Announcements

The Sam and Myra Ross Institute hosts and participates in regional, national and global conferences to explore and disseminate scientific, scholarly and practical information among professionals studying or working in humane education, nature-based programs and medical and mental health fields.
The Institute’s most notable event is the two-day Human-Animal Interaction Conference, hosted at the Green Chimneys campus every other year. The agenda focuses on best practices and the exchanging of ideas with experts and peers in a wide range of professions that utilize animal-assisted and nature-based models. Speakers and attendees represent leading programs from around the world to discuss professional standards, evidence-based practices, and emerging trends to develop a shared vision for all practitioners. The conference also features hands-on sessions at the farm.
A partnership with The Leir Charitable Foundations supports an ongoing workshop series held at the Leir Retreat Center in Ridgefield, CT. Several times a year, Green Chimneys organizes full-day presentations for professionals in education, clinical and nature-based fields to advance thinking and practices that promote human health and well being, and advocacy for animals and nature.
This barred owl fell from his nest and ended up on the ground in New Paltz, NY where he was rescued and cared for but it was quickly apparent that he was severely disfigured. He had a twisted, crooked beak, his wing feathers weren’t fully developed and one eye was shut while the other did not look as it should. This was not a bird that could be released back into the wild. Green Chimneys wildlife specialists worked with a local veterinary hospital to improve the bird’s health and determined that the owl was totally blind in one eye and 80-90% blind in the other.