2020 Silent Auction Early Bird Bidding

Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Proceeds from the Silent Auction support the Conservancy's Environmental Education Program and further our mission to protect waterfowl and wetland habitats through research, education, and conservation action. The Silent Auction will continue at the Annual Benefit on September 26th, so let the bidding begin and good luck!
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*If you are outbid during the online portion of the auction, you will receive an email. Online bidding will close on Friday, September 25th at 5:00 pm.

*If you are not able to attend the 2020 Annual Benefit, you may be outbid by attendees of the event.

Exclusive to Ripley​

Private Falconry Lesson
You and your guests will be treated to a private falconry lesson with Conservancy falconer, Andrew Ocampo and his Harris’s Hawk, Dusky. Guests will be introduced to the history and traditions of falconry, equipment and training, as well as raptor behavior before watching Andrew free fly Dusky. The 1-hour lesson will take place at the Conservancy for a maximum of 4 guests. Children must be 12 years or older.
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Minimum Bid: $400
Current Bid: $450
Bid Increment:  $50
Ripley Photography Pass
Ripley’s collection of rare and endangered birds from around the world offers photographers a truly unique and exciting experience. With the Conservancy's Professional Photography Pass, gain private access to the Conservancy from either dawn to noon or noon to sunset and capture the best light for an outdoor wildlife photography experience.

Minimum Bid: $100
Bid Increment: $50
Bench Dedication
Dedicate a teak bench to a loved one. Every teak bench at Ripley is placed within one of our outdoor aviaries, surrounded by natural wetlands and our waterfowl collection. Dedicating a teak bench is a wonderful way to memorialize or honor a loved one. 
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Dedicate a Bench:  $500 each

*Individual Dedication Message on a Brass Plaque is included

Education Initiatives

Owl Camera for Distance Learning
Ripley is in need of a new video camera to support the growth of our Distance Learning Program. Now more than ever, teachers are relying on distance learning to provide a safe, fun, and engaging environment for student learning. Ripley works with schools across the United States to educate students on the topics of conservation, threatened and endangered species, and climate change. Join us in our mission to educate the next generation of conservationists by donating $100 towards the purchase of this camera. The total cost of the camera is $1,000.

​Donation Amount: $100
Donate an Education Program to CT Schools
Join Ripley in teaching our next generation of conservationists about the importance of environmental health and protection.  By donating an education program to CT schools, you are helping to bridge the knowledge gap in this incredibly important area of environmental conservation. 
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​Sponsor an Education Program in a Connecticut Classroom for $250
Sponsor a Child to Attend Ripley's Summer Duck Camp
Open the door for disadvantaged students to join Ripley's Summer Duck Camp, where students dive into nature and learn about the amazing world around them. Limited to fifteen students each week, Ripley's Duck Camps offer a truly unique. one-on-one learning experience.
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Sponsor a student to attend one week of Duck Camp for $280

Local Artisans

The Works-CSA Box
Earth’s Palate Farm is a family farm run by husband and wife team, Farmer Renee Giroux and Pastry Chef Kevin MacPherson, located in Warren, CT. They focus on sustainable produce, plant homeopathy, ethical animal protein, and French pastries. "The Works" is Earth's Palate Farm's year-round CSA subscription box, valued at $25/week for 26 weeks. Each season features new vegetables and pastries, eggs are always included!

​Minimum Bid: $600
​Bid Increment: $50
Bar-headed Goose et Toile
 Created by Virginia-based artist, Kate McClure, "Bar-headed Goose" was inspired by a trip to the Conservancy during the summer of 2019. Throughout her visit, Kate was stunned by the beauty and uniqueness of the birds at Ripley, which led to her creation of a series of paintings reflective of the species that she saw.

Using a mixture of acrylic and oil paint, gold leaf, and hand-drawn patterns, each bird is set off with a one-of-a-kind background, not unlike the birds themselves.
Bar-headed Goose is a 20"x24" acrylic on canvas.
 
Minimum Bid: $300
Bid Increment: $100
 Nene Goose
Created by Virginia-based artist, Kate McClure, "Nene Goose" was inspired by a trip to the Conservancy during the summer of 2019. Throughout her visit, Kate was stunned by the beauty and uniqueness of the birds at Ripley, which led to her creation of a    series of paintings reflective of the species that she saw.

Using a mixture of acrylic and oil paint, gold leaf, and hand-drawn patterns, each bird is set off with a one-of-a-kind background, not unlike the birds themselves. 
Nene Goose is a 24"x30" oil and acrylic on canvas.
 
Minimum Bid: $400
Bid Increment: $100

Unique Finds

Cashmere Printed Duck Scarf
Rani Arabella is the creator of a complete lifestyle collection handcrafted in Italy using the world's finest luxury fabrics.  New to the 2020 Arabella Collection, a beautiful and sophisticated cashmere and silk duck scarf in taupe! 

Minimum Bid: $400
Current Bid: $450
Bid Increment: $50
Shinola Duck Watch
Surf-rated at 20 ATM, the Duck is a highly capable, adventure-proof watch that looks as good out of the water as it does in it. It’s built for whatever life throws at you—whether that’s international pond-hopping or commuting across town. The Duck features a stainless-steel case with a screw-down crown, unidirectional bezel, super thick SuperLumi-Nova on the dial and hands, and an expandable rubber strap.

​​Minimum Bid: $650
Bid Increment: $50

Things To Do

A New Narrative for the Ocean

Steve Gaines, Ph.D., Dean of UC Santa Barbara's Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, will discuss in an interactive presentation what he sees as the biggest challenges facing ocean conservation, and how the solutions could benefit the ocean, the land and people. This will be a Zoom presentation. 

Reserve Your Spot: $100 per person
*Limit of 20 participants
Music Lessons
​It has often been said that music describes the emotional universe in a way that words or even images cannot. Explore your creative side with one month of music lessons for guitar, sax, flute, clarinet, voice or recording at Litchfield Piano Works. Instructors are professional musicians who love to teach all levels. 

Minimum Bid: $150
Bid Increment: $50

Private Meadow Consultation

Do you have land that you're hoping to restore, or even grass that you would like to turn into wonderful pollinator habitat? Then join Adrian Wagner, a specialist in meadow restoration and pollinator garden development, for a private restoration consultation. Learn how to create a natural, healthy, functioning outdoor space that benefits the birds and the bees!

​Minimum Bid: $400
Current Bid: $500
Bid Increment: $50

Private Owl Prowl

Take a walk on the dark side and join us for an evening Owl Prowl. At this family friendly event, participants will learn about local nocturnal wildlife before heading out on a night hike to call in wild owls. The evening ends with a warm beverage, s'mores, and a bonfire. This event is limited to a group of six.  

Minimum Bid: $500
Bid Increment: $50
One Night Stay at Winvian Farm​
The luxury accommodations of Winvian Farm are worlds unto themselves, nestled into the surrounding Connecticut woodlands and meadows. These unique resort cottages were designed by fifteen different architects, each with a story to tell, each a surprise, an escape, and a splendid adventure. 
Enjoy at one night, mid-week stay* at Winvian Farm.  This is for double occupancy, 2 adults in a tier one or two room. 
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Minimum Bid: $400
Bid Increment: $100
*Taxes and gratuities are not included​
Petography Session​
​​Jim Dratfield, Pet Photographer, has attracted an elite clientele, including Jennifer Aniston, Henry Kissinger, Barbara Walters, and many not-so-famous animal lovers, all of whom share a common passion for their pets. Jim will capture the true personality of any pet in a variety of settings and poses. Check out all of Jim's work here.

Minimum Bid: $800
Current Bid $900
Bid Increment: $100
Chef Prepared Dinner in
Your Home
Gerald Addison, co-executive chef and co-owner of the award-winning restaurant Compass Rose and Maydan which was awarded a Michelin Star, both based in Washington, DC, will prepare and serve a dinner in your home. Since its opening, RAMMY award-winner, Compass Rose, has been named on every best restaurant list in D.C. and has received national recognition from esteemed news outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, etc. Compass Rose’s sister restaurant and James Beard Semifinalist, Maydan, has received critical acclaim from local, regional, and national press outlets, including being named No. 2 Best New Restaurant in America" by Bon Appetit, "Top 10 Best New Restaurant" by Food & Wine, a "Best New Restaurant in America" by G.Q Magazine, one of Eater's "18 Best New Restaurants in America", the 2018 “Best Restaurant Design” winner by Eater DC, and more.
​This experience is for a maximum of 12  and includes food, service, and personally curated wine and cocktails. 
When: A mutually agreeable time 
​Minimum Bid: $5000
​Bid Increment: $100

Spring Egg Hunt on Ripley Island

A magical experience for children ages 3 to 9. Row out to the islands on the ponds at the Conservancy with Rosemary Ripley and search for the hidden eggs. Then join the aviculturists by candling the eggs in the barn and learn about how the incubators work. This excursion is limited to six participants.
​*Date to be established on a mutually agreeable date and time.

Reserve A Spot for $200

Holidays Family Clay Shooting Outing at Orvis Sandanona


​Join National Champion, Instructor and all around good guy Chris Ripley at Orvis Sandanona in Millbrook New York for a holiday outing. Available dates are between December 15th and Jan 1st.   Dates throughout the year in the Greater Austin Texas area also available. The day will start when Chris meets you at your car with a golf cart for 4 - from there you will be whisked away for a round of Sporting Clays.  Guns and ammo included or bring your own gun. Beginners encouraged and experts are more than welcomed.  Expect to have a blast with this low key, special opportunity to shoot at  of America's best shooting facilities with an instructor and a real character who has been teaching and competing for 30 years. This experience is limited to 4 people   

​Minimum Bid: $1000
Current Bid: $1100
Bid Increments: $100
Clay Shooting Lesson
​from National Shooting  Champion​

 Join National Champion, Instructor and all around good guy Chris Ripley at Orvis Sandanona in Millbrook, New York for a tailored, two hour, one-on-one shooting session. Available dates are between December 15th and Jan 1st.  Dates throughout the year in the Greater Austin Texas area also available.

Minimum Bid: $400
Current Bid: $800
Bid Increments: $50

​Adventures

Behind the Scenes Tour of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Exhibition:
Alexander von Humboldt and the United States: Art, Nature, and Culture 
Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859), one of the most influential scientists and thinkers of his age, visited the United States for six weeks in 1804.  It was perhaps the most consequential visit by a European traveler in the young nation's history, one that helped to shape an emerging American identity grounded in the natural world.
 
Join Rosemary Ripley and Peter Grubstein at the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a behind the scenes tour of the Alexander von Humboldt exhibition: Art, Nature and Culture. The Alexander von Humboldt exhibition examines how art illuminates some of the issues central to our relationship with nature and our stewardship of this planet. Explore Humboldt's enduring influence on the way we think about the universe, our relationship to our environment, his concern for climate change, his taxonomic curiosity centered on New World species of flora and fauna, and his belief that the arts were as important as the sciences for conveying a sense of wonder for the interlocking aspects of our planet. This curator led, behind the scenes tour is limited to six people.

*Date to be established on a mutually agreeable date and time.
Reserve your place in this exclusive tour for $125 per person

Journey To Save The Manumea

Become one of the leading conservationists for the Manumea, the closest living relative to the Dodo, and the first species extinction documented by mankind. Now the Manumea faces the abyss of extinction with less than 99 members estimated on the islands of Samoa (international Samoa, the bird is already extinct on American Samoa). During this 10-day adventure to Samoa, participants will meet with Samoan government officials, tribal chiefs, and community members as they try to bridge knowledge & capacity gaps on-the-ground and work to save this species on the brink of extinction.  
This trip is led by Dillon Ripley Lanius, and the world's foremost expert on the Manumea, Dr. Rebecca Stirnemann. Up to 12-spots are available, trip dates to be set during the Samoan dry season, June-September, 2021.

Reserve Your Spot for $15,000