Deer Pond Farm in Sherman has approximately 850 acres with 15 miles of hiking trails open to the public daily dawn to dusk. Weekly guided programs are offered throughout the year on various nature themes.

There is diverse geology, habitats, flora and fauna to observe. Over 100 species of birds and numerous other wildlife species have been documented here. We have a well-established pollinator garden and many other habitat enhancement areas along our trails.

Founded in 1898, the Connecticut Audubon Society operates nature facilities in Fairfield, Milford, Pomfret, Sherman, Old Lyme, and an EcoTravel office in Essex. Connecticut Audubon manages 20 wildlife sanctuaries encompassing almost 3,300 acres of open space in Connecticut, and educates over 100,000 children and adults annually. Connecticut Audubon is an independent organization, not affiliated with any national or governmental group.

The Connecticut Audubon Society’s staff, volunteers and scientific vendors work to preserve birds, other wildlife and their environments in Connecticut. No dogs, horses, fishing camping, fires or collecting permitted at our sanctuaries. Our work includes sanctuary management, advocacy, environmental education and activities at our centers and with partnering land owners.

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In 2023, The Nature Conservancy marked 50 years of working at the Sunny Valley Preserve. Donated by the late George D. Pratt Jr. of Bridgewater in a series of transfers from 1973 to 1979, Sunny Valley Farm was originally purchased by Pratt's father in 1934. Over the years, Pratt went on to protect more than a dozen separate pieces of open or wooded lands in the area from developers before donating them to TNC to be protected while supporting sustainable farming and education.

Today, TNC's Sunny Valley Preserve boasts a variety of topography, geology and natural habitats along both sides of the Housatonic River Valley, including large stands of hemlock and mixed second growth hardwood forest that supports diverse wildlife and biological communities. Throughout its 1,850 acres of farmland, forests, wetlands and meadows – spread out across 19 parcels of land – visitors can hike on trails and learn about nature, land management and environmentally compatible farming at several observation sites.

Since assuming ownership, TNC has initiated surveys to develop an inventory of the preserve's wildlife and plants. TNC also created habitat to support New England cottontails, which were formerly listed as a federally threatened species but are in recovery thanks to this type of conservation effort.