Hungerford Nature Center & Museum

Enjoy the full program with access to all main activities.

General Admission

Join fellow nature center and animal care professionals for a full day of hands-on learning, collaboration, and professional development at the Hungerford Nature Center Animal Care Conference 2026. This one-day conference is designed for staff, educators, volunteers, rehabilitators, and animal care teams working with ambassador animals and educational wildlife programs. Attendees will gain practical skills, share ideas with peers, and hear from experienced professionals in the field.Conference Details<ul data-end="731" data-start="565" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="597" data-section-id="ki52yr" data-start="565" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Date: September 11, 2026</li><li data-end="629" data-section-id="wgiazx" data-start="598" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Time: 8:30 AM &ndash; 3:00 PM</li><li data-end="684" data-section-id="axd9mw" data-start="630" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Location: Hungerford Nature Center, Berlin, CT</li><li data-end="731" data-section-id="1ji060k" data-start="685" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Includes: 5 educational sessions + lunch</li></ul>Whether you are new to animal care or an experienced professional, this conference offers valuable networking opportunities, practical takeaways, and inspiration to strengthen your animal programs.Space is limited &mdash; register early to reserve your spot! Schedule of Events: Welcome 8:45-9:00 Keynote Speaker 9:00-9:45 (lecture)<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Dr. Allison Bloom - Kensington Bird &amp; Animal Hospital</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Dr. Bloom is a veterinarian and practice owner of Kensington Bird &amp; Animal Hospital in Berlin, CT. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona and completed specialized training in exotic animal endoscopy and laparoscopy at the University of Georgia. Dr. Bloom also serves as Vice President of the Hartford County Veterinary Medical Association and is a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, and the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians. We are honored to have Dr. Allison Bloom as our keynote speaker at this year&#39;s animal care conference!</li></ul>Session 1 10:00-10:45 (discussion)<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Executive Director said we can have a fox! Or can we? Licensing for nature centers. What licensing do you need to house certain animals and how do you know?</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">&quot;Without us, you&#39;d be nothing!&quot; Communicating animal care value to your organization</li></ul>Session 2 11:00-11:45 (hands on workshop)<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Packing up and handling animal ambassadors on programs. What is the safest way to do this?&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Going bioactive. How to make an effective bioactive enclosure</li></ul>Session 3 12:30-1:15 (round table discussion and lecture)<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Let&#39;s work together! What animals do you have and what animals are you looking for? Time to make a spreadsheet?</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Working with animals who come from wildlife rehabilitators. The Wildlife Line</li></ul>Session 4 1:30-2:15 (hands on workshop and walking tour)<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Training and enrichment with animal ambassadors</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tour and questions</li></ul>

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 196); overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering for the Animal Care Conference 2026 at Hungerford Nature Center! We&rsquo;re excited to welcome you on Friday, September 11, 2026, for a full day of learning, collaboration, and skill-building with fellow animal care and education professionals. Your registration includes:<ul data-spread="false" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Five educational sessions</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guest presentation from an exotic animal veterinarian from Kensington Bird &amp; Animal Hospital</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Networking opportunities with other professionals</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lunch during the conference</li></ul>Event Details:Hungerford Nature Center 191 Farmington Avenue, Berlin, CT 06037Conference Hours:8:30 AM &ndash; 3:00 PM Additional event information, including parking and check-in details, will be sent closer to the event date. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us at info@nbymhnc.org or call 860-827-9064. Thank you again for your support and participation. We look forward to seeing you at the conference! Sincerely,Hungerford Nature Center

Join fellow nature center and animal care professionals for a full day of hands-on learning, collaboration, and professional development at the Hungerford Nature Center Animal Care Conference 2026. This one-day conference is designed for staff, educators, volunteers, rehabilitators, and animal care teams working with ambassador animals and educational wildlife programs. Attendees will gain practical skills, share ideas with peers, and hear from experienced professionals in the field.Conference Details<ul><li>Date: September 11, 2026</li><li>Time: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM</li><li>Location: Hungerford Nature Center, Berlin, CT</li><li>Includes: 5 educational sessions + lunch</li></ul>Whether you are new to animal care or an experienced professional, this conference offers valuable networking opportunities, practical takeaways, and inspiration to strengthen your animal programs.Space is limited — register early to reserve your spot! Schedule of Events: Welcome 8:45-9:00 Keynote Speaker 9:00-9:45 (lecture)<ul><li>Dr. Allison Bloom - Kensington Bird &amp; Animal Hospital</li><li>Dr. Bloom is a veterinarian and practice owner of Kensington Bird &amp; Animal Hospital in Berlin, CT. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona and completed specialized training in exotic animal endoscopy and laparoscopy at the University of Georgia. Dr. Bloom also serves as Vice President of the Hartford County Veterinary Medical Association and is a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, and the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians. We are honored to have Dr. Allison Bloom as our keynote speaker at this year's animal care conference!</li></ul>Session 1 10:00-10:45 (discussion)<ul><li>The Executive Director said we can have a fox! Or can we? Licensing for nature centers. What licensing do you need to house certain animals and how do you know?</li><li>"Without us, you'd be nothing!" Communicating animal care value to your organization</li></ul>Session 2 11:00-11:45 (hands on workshop)<ul><li>Packing up and handling animal ambassadors on programs. What is the safest way to do this? </li><li>Going bioactive. How to make an effective bioactive enclosure</li></ul>Session 3 12:30-1:15 (round table discussion and lecture)<ul><li>Let's work together! What animals do you have and what animals are you looking for? Time to make a spreadsheet?</li><li>Working with animals who come from wildlife rehabilitators. The Wildlife Line</li></ul>Session 4 1:30-2:15 (hands on workshop and walking tour)<ul><li>Training and enrichment with animal ambassadors</li><li>Tour and questions</li></ul>

Hungerford Nature Center & Museum

Animal Care Conference

191 Farmington Ave

General Admission

$25

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