Programs & Events

Arrow pointOur goal for programming at the CSMNH is to enhance people's understanding of both natural and cultural history. We strive to develop engaging learning opportunities that showcase research, scholarship, and creativity for audiences of all ages, at the university and across the broader public.

The Museum's programs and events include field-learning activities, workshops, lectures, community outreach, and special events.

Field-Learning Activities

Field Learning Activities: Participants make field observations, test ideas, and use tools they may otherwise not have access to. Past field-learning activities include shoe-box archaeology digs, animal tracking tours, and bird walks.

Upcoming field-learning activities:

Walktober: Mushrooms at Goodwin State Forest with Karen Monger

Walktober: Halloween Mushrooms at the HEEP with Karen Monger

Workshops

Workshops: Museum workshops led by local experts offer hands-on learning activities to small groups of participants. Past workshops have focused on scientific illustration techniques and basic field archaeology methods and best practices.

Upcoming workshops:

There are no upcoming workshops scheduled.

Lectures

Lectures: Experts from diverse backgrounds, many recognized as leaders in their fields, share their knowledge with the public. Speakers explore contemporary issues and reveal ancient mysteries on varied topics. Recent past lectures have focused on taking local action to address climate change, the pre-agricultural origins of the UConn campus, and the story of Darwin’s fascination with orchids. In addition, the CSMNH co-sponsors the Edwin Way Teale Lecture Series, which brings leading scholars from around the world to UConn to present public lectures on nature and the environment six times each year.

Upcoming lectures:

A link to this season's Teale poster and information for lectures in Spring 2026 are listed below.

View Teale Lecture Series Poster

Community Outreach & Special Events

Community outreach events: These events involve the broader Connecticut community and help create awareness of and foster involvement in the CSMNH, emphasizing unique educational opportunities for the public at-large. Past community outreach events where the CSMNH has participated include the Connecticut Archaeology Fair, Willimantic's 3rd Thursday, Celebrate Mansfield Festival, UConn Extension’s Bug Week, and The Last Green Valley's Walktober.

Upcoming community outreach and special events:

Pressed Flower Bookmarks @ the Stafford Public Library

Celebrate Mansfield

If you require an accommodation to attend any of our events, please contact the CSMNH at 860-486-4460 or CSMNHInfo@uconn.edu at least 5 days before the event.

Upcoming & Related Events

Summer Event Details

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Nature Crafts with the CSMNH

at the Stafford Public Library

Tuesday, 4 August 2026

5–7PM

 

Join us and learn how to make special bookmarks decorated entirely from plants (including some that grow here on library property!) We’ll use ink and dyes from berries and other sources as watercolors and press flowers to create a beautiful and lasting work of art! Learn about making twine out of plants you can find in your yard, or make monoprints with leaves and flowers.

This program runs for 2 hours and is open to all ages. There will be age-appropriate options for children, teens, and adults.

View or Download Nature Crafts Flyer

 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Celebrate Mansfield Festival

Saturday, 26 September 2026

2-6PM

Storrs Downtown

 

FIELD LEARNING ACTIVITY

Walktober: Mushrooms at Goodwin State Forest with Karen Monger

Saturday, 17 October 2026

10AM-12PM

Goodwin State Forest, Hampton

Join the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History and professional forager Karen Monger for an instructional foray through Goodwin State Forest covering the basics of mushroom identification.

In case of inclement weather, a lecture covering the fundamentals will take place under cover.

Registration coming soon!

FIELD LEARNING ACTIVITY

Walktober: Halloween Mushrooms at the HEEP with Karen Monger

Friday, 30 October 2026

1–3PM

Hillside Environmental Education Park, UConn Storrs

 

Professional forager Karen Monger, of The 3 Foragers, will lead a Halloween foray into the Hillside Environmental Education Park (the HEEP) to share the basics of mushroom identification with students and members of the public. Karen is a member and officer for the Connecticut Valley Mycological Society.

Registration coming soon!