On Saturday, March 19 from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm sweet things are happenning at the New Canaan Nature Center located on 144 Oenoke Ridge in New Canaan. This annual event celebrates the New England tradition of maple syrup making and includes a pancake brunch with different varieties of syrup, including the Nature Center’s own special syrup.
Nature Center educators and local families who have “adopted” a tree for the season have been collecting sap from about 40 of the center’s maples over the last month. How does it work? Freezing temperatures create suction that draws water in through a tree’s roots, and warm periods create pressure which causes the sap to flow out through a tap hole where it’s collected in buckets. This sap, a combination of water, salt and sugar, serves as the tree’s food and is the sole ingredient of pure maple syrup. During Syrup Saturday, visitors will get a chance to observe the entire process from tree tapping to boiling into syrup at the “sugar shack”. Educators will also demonstrate historic methods of maple syruping.
Local maple syrup and maple baked goods will be for sale. Supplies and information from Tap My Trees will also be available to purchase for families who want to tap their own maple trees at home and make their own maple syrup.
A special activity also being offered is a hike along “Maple Lane” with one of the Center’s naturalists to learn how to identify sugar maples and other trees while hunting for signs of spring. Attendees are welcome to gather around and warm up by the campfire and kids are encouraged to make a maple-themed craft to take home as a rememberance of this sweet time of year. This event is primarily held outdoors and activities will be ongoing throughout the day.
For additional information call (203) 966-9577 x20 to register in advance for this popular event. Members: $8/person / Non-Members: $12/person. Children under age 3 are free.
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