Program areas at Flanders Nature Center AND Land Trust
Education: Flanders is a destination of choice for farm, art and nature activities, as well as next generation science standard aligned classes. In 2023, Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust provided year-round childrens science classes and educational workshops, including popular summer camps and academies. Over 600 children participated in summer and vacation programs. Thousands more participated in school day programs -either in-person field trips, Flanders at-your-school programs, or part of our new Live-Virtual programs. Flanders adult education and family offerings around the themes of art, farm, nature and conservation continued to grow.
Land Acquisition: Flanders continues to manage easement and fee holdings of 2,423 acres. Since 1973, through its land trust activities, Flanders works to retain the rural character, ecological integrity and quality of life in the greater Waterbury area.
Land Stewardship: Flanders serves as the steward of 50 plus open space properties, totaling 2,423 acres in Woodbury, Middlebury, Bethlehem, and Southbury. We are dedicated stewards of the land and manage each property to retain its ecological habitat and ensure that the open space is protected for future generations to enjoy. In its role as steward, Flanders manages and monitors the properties each year while preserving their natural beauty and caring for the eco-system as a whole. These open spaces provide the community with wonderful places for quiet contemplation and low impact recreation including a number of terrific hiking preserves. Flanders maintains the health of its open spaces and nature preserves, so that the woodlands, wetlands and trails remain open for everyone to appreciate and respect, use and enjoy.