What a great winter we have been having! I hope everyone has been able to take a minute to breathe in the cold air and enjoy the snow. At DPNC, we’ve been following animal tracks across fresh powdery snow, exploring frozen ponds, admiring sparkling vistas, greeting friends out cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and listening to the laughter of children sledding down the hills.

 

And if winter isn’t your favorite season, don’t worry—spring is right around the corner. At the Nature Center, the official arrival of spring is marked by the “quacking” of wood frogs behind the bird of prey enclosures. Soon after, we’ll be searching for spotted salamanders, watching for migrating birds, and welcoming our spring ephemerals. Trout lily is my personal favorite!

 

Every season at the Nature Center brings new adventures and finds. This spring I’m especially excited for Mr. Bill’s Woodland Ramble! With help from our friends at Kelley’s Pace, we are adding a trail run, and with native plant expert Jim Natale we'll have a native plant walk, so whether you are a runner, rambler, or plant lover, there’s something for everyone!

 

We continue to move forward with implementing our strategic plan, and while many things are happening behind the scenes, be on the look for new habitat restoration projects at Coogan Farm, opportunities for learning in the Giving Garden, and increased volunteer opportunities.

 

Thank you for being part of DPNC!

At DPNC, wildlife care is busy, hands-on work that happens every day of the year. A recent renovation of the animal care room has transformed a long-used space into one designed for the realities of modern rehabilitation, improving workflow and organization. Click here to take a closer look at the updated space and the work it supports.

In DPNC’s office, a drawer filled with construction paper cards has quietly grown into a record of discovery. Crayon drawings and careful notes capture the moments students remember most, from finding the courage to pet a snake to exploring the Giving Garden. Together, they offer a glimpse of how time outdoors shapes lasting connections to nature. Read the full article to take a closer look at what students carry with them after a day at DPNC.

The Giving Garden has a tradition of planting celery (plus parsley and lemongrass this year!) on Valentine's Day. This year, we invited people from the community to join us in starting the growing season. Click here to check out the planting party and learn about the Giving Garden's start to the 2026 season.

In winter, DPNC’s pond can look still, but beneath the ice, frogs, turtles, fish, and insects continue in a state of cold-weather slowdown. Tracks across the frozen surface hint at how actively this habitat is used, even when the temperature is down to the single digits. Read the full article to learn what is happening above and below the ice this season.

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