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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240421T100000
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UID:7368-1713693600-1713700800@avalonia.org
SUMMARY:Honoring Earth Day with a Wild Flora Walk at the Benedict Benson Preserve
DESCRIPTION:  \nLed by Avalonia naturalist Bruce Fellman\, trek through the Benedict Benson Preserve to watch its uplands\, centerpiece stream\, and wetlands come to life with greening ferns\, mosses\, and wildflowers\, from the rare Hepatica to the ubiquitous marsh marigolds. \nREGISTER HERE \n  \nOne of the critical precursors of the passage of the Clean Water Act\, the landmark federal legislation whose 50 years of making a difference was celebrated in 2022\, is Earth Day\, the consciousness-raising holiday for the planet that began in 1970. As part of Avalonia’s ongoing tribute to the CWA\, join naturalist and guide Bruce Fellman as we wade into moving waters\, figuratively\, if not literally\, at the Benedict Benson Preserve on Sunday\, April 21\, shortly after Earth Day\, from 10 a.m. until noon\, in North Stonington to watch the refuge’s wetlands and its centerpiece stream come to life: a tribute to wise stewardship. \nIn keeping with our theme\, we’ll pay close attention to the area around Lantern Brook\, a delightful woodland stream that flows through the heart of the preserve and is wonderfully photogenic as it tumbles down a boulder field left behind by the glaciers that shaped this land. The area around the brook is paradise for botanists interested in mosses\, ferns\, lichens\, and wildflowers\, and while there are certain to be such stalwarts as Wood anemones\, a number of violets\, and Marsh marigolds in bloom\, there’s one botanical gem known as the hepatica that we’ll scramble up a favored hillside to seek out. Hepaticas thrive in specific\, rather “sweet” soil conditions unusual in our woods\, but Benson has the right stuff in one area. \nThe Preserve features a typical Southern New England post-agricultural-abandonment upland forest dominated by oaks\, beeches\, birches\, and hickories\, many of them fully mature. Some are home to striking Pileated Woodpeckers\, while others support a wide array of hardwood-forest songbirds\, the most intriguing of which is the Cerulean Warbler. This stunning bird\, which is listed as a Species of Special Concern in Connecticut\, has been seen and heard at Benson and the surrounding area\, and is one of the treasures we’ll be looking for as we walk the approximately mile and a half trail system in search of signs of spring. \nThe trailhead for the Benedict Benson Preserve is located at 100 Swantown Hill Road in North Stonington.  A small parking area is on the West side of the road and there’s more parking on either side of Swantown. For more information and to register\, visit the Events Calendar of Avalonia’s website: avalonia.org/events/ Please note: parts of the trail are pretty rugged\, so while my pace is always family-friendly\, the terrain\, particularly our scramble up a rocky hillside in search of wildflowers\, might not be suitable for small kids and the occasional elder. You’ll want to wear waterproof hiking boots\, and trekking poles might be a good idea\, too. Bring water and an energy bar\, and\, of course\, binoculars and cameras.  Don’t hesitate to call or email: 860-599-4867\, or fellnature@sbcglobal.net. \n*** \nAccessibility Note \nAvalonia Accessibility Statement: https://avalonia.org/accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities-statement/ \nAccessibility point person: Mary Anne Sherman\, 860-884-3500 or avalonialc@yahoo.com \n  \n  \n*** \nThe featured image is by Jodi Williams taken at Benedict Benson Preserve. Jodi received an Honorable Mention in the Wildflowers category in Avalonia’s 2023 Photo Contest.
URL:https://avalonia.org/event/honoring-earth-day-with-a-wild-flora-walk-at-the-benedict-benson-preserve/
LOCATION:Benedict Benson Preserve\, Swantown Hill Road\, North Stonington\, CT\, 06359\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community,Exploration,Family,Hikes,Nature,Walks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://avalonia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Wildflowers2_Williams.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240601T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240601T120000
DTSTAMP:20260509T174136
CREATED:20240506T195235Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240510T145415Z
UID:7765-1717236000-1717243200@avalonia.org
SUMMARY:Hike a Wildlife Habitat Restoration at Leo Antonino Preserve
DESCRIPTION:CT TRAILS DAY EVENT: \nWe’ll hike the Leo Antonino Preserve through forested areas\, past active brooks\, vernal pools\, and up a bedrock ridge. There is a go-around for those who want to avoid the scramble up the ridge. We will pass next to erratics deposited by the glaciers and see how the Earth’s crust has been folded and lifted in Connecticut’s geologic history. The hike will end at the parking area if you choose not to explore the habitat restoration. \nAt about 11:00\, we will walk a short way on the preserve from parking to an area of a multi-year project where invasives have been removed to make way for establishment of wildlife habitat. Charlie Boos\, an expert in habitat restoration that emphasizes protection of existing beneficial natives and ensuring biodiversity\, will be leading this portion of the event. You will see the progression from thickets of autumn olive to “bunny piles” and thriving grasses and native pollinators including a pond that was unreachable until this project. You can join this part of the event if you choose not to participate in the 10:00 hike. \n  \nFollow this link to RSVP: \nRSVP HERE
URL:https://avalonia.org/event/hike-a-wildlife-habitat-restoration-at-leo-antonino-preserve/
LOCATION:Leo Antonino Preserve\, 0 Antonino Road\, Groton\, CT\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hikes
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250427T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250427T120000
DTSTAMP:20260509T174136
CREATED:20250226T191147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250411T172211Z
UID:9195-1745748000-1745755200@avalonia.org
SUMMARY:A Near-Earth-Day Wildflower\, Amphibian\, and Early Returning Songbirds Saunter at Benedict Benson Preserve
DESCRIPTION:The Benson Preserve\, a typical Southern New England post-agricultural-abandonment upland forest dominated by oaks\, beeches\, birches\, and hickories\, features many mature trees\, some of them home to Pileated Woodpeckers\, as well as to a wide array of hardwood forest songbirds\, the most intriguing of which is the Cerulean Warbler. This stunning bird\, which is listed as a Species of Special Concern in Connecticut\, has been seen and heard at Benson and the surrounding area\, and is one of the treasures we’ll be looking for as we walk the approximately mile and a half trail system in search of signs of spring: everything from Wood Frogs and Spring Peepers to Mourning Cloak butterflies and the rare Spotted Turtles that I’ve\, well\, spotted here. \nWe’ll pay especially close attention to the area around Lantern Brook\, a delightful woodland stream that flows through the heart of the preserve and is wonderfully photogenic as it tumbles down a boulder field left behind by the glaciers that shaped this land. The area around the brook is paradise for botanists interested in mosses\, ferns\, lichens\, and wildflowers\, and while there are certain to be such stalwarts as Wood Anemones\, a number of violets\, and Marsh Marigolds in bloom\, there’s one botanical gem known as the hepatica that we’ll scramble up a favored hillside to seek out. Hepaticas thrive in specific\, rather “sweet” soil conditions unusual in our woods\, but Benson has the right stuff in one area. Spotting hepaticas\, which are among our earliest wild blossoms\, is cause for celebration—and at Benson\, there’s always something special to celebrate. \nAccessibility Note \nParking: Small lot off Swantown Hill Road (approximately 101 Swantown Hill Road)) at the start of the Benedict Benson main trail. Lot with packed dirt surface\, no accessible space\, room for 6 cars. Additional parking available along the road.\nTrails: Narrow in spots\, numerous slopes\, some protrusions into pathway\, occasional wet areas\, and occasional off-trail walking. Two stream crossings over small wooden bridges with no handrails\, one with fairly steep stone steps.\nCommunication: This walk will be amplified.\n \nAvalonia Accessibility Statement: https://avalonia.org/accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities-statement/\nAccessibility point person: Mary Anne Sherman\, 860-884-3500 or avalonialc@yahoo.com\n\nRegistration \nFill out my LGL Form!
URL:https://avalonia.org/event/a-near-earth-day-wildflower-amphibian-and-early-returning-songbirds-saunter-at-benedict-benson-preserve/
LOCATION:Benedict Benson Preserve\, Swantown Hill Road\, North Stonington\, CT\, 06359\, United States
CATEGORIES:Exploration,Hikes
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://avalonia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/blue-marbler-scaled.jpg
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