Norwalk Land Trust Sets Up Outdoor Classroom At Farm Creek

From NLT: For the 11th consecutive year, the Farm Creek Preserve in Rowayton has been converted to an outdoor classroom by the Norwalk Land Trust for fourth-grade students at Norwalk’s 12 public schools.

Guided tours focusing on the ecosystem of the tidal estuary are under way, introducing the youngsters to the fascinating world and biodiversity of the preserve, a wildlife sanctuary with a salt marsh and meadows rich with wildflowers and butterflies.

On the grounds experienced guides trained by the NLT give the students an opportunity to see white egrets, yellow crowned night herons, fiddler crabs, osprey and a number of species of turtles.

Buses carry the youngsters and their teachers to the preserve for morning outings between April and June. The total number of visits since 2009 is expected to reach 5,160 this year.

Tammis Lazarus, the NLT’s education coordinator, describes the field trips as “a fun and rewarding experience for the children and the guides.” “You may inspire the next Rachel Carson,” adds Lazarus.

Additional information is available from Lazarus at tammislaz@gmail.com.

The land trust is a 501c3 nonprofit that has preserved nearly 100 acres of open space on 26 plots across Norwalk.