White Oak Restoration - A Second Day of Planting
2023-06-12 | Sheets Family Forest, Puttker Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
If you weren’t able to make it to last month’s white oak planting, you have another chance!
On Monday June 12th we’ve planned a morning of environmental restoration at Herman E. Sheets Family Forest in North Stonington, Connecticut. We will focus on planting, protecting, and watering approximately 50 white oak seedling. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, drinking water, and bug spray. Shovels and other planting tools will be provided. No experience necessary!
The event will start at 9:00 am and we’ll will accomplish as much as possible until 12:00 pm. There is no expectation of rain, as of yet!
Please use the parking area on Puttker Road and we will carpool to the Loin Hill entrance.

While not required, consider registering for this event here as it will help in our planning efforts.

Morning work, Monday June 26th, at our model climate resilient forest, the Hoffman Preserve, in Stonington
2023-06-26 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Hoffman Evergreen Preserve, 580-632 CT-201, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
In 2018 Avalonia initiated a climate resiliency forestry plan at this preserve, including the planting of many tree species projected to do well in the face of ongoing climate change. While most of these have succeeded in becoming established, we do need to help them out by cutting back surrounding vegetation, including grey birch suckers and saplings.
Please consider joining us on Monday, June 26th from 9-12 at the Hoffman Preserve. Parking will be at the southern entrance off Route 201. Sturdy footwear, bug/tick repellant, and drinking water are recommended. Feel free to bring your favorite pair of loppers, but extra loppers and other tools will be available for your use. No experience necessary. If you haven’t volunteered with us before, this is a perfect entry point into Avalonia conservation and stewardship efforts. You’ll have an opportunity to do a bit of hiking, learn more about on-the-ground climate resiliency work, and help us to give these seedlings every advantage!
While not required, consider registering here, so that we might better plan for this event.

An Introduction to Stewardship at Avalonia's Newest Preserve- Hunter Brook in Norwich!
2023-08-20
Join us Sunday morning, August 20th from 9:00 -12:00, on a visit to Avalonia’s recently acquired Hunter Brook Preserve in Norwich and be a part of our initial efforts at managing this beautiful 27-acre preserve!
Whether you are new to Avalonia or a longtime volunteer this will be chance to get acquainted with (or reacquainted with) some of the basics of preserve stewardship to include trail maintenance, boundary posting, invasive plant identification and removal techniques, and general preserve monitoring. We also hope to install the new preserve sign adjacent to the trailhead.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, drinking water, and bug spray. If you have loppers or clippers feel free to bring them. Extra tools will be available on site. No experience necessary!
This is meant to be an informal introduction combined with some light work. Just as important, it will be a time to meet new people and, hopefully, an opportunity to learn from and share with our new neighbors along Hunter Brook!
The event will start at 9:00 am and we’ll will accomplish as much as possible until 12:00 pm. There is no expectation of rain, as of yet!
We will meet at the informal parking area, between 163 and 139 on Hunter’s Road.
Consider registering here. Although it is not required, it can help us in preparing for the event.

Knotweed Management at Shunock River Complex
2023-09-16 09:00 - 12:00
We have been following the Nix the Knotweed management protocols at this preserve and it is time for the third and final cutting of Japanese knotweed for the year!
On Saturday September 16th at 9:00 we plan to meet at the parking lot across from the North Stonington Town Hall (40 Main Street). Depending on the number of participants, we’ll either walk or carpool (less than a 1/4 of a mile) to the Parke Memorial Preserve, one of several that Avalonia stewards along the Shunock River. The parking area at the preserve can only safely accommodate 2 vehicles. There is a fairly steep decline from the trailhead to the work site, but it is otherwise close to and visible from the road.
We hope to spend several hours cutting this hollow stemmed invasive at its base and piling the cut stalks for drying and later removal.
Gloves and bug repellant are recommended. While tools will be provided for your use, feel free to bring your own set of clippers, loppers, or serrated knife to cut the hollow stems of the knotweed. If you have an old tarp or sheet of plastic that you would be willing to donate to the cause, please bring it along!
To learn more about this noxious weed and various management and disposal practices, visit the Avalonia Stewardship page. Contact tglaza@avalonialc.org for more detail.
Although not required, please consider registering here to assist us in event planning.
Hope to see you on Saturday!

Early Emergent Habitat Management: Continuation of the New England Cottontail Work at Appleton Preserve in North Stonington
2023-09-20 09:00 - 12:00
You are invited to join us on Wednesday, September 20th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Appleton Preserve, a part of the larger Bell Cedar Swamp.
We have been working to create and maintain habitat for the New England Cottontail and other fauna on a number of our preserves, in association with the Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge initiative. At Appleton Preserve, with our wildlife habitat piles (i.e. bunny piles) built, we turn our focus to the removal of autumn olive, multiflora rose, and black locust, invasive species that have crept into some of the early emergent habitat or “thicket”.
If you’ve assisted with this before, you know that it is not for the faint of heart. We will work in small teams of 2-3 to cut, remove, and treat these invasives. Stump painting with herbicide will be a component of this management effort, although there are plenty of other tasks to be done. Thick clothing, sturdy footwear, and heavy gloves are recommended. Tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. No experience necessary. Plant identification tutorial provided on-site.
Although not required, please consider registering here to assist us in event planning.

Early Emergent Habitat Management at Appleton Preserve (Bell Cedar Swamp)- Take 2
2023-09-26 09:00 - 12:00
You are invited to join us on Tuesday, September 26th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Appleton Preserve, a part of the larger Bell Cedar Swamp.
We have been working to create and maintain habitat for the New England Cottontail and other fauna on a number of our preserves, in association with the Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge initiative. At Appleton Preserve, with our wildlife habitat piles (i.e. bunny piles) built, we turn our focus to the removal of autumn olive, multiflora rose, and black locust, invasive species that have crept into some of the early emergent habitat or “thicket”. OUr focus will be on reclaiming/restoring a 2-acre open area or meadow.
If you’ve assisted with this before, you know that it is not for the faint of heart. We will work in small teams of 2-3 to cut, remove, and treat these invasives. Stump painting with herbicide will be a component of this management effort, although there are plenty of other tasks to be done. Thick clothing, sturdy footwear, and heavy gloves are recommended. Tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. No experience necessary. Plant identification tutorial provided on-site.
There is a small parking area adjacent to 64 Boombridge Road, North Stonington. We will meet there. Vehicles with higher clearance/4×4 may continue past the gate, down the access road to the work site, otherwise we can walk down together. Carpooling is encouraged.
Although not required, please consider registering here to assist us in event planning.

Fall Clean-up of Avery Preserve Parking Area
2023-10-14 09:00 - 11:00
Work Party!!!
Avery Preserve Parking Area
Saturday, October 14th, 9-11 am (or until we get tired).
Our efforts will be focused on clearing the sightlines inside and outside of the parking area. Over the years it has been a challenge to keep this spot open and the encroaching vegetation at bay. With increased visibility, both entering and exiting the preserve will be safer and will allow for more maneuverability within the lot itself. This improvement will also serve to discourage unauthorized dumping in the area.

If you can make it, bring gloves and loppers or pruners if you have them, or any other brush removal device (cordless hedge trimmers, for example). Come when you can and work at your own pace.

To limit the number of vehicles in our work area, we will meet at the Avery Cemetery at the corner of Avery Hill Road and 214 (Stoddards Wharf Road) and either carpool, drop-off, or walk from there. We plan to close the preserve parking area to the public for the duration of the work party. There is no rain date set for this event, so hopefully the weather holds.

Please consider setting aside additional time to explore this beautiful preserve!
Hope to see you on the 14th!

Volunteer work party at our model climate resilient forest, the Hoffman Preserve, in Stonington
2023-11-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Hoffman Evergreen Preserve, 580-632 CT-201, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
In 2018 Avalonia initiated a climate resiliency forestry plan at this preserve, including the planting of many tree species projected to do well in the face of ongoing climate change. While most of these have succeeded in becoming established, we do need to help them out by cutting back surrounding vegetation, including grey birch suckers and saplings.
Please consider joining us on Sunday, November 19th from 9-12 at the Hoffman Preserve. If you haven’t volunteered with us before, this is a perfect entry point into Avalonia conservation and stewardship efforts. You’ll have an opportunity to do a bit of hiking, learn more about on-the-ground climate resiliency work, and help us to give our planted seedlings/saplings every advantage!
Parking will be at the southernmost entrance off of Route 201, the usual place for those of you who have joined us before. Sturdy footwear, gloves, and drinking water are recommended. Feel free to bring your favorite pair of loppers, but extra tools will be available for your use. If you have experience and the necessary PPE, brush saws and small chainsaws are also particularly effective tools for this sort of work.
Work at your own pace and stay for as long as your time and energy allow. It looks, for now, like it will be perfect weather for this sort of work. There is no rain date scheduled.

Volunteer work party at Samuel Lamb and Forsberg Preserve, in Ledyard
2024-02-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Samuel Lamb and Forsberg Preserve, Town Farm Road, Ledyard, CT, United States
Please consider joining us for our inaugural stewardship event of 2024. Avalonia’s Ledyard Town Committee is organizing a work party at the Samuel Lamb and Forsberg Preserve in Ledyard for this coming Saturday (2/24). Our efforts will be devoted to clearing vegetation from the stone wall that runs along Shewville Road.
This work will complement our earlier mowing efforts, designed to keep the fields open for birds and pollinators. Over the years invasive vines and shrubs have found refuge along the boundaries of this field and have begun to encroach inward. Winter season is a great time to cut these back, allowing for increased access in the spring for another round of more intensive management efforts. Work at your own pace and stay for as long as your time and energy allow.
There is no designated parking area for this preserve, but there is ample parking along Town Farm Road. Please exercise caution exiting and entering your vehicles.
Please bring any clippers, pruners, or loppers you may have. If you don’t have any, there will be extras on site for your use. The weather looks like it will cooperate, but in the event that it’s necessary, we’ve set aside the next day, Sunday 2/25, as an alternate.
While not required, by registering here we will be able to better plan for this free event.
Looking forward to seeing you!!
Location: Samuel Lamb and Forsberg Preserve
Date/Time: February 24th 10-12
Rain/Snow Date: Sunday February 25th 10-12
Wear/bring: warm clothing, boots, sturdy pants, gloves, hand tool(s) of choice

Third Annual Stewardship Day - Saturday April 13, 2024
2024-04-13 - 2024-04-14
Spring has sprung and it’s time to clean up the trails! If you are itching to get outside, we have multiple opportunities to help clear the trails, remove invasives, plant trees, and more. Stewardship activities will be on Saturday, April 13. Times and activities may vary by location – see below for preserve locations and details.
In general, bring gloves, bug spray, drinking water and task appropriate hand tools (if you have them.) If you don’t have them, that is OK – we try to have extras.
Register here!
Griswold

Date: Saturday April 13, 2024
Location: Dutka Nature Preserve (Dutka Lane parking lot immediately off Bethel Road on right-hand side)
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Activity: Trail work and trash pick up
What to Bring: Work clothes, work boots, work gloves, loppers, hand saws, Gloves, bug spray, water, loppers and handsaws
Leader: Dick Conant (contact details will be sent out to registrants)

Groton

Date: Saturday April 13, 2024
Location: Leo Antonino Preserve (parking along Antonino Road).
Time: 9:00 am -12:00 pm
Activity: Brush and branches clean up (Spring Cleanup)
What to Bring: Gloves, bug spray, water, loppers
Leader: Bonnie Castellani (contact details will be sent out to registrants)

North Stonington

Date: Saturday April 13, 2024 (rain date Sunday April 14)
Location: Herman E. Sheets Family Forest (parking area adjacent to the mailbox for 94 Puttker Road). Carpool if possible.
Time: 9:00 am -12:00 pm
Activity: Planting of white and red oak seedlings- for more detail click here.
What to Bring: Gloves, bug spray, water, shovel/spade/other planting implements
Leader: Tobias Glaza (contact details will be sent out to registrants)

Stonington

Date: Saturday April 13, 2024
Location: Knox Preserve (parking on the north side of Wilcox Road)
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Activity: Clearing vegetation from stone walls
What to Bring: work gloves, hand tools (pruners, clippers or loppers – pls mark your own tools), and water
Leader: Beth Sullivan, Susan Hibbard, MaryEllen Mateleska (contact details will be sent out to registrants)

Ledyard

Date: Saturday April 13, 2024
Location: Samuel Lamb and Forsberg Preserve (parking along Town Farm Road)
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Activity: Clearing vegetation from stone walls.
Description: This is a continuation of work done during a similar event in late February.
What to Bring: Gloves, water bottle, hand saw and/or loppers, tick repellant. Poison ivy may be present, so, in addition to gloves, long sleeves recommended
Leader: Laurie Gorham (contact details will be sent out to registrants)

Register here!

White and Red Oak Planting at the Herman E. Sheets Family Forest
2024-04-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Sheets Family Forest, Puttker Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
Join us from 9-12 Saturday April 13th in North Stonington at the Herman E. Sheets Family Forest to help plant bare root oak seedlings!
This spring we begin the second phase of a larger, multi-year restoration effort, in which volunteers, together with Avalonia staff, will work to get more than 300 red oak (Quercus rubra) and white oak (Quercus alba) seedlings into the ground.
Nearly a decade ago, the combined stressors of Spongy moth and drought served to weaken and ultimately kill many mature stands of oak in the region. Sadly, this preserve was no exception. With natural regeneration being limited, we instituted a restoration plan, a part of which includes planting and then protecting seedlings from deer browse.

Staff and volunteers will provide a brief tutorial, but, other than that, no special skill set is needed! Bring a shovel/spade, gloves, sturdy footwear, bug/tick repellant, and drinking water. If you don’t have tools, extras will be available. Work at your own pace, stay as long as you like, and consider hiking the beautiful trail system afterwards.
We will meet at the Puttker Road parking area (across from 94 Puttker Road) at 9:00 AM and shuttle the short distance from there to a convenient access point. There is limited off street parking, so please consider carpooling to the event. Rain date of Sunday April 14.
This restoration effort is funded, in part, by a generous grant from the North Stonington Garden Club.
For more details, contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org
P.S. You will see this opportunity referenced again in the context of a forthcoming Avalonia-wide Stewardship Day post.

Introduction to Stewardship at our Newest Preserve, Glemboski-Ous in Bozrah and Montville
2024-05-26 09:00 - 12:00 | Glemboski-Ous Preserve, South Road, Bozrah, United States
Memorial Day weekend isn’t complete without an opportunity to stretch your legs and to enjoy the onset of late Spring/early Summer in the woods!
We would like to invite you to join us from 9-12 Sunday, May 26th at the nearly 160 acre Glemboski-Ous Preserve to learn more about how Avalonia, with the help of community stewards, manages its preserves.
As we hike the old logging roads, cross over the wending Trading Cove Brook, and pass through the rocky ledges and outcrops, Avalonia Board of Directors president, Dennis Main, along with Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza will share with you how we plan to steward the property. Discussions will include the ways in which we engage with volunteers to keep trails open and safe as well as the basics of preserve monitoring, boundary posting, methods for maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitat, and other aspects of land management. Along the way, there will be plenty of opportunity to do some light trail maintenance as we walk and talk.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, drinking water, and bug spray. If you have loppers or clippers feel free to bring them. Please register here so that we can better plan for this event. A confirmation email will contain additional event details including specifics regarding parking. Please contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.

REGISTER HERE

Trail-Clearing Work Party at Glemboski-Ous
2024-06-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Glemboski-Ous Preserve, South Road, Bozrah, United States
Join Avalonia’s Northern town committee at our newest preserve, Glemboski-Ous, in Bozrah on Sunday, June 9 to help us clear some of the trails. As a follow-up to the Introduction to Stewardship event on May 26, we will again be walking the primary farm/’logging’ roads and clearing the lower safety, emergency, and maintenance access route roughly parallel to the East Branch of the Trading Cove Brook to the point of the brook crossing.

If time, energy, and strong constitutions allow, we will continue on to the Eversource transmission lines corridor, with the eventual goal of reaching the secondary South Road maintenance easement access point.
Please bring gloves, sturdy footwear, drinking water, and bug spray. If you have loppers and clippers, feel free to bring them. Extra tools will be available on site. No experience necessary. We will meet at 9:00 am and try to accomplish as much as possible until noon.

REGISTER HERE

Wequetequock Cove Clean Water Coalition Festival
2024-07-14 10:00 - 14:00
Avalonia will join other organizations and core communities on Sunday July 14 for the Wequetequock Cove Clean Water Coalition (WCCWC) Festival!
Funded in part through a grant from the Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund, this free festival is designed to engage the local community, recruit members for the WCCWC, and provide education about the watershed. Avalonia has a number of preserves and conservation easements within the watershed and is committed to the coalition’s efforts to enhance the quality of drinking water and recreational and ecological values within the Anguilla Brook/Inner Wequetequock Cove watershed.
This promises to be an educational, fun-filled, family-friendly experience, with music, food, and drink as well as an optional post-festival paddle in the outer Cove.
DETAILS:
Date: July 14, 2024
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM (Optional paddle: 3 PM – 5 PM)

Location:

Landside: The Hounds
769 Stonington Rd
Stonington, CT 06378
Paddle Launch Site: Barn Island boat launch

Secondary Launch Site: Stonington Marina (for equipment rental and non-paddlers)
Entry: Free to outdoor exhibits

Hope to see you there!

Phish and the Waterwheel Foundation to Clear Trails at Glemboski-Ous Preserve
2024-07-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Glemboski-Ous Preserve, South Road, Bozrah, United States
The Waterwheel Foundation is kicking off a new round of hands-on volunteer opportunities at certain Phish Summer Tour stops — and Avalonia made the list!
Join us on Wednesday, July 24 from 10 am – 12 pm at Glemboski-Ous Preserve in Uncasville where we’ll be clearing trails. Avalonia’s leadership team will be there to guide the work and coordinate teams.
REGISTER HERE

Phish will be performing at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Montville, CT on July 23 and July 24, 2024.
The Waterwheel Foundation was created by Phish in 1997 to oversee the band’s various charitable activities and has been harnessing the kindness of the Phish fan community to creative positive change for over 25 years. Phish will be playing
For more information, visit waterwheelfoundation.org

Knotweed Management at Shunock River Complex
2024-07-31 09:00 - 12:00
Please join Avalonia stewardship staff, intern, and volunteers at the Parke Memorial Preserve, in North Stonington, on Wednesday July 31 at 9:00 to help manage an infestation of Japanese Knotweed. We have been following the Nix the Knotweed management protocols at this preserve and it is time for the second cutting of Japanese knotweed for the year ( I know, we are a bit behind schedule)! We plan to meet at the parking lot across from the North Stonington Town Hall (40 Main Street). Depending on the number of participants, we’ll either walk or carpool (less than a 1/4 of a mile) to the Parke Memorial Preserve, one of several that Avalonia stewards along the Shunock River. The parking area at the preserve can only safely accommodate 2 vehicles. There is a fairly steep decline from the trailhead to the work site, but it is otherwise close to and visible from the road.
We hope to spend several hours cutting this hollow stemmed invasive at its base and piling the cut stalks for drying and later removal.
Gloves, sturdy footwear, bug repellent, and drinking water are recommended. While tools will be provided for your use, feel free to bring your own set of clippers, loppers, or serrated knife to cut the hollow stems of the knotweed. If you have an old tarp or sheet of plastic that you would be willing to donate to the cause, please bring it along!
To learn more about this noxious weed and various management and disposal practices, visit the Avalonia Stewardship page. Contact tglaza@avalonialc.org for more detail.
We will begin at 9:00 and work as long as spirits remain high, and as weather allows (rain date of August 7). Work at your own pace and stay as long as you wish. Although registration is not required, please consider sending me an email to express your interest in attending ( for planning purposes).
Hope to see you on Wednesday!

Short Notice Stewardship Opportunity- Japanese Barberry Removal at Avalonia’s Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor in Ledyard
2024-08-31 09:00 - 11:00
You are invited to join us this Saturday August 31 from 9-11am as we work to manage a Japanese barberry infestation at our Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor. Many hands will make light work and together it is expected that we will make significant progress in controlling this invasive plant species. Plans are to hand pull and dig out the barberry. If we make short work of it, there’s always some wisteria to cut! Poison ivy shouldn’t be an issue in this particular area, and the bugs seem to be very mild of late.
We will meet at the end of Merry Lane in Ledyard and walk in 1/10-mile counter-clockwise on the blue trail. Bring a shovel & loppers. Long sleeves, sturdy footwear, good gloves, and drinking water encouraged. Work at your own at your pace and stay as long as you wish. Although registration is not required, please consider sending an email to Director of Stewardship (tglaza@avalonialc.org) express your interest in attending ( for planning purposes).
Hope to see you on Saturday!

Stewardship and Trail walk at the Glemboski-Ous Preserve in Bozrah and Montville
2024-09-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Glemboski-Ous Preserve, South Road, Bozrah, United States
…an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful post-Labor Day autumnal weather…
We would like to invite you to join us from 9-12 Sunday, September 15th at the nearly 160 acre Glemboski-Ous Preserve to assist Avalonia’s stewardship team in posting our preserve boundaries, light trail maintenance, and blazing/marking our existing trail system.
As we traverse the old logging roads, cross and, in some cases, follow the wending Trading Cove Brook, and pass through rocky ledges and outcrops, there will be plenty of time to enjoy, not just the work and comradery, but also the splendor of this beautiful preserve. No experience is required and there will be opportunities to learn about the basics of preserve monitoring, boundary posting, methods for maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitat, and other aspects of preserve stewardship.

Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, drinking water, and bug spray. If you have loppers or clippers feel free to bring them. Please register so that we can better plan for this no-cost event. A confirmation email will contain additional event details including specifics regarding parking. Please contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.
REGISTER HERE

Help to Build Screech-Owl Nesting Boxes
2024-09-16 18:00 - 19:30 | First Congregational Church, Norwich , CT, 81 East Town Street, Norwich, CT, 06360, United States
As part of a Girl Scout Gold Award Project, you are invited you to join in with other members of the community to assist in building a total of 20 screech-owl nesting boxes. The event will take place on the evening of September 16 from 6:00-7:30 at the First Congregational Church in Norwich and has been planned and organized by the prospective Gold Award recipient. If needed there will be a second day of building on September 30th (more details to follow) All are welcome!
The Eastern Screech-Owl is thought to be a species in gradual decline in the region. These boxes will serve as enhancements to their natural habitat and provide a safe and secure nesting area for these small owls. Our stewardship team has identified a number of suitable locations across Avalonia Preserves where these boxes will eventually be installed. Please REGISTER HERE for this free event!
-This project is funded in part by a grant from the Connecticut Ornithological Society.

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(CANCELED BOTH DAYS) Stewardship Work Party at Alden Fish Family Preserve
2024-09-21 09:00 - 12:00 | Alden Fish Family Preserve, 0 Sandy Hollow Rd., Groton, 06340, United States
Join us Saturday morning, September 21 at 9:00 a.m. (rain date 9/22) at Avalonia’s new Alden Fish Family Preserve in Groton and be a part of our efforts at managing this 42 acre preserve.

This event will focus on clearing the invasive Japanese Knotweed along Sandy Hollow Rd.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, drinking water, and bug spray. If you have loppers or clippers feel free to bring them. Please register so that we can better plan for this no-cost event. A confirmation email will contain additional event details including specifics regarding parking. Please contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.
REGISTER HERE

Stewardship and Trail Walk at Pike Marshall Preserve in Ledyard
2024-09-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Burton Property, Burton Property, Ledyard, CT, 06339, United States
Please join us Sunday morning, September 29 from 9:00 -12:00 at Avalonia’s Pike Marshall Preserve in Ledyard as we continue our efforts at managing this beautiful 272-acre property!
Moss covered stones at Pike Marshall
In June of last year, The Nature Conservancy transferred ownership of Pike Marshall Preserve to Avalonia and we, along with our various partners, are excited to initiate the next stages of preserve management. This particular event, sponsored in collaboration with Mike Marelli and the Ledyard Conservation Commission, will focus on light maintenance of portions of the existing trail network. This will have the combined effect of enhancing passive recreation opportunities, emergency access, and convenient passage to the interior of the preserve for stewardship activity. Whether you are new to Avalonia or a longtime volunteer this will be chance to get acquainted with (or reacquainted with) some of the basics of preserve stewardship in an informal and friendly setting.
Participants will meet at the Burton Property to the rear of Ledyard High School and the walk and trail work will go from there through the town owned Burton property to Avalonia’s Pike Marshall Preserve, focusing on clearing the causeway trail. Consider also setting aside time to hike the other trails and explore the diversity of habitats, from forest, to riparian, and to ridge lines.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, drinking water, and bug spray. If you have loppers or clippers feel free to bring them. Please register so that we can better plan for this no-cost event. A confirmation email will contain additional event details including specifics regarding parking. Please contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.
REGISTER HERE

Stewardship Work Party at Leo Antonino Preserve
2024-10-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Leo Antonino Preserve, 0 Antonino Road, Groton, CT, United States
Join us Saturday morning, October 5 at 9:00 a.m. at Avalonia’s Leo Antonino Preserve as we continue to manage this hidden gem tucked behind the Gold Star Office Park on Route 184. Rain date is Sunday, October 6.
Leo Antonino Preserve Kiosk
We will be removing a Japanese Barberry infestation near the entrance.
Although the Leo Antonino Preserve is in a commercial area, it is a valuable connector between privately and publicly owned open space and drains into the Groton Reservoir. It was donated to Avalonia by Leo Antonino in 2018.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, drinking water, and bug spray. If you have loppers or clippers feel free to bring them. Please register so that we can better plan for this no-cost event. A confirmation email will contain additional event details including specifics regarding parking. Please contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.
REGISTER HERE

Stewardship and Trail Walk at the Hunter Brook Preserve in Norwich
2024-10-13 09:00 - 12:00
Join us Sunday morning, October 13th from 9:00 -12:00 at Avalonia’s Hunter Brook Preserve in Norwich and be a part of our efforts at managing this beautiful 27-acre preserve!
Whether you are new to Avalonia or a longtime volunteer this will be chance to get acquainted with (or reacquainted with) some of the basics of preserve stewardship in an informal and friendly setting. This particular event will focus on invasive plant identification and removal, light trail maintenance, and trail blazing/marking.

Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, drinking water, and bug spray. If you have loppers or clippers feel free to bring them. Please register so that we can better plan for this no-cost event. A confirmation email will contain additional event details including specifics regarding parking. Please contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.
REGISTER HERE

Short Notice Stewardship Event at Barrett Preserve in Ledyard
2024-10-26 09:00 - 23:00
Please join us Saturday morning, October 26th from 9:00 -11:00 at Avalonia’s Barrett Preserve in Ledyard and be a part of our efforts at managing this beautiful 70+ acre preserve!
Whether you are new to Avalonia or a longtime volunteer this will be chance to get acquainted with (or reacquainted with) some of the basics of preserve stewardship in an informal and friendly setting. This particular event will focus on the removal of black birch trees that have begun to take over clearings and sections of early emergent forest. Consider setting aside time to hike the trails and explore the diversity of habitats, from fields to forests.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, and drinking water. If you have loppers, clippers and or handsaws feel free to bring them. Due to the short notice nature of this event, there is no registration. On street parking is available at Mt. Vernon Dr. or in the field at 904 Long Cove Rd. Please contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.

Stewardship and Trail Walk at the Glemboski-Ous Preserve in Bozrah and Montville
2024-10-27 09:00 - 12:00 | Glemboski-Ous Preserve, South Road, Bozrah, United States
We would like to invite you to join us from 9-12 Sunday, October 27th at the nearly 160 acre Glemboski-Ous Preserve to assist Avalonia’s stewardship team in light maintenance of an existing trail system.
As we traverse the old logging roads, cross and, in some cases, follow the wending Trading Cove Brook, and pass through rocky ledges and outcrops, there will be plenty of time to enjoy, not just the work and comradery, but also the splendor of this beautiful preserve. If time permits we may cross into the adjacent 343-acre Milo Light Preserve managed by the Nature Conservancy

No experience is required and there will be opportunities to learn about the basics of preserve monitoring, methods for maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitat, and other aspects of preserve stewardship.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, and drinking water. If you have loppers or clippers feel free to bring them. Please register so that we can better plan for this no-cost event. A confirmation email will contain additional event details including specifics regarding parking. Please contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.
REGISTER HERE

Stewardship and Trail Walk at Cedar Wood Preserve in Norwich
2024-11-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Cedar Wood Preserve, 180 North Wawecus Hill Rd., Norwich, CT, 06360, United States
Join us Sunday morning, November 10th from 9:00 -12:00 at Avalonia’s Cedar Wood Preserve in Norwich and be a part of our efforts at managing this beautiful nearly 50-acre preserve!

Whether you are new to Avalonia or a longtime volunteer this will be chance to get acquainted with (or reacquainted with) some of the basics of preserve stewardship in an informal and friendly setting. This particular event will focus on invasive plant identification and removal and light trail maintenance. Consider setting aside time to hike the trails and explore the diversity of habitats, from fields to forests. Enjoy the boardwalk over the vernal pool, examine the chimney swift tower, and explore the stream-side hemlock grove.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, drinking water, and bug spray. If you have loppers or clippers feel free to bring them. Please register so that we can better plan for this no-cost event. A confirmation email will contain additional event details including specifics regarding parking. Please contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.
REGISTER HERE

Stewardship and Trail Walk at Tefftweald at Birchenturn in North Stonington
2024-11-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Tefftweald at Birchenturn, 282 Grindstone Hill Road, North Stonington, CT, 06359, United States
Join us Sunday morning, November 24, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at Tefftweald at Birchenturn in North Stonington. This nearly 80-acre preserve, a former Girl Scout Camp, boasts forested uplands and wetlands, more than 2000 feet of frontage along Wyassup Brook, a woodland meadow, beaver pond, the historic Bell/York cemetery, and numerous foundations and other archaeological features.
Whether you are new to Avalonia or a longtime volunteer, this will be a chance to get acquainted with (or reacquainted with) some of the basics of preserve stewardship in an informal and friendly setting. We expect to perform trail maintenance, including refreshing some of the blazes, as well as the annual monitoring walk for the property.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear, and drinking water. If you have loppers, clippers and or handsaws, feel free to bring them. While not required in order to participate, please consider registering here. This will help us in the planning process. A confirmation email will contain additional event details including specifics regarding parking.
Please contact the Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.

Wildlife Habitat Enhancement at the Hunter Brook Preserve in Norwich
2025-03-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Hunter Brook Preserve
Please consider joining Avalonia Stewardship staff and volunteers on the morning of March 29th from 9:00 -12:00 at our Hunter Brook Preserve in Norwich and be a part of our larger efforts at enhancing wildlife habitat on this beautiful 27-acre preserve!
For this first phase, work will consist of implementing recommendations associated with the recent Audubon Forest Bird Habitat Assessments, in particular the management of invasive plants, primarily Japanese barberry along the brook. This time of year cutting, pulling, and digging out these plants is considered the most effective method. This is simple and unglamorous work, but with meaningful results as it will set the stage for a later effort at planting native trees and shrubs. Participants will receive training in invasive plant identification and best management practices.
The necessary tools will be supplied for volunteer use. It is suggested that volunteers bring thick gloves, sturdy and waterproof footwear, and drinking water. If you have loppers, clippers, or digging implements feel free to bring them. Light refeshments will be provided.
Please register so that we can better plan for this no-cost event. A confirmation email will contain additional event details including specifics regarding parking. Please contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.
This Project is supported by Audubon.
REGISTER HERE

Cancelled due to weather-Wildlife Habitat Enhancement at Cedar Wood Preserve in Norwich
2025-04-12 09:00 - 12:00 | Cedar Wood Preserve, 180 North Wawecus Hill Rd., Norwich, CT, 06360, United States
Please consider joining Avalonia Stewardship staff and volunteers on the morning of Saturday April 12th from 9:00 -12:00 at our Cedar Wood Preserve in Norwich and be a part of our efforts at managing this beautiful nearly 50-acre preserve!
For this first phase of work, we will be implementing recommendations associated with a recent Audubon Forest Bird Habitat Assessment, in particular the management of invasive plants, along the edges of fields where they transiton into woodlands. This time of year cutting, pulling, and digging out of a wide variety of invasive plants in combination with the strategic application of herbicide are considered the most effective methods. This is simple and unglamorous work, but with meaningful results as it will set the stage for a later effort at planting native trees and shrubs in an effort to soften the forest edge and increase plant diversity and structure. Participants will receive training in invasive plant identification and best management practices.

The necessary tools will be supplied for volunteer use. It is suggested that volunteers bring thick gloves, sturdy and waterproof footwear, and drinking water. If you have loppers, clippers, or digging implements feel free to bring them. Light refeshments will be provided.
Please register so that we can better plan for this no-cost event. A confirmation email will contain additional event details including specifics regarding parking. Please contact Director of Stewardship, Tobias Glaza at tglaza@avalonialc.org for more information.

This Project is supported by Audubon.
REGISTER HERE

Restoration Planting at Parke Memorial Preserve along the Shunock River
2025-04-19 09:00 - 12:00
Please join Avalonia stewardship staff and volunteers at the Parke Memorial Preserve in North Stonington, on Saturday April 19 at 9:00 to help in the restoration of floodplain/riparian habitat along the Shunock River. This free event is open to all-comers!
Over the years great strides have been made at Parke Memorial in reducing the amount of Japanese knotweed and in encouraging native pollinators species along the dam. While the efforts to manage the knotweed continue, we have now reached a point where it is appropriate to plant native trees and shrubs east of the dam and along the Shunock River. Ninebark, sweetspire, spicebush, elderberry, basswood, and sycamore are just a few of the species we hope to reestablish on this site.
The parking area at the preserve can only safely accommodate 2 vehicles, so we plan to meet at the parking lot across from the North Stonington Town Hall (40 Main Street). Depending on the number of participants, we’ll either walk or carpool (less than a 1/4 of a mile) to the Parke Memorial Preserve, one of several that Avalonia stewards along the Shunock River. There is a fairly steep decline from the trailhead to the work site, but it is otherwise close to and visible from the road.
Gloves, sturdy footwear, bug repellent, and drinking water are recommended. While tools will be provided for your use, feel free to bring your own shovel or other planting implements.
We will begin at 9:00 and work as long as spirits remain high, and as weather allows (Rain date of Sunday April 20). Work at your own pace and stay as long as you wish.
Please consider registering as it will help us in planning for this free event.
