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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Avalonia Land Conservancy
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230805T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230805T120000
DTSTAMP:20260430T092333
CREATED:20230721T140442Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230721T140810Z
UID:6543-1691229600-1691236800@avalonia.org
SUMMARY:Explore the Preston Nature Preserve's Field of Natural History Dreams
DESCRIPTION:Explore Preston Nature Preserve’s Field of Natural History Dreams\nDon’t be fooled: a natural meadow may look like an unkempt lawn that a lazy homeowner has taken a holiday from mowing\, but look closer and you’ll discover an amazing and fascinating array of biological diversity. \nThe Preston Nature Preserve (PNP) offers explorers a pathway through several interconnected meadows that are at their prettiest in August. On Saturday\, August 5th\, from 10 a.m. to at least noon\, Avalonia naturalist Bruce Fellman will guide visitors on a leisurely tour of the 56-acre refuge’s treasure trove of native plants\, insects\, and birds that thrive in the fields\, as well as in the surrounding woods and wetlands. The botanical star of the meadow show is an expanse of Bee Balm\, a native member of the mint family whose showy pink\, red\, and purple flowers are butterfly\, bee\, and beetle magnets. If we’re lucky and patient\, we’re often blessed with sightings of hummingbird moths\, pint-sized hummer mimics that find Bee Balm blooms irresistible—and this is just the tip of the floral iceberg. Joe Pye Weed\, goldenrod\, native grass\, thistle\, and aster flowers will also be bringing in the pollinators. The milkweeds\, though past their blossom time\, will still be attracting Monarch butterflies\, whose eggs and leaf-eating caterpillars we’ll seek. Last but hardly least\, the PNP banquet usually includes a variety of dragonflies\, birds\, frogs\, and even a deer or two. \nBring binoculars\, hand lenses\, cameras\, notebooks\, your natural history curiosity\, and\, if you have them\, your kids and grandkids. Don’t forget the sunscreen\, bug spray\, water\, and a hat—it’s an easy 1.5 mile hike\, but it can be bright and hot in the fields. Rain date Sunday August 6. For more information\, contact Bruce Fellman\, 860-599-4867\, or bruce.fellman@yale.edu. \nRegister Here \nAccessibility Note \nParking: Ample off-street lot\, grass surface\, room for about a dozen cars\, no parking space accessible to people with disabilities. Lot located on 38 Krug Road at the PNP trailhead. Additional parking available along Krug Road. \nTrails: Mostly mowed grass surface pathways through open meadows\, some slopes\, wide enough for several people to traverse side-by-side. One quarter-mile stretch of trail through upland woods\, hilly and narrow\, with some roots and rocks in the pathway\, as well as occasional protruding branches. \nCommunication: This walk will be amplified (Bruce will use a portable microphone system)\, with sign language interpretation available upon request. It will include sonograms of bird calls that we hear to provide pictorial representations of their songs. \nAvalonia Accessibility Statement: https://avalonia.org/accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities-statement/ If you have questions on the accessibility of this event\, please call Avalonia at 860-884-3500 or email accessibility@avalonia.org. \n \n  \n \nPhoto credit: Bruce Fellman
URL:https://avalonia.org/event/explore-the-preston-nature-preserves-field-of-natural-history-dreams/
LOCATION:Preston Nature Preserve\, Krug Road\, Preston\, CT\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hikes,Nature
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://avalonia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DSC_8989AsnowberryclearPNP.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230909T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230909T113000
DTSTAMP:20260430T092333
CREATED:20230825T151445Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230828T133827Z
UID:6609-1694250000-1694259000@avalonia.org
SUMMARY:Join Us to Paint the Preserve at Knox Preserve
DESCRIPTION:Knox Preserve in Stonington is a former farm that runs along Quiambog Cove\, just off Route 1 on Wilcox Road. With sweeping views of old orchards\, fields\, and of course the cove itself\, it’s an idyllic place for an outdoor painting event. \n \nJoin Avalonia’s Office Manager\, Mary Anne Sherman\, who will lead artists on a short hike through the preserve to spots overlooking the meadows and cove. Artists of all skill levels and mediums are invited. Learn from and share with other artists\, enjoy being in nature\, and create your next masterpiece. We will meet at the entrance to the Preserve\, hike a short distance\, and paint to our heart’s content.\n \nThis is the first of two Paint the Preserve events planned: the second event will be on Saturday\, October 7\, 2023\, at Preston Nature Preserve.\n \nPLEASE REGISTER HERE\n \nSuggestions: Bring your own easel and painting equipment\, water\, bug spray\, and sunscreen.\n \nParking: Park along the right side of Wilcox Road\, approximately 200 feet south of Route 1. The preserve is across the road. \nTrails: This is a short hike with an elevation of less than 50 feet on mowed grass or packed dirt with some roots and rocks in the pathway\, as well as occasional protruding branches. \nIn case of inclement weather\, participants will be notified of a cancellation via email no later than 2 hours before the event. \nAvalonia Accessibility Statement\nhttps://avalonia.org/accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities-statement/ \nFor more information\, please contact Mary Anne Sherman at info@avalonialc.com or (860) 884-3500.
URL:https://avalonia.org/event/join-us-to-paint-the-preserve-at-knox-preserve/
LOCATION:Knox Preserve\, Wilcox Road\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Arts,Nature,Preserves
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://avalonia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Knox-Preserve-water-9_22-sunny.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230923T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230923T113000
DTSTAMP:20260430T092333
CREATED:20230828T120048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230918T125015Z
UID:6595-1695463200-1695468600@avalonia.org
SUMMARY:Fledglings: A Nature Experience for Children 2-5 *CANCELLED*
DESCRIPTION:*THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED*\nChildren ages 2-5 (and their adults) are invited to join naturalist and educator Beth Sullivan and Avalonia Board member Elanah Sherman for a walk through the relatively flat trails at Norwich’s Cedar Wood Preserve. On this walk\, we are going to use our senses to check out EVERYTHING! There is so much to see at this time of year: flowers and other plants; maybe some animals; and all sorts of insects! We will think about how everything in nature seems connected: birds and trees\, bees and flowers\, butterflies and milkweed. And we will think about changes the seasons might bring to them all.  After the walk\, we will gather at the trailhead for a craft project: creating seed bombs. \nThis event is limited to 8 – 10 children. All children must be accompanied by adults. Sturdy\, closed-toe shoes are required. Bug repellant is strongly recommended and will be available at the event. Rain date September 24\, 10-11:30 \nAccessibility Note: \nParking: Off-street lot with room for about 4 cars. One space is accessible to people with disabilities. The lot is located at trailhead. Parking is also available by the side of the road. \nTrails: Long entry boardwalk with step at each end. (Accessible pathway to boardwalk has not yet been installed.) Some rocky spots at initial trail area\, then grassy trails about 4 feet wide\, with some dips and slopes. Some protrusions and tripping hazards. \nCommunication: This walk will be amplified. Sign language interpretation available upon request. \nAvalonia Accessibility Statement \nThis free event is co-sponsored by the City of Norwich.\nFor more information\, please contact Mary Anne Sherman at info@avalonialc.com or 860-884-3500.
URL:https://avalonia.org/event/fledglings-a-nature-experience-for-children-2-5/
LOCATION:Cedar Wood Preserve\, 180 North Wawecus Hill Rd.\, Norwich\, CT\, 06360\, United States
CATEGORIES:Exploration,Family,Nature,Walks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://avalonia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Cedar-Wood-Preserve-1-by-Elanah-Sherman-scaled.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231007T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231007T113000
DTSTAMP:20260430T092333
CREATED:20230825T165158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231006T154218Z
UID:6612-1696669200-1696678200@avalonia.org
SUMMARY:Join Us to Paint the Preserve at Preston Nature Preserve *CANCELLED*
DESCRIPTION:*THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED*\nJoin fellow artists and Avalonia’s Office Manager\, Mary Anne Sherman\, who will lead you on a short hike through the Preston Nature Preserve to paint en plein air. It’s an idyllic place for an outdoor painting event. Artists of all skill levels and mediums are invited. Learn from and share with other artists\, enjoy being in nature\, and create your next masterpiece. We will meet at the parking area\, hike a short distance\, and paint to our heart’s content. \n\nThis is the second of two Paint the Preserve events. The first event is planned for Knox Preserve in Stonington on Saturday\, September 9\, 2023.\n \nPLEASE REGISTER HERE\n \nSuggestions:  Bring your own easel and painting equipment\, water\, bug spray\, and sunscreen.\n \nParking:  Ample off-street lot\, grass surface\, room for about a dozen cars\, no parking space accessible to people with disabilities. The lot is located on 38 Krug Road at the PNP trailhead. Additional parking is available along Krug Road. \nTrails:  Mostly mowed grass surface pathways through open meadows\, some slopes\, some areas with roots and rocks in the pathway\, as well as occasional protruding branches. \nIn case of inclement weather\, participants will be notified of a cancellation via email no later than 2 hours before the event. \nAvalonia Accessibility Statement \nFor more information\, please contact Mary Anne Sherman at info@avalonialc.com or (860) 884-3500.
URL:https://avalonia.org/event/join-us-to-paint-the-preserve-at-preston-nature-preserve/
LOCATION:Preston Nature Preserve\, Krug Road\, Preston\, CT\, United States
CATEGORIES:Arts,Nature,Preserves
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://avalonia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Paint-the-Preserve-Preston-Nature-Preserve-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240421T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240421T120000
DTSTAMP:20260430T092333
CREATED:20240308T214921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240419T171322Z
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
END:VEVENT
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240601T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240601T120000
DTSTAMP:20260430T092333
CREATED:20240308T214857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240528T154653Z
UID:7380-1717236000-1717243200@avalonia.org
SUMMARY:An Exploration for the Birds at Tri-town Ridgeline Forest Preserve
DESCRIPTION:As part of National Trails Day\, join Avalonia naturalist Bruce Fellman for a walk along the woodland trails of Tri-town Ridgeline Forest Preserve as we look and listen for a wide variety of avian delights in full courtship. \nThe Avalonia Land Conservancy’s TriTown Ridgeline Forest Preserve is a 500-plus-acre treasure trove of natural and human history\, and the rugged woodland is at its most enticing in the late spring\, when the abundant wildflowers\, ferns\, and mosses are opening\, and migrating and resident birds are wearing their courtship best and singing their hearts out. We’ll walk slowly and deliberately to take in the flora and fauna\, and we’ll spend our time learning how to identify what we encounter. Of special interest: our veteran American Sign Language interpreter Joy Valenti and naturalist Bruce Fellman will use techniques to make birdsong accessible to all\, including members of the hard-of-hearing/deaf community\, by converting sounds into pictures called sonograms. \n  \nREGISTER HERE \n  \nIt would be ideal if all participants could\, in advance\, download the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology’s Merlin birdfinding app to their phones. Here’s the link: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ \n*** \nAccessibility Note \nParking: Off-street rutted\, packed-dirt lot with some rocks. Room for about eight cars. Trailhead located at lot. Additional parking alongside the road.  \nTrail: Grassy entry trail about six feet wide\, relatively level\, but pocked with rocks. Secondary trail varies in width and slope\,  with many rocky sections and occasional steep uphills and descents.\n \nCommunication Access: This walk will be amplified and sign language-interpreted. \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  \n  \n*** \nThe featured image is by Elise Torello taken at Tri-town Ridgeline Forest Preserve. \n 
URL:https://avalonia.org/event/an-exploration-for-the-birds-at-tri-town-ridgeline-forest-preserve/
LOCATION:TriTown Forest Preserve\, 91 Miller Road\, North Stonington\, CT\, United States
CATEGORIES:Exploration,Nature,Walks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://avalonia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Wildlife_Torello2-scaled.jpg
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