The Friends of Sherwood Island State Park

Meet the Turtles
2024-08-04 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Nature Center
Meet the Turtles with CT certified wildlife rehabilitator Jayne Sabovik.
Indoors at the Nature Center – rain or shine!

Coyotes in Connecticut
2024-08-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Nature Center
Coyotes in Connecticut with Paul Colburn, DEEP Master Wildlife Conservationist

Field Birds
2024-08-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Nature Center
Come visit the Nature Center at Sherwood Island in Westport CT on August 1st 1:00 PM, to enjoy our exhibits and listen about – Field Birds in Connecticut provided by our 2024 summer intern Skyler Albon

Forest Predators and Prey
2024-07-31 13:00 - 14:00
Come visit the Nature Center at Sherwood Island in Westport CT on July 31st 1:00 PM, to enjoy our exhibits and listen about Forest Predators and Prey in Connecticut provided by our 2024 summer intern Lauren Beneventano.

Monarch Butterfly Presentation
2024-07-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Nature Center
The Sherwood Island Nature Center is looking forward to hosting Ms. Cia Marion, a Westport CT. resident and avid Monarch Butterfly “nurturer”, who has several nesting stations around her backyard.
She will speak about the lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly, using slides and – if their developmental timing is right- some actual eggs, larvae, chrysalis and adults she has watched grow this summer

Field Reptiles in Connecticut
2024-07-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Nature Center

Birds of Prey
2024-07-14 14:00 - 14:30 | Nature Center
See some amazing birds of prey presented by the Earthplace staff on the porch of the Nature Center.

Purple Martin Bird Banding
2024-06-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Nature Center

Marsh to Mill Pond Hike - CT Trails Day
2024-06-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Nature Center
Explore the northernmost edges of the Park. Meet at the Nature Center for a walk to explore the marshy shoreline of the park, led by a former CT Audubon Society Environmental Educator. We’ll pause to listen for Marsh Wren and Clapper/Virginia Rail with Merlin bird sound ID app. Diamondback Terrapin may be seen sunning along the banks. We’ll pass within binocular view of the Bald Eagle nest. This brushy area of the park is home to Bobcat, Coyote and Red Fox, though we are unlikely to spot them in mid-day. Pace will be exploratory. There are paths most of the way, but be prepared for brush and possible mud along the salt marsh. Dress in long pants, long-sleeved shirt and hat to keep away bugs. If using spray, please apply away from others. Thanks!
Pre-registration is APPRECIATED. Questions and/or participant registration, contact the leader, michelemsorensen@gmail.com

Kayak Paddle - CT Trails Day
2024-06-02 08:00 - 11:00 | East Beach
See Sherwood Island from the water! Join us for an early morning paddle with Michele, a retired Coastal Kayak Instructor with twenty years teaching experience. Bring your own kayak, canoe, or other paddlecraft, as well as a pump/bailer. A life vest and whistle/horn are required by CT state boating regulations. Your life vest must be worn for this event. We recommend a waterproof VHF radio or cell phone. It’s a long carry over the beach, so bring a kayak cart (with wide wheels for sand) if you have one. We will help each other.
The event begins promptly at 8:15 am (high tide is at 8:29 am) and ends at 11:00 am, so plan to arrive as soon as the Park opens at 8 am.

Meet at the furthest east end of the parking lot near the Nature Center, on the beach side.

We’ll paddle into the salt marsh behind the park while the tide is rising/slack. Then we’ll paddle the length of the Sherwood Island shoreline, west to the entrance of Mill Pond, and return to our launch point on the open beach. Your guide will point out turtle hatchlings, crabs and birds along the way. Optional: Bring waterproof binoculars for spotting birds, and/or a waterproof camera. Pre-registration is APPRECIATED. Contact michelemsorensen@gmail with questions. Please REGISTER: https://trailsday.org/events/kayak-paddle/

Beach to Beach Walk - CT Trails Day
2024-06-01 14:00 - 15:30 | Nature Center
Discover Sherwood Island! Go beach to beach on a Fun Walk along Long island Sound- discover habitats, inhabitants, birding locations, viewing platforms, a purple martin enclave, and other special features of this waterfront Gateway park. Other park points of interest include Connecticut’s 9/11 Memorial, model aircraft Airport, Trail heads, wetlands, and a pine forest. Comfortable shoes, Hats & or Sun Protection recommended.
Pre-registration is APPRECIATED. Questions and/or participant Registration, contact the leader, Louis Pietig at ldpiet@aol.com
Register here: https://trailsday.org/events/beach-to-beach-walk/

Archaeological Walk Through History - CT Trails Day
2024-06-01 12:30 - 14:00 | Nature Center
Join us for an Archaeology Walk on the Sherwood Island History Trail. The walk will be led by Archaeologists Dawn Brown and Ernie Wiegand. The walk will include points of interest, terrain, and examining the traces of past inhabitants of Sherwood Island, from 1000 B.C. to the 1940s. The leader will share findings from recent excavations, including Native American, early settlers, and onion farmers.
Along the trail, various sites will be described and examined, and various artifacts, maps, old photos, and recent recoveries will be used to bring the island’s past inhabitants to life.Pre-registration is APPRECIATED
Questions and/or participant Registration, contact:  Louis Pietig 203-858-6215

Event Leader(s)

Ernie Weigand & Dawn Brown
Rain cancels

What's Crawling Up the Beach?
2024-05-26 13:00 - 14:30 | Nature Center
Walk the East Beach with our Environmental Educators looking for state-protected horseshoe crabs and diamondback terrapins (turtles) that come ashore in May and June to lay eggs in the sand. Wear water shoes and knee-length pants.
Bring your cameras. Suitable for the whole family. Free.
Meet at the Nature Center.

Early Bird Earth Days - dune restoration
2024-04-13 10:00 - 2024-04-14 14:00 | East Beach
Join us Saturday or Sunday, April 13 & 14 from 10 am to 2 pm to plant our next 100 foot+ section of beach grass in the East dunes.
UConn Master Gardeners will be on hand to guide your plantings, and answer questions about native coastal habitat.
We’ll also have buckets so you and your family can do a beach trash pick up to add to our “collection,” which you can help us sort to figure out the bad actors (cigarette filters, straw wrappers, bottle caps?).
Friends of Sherwood Island Board President, Michele Sorensen, will be on hand both days, along with Board members Magnus Larsson, Erica Caldwell and Margaret Farley, to talk about the Friends’ work and events at the Park. Our Board is looking for a new Treasurer, a Youth Representative and a Membership Liaison for the June 2024-May 2025 term.
We are always excited to add members to our standing committees: Friends’ Garden Team, Marketing & Communications, Shorefest fundraiser, Nature Center and Advocacy.

Nature Photography Walk
2024-03-10 10:00 - 12:00
Two professional and two hobbyist photographers will give tips on how to get unique nature close-ups, portraits in nature and landscapes on a walk along the West Beach. Join Alison Wachstein, Patricia McMahon, David Anastasia and Friends’ President Michele Sorensen for this fun, informal, free event using your own cellphone cameras.
Meet at the Main Pavilion by the large mosaic on the East side.
Handicapped accessible for those who can walk or ride on firm surfaces.
Dogs on short leashes (7′) are welcome.

Nature's Winter Lovers - Walk
2024-02-11 11:00 - 13:00 | Main Pavilion
Join Park Ranger Melanie and Master Wildlife Conservationist Ginny on a walk along the shores and into the woods to find dens and nests of mammals and birds that start families in the month of February!

First Day Hike: Shore and More!
2024-01-01 11:00 - 12:30 | Main Pavilion
The Friends of Sherwood Island State Park invite people of all ages to a First Day Hike and Nature Walk on Monday, January 1, starting at 11 am. Meet at the Main Pavilion in front of the mosaic by local artist Claudia Schattman, located on the east side.
Our pace will be moderate to keep warm. We encourage you to bring binoculars to spot loons and winter ducks as we walk the entire length of the beach, about 45-60 minutes. For those who want a longer walk, we’ll then head into the woods along the history trail. Bitter cold, high winds or rain will cancel. Contact Hike Leader Michele at 203-247-1390 or on email at michelemsorensen@gmail.com with questions.

SHOREFEST 2023 - Thank you to all our attendees, donors, and volunteers who made this a terrific event (donor list).
2023-09-09 08:00 - 2023-10-31 17:00
We would like to thank the following who donated items to our Silent Auction and made it such a success. Please visit these businesses and thank them for their support of the Friends of Sherwood Island State Park.
Asami Green
Aspetuck Brew Lab
Austin Rolf
Bartaco
Bowlero Norwalk
Copps Island Oysters
DeTapas
Don Carmelo’s Mexican Grill
Double L Market
Eileen Fisher Westport
Fine Wine Company of Westport
Fisherman’s World Norwalk
FLB Law
Fresh Market Westport
Gilbertie’s
Gruel Britannia
Hair – In Fairfield
Hudson Malone
Izzo & Son Country Gardens
Jim Beschle
Johnny Was Westport
Liquor Center
Lomito Peruvian Food
Longshore Sailing Schools
Lux Bond & Green
Miggs Burroughs
The Naan
Ninety 9 Bottles
Nomade
Norwalk Pizza and Pasta
Oliver Nurseries
Posh Paws
Posh Spas
Prospect Gardens
Rizzuto’s Oyster Bar
Romanacci
Salt Cave of Darien
Saugatuck Fishing Guides & Captain Blake Smith
Saugatuck Sweets
Tengda Asian Bistro Westport
Trader Joe’s Westport
The Toy Post Westport
Tutti’s
Valencia Luncheria
Westport Country Playhouse
Westport Farmer’s Market

Shorefest 2023
2023-09-08 18:00 - 21:00 | Main Pavilion
SUPPORT THE FRIENDS, SUPPORT THE PARK!
SHOREFEST 2023

SEPTEMBER 8 6-9 PM
THE PAVILION AT SHERWOOD ISLAND STATE PARK
ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
WITH DINNER & SILENT AUCTION
Ticket sales have ended, but please take a moment to visit our Donate page and learn about the different programs you can support!!

Birds of Prey
2023-07-23 14:00 - 15:30
At the Nature Center. In partnership with Earthplace.

Purple Martin Bird Banding
2023-07-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Nature Center
At the Nature Center

Horseshoe Crab Talk & Walk
2023-06-18 11:00 - 12:30 | Nature Center
At the Nature Center.

2023 Annual Meeting
2023-06-11 16:00 - 18:00 | Main Pavilion
The Friends of Sherwood Island State Park will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 11 from 4:00-6:00 PM at the Main Pavilion. All are welcome. Entrance to the Park is free for CT license plate vehicles.
The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for all Members and prospective Members to gather, make new friends, meet our Board, learn more about our non-profit organization, and discuss our plans to support the park. You’ll meet the Park’s new Supervisor, Jeff Dery, and some of his staff. We’ll introduce our 2023 Nature Center Summer Interns.
Official Slate for 2023-2024 Board of Directors
The following slate of Officers and Directors was recommended by the Nominating Committee and approved by the current Board. It will be presented for a vote by registered/dues-paid members at the Annual Meeting.
OFFICERS
President – Michele Sorensen
Vice President – Jamie Van Acker
Treasurer – Cathy Walsh Secretary – Magnus Larsson
DIRECTORS
Luise Bianco, Gene Borio, Toni Boucher, Erica Caldwell, Margaret Farley – New, Al Gratrix – New, Justin Juliano – Youth Representative, Karen Kleine – New, Liz-Ann Koos, Matt Raimondi, and Matt Sportini
The following current Directors will not be continuing for the 2023-2024 term. We thank them for their hard work and contributions.
Dr. Tom Failla, Craig Patton, and Darcy Sledge

Archaeology Walk - CT Trails Day Weekend
2023-06-04 13:00 - 14:30 | Nature Center
Join us for an Archaeology Walk on the Sherwood Island History Trail. The walk will be led by Archaeologists Dawn Brown and Ernie Wiegand. The walk will include points of interest, terrain, and examining the traces of past inhabitants of Sherwood Island, from 1000 B.C. to the 1940s. The leader will share findings from recent excavations, including Native American, early settlers, and onion farmers.
Along the trail, various sites will be described and examined, and various artifacts, maps, old photos, and recent recoveries will be used to bring the island’s past inhabitants to life.
Leaders: Archaeologists Dawn Brown and Ernie Wiegand
Total Distance: 1.5 miles
Meeting Place: Meet at the Sherwood Island State Park Nature Center. Ask at the Park gate, turn left at East Beach, parking lot is adjacent to the Nature Center.
Rain Plan & Registration Details: Rain cancels.
Pre-registration is APPRECIATED.
Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Cece Saunders, cece@historicalperspectives.org, 203-858-6215

Horseshoe Crab Walk
2023-06-04 11:00 - 12:00 | Nature Center
Kyra Lerner, a volunteer with Sacred Heart University’s Project Limulus and a former Sherwood Island Nature Center Intern, will lead a talk and walk about Horseshoe Crabs on Sunday, June 4 at 11 am. The event meets & departs from the Nature Center porch. Be prepared to wade in shallow water along the shore. After learning about the crabs’ distinctive biology, life cycle, medical uses, and conservation needs, we’ll walk to the beach to find and tag adult females coming ashore to lay eggs.
FREE. No registration is needed.

Nature Walk - CT Trails Day Weekend
2023-06-03 14:00 - 15:30 | Nature Center
Discover Sherwood Island! Go beach to beach and discover habitats, inhabitants, and special features (9/11 Memorial, Model Airport, wetlands, pine forest) of this waterfront Gateway park.
Go beach to beach on a Fun Walk along Long Island Sound- discover habitats, inhabitants, birding locations, viewing platforms, a purple martin enclave, and other special features of this waterfront Gateway park. Other points of park interest include Connecticut’s 9/11 Memorial, model aircraft Airport, Trailheads, wetlands, and a pine forest.
Leader(s): Louis Pietig
Total Distance: 2.5 miles
Meeting Place: Meet at the Sherwood Island State Park Nature Center. Ask at the Park gate, turn left at East Beach, parking lot is adjacent to the Nature Center.
Rain Plan & Registration Details: Rain or shine.
Pre-registration is APPRECIATED.
Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Louis Pietig, cttopsail@aol.com, 203-858-6215

Butterfly Walk - CT Trails Day Weekend
2023-06-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Nature Center
Join butterfly hobbyist Michele Sorensen to explore the gardens and natural areas around the Park’s Nature Center in search of caterpillars, skippers, moths and butterflies. We may see Mourning Cloak, Pearl Crescent, Question Mark, Monarch, Cabbage White, Orange or Clouded Sulphurs, tiny Gray Hairstreaks & Blues, and Black or Tiger Swallowtails. Likely Skippers are Peck’s and Silver-spotted. Last year Common Buckeyes were everywhere, as were Monarchs. It will be fun to see which ones predominate this season. Michele is part of the Friends of Sherwood Island Garden Team, which has planted dozens of perennials and shrubs in the park to attract butterflies. She will point out plants that are good host plants for your garden.
Bring binoculars and a camera or smartphone. You’ll learn how to report your findings on iNaturalist so scientists anywhere can see how these insects are doing. Children are welcome. We recommend age 4 and up, as butterflies are small, and don’t stay still, so they can be difficult for younger ones to spot.
Leader: Michele Sorensen
Total Distance: 1 mile
Meeting Place: Meet at the Sherwood Island State Park Nature Center. Ask at the Park gate, turn left at East Beach, parking lot is adjacent to the Nature Center.
Rain Plan & Registration: Rain cancels. Pre-registration is APPRECIATED.
Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Michele Sorensen, michelemsorensen@gmail.com, 203-247-1390

Kayak Paddle - CT Trails Day Weekend
2023-06-03 09:30 - 13:30 | East Beach
See Sherwood Island from the water! Join us for an afternoon paddle, as we explore the shoreline of the park. Bring your own kayak, canoe, or other paddlecraft, as well as a pump/bailer. A life vest and whistle/horn are required by CT state boating regulations. Your life vest must be worn for this event. We recommend a waterproof VHF radio or cell phone. It’s a long carry over the beach, so bring a kayak cart (with wide wheels for sand) if you have one. We will help each other.
The event begins promptly at 9:30 AM (high tide is at 11:27 AM) and ends at 1:30 PM, so plan to arrive by 9:15 AM. We’ll do a safety check & demonstration on the beach for life vest fit, seaworthy vessel, and emergency gear. We’ll paddle into the salt marsh behind the park while the tide is rising. Then we’ll paddle the length of the Sherwood Island shoreline, west to the entrance of Mill Pond, and return to our launch point on the open beach. Your guide will point out birds along the way, and show you how to safely exit and enter your kayak from deep water just off the beach. Michele is a retired Coastal Kayak Instructor with twenty years teaching experience. Optional: Bring waterproof binoculars for spotting birds, and/or a waterproof camera.
Leader: Michele Sorensen
Total Distance: 3 miles
Meeting Place: Drive around the circle to the East Beach Parking lot; follow the road along the shore past the Nature Center; park in front of beach almost at the end of the lot.
Rain Plan & Registration: Rain or Shine, except heavy rain cancels.
Pre-registration is APPRECIATED.
Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Michele Sorensen, michelemsorensen@gmail.com, 203-247-1390

Earth Day Weekend
2023-04-15 10:00 - 2023-04-16 16:00 | East Beach
April 15-16; 10 AM – 4 PM
Visit us in the East Beach area near the concession stand to plant dune grass and learn about projects and events.
More details to come!

Fairfield County Giving Day 2023
2023-02-23
February 23 is Fairfield County Giving Day. Help turn this bare sand into dunes!
Please consider donating to Friends of Sherwood Island State Park so our Garden Team can buy beach grass, native plants & trees:

to build & stabilize dunes by trapping wind-blown sand
to help our beach resist erosion during coastal storms & full moon high tides
to provide habitat for migrating birds, butterflies & dragonflies
to give resident birds, like Killdeer & Mockingbirds, nesting places
so future visitors will have shaded picnic areas along the beach

On February 23, from midnight to midnight, use the link below to donate:
https://www.fcgives.org/organizations/friends-of-sherwood-island-state-park
#fairfieldcountygives
http://Fcgives.org
