Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Connecticut Audubon Names Interim Director at Glastonbury Center

September 1, 2016 – The Connecticut Audubon Society is embarking on improvements to its Center at Glastonbury, naming a new interim director and undertaking a series of renovations designed to enhance the experience for the thousands of visitors it receives each year.

Overseeing the renovations and the center's day-to-day operations is Michelle Eckman, Connecticut Audubon's director of education who is also serving as interim director of the Center at Glastonbury.

The center's new outdoor aviary is in the final stages of construction. Kasha Breau, the center's teacher-naturalist, is putting the finishing touches on the aviary's perches. The new aviary is expected to be ready for the center's two hawks and two owls to take occupancy next week.

Workers will be installing new flooring in the 2,200-square-foot center building itself, and a fresh coat of paint will follow. The center's nature shop is being expanded as is their indoor bird feeder viewing area.

Eckman is working with the center's regional board of directors, staff and volunteers to ensure that the changes are carried out in a way that minimize disruption and result in a center where people of all ages can learn about our local ecosystems, including the Connecticut River, engage in citizen science efforts, and how to care for our local habitats for the benefit of wildlife and people alike.

"Our centers are in many ways the heart of our organization and I am confident that under Michelle's direction the Center at Glastonbury will become the region's focal point for conservation and science education," said Connecticut Audubon Executive Director Nelson North. "We have a strong and loyal base of members in Glastonbury and the nearby communities, and we want to expand that to draw in even more people."

Although some short closures are inevitable, Connecticut Audubon's goal is to keep the center open as often as possible for the duration of the work, which is expected to be finished by October 1.

"We're happy to have people stop by during the renovation, to see the birds of prey and to take a look at the improvements," Eckman said. "When it's finished it's going to be totally awesome!"

Eckman joined Connecticut Audubon in 2012 and established its core Science in Nature outdoor STEM education program. Chosen the region's best outdoor environmental education program by the New England Environmental Education Alliance, it has brought hands-on learning to 48,000 school children from over 40 schools and districts around the state. In Glastonbury, she replaced long-term director Cynthia Bartholomew.

The Center at Glastonbury is at 1361 Main Street and is adjacent to Earle Park, which serves as the site of the center's science education and nature programs.

Based in Fairfield, the Connecticut Audubon Society also operates centers in Pomfret, Milford and Fairfield, is establishing a new center in Old Lyme, and owns 19 sanctuaries covering 2,600 acres.