NEWTOWN – The 11-year-old Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary that sits on 34 acres of farmland has taken a giant leap in its education programming as it added two educators to its team. This comes shortly after added the finishing touches to Catherine’s Learning Barn.
The new leaders offer diverse backgrounds in wildlife care, environmental science, and humane education.
Ken Elkins, a longtime Audubon educator and co-creator of the award-winning Bird Tales program, will serve as director of education and partnerships and Edward Clarke, a former paleontologist turned National Park Service educator, will be lead educator and paleontologist. Both will work with a dedicated education team to support the mission of the sanctuary by sharing their knowledge, compassion and a respect for all living beings.
“We are thrilled to expand our educational programming at this key time,” said Jennifer Hubbard, CVH Animal Sanctuary president. “The sanctuary is an integral part of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation, a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization in Newtown that was established in 2013 to commemorate and honor the life of Catherine Violet Hubbard, a 6-year-old victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy and passionate animal lover.”
The new educators will develop programs grounded in Next Generation Science and STEM standards, paired with the sanctuary’s focus on building empathy, Hubbard said. “Using rigorous, science-based learning to cultivate compassion for animals and the environment is truly innovative in this space. It’s a fresh, forward-thinking approach to education that sets our sanctuary apart,” Hubbard added.
The sanctuary uses a unique, immersive environment for learners to connect with nature, meet animals, and discover the joy of compassionate stewardship. To educate the community on the powerful connection between people, animals, and the natural world, the sanctuary offers free and low-cost educational programs and workshops for children and families, field trips, nature exploration opportunities, and community programs for all ages, abilities, and interests.
“Ken Elkins and Edward Clarke bring credibility, innovation, and the relational warmth that defines every interaction at the sanctuary,” Hubbard said. “Ken, an award-winning naturalist and environmental educator, has an unmatched ability to translate the complexity of the natural world into accessible, engaging learning.
“Edward, with his instinctive ability to meet learners where they are, will deliver programs that spark curiosity and give people of all ages tangible ways to become better stewards of wildlife and habitat. Their teaching approaches are grounded in empathy and curiosity, ensuring that every program inspires participants to see, value, and care for the world in a more compassionate way.”
Elkins brings over 20 years of experience in environmental education, conservation, and community outreach. “It’s an honor to join the CVH sanctuary team and build upon its foundation of education curriculum and teaching that’s based in compassion,” said Elkins. “Through my work, I look forward to making every learning opportunity an invitation to humane connection for both people and animals.”
Clarke will work under Elkins’ leadership and play a key role in establishing a robust program of activities for children, adults, and groups. Previously, he has led field trips, classroom lessons, and youth science projects.
“I’m incredibly excited to be the new Lead Educator for the sanctuary,” Clarke said. “I look forward to working with this fantastic team to create impactful educational programming for students of all ages.”
The addition of Elkins and Clarke is pivotal to the nonprofit as it celebrated the opening of the newly built Catherine’s Learning Barn, the sanctuary’s first dedicated year-round educational facility that provides hands-on experiences and community programming.
“(Elkins’ and Clarke’s) leadership ensures that our growth is not just responsive, but strategic, rooted in deepening impact, strengthening partnerships, and elevating the sanctuary as a regional hub for empathy-centered learning,” said Hubbard, noting the addition of Elkins and Clarke marks a milestone in the nonprofit’s ability to support the sanctuary’s mission. “Catherine wanted every animal to know she was kind, and from that simple wish grew a place where caring for animals and their habitats also builds human empathy,” she said.
For more information, visit: cvhfoundation.org
