Events
In addition to maintaining the trails and infrastructure in the Preserve, our nonprofit organization is committed to providing the community with opportunities for education, enrichment, and outright fun! One way we do this is through our event offerings, which come in several forms.
Annual Events
While our Community Programs are typically smaller gatherings, we also hold a couple of major annual events in scenic Henderson Meadow. In addition to being a whole lot of fun, these events are critical to the financial viability of our organization. Hops & Herons, held in the fall, is a fun afternoon of local beer sampling, music and food trucks. Our Great Blue Gathering, a spring event, is a celebration of things local and natural, featuring a sit-down dinner and silent auction. Join us at one of these events and get to know the incredible CNP community!
Community Programs
Join us for engaging and fun weekend offerings at the Preserve. These events, typically occurring twice per month, offer an incredible variety of activities, from landscape painting to birding and night hiking. Activities are typically geared toward adults, though family and kid-only offerings are also scheduled. Each event offers an opportunity to engage with resources in the Preserve in a way that you wouldn’t experience as a casual visitor. Keep an eye out—you never know what we may offer next!
Youth Programs
Children experience an important physical, emotional, and intellectual benefit from time spent exploring and learning in nature. While most of those opportunities are offered at the classroom level during the school day, parents will be happy to know that we also regularly provide after-school environmental education called Nature Discovery and preschool education through Knee-High Naturalists. Exploration and fun are the name of the game, and childhood curiosity is our guide!
Member Events
If you haven’t yet joined Friends of the Preserve, one of the big advantages of doing so is the event access. Members get early access to sign up for all of our events, some of which sell out very quickly, and we even have some special events that are just to show our appreciation for Friends of the Preserve. “Friendsgiving” is our signature annual Friends-only event, and admission for this event in Henderson Meadow is free with membership levels of $100 or more. Friends of the Preserve is intended to be an interactive community for folks who care deeply for CNP, and Friends-only events are the equivalent of our family reunion!
