An American Kestrel in flight, wings spread out.

About the Sharon ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Center

Learn more about our work.
American Kestrel. Photo: Shannon O'Donnell/³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Photography Awards

Sharon ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Center manages three nature sanctuaries (including our center's property) along with additional private parcels of land in northwestern Connecticut—protecting more than 2,100 primarily forested acres in total. Our center hosts programs throughout the year and houses houses a small visitor center with exhibits and a nature store.

Its adjacent grounds include raptor aviaries with live birds of prey, pollinator gardens, and a working sugarhouse. This location is home to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic for injured and orphaned wildlife. The center and staff also support forest conservation work in Connecticut.

We have been connecting people with nature since our center was founded in 1961. As part of ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Connecticut, a state office of the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, and the Atlantic Flyway, our mission is to protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Among the many ways we do this is creating life-changing experiences that inspire and enable school children, community members, and their families to appreciate, understand, and protect the natural world.

Sharon ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Center is one of three ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Connecticut centers in the state—the other centers include Bent of the River ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Center (Southbury, Connecticut) and Greenwich ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Center.