Great Mountain Forest Launches 1st Annual Nature Writing Retreat at Historic Yale Camp

From August 7-9, 2026, Great Mountain Forest (GMF) will host its First Annual Nature Writing Retreat at the historic Yale Camp in Falls Village, CT, inviting writers of all levels to draw inspiration from one of New England’s most storied landscapes. 

This immersive three-day retreat reflects on the legacy of American writer and longtime New York Times nature columnist Hal Borland, whose work was rooted in this landscape. It explores how wilderness shapes language and strengthens close observation, craft, and environmental understanding. 

Michael Zafros, GMF executive director, stated, “There are few uses of a forest more sustainable than serving as inspiration. Hosting writers and artists is a great way to explore and provide this use of our forests. This new program demonstrates how Great Mountain Forest can be an antidote to the challenges facing our world. The retreat brings people together, builds community in the forest, gets participants outside and off their screens, and uses nature sustainably to heal and inspire minds and souls.” 

Set within GMF’s 6,400-acre forest, the program features six workshops led by nationally recognized authors, poets, and environmental experts. Participants will engage in field observation, writing, and discussion focused on description, ecological literacy, eco-poetry, and nature-based storytelling. 

The weekend includes journaling and campfire conversation on Friday, a guided nature walk and workshops on Saturday, and a closing reflection on Sunday. Enrollment is limited, with an optional post-retreat online anthology of participant work. 

As Hal Borland wrote, “I challenge anyone to stand on a hilltop and fail to see a new expanse not only around him, but in him, too.” This inaugural retreat invites writers to do exactly that while launching what GMF envisions as a signature annual event celebrating writing, conservation, and the enduring relationship between people and forests. Yale Camp offers rustic lodging, quiet woodland trails, and shared gathering spaces with meals provided by Chef Stawitz of GMF catering. 

The 2026 Great Mountain Forest Nature Writing Retreat is made possible in part with support from H. Bruce McEver, Roshy and Dalton Dwyer, and Housatonic Heritage. The Nature Writing Retreat is curated by Tom Shachtman. 

Nature Writing Retreat Details 

Dates: August 7-9, 2026 

Location: Yale Camp, 209 Chattleton Road, Falls Village, CT 

Registration Fees:

$385 through May 31; $435 after May 31 

Students: $285 through May 31; $335 after May 31 (discount by request) 

Registration Deadline: July 24, 2026. Enrollment is limited 

Optional Lodging: $70 for two nights 

For more information or to register, visit: https://greatmountainforest.org/writing-retreat-2026

About Great Mountain Forest

Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is a leader in forest stewardship. For more than a century, we have been demonstrating how sustainable management can protect biodiversity and support ecosystems. By serving as a hub for education and research, we are spreading the benefits of sustainable management so that communities across New England derive educational, economic, and recreational and health benefits from their forests—now and well into the future. GMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encompassing 6,300 acres of contiguous forestland in Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village, Connecticut.

Great Mountain Forest Launches Bat Activity Study or Discovering the Nightlife of Great Mountain Forest: A New Bat Activity Study

 Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is embarking on an exciting new chapter in its efforts to support wildlife conservation, thanks to a generous grant from John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, a supporting organization of the Northwest CT Community Foundation. This innovative project will shed light on the diverse group of elusive bat species that have been largely missing from the landscape for decades. GMF will work with partners at the University of Connecticut (UConn) and CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) to track their activity across a range of forest habitats.

Despite their vital ecological roles, little is known about which state-listed bat species are returning to this region or how they interact with different forest environments and conditions. Forest managers and policymakers need this information to make informed decisions about conservation and sustainable forestry practices. With its rich history of forestry projects, GMF offers the perfect living laboratory to address these critical knowledge gaps.

Guided by Dr. Tracy Rittenhouse, two UConn undergraduates will use acoustic monitors to capture bat activity at 30 distinct sites throughout the forest. Dr. Devaughn Fraser, a wildlife biologist at CT DEEP will also contribute her expertise. Supporting them, a Master of Energy and Environmental Management intern, guided by Dr. Chadwick Rittenhouse, also of UConn, will leverage remote sensing to refine detailed maps of forest stands, wetlands, and management histories in partnership with GMF’s forester Kate Regan-Loomis. Three of GMF’s summer forestry interns – its 88^th cohort – will conduct on-the-ground surveys, gathering data on forest tree species composition and structure. Together, these student researchers will create a robust dataset linking bat activity to habitat features across over 1,000 acres.

The results will seed future research and enhance GMF’s educational programs. Findings will be shared through K–12 science field trips and Woodland Academy workshops for landowners and professionals managing the region’s forests.

 

 “This study marks a significant step toward understanding and protecting Connecticut’s bats. By combining student-driven research, academic expertise, and hands-on education, GMF is fostering a new generation of conservation leaders—and helping the region’s forests remain vibrant, resilient habitats for bats and other wildlife for years to come,” said Mike Zarfos, Executive Director of GMF.

 

About Great Mountain Forest

Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is a leader in forest stewardship. For more than a century, we have been demonstrating how sustainable management can protect biodiversity and support ecosystems. By serving as a hub for education and research, we are spreading the benefits of sustainable management so that communities across New England derive educational, economic, and recreational and health benefits from their forests—now and well into the future. GMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encompassing 6,400 acres of contiguous forestland in Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village Connecticut.

Spring on the Sound: Norwalk Seaport Association’s 2026 Cruises Promise Unforgettable Cruises for Birders, Sunset Chasers, and Families.

When spring arrives in Connecticut, it brings with it the start of something truly special: the Norwalk Seaport Association’s 2026 cruise season! Whether you’re searching for colorful seabirds, the perfect sunset, or a magical family outing to a historic lighthouse, this lineup delivers the ultimate maritime experience.

Bird-Watching Cruises: Witness Nature’s Most Magical Migration 

Calling all nature lovers! Every Sunday in May (May 10, 17, 24, and 31), early risers can embark on guided bird-watching cruises departing at 7:30 a.m. from the Seaport’s dock at 90 Water Street in Norwalk.

As you glide along Long Island Sound—a crucial stop on the Atlantic Flyway—an expert guide will help you spot migrating and nesting birds, including birds that make Sheffield Island their home. Expect to see everything from herring gulls to great black-backed gulls up close! Don’t forget: Bring your camera and binoculars—these moments are meant to be shared. 

  Sunset Cruises: Pure Magic on the Water 

 If you prefer your adventures with a touch of romance or relaxation, the Seaport Association’s Sunset Cruises are for you. Set sail from May 20–24 and May 27–31 at 6:30 p.m. for a two-hour journey past Norwalk’s islands and lighthouses—including the famed Peck’s, Green Ledge, and Sheffield Island Light. Bring your favorite snacks and beverages (plastic cups, please!) and soak in the golden hour as the captain’s mate shares tales of the harbor’s rich history. Cruises continue daily and on weekends through August, promising plenty of chances to toast the sunset with friends and family.

Sheffield Island Lighthouse Excursions: Explore History, Nature, and Relaxation 

For a truly immersive outing, join a Sheffield Island Lighthouse Excursion on May 23, 24, 30, or 31 (with more dates through August!). These three-hour tours offer a narrated cruise on a spacious ferry across Norwalk Harbor, views of three lighthouses, and a full hour exploring Sheffield Island. Enjoy a guided lighthouse tour, then treat yourself to a picnic at our seaside pavilion and a stroll on our beach—a perfect family adventure blending history, nature, and fun.

The Norwalk Seaport Association has been Connecticut’s gateway to the Sound since 1978, founded by locals passionate about preserving maritime history and natural beauty. Their cruises offer more than just a ride—they’re an invitation to connect with Connecticut’s coastal heritage, wildlife, and community spirit. Secure your tickets today at seaport.org and make this spring unforgettable. 

About the Seaport Association 

 Founded in 1978, the Norwalk Seaport Association is dedicated to enriching lives through cultural, historical, and environmental experiences. By preserving sites like the Sheffield Island Lighthouse, the Association educates all ages about the importance of safeguarding our maritime legacy and natural treasures.