Winter Walk, Family Fun Activities Planned For Saturday

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Daniel C. Esty will be at the Connecticut Forest and Park Association at 16 Meriden Road in Rockfall, CT on Saturday, Jan. 7 beginning at 10:00 a.m. for Winter Trails Day. Rockfall is a village in nearby Middlefield, CT.

Esty will take a winter hike with Eric Hammerling, Executive Director of CFPA.  The public is invited to join Esty, CFPA and sports retailer REI for these events. There will be an opportunity to discuss energy and environmental issues of interest.

The CFPA website lists these activities:

Clinics - Learn about snowshoes, xc-skiis, and how to dress for an outdoor winter adventure.
Snowshoe - 10:30am, 10:45am, and 11am
Layering - 1pm, 1:15pm, and 1:30pm
XC Skiing - 10:35am, 11:30am, 1pm, and 2pm

Hikes - Short (30 - 45 minute) CFPA guided hikes in the forest behind the CFPA office. Join us as we explore the forest - on snowshoes if the weather cooperates!  A limited number of snowshoes for both adults and children will be available free of charge.  Get here early as the snowshoes are available on a first come basis. We'll still guide hikes without snow, so wear sturdy boots. For families with young children (10 and under) please see the following Family Ramble.

Hike start times - 10:15am, 11:15am, 1:15pm, and 2:15pm

Family Ramble - Join Family Guide Lucy Meigs for this family oriented walk in the Highlawn Forest. We will explore the winter woods, look for signs of animals, and play some outdoor games. If there's snow, we'll be snowshoeing!  Get here early if you need snowshoes so that we start on time!

Ramble start times:  11:15am and 1:15pm

Ranger Rick GeoCache Trail (GPS required) - A self-guided hike with clues given out at the Family Fun Corner. CFPA has a limited number of hand-held GPS units available; bring your own if you have one.  This activity is available all day.

Stories by the fire - Gather around the fire in CFPA's outdoor education area with Lynn Kochiss, a local educator of the year, as she reads a variety of children's nature story books.  A great activity for families!

Story Times - 10:45am, 11:45am, and 1:45pm

Family Fun Corner - Available all day, the Family Fun Corner is a mix of hands-on activities (counting tree rings, tree identification, sorting table of natural materials, and creating a wildlife track guide). Self-guided scavenger hunts will also be available for families to use on their own (scav hunts available are: animal home hikes, snow, rain, wildlife, etc.)

“CFPA is a tremendous partner of DEEP’s in working to protect Connecticut’s natural resources and encouraging people to enjoy the outdoors. Through the work of CFPA, the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System, covering 825 miles of trails, is maintained by dedicated volunteers who ensure that the trails remain open and are safe getaways for all of us to enjoy," Esty said.

Visit http://www.ctwoodlands.org/WinterTrailsDay2012 for more information.