Alice Wyman

‘We Chose Not To Use Chemicals’: Invasive Plant-Eating Goats Arrive at New Canaan Nature Center

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The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Carriage Barn Arts Center. In an effort to provide a pesticide-free solution to a growing number of invasive plants, the New Canaan Nature Center on Thursday introduced four goats into one of its pastures. The introduction of the goats is the Nature Center’s first such project “of what we hope is many,” according to Bill Flynn, the organization’s executive director. 

“Because of our land management plan, we chose not to use chemicals to tackle invasive species, and goats are a non-chemical way to do that,” Flynn said as he stood near a half-acre field in the northern section of the Nature Center. About 20 volunteers had prepared the pasture the day before by installing fencing and a shelter for the animals. 

The area is “full of” invasive vines, Flynn said. “Bittersweet, we have a huge mugwort problem on our property,” he said.

Around Town

Podcast: ‘Community Garden’ at New Canaan Nature Center

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This week, on 0684-Radi0, our free podcast (subscribe here in the iTunes Store), we talk to New Canaan Nature Center Executive Director Bill Flynn about its Community Garden. The Oenoke Ridge organization is hosting its popular Harvest Festival from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday (details and ticket info here). Here are recent episodes of 0684-Radi0:

Animal 411

PHOTOS: New Canaan Dog Days Returns

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Tongues lolling, scores of leashed dogs gathered in New Canaan on a clear, hot Saturday for a popular canine-focused and -themed celebration put on by an established local business. Pet Pantry’s New Canaan Dog Days was held on the grounds of the New Canaan Nature Center, making its return after two years off due to the pandemic. New Canaan resident Niki Marmarinos said this was her first time coming to Dog Days and that she’d be back next year. 

“It’s beautiful weather,” Marmarinos said as she pushed her two toy poodles, Daisy and Lillybelle, relaxing in a baby carriage through. “A lot of vendors, they’re very cordial and welcoming. A lot of variety here.

Around Town

Podcast: New Canaan Dog Days

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This week on 0684-Radi0, our free podcast (subscribe here in the iTunes Store), we talk to Adam Jacobson, executive vice president at Pet Pantry Warehouse on Grove Street, about New Canaan Dog Days. The hugely popular celebration of dogs, a fundraiser for rescue groups, will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 at the New Canaan Nature Center. The event features games, competitions, family activities, entertainment and a lot of free swag from premium pet food brands. Here are recent episodes of 0684-Radi0:

Bill Flynn

Podcast: Springtime at the New Canaan Nature Center

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This week on 0684-Radi0, our free podcast (subscribe here in the iTunes Store), we talk to Bill Flynn, executive director of the wonderful New Canaan Nature Center. Days away from the official start of spring, we talk to Bill about what the Nature Center has to offer local residents and families, what it’s been like navigating these past two years and what sort of activity the Nature Center’s popular outdoor spaces and trails have seen during the pandemic. 

Here are recent episodes of 0684-Radi0: