Learning About Connecticut’s Natural History

On April 10, St Rose School’s kindergartners visited the White Memorial Conservation Center, an environmental education center, nature museum, and wildlife sanctuary in Litchfield.

The center is part of the 4,000-acre White Memorial Foundation, which was established by Alain White and his sister, May, in 1913. Its exhibits focus on the interpretation of local natural history, conservation, and ecology.

The highlight of the day for the kindergartners was scooping out live insects from a pond on the property. A White Memorial guide identified the insects they had caught as snails, damselflies, beetles, dragonfly larvae, isopods, and worms.

The indoor museum had many animals indigenous to Connecticut on display. The children especially liked the live snake, wild turkeys. and beehive.

After lunch on the property, the children were able to watch a hawk being fed.