Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust, a nonprofit organization based in Woodbury, Connecticut, conducts educational programs, and preserves and stewards valuable open space. Natalie Van Vleck, an avid environmentalist and successful farmer (who had been an accomplished visual artist in her early years), founded the nature center in 1963 on her 200-acre farm.

As a community resource, Flanders offers classes and workshops year round, including popular summer programs for children. Flanders also educates people about important rural New England traditions, such as raising farm animals, growing crops, making maple syrup, and bee keeping. Its Buz Russel Museum of Farm Life & Antique Tools provides fascination information and displays on the rural history of this area. Garden plots are available to individuals and groups who want to garden organically within the Flanders Community Garden.

Through its land trust activities, Flanders works to retain the rural character, ecological integrity, and quality of life in Woodbury and surrounding areas. Taking a strategic approach to land preservation, Flanders actively works to protect important natural resources. A leader in the land trust effort in this region of Connecticut, Flanders collaborates with other land trusts, town governmental agencies, and environmental organizations to target land parcels that will be most valuable in meeting long-term preservation goals for the area.

Flanders holds in trust more than 1,895 acres of open space in Woodbury and neighboring towns. The organization serves as the steward of seven nature preserves, each with its own character and attributes, such as woodlands, lakes, ponds, streams, fields and meadows, a bog, and marked trails. These settings are open to the public from dawn till dusk for hiking and passive recreation, at no cost. In addition, Flanders makes it facilities and staff available (for a fee) for children's birthday parties.

Among the resources that Flanders manages is the Van Vleck Farm Sanctuary, a pastoral landscape that includes many architecturally significant buildings, including a old farmhouse and barns, a post-and-beam studio, and a new post-and-beam sugar house. Dry-laid stone walls are among the features defining this picturesque landscape. Located at the corner of Flanders and Church Hill Roads in Woodbury, this sanctuary is the main teaching campus and home to Flanders administrative offices. Some of Natalie Van Vleck's paintings are on view in the Van Vleck Studio & Welcome Center, a building that Natalie Van Vleck designed. The natural beauty of Flanders settings continues to inspire artistic interpretations by people of all ages.

Another Flanders property is the 686-acre Whittemore Sanctuary, also in Woodbury. Its extensive trail system winds through a wide range of ecological habitats, including woodlands, ponds, streams, and a bog.

In addition to a small staff, Flanders relies on hundreds of dedicated volunteers who offer their time and talents. Flanders' efforts are also supported through membership programs and by annual fundraisers, including a fall festival and a festive dinner and auction. For information on any Flanders programs, call 203-263-3711.