Jennifer Johnson, Director of Marketing & Communications, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
The beginning of a new year is a time when many people make a resolution to improve their overall health. Spending time in nature is among the best ways to improve one’s physical and mental health and emotional well-being.
Research shows that children who spend a lot of time outdoors, in all seasons, are happier, healthier and do better in school. Other studies have shown that getting out of a man-made environment and into an outdoor lowers blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension.
We are fortunate to live in an area with abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. This time of year area parks are open for numerous winter activities. Don’t overlook your own backyard as a place to play. If you’re looking for ideas of winter games to play with your kids, check out the new Be Out There website (www.beoutthere.org)
The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center offers something for everyone and is another great place to visit for winter activities. We are a combination wildlife sanctuary, natural history museum, and educational facility set in a 300-acre nature preserve. Come hike, walk, snowshoe or cross-country ski our more than 10 miles of trails.
If you prefer to explore with a group, be sure to check out our calendar of events for our numerous children’s, family, and adult programs and guided hikes. Our Women’s Hiking group meets the first Monday of every month at various locations in the region. Our Cottontails group, for caregivers and children ages 1 – 4, meets for a weekly hike on Thursday morning at different locations in the area. We also host free monthly full moon hikes, and will be re-starting our Adult Hiking Club in March. Watch our website for details.
Originally made possible through the long-term support and commitment of the Denison Society, the Nature Center is a private, non-profit organization. We are open year-round, Monday thru Saturday from 9 to 5, and Sunday from 10 to 4. We are located at 109 Pequotsepos Road in Mystic. For more information, please visit www.dpnc.org or call 860.536.1216.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Johnson
Director of Marketing & Communications,
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
