Avalonia Land Conservancy

Listening Sessions on DEEP Draft Nature-Based Solutions Report
2026-05-26 | CT
We’re sharing this on behalf of DEEP.

Background
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) has released its Draft Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Initiative Program Evaluation for public review. This critical report, mandated by Public Act 25-125, evaluates how Connecticut can integrate and advance NBS in state programs supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystem resilience, and biodiversity.
CLCC has been actively engaged in advancing nature-based solutions as part of Connecticut public policy. We encourage land trusts, communities, and other conservation partners to participate and help shape the future of this important statewide initiative.

Why Your Voice Matters
Nature-based solutions—such as forest conservation, wetlands protection, healthy soils, and urban tree planting—are among our most potent and cost-effective defenses against the impacts of climate change and offer myriad benefits for public health, the economy, and the environment. This evaluation covers dozens of state programs, including critical funding sources like the Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) grants, and offers suggestions to advance NBS in state policy. Public feedback will directly inform the Final NBS Report due later this summer.

Attend a Listening Session
Join CT DEEP to learn more about the draft report and provide your input on how Connecticut should advance these vital conservation tools. Each session will take place both in-person at CT DEEP’s Gina McCarthy Auditorium, 5th Floor, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, and via Zoom. More information about session times and how to join is available in CT DEEP’s Notice of Two Listening Sessions.

REGISTER
Listening Session #1: Tuesday, May 26 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Register Here: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kFEd_oQMS8S01Z-DH7eNCA#/registration
Listening Session #2: Tuesday, May 26 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Register Here: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__9J5fGR2QU6ayrDx04m4MA#/registration

A Multisensational Nature Adventure at Knox Preserve in Stonington
2026-06-06 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | CT
The Avalonia Land Conservancy’s Knox Preserve, which sits along the Stonington coast, is a four-season treasure trove of natural wonders, and it’s especially beautiful in June, as spring transitions to summer, noisy birds pause their northbound migrations to rest and feed for a while, an abundance of wildflowers bloom, and a plethora of pollinating insects, from bees to butterflies, take advantage of the floral riches. We’ll hike Knox’s gentle trails—and even a historic graveyard—at a slow pace designed to enable everyone to use all of their senses on a journey of environmental discovery, co-sponsored with the South East Connecticut Community Center of the Blind, to experience, as fully as possible, the delights of nature. The walk will be amplified, and walk leader Bruce Fellman is a veteran naturalist, teacher, and photojournalist with half a century of innovative and engaging experience that has enabled people of all ages, inclinations, and abilities to connect to the natural world.

RSVP HERE

Parking: We’ll meet at the preserve gate, which is across the street from the on-street parking on Wilcox Road.

Trail: The Knox Preserve trail we’ll be walking is about three feet wide, with a dirt center and grassy sides. While the pathway does not meet formal accessibility standards, most of it is very level, but there are some tripping hazards, notably roots, and some sections will require scrambling over rocks. Participants may do the whole hike, which is about a mile long, or an abridged version tailored to individual preferences and abilities. In all cases, our pace will be leisurely and provide plenty of opportunity for multi-sensory experiences and questions.

Communication: The walk will be amplified and will include live sonograms that provide pictorial representation of bird calls. To request sign language interpretation or for more accessibility information, go to avalonia.org or contact us at avalonialc@yahoo.com or 860-884-3500.

Trails Day Hike at Avery Preserve in Ledyard
2026-06-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Avery Preserve, 55-35 Avery Hill Rd, Ledyard, CT, 06339, United States
2026 CT TRAILS DAY CELEBRATION

On Saturday, June 6, from 1 -3 pm, join us for a Trails Day Hike at Avery Preserve in Ledyard. This will be a leisurely walk along the orange-loop-trail and some of the side trails in Avery Preserve West Tract. Ambling along, we will pause, notice, and observe the numerous plants, birds, trees, streams, vernal pools, and sheep farm remnants along our way. Bring your binoculars, loupes, cameras, or just yourself. You never know what we may find! The hike will be led by volunteer, Dawn Heasley.

REGISTER HERE

Accessibility Note: The trail surface is packed earth and dirt with occasional exposed rocks and roots. Trail width ranges from 2-3 feet to wide open. Total distance is about 2.5 miles with 270 feet of elevation change.
Parking: Look for the brown Avalonia Avery Preserve sign along Avery Hill Road. There is a small parking area on the East Tract side of the preserve. Parking overflow will be along the street. We will meet in the parking area before crossing the street to enter the preserve.
Communication: This walk will be amplified.

Avalonia Accessibility Statement: https://avalonia.org/accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities-statement/
Accessibility point person: Mary Anne Sherman, 860-884-3500 or avalonialc@yahoo.com

PHOTO CREDIT: PAM TANKARD, 2023 PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

Wildlife Habitat Enhancement at the Hunter Brook Preserve in Norwich
2026-06-10 09:30 - 12:00 | Hunter Brook Preserve
Join Avalonia Stewardship staff, interns, and volunteers on the morning of June 10th from 9:30 -12:00 at our Hunter Brook Preserve in Norwich and be a part of our continuing efforts at enhancing wildlife habitat on this beautiful 27-acre preserve!
Work will consist of implementing recommendations associated with the recent Audubon Forest Bird Habitat Assessments, in particular the removal of the invasive plant, Japanese barberry from along the brook. Participants will receive training in invasive plant identification, best management practices, and removal techniques.
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

DPNC Weekly Wanderers Trail Meetup - Copps Brook, Stonington
2026-06-27 09:00 - 11:00 | Copps Brook Preserve, Stonington
Our friends at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center are leading weekly hikes across Avalonia’s preserves this summer, and we think you should join them!
For two hours each week (9 am – 11 am), take a hike. It’s a chance to slow down, get outside, and connect with good people on beautiful local Avalonia trails. All experience levels are welcome. Please bring appropriate, closed-toe shoes, water, bug spray, and your curiosity. These hikes occur in most weather. Heavy rain or thunder will cancel and a notification will be sent out (from DPNC). Pre-registration encouraged through DPNC’s website.
REGISTER HERE

DPNC Weekly Wanderers Trail Meetup - Hoffman Evergreen Preserve, Stonington
2026-07-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Hoffman Evergreen Preserve, 580-632 CT-201, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States

DPNC Weekly Wanderers Trail Meetup - Tefftweald at Birchenturn, North Stonington
2026-07-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Tefftweald at Birchenturn, 282 Grindstone Hill Road, North Stonington, CT, 06359, United States

DPNC Weekly Wanderers Trail Meetup - Herman E. Sheets Family Forest, North Stonington
2026-07-17 09:00 - 11:00 | Sheets Family Forest, Puttker Road, North Stonington, CT, United States

DPNC Weekly Wanderers Trail Meetup - Avery Preserve, Ledyard
2026-07-25 09:00 - 11:00 | Avery Preserve, 55-35 Avery Hill Rd, Ledyard, CT, 06339, United States

DPNC Weekly Wanderers Trail Meetup - Leo Antonino Preserve, Groton
2026-07-31 09:00 - 11:00 | Leo Antonino Preserve, 0 Antonino Road, Groton, CT, United States

DPNC Weekly Wanderers Trail Meetup - Tri-town Ridgeline Forest Preserve, North Stonington
2026-08-08 09:00 - 11:00 | TriTown Forest Preserve, 91 Miller Road, North Stonington, CT, United States

DPNC Weekly Wanderers Trail Meetup - Paffard Woods, Stonington
2026-08-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Paffard Woods, N Main St., Stonington, CT, 06378, United States

DPNC Weekly Wanderers Trail Meetup - White Cedar Swamp, Stonington
2026-08-22 09:00 - 11:00 | White Cedar Swamp/Deans Mill Wildlife Corridor, Jerry Browne Road, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States

DPNC Weekly Wanderers Trail Meetup - Atkinson Family Preserve, Ledyard
2026-08-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Atkinson Family Preserve
