Warm Up With the Winter Chickadee Quarterly

Welcome to winter! As the season changes, I’m excited to share that our Strategic Plan for November 2025–November 2028 has been finalized and approved. We’re looking ahead to new opportunities to grow our impact in the community and strengthen the values that guide our work:

Conservation - Protecting, restoring, and celebrating the natural environment through responsible care of the land, wildlife, and ecosystems entrusted to us.
Connection to Place - Nurturing a sense of place through welcoming experiences that help people of all backgrounds and abilities enjoy, learn from, and contribute to the natural world.
Lifelong Learning Through Experience - Engaging people of all ages in hands-on, experiential education that sparks curiosity and inspires action.
Excellence in Programs and Practices - Delivering high-quality, science-based environmental education, conservation practices, and animal care.
Respect for Wildlife – Treating all animals in our care with compassion, dignity, and professionalism, guided by best practices in rehabilitation and education.
Sustainability for Future Generations – Making decisions with future generations in mind, fostering an ethic of care, sustainability, and hope.

These values shape our goals for the next three years:

You’ll begin to see these goals come to life through new initiatives: more diverse adult programming, expanded volunteer opportunities, a stronger presence on social media, and behind the scenes, thoughtful investments in our facilities to support the incredible number of students and visitors we welcome each year. Watch for more updates on strategic plan initiatives in the months ahead.

Whether you’ve been part of the DPNC for years or are just discovering us, you play an essential role in our mission. Your visits, volunteer hours, donations, and enthusiasm help safeguard these extraordinary spaces, ensuring they remain vibrant, accessible, and welcoming.

As winter settles in, we hope to see you at a program, out on the trails, or enjoying the quiet beauty of the season. Thank you for being part of DPNC.

Window strikes are a common hazard for birds, and recently our Animal Care team helped a Cedar Waxwing recover from one. Read more about the rescue, watch a video of the release, and learn how you can make your windows bird-friendly.

Our Nature Preschool is growing! After moving to Coogan Farm and adding a second class, we’re now expanding to full-day enrollment starting Fall 2026. Learn how our full-day expansion gives children even more time to engage in hands-on, nature-based learning.

In 2025, the Craig Floyd Giving Garden produced over 9,000 pounds of produce, providing 7,594 meal equivalents and hands-on learning for preschool students. Read the full story for a complete run-down of what 2025 in the Giving Garden looked like, and check out the summary below:

DPNC’s new Trail Blazers volunteer crew has spent the season clearing paths, removing invasives, and making our most-loved trails easier for everyone to enjoy. See how these volunteers have made a difference on our trails this season.

No matter the weather, no matter the day, our animals, visitors, and community rely on the Nature Center. Giving Tuesday kicks off our winter appeal, and your support ensures that every creature is fed, every trail is cared for, and every family can experience the wonder of nature. Your contribution keeps our doors (and hearts) open. Click the button below to make your gift toward DPNC's winter appeal today.

CLICK HERE

Check out what DPNC has been up to lately! Click any of the photos below to see the post on Instagram.

DPNC, 109 Pequotsepos Road
Mystic, Connecticut 06355, United States