Summer beach visitors, campers, Nature Center visitors, daily walkers, photographers, painters, bird watchers, cyclists, runners, fishermen... Hammonasset is a beautiful place for all of these people. But, you probably already knew that.
Did you know that Friends of Hammonasset is active all year round? Our events provide something for everyone and reflect our commitment "to provide environmental education, preserve the integrity of the park’s natural resources, and serve as an advocate for the park". In keeping with that commitment, we support Meigs Point Nature Center in many ways - 12 months a year! Ranger Russ, as a seasonal employee of the DEEP, is supported by FoH in the "off months" to keep the continutity of programs. He offers outreach programs to school and civic groups every month of the year - often times travelling all over the state with the Meigs Mobile and Trailer - equipped with touch tanks and other exhibits. The Nature Center itself is also open all months - staffed by volunteer docents when Ranger Russ is on the road. All of this was made possible by grants obtained by, and funds raised by, Friends of Hammonasset.
More exciting news about the Nature Center:
"Six years have passed since FOH raised the funds to winterize the existing Nature Center, but we have out-grown it to the point that school groups sometimes have to wait outside or on their buses for their turn to visit. Winterization has allowed the MPNC to be open all year versus the 2 months that it had been open each year for decades. That was the first step. Now, the DEEP legal department has signed off on the latest plans for the new MPNC, and NE Collaborative Architects are drawing up the schematics to include a feasibility study for geother- mal energy. The test borings will be completed soon. The new MPNC building will serve as showcase for building “Green” and allow visitors to see just what is available today, possibly utilizing solar, wind and geo- thermal construction. The new building will offer over 4000 square feet of space for expansion of programs, ex- hibits, workshops and classes. It is our greatest hope that we can realize the completion of the project in time for the centennial celebration of our state park system in 2013-14." (by Marcy Klattenberg, VP FoH, Fall 2012 Newsletter)
The Friends of Hammonasset is starting of the New year with a full calendar of events. Come join us!
We are starting off on New Year's Day hosting a Geology/Native American Land Use Hike as part of the National First Day Hike Initiative ( http://www.americasstateparks.org/first-day-hikes ). The geology of the Park and associated Native American history is the focus. Who the Hammonassetts were and what happened to them will be included in the program.
The first Sunday of the month (Jan 6), Ranger Russ is coordinating a "round-up" of invasive plants and creating a bird habitat at the Park rotary. BYO: loppers or pruning saws, clippers and gloves. Reception to follow with hot coffee, cider, chili, chowder for volunteers, and light music at the Nature Center.
The following Sunday (Jan 13), Ranger Russ is leading a Seal Watch walk.
On Sunday the 27th, join us for a Workshop on Afocal digiscoping. In this workshop you participants will learn how to combine the use of a simple point-and-shoot digital camera with a telescope/spotting scope for wildlife photography.
We can't wait to see you!
PS Check out our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Hammonasset/
Follow us on Twitter: @FoHammonasset
Visit or Website: Hammonasset.org
