalist Diane Tucker on Hill-Stead's grounds, followed by a warm, inviting mug of cider and a seasonal story in the cozy Makeshift Theater. Look for signs of approaching spring during the walk, which will include tracking and winter survival tips. Bring snow shoes if there is snow. No pre-registration necessary; please call ahead if weather looks inclement. $5 members, $8 members-to-be.

Owl Prowl Nature Walk
January 21, Saturday, 7:30 pm
Estate naturalist Diane Tucker will start participants in the Makeshift Theater with hands-on learning about owls and what goes on at night in the wild. Then adventurers will go out for an easy-moderate walk, to see if they can call in an owl, or raise up any other night creatures. Diane will bring her telescope for exciting looks at the night sky. No pre-registration necessary; please call ahead if weather looks inclement. $5 members, $8 members-to-be.

February 2012

A Walk on the Wild Side: The Woodland Trail in Winter
February 25, Saturday, 1 pm
Don't just sit indoors waiting for spring! Step outside with estate naturalist Diane Tucker and look for all the signs of spring around us. Explore Hill-Stead's less-used trail system on this moderate-to-difficult walk, and discover where the museum's property meets up with the Metacomet Trail System. Be prepared for snow, mud and wet conditions. Pre-registration required: call Marcie Jackson at 860.677.4787 ext 142. Admission: $5 for members; $8 for members-to-be.

March 2012

Nature Walk: Farming, Stone Walls & Lichen
March 10, Saturday, 1:30 pm
Farmington was truly a "farming town," with the stone walls to prove it. Theodate Pope added to the stone walls on Hill-Stead's property, and many are covered with lichen. Neither plant nor fungus, lichens' psychedelic color can be seen exploding from wall surfaces, trees and nearly everywhere in the late winter atmosphere. Learn about the history of Farmington and its farming as well as the miraculous lichen. This walk is a nature walk lichen no other you've experienced! All ages welcome. $5 members, $8 members-to-be. Preregistration required: 860.677.4787 ext 142.

Nature Walk/Talk: Wildlife Dilemmas
March 18, Sunday, 2 pm
A walk and talk concerning what to do about common wildlife nuisance problems like birds pecking your house or windows, skunks under the porch and deer munching on your garden. Bring questions and waterproof shoes. $5 members, $8 members-to-be. Preregistration required: 860.677.4787 ext 142.

April 2012

Celebration of Early Spring
April 7, Saturday, 7 pm
The spring peepers and wood frogs should be screaming in the pond, and tree swallows swooping overhead. You might hear the call of the endangered American Woodcock on this early evening spring walk, a breathtaking time at Hill-Stead. Pre-registration required: please call 860.677.4787 ext 142. $5 members, $8 members-to-be.

April Vacation Mini-Nature Adventure
April 18, Wednesday, 10 am–12 pm
Children K-5 — it's time to get your frolicking boots on and join estate naturalist Diane Tucker for a morning of nature exploration and fun! Find returning spring birds, amphibians, and all kinds of interesting life teeming under the Bug Boards. Kids should wear waterproof footwear and dress for inclement weather. There's fun to be had rain or shine! Pre-registration required: call Marcie Jackson at 860.677.4787 ext 142. Admission: $15 per child for members; $20 per child for members-to-be.

Wake up the Garden
April 27 & 28, Friday & Saturday, 9 am—1 pm
Help prepare Hill-Stead’s historic Sunken Garden for the growing season. Clean up beds, weed and divide plants. Please bring tools and work gloves. Light lunch provided. To volunteer, contact Becky Trutter at 860.677.4787 ext 132 or trutterb@hillstead.org.

Pond Pandemonium!
April 29, Sunday, 10 am
Grab your net and get ready to catch frogs and bugs, turn over stones and find wonderful things down by the water with estate naturalist Diane Tucker. Pre-registration required: call Marcie Jackson at 860.677.4787 ext 142. Admission: $5 for members; $8 for members-to-be.

PERENNIAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Garden Gang Days. Mid- May– Early October Wednesdays.
9 am – 12 pm.
Continue a tradition of volunteerism that has sustained Hill-Stead’s Sunken Garden since the 1980s, when local garden clubs restored this one-acre oasis. Learn skills and meet new friends. Contact Becky Trutter at 860.677.4787 ext 132 or trutterb@hillstead.org.

Maintain Trails & Grounds. April – November.
Individualized schedule. Learn or apply skills—prune, elevate limbs, identify and clear invasive growth. Contact Dave Perbeck at 860.677.4787 ext 170 or perbeckd@hillstead.org.