The Center at Pomfret & Bafflin Sanctuary
The Center at Pomfret & Bafflin Sanctuary
Hours & Admission
- Tuesday-Sunday, noon-4pm
- Closed Mondays
- Sanctuary trails open year round dawn to dusk
Quick Links
Property Overview
Located in Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner,” the Center at Pomfret is surrounded by our 700-acre Bafflin Sanctuary with over 7 miles of trails. The Center features environmental and art exhibits, a small nature store and offers programming for all ages year-round. The Bafflin Sanctuary is actively managed for grassland, shrubland, and woodland birds, as well as other wildlife and is a nationally recognized Important Bird Area.
At a Glance
- Nature Center & Store
- 700 Acres
- 7 Miles of Trails
- 200 Bird Species
- Scenic Grassland Views
- Hemlock Ravine
Trails & Terrain
7 miles of well-maintained, moderately difficult trails in 7 distinct loops. The trail system is complex so please download our trail map.
Habitat
Rolling terrain of extensive fields with broad vistas, shrub areas, wetlands, hardwood forest, rocky ledges and a hemlock ravine.
About The Center at Pomfret
The Center at Pomfret features a nature center with many wildlife mounts, a nature store, and visual art gallery space. Bathroom facilities are available during hours the Center is open. Parking at the Center offers easy access to many of the Bafflin Sanctuary trails.
The Bafflin Sanctuary - Land & Legacy
The Land
The 700 Bafflin Sanctuary features more than 7 miles of trails made up of 7 distinct loops. The property is actively managed for grassland, shrubland, and woodland birds, Ongoing habitat improvement and management projects include a cornfield, and seasonal grass and flower plots to attract migratory songbirds. With over 200+ species of birds observed, the property is a nationally recognized Important Bird Area.
Legacy of Lois Orswell
Lois Orswell (1904–1998) first spent her summers in Pomfret as a young girl and made the town her permanent home in 1950. She named her residence “Bafflin,” adapted from the nautical term baffling, meaning swirling or shifting winds, suggested to her by visiting guests from Nova Scotia. A painter and passionate environmentalist with a keen eye for modern art, Orswell devoted the latter half of her life to land conservation. From 1970 until her death, she worked tirelessly to protect open space and wildlife habitat in northeastern Connecticut.
Her conservation legacy began in 1970, when the historic, nine-hole Pomfret Golf Club closed. Established in 1914, the course had introduced generations of local children to the game under the care of the French family. When the family retired and no buyer emerged to maintain the course, Orswell stepped in, purchasing the 112-acre property to preserve it in perpetuity as a wildlife sanctuary. This land became the first and foundational piece of what is now the Connecticut Audubon Society’s 700-acre Bafflin Sanctuary.
As neighboring farms came up for sale, Orswell carefully evaluated each opportunity. Often, she made the difficult decision to sell works from her personal art collection to fund additional land purchases. Over time, properties including a former chicken farm and the Goodenough, Lawrence, Bosworth, and Tubbs dairy farms were added to the growing sanctuary.
Her enduring legacy to the region includes the Bafflin Sanctuary and the founding of the Wyndham Land Trust, ensuring that this landscape will be protected for generations to come
Trail Rules
Walkers and birders welcome
on designated trails only
Trails open dawn to dusk
For the protection of our wildlife,
the following are prohibited:
- Dogs, horses, bicycles
- Motorized vehicles or Drones
- Hunting, Trapping, or Fishing
- Collecting of any kind
- Littering, Camping, or Fires
Wildlife
Birds
Over 200 species of birds have been recorded on the Bafflin Sanctuary! The preserve has diverse habitats which attract many bird species. Grassland and early successional species of birds are our specialty. Our grassland species include Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, Savannah Sparrows, and American Kestrels. On occasion, Sedge Wrens have nested. The early successional species include Brown Thrashers, Blue-winged Warblers, White-eyed Vireos, Indigo Buntings, Chestnut-sided Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, Yellow Warblers, Orchard Orioles, and Eastern Towhees. Aerial insectivores are plentiful and include Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, some Rough-winged Swallows, and a very large colony of Purple Martins. Raptors include Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, Red-shouldered Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Northern Harriers, and Bald Eagles. We plant several wildlife food plots that attract migratory birds in the late summer and fall.
Other Wildlife
Just about any mammal species that can be expected in Connecticut uses the Bafflin preserve at some point during the year. These include bobcat, coyotes, minks, beavers, otters, weasels, deer, various bat species, bears, raccoons, opossums, rabbits, voles, shrews, and mice. The bobcat population has increased over the years, and they are observed regularly. As with most wildlife, actually observing most species is by chance.
