White Memorial Conservation Center facts for kids
The exterior of the White Memorial Conservation Center museum, Litchfield, Connecticut
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| Founded | 1964 |
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| Founder | White Memorial Foundation |
| Type | 501(c)(3) non-for profit organization |
| Focus | Environmental education, conservation, research, recreation |
| Location |
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Members
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1,700. |
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Key people
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Alain White, May White, Gordon Loery |
| Website | whitememorialcc.org |
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Formerly called
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Litchfield Nature Center and Museum |
The White Memorial Conservation Center is a special place in Litchfield, Connecticut. It's like a natural history museum and a nature center all in one! It helps people learn about nature and protects the environment.
The center is part of the White Memorial Foundation. It is located in a building called Whitehall. This used to be the home of Alain and May White, who started the foundation.
What You Can See and Do
The Museum
The museum is full of cool exhibits. You can learn about the history of the area and see different animals.
People and the Land
This part of the museum shows how people have lived in the area. You can learn about the Peantam group of the Potatuck tribe. They were the first people here. You'll also see how European-American farming changed the land. Finally, you'll learn about Alain and May White's important work.
Animal Homes
You can explore displays of animals that live in different places. These places are called habitats. They include fields, wetlands (like swamps), lakes, old forests, and even backyards. Many of these displays were made by James Perry Wilson. He was a famous artist who also designed exhibits for the American Museum of Natural History.
Fun for Kids
The Children's Corner is a great spot for younger visitors. It has books, games, and toys. These are all designed to teach you about nature. You can also try fun quizzes to test your knowledge of animals.
Live Animals
The museum has some live animals too! You can watch a working honeybee hive. There are also several live reptiles to see. A special area lets you watch birds at a birdfeeder. Outside, you might see Barred Owls and Red-tailed Hawks. These birds can't live in the wild, so the center cares for them.
Other Cool Stuff
Here are some other things you can find at the museum:
- A cross-section of a beaver lodge, showing how beavers build their homes.
- A big map of the White Memorial Foundation property.
- An explanation of how taxidermy works.
- Information about land that the White Memorial Foundation has given to the state of Connecticut.
- A special cave with glowing rocks.
- A gift shop where you can buy souvenirs.
The Carriage House
The Carriage House was built a long time ago, in the 1870s. It has been updated and now has a big room for events. It also has a kitchen and two dormitories. Groups can rent the Carriage House for their activities.
The Mott-Van Winkle Center
This center was built in 1984. It has two buildings used for teaching about the environment. It also hosts public events.
Helping Nature and Learning More
The White Memorial Conservation Center does a lot of important work. They study nature and help protect it.
Research and Protecting Nature
The center studies many things, like:
- Limnology: The study of lakes and ponds.
- Forestry: How forests grow and are managed.
- Ornithology: The study of birds.
- Ichthyology: The study of fish.
They work with other groups like Yale University and the University of Connecticut. They also do their own research.
Right now, they are working on projects like:
- Helping the New England cottontail rabbit.
- Controlling invasive species (plants or animals that don't belong).
- Counting breeding birds to see how they are doing.
You can read their Research and Conservation Blog to learn more. It tells you about their latest projects.
Learning About the Environment
The center offers many programs for kids and adults. These programs help everyone learn about nature.
Programs for Kids
- Schools can take field trips to the center.
- Experts from the center visit schools to give presentations.
- There are week-long summer programs for kids.
Programs for Adults
- Adults can join workshops and guided walks.
- They can also listen to guest speakers.
The topics are fun and hands-on. You might study pond life or learn how animals adapt. Guided walks often focus on specific animals or habitats. Some programs even take you to other places in Northwestern Connecticut. This helps you see how different ecosystems and landforms connect.
Sixth Grade Program
Since 1965, the center has had a special program for sixth graders. The education director visits schools in Litchfield, Warren, Morris, and Goshen. They teach students about geology, trees, and how diverse nature is.
The education program at White Memorial is well-known. Jeff Greenwood, the Education Director, was even named one of Litchfield County's Top 50 Influential People!
See also
- White Memorial Foundation
