Avalonia Land Conservancy

The Role of Local Land Trusts in Conservation with North Stonington Garden Club
2017-09-21 18:30 (America/New_York) | Wheeler Library, 101 Main Street, North Stonington, CT, United States

Knox Preserve Walk
2017-09-20 13:00 | Knox Preserve, Wilcox Road, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Beth Sullivan will lead the Groton OATS group on a walk of Knox Preserve in Stonington. All are welcome. Rain cancels.

Stroll with Naturalist Bruce Fellman at Samuel Lamb and Forsberg Preserve
2017-08-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Samuel Lamb and Forsberg Preserve, Town Farm Road, Ledyard, CT, United States
Bruce Fellman will lead a stroll through the new Samuel Lamb and Forsberg Preserve on Shewville Rd. in Ledyard at 10:00 on Saturday, August 26. The majority of this six-acre property is an old agricultural field which we’ll preserve as a wildflower meadow. We will be identifying the wildflowers as well as the insects we find on them. There are a number of interesting plants there and a very impressive display of joe-pye weed.

After we acquired the property last September, we brush-hogged it in December and removed the autumn olives that were present in the field. Other than mow a path, we have done nothing else. Now we need to consider how best to encourage the diversity of wildflowers.

All are welcome!

The preserve is located at the intersection of Town Farm and Shewville Rds. in Ledyard. Parking is available alongside Town Farm Rd.

Preston Nature Preserve Walk
2017-08-19 10:00 | Preston Nature Preserve, Krug Road, Preston, CT, United States
The Avalonia public is welcome to join naturalist Bruce Fellman as he leads a walk for North Stonington Garden Club at Preston Nature Preserve.
From Bruce: “Everyone should take advantage of the flower power of this refuge, which is just gorgeous right now, thanks, in large part, to extensive plantings of Bee Balm and natural plantings of Joe Pye Weed, fleabane, goldenrod, and Monarch-caterpillar bearing milkweeds. I was there on a walk-through yesterday, and it’s awash with butterflies, beetles, dragonflies, and those things called birds. Hope to see some of you there, and here’s a little appetizer… a PNP specialty: a Snowberry Clearwing hummingbird moth working the Bee Balm.”

Picnic in the Park w/ Mystic Aquarium
2017-07-18 17:30 - 19:30 | Dodge Paddock & Beal Preserves, 32 Wall Street, Stonington Borough, CT, 06378, United States
This event is hosted by Mystic Aquarium and requires $10 ticket per family (up to 4) with registration.
“Families participating in Picnic in the Park programs will be provided a pizza dinner, unstructured play activities, and an opportunity to meet other nature play loving families! We’ll explore the rocky shore environment and tide pools as we discover the rich history of this hidden gem in Stonington Borough.” – Mystic Aquarium

Annual Membership Meeting 2017
2017-06-22 18:00 | UCONN Avery Point Campus, 1084 Shennecossett Rd., Groton, CT, 06340, United States
Please join Avalonia for our Annual Meeting!
Thursday, June 22 at 6 p.m.
Project O Building, UConn Avery Point Campus
Room 243, second floor
Our business meeting and election of the 2018 Board of Directors will be followed by our program speaker.
View Board Slate here
Light refreshments will be served.
Speaker: Jeff Cordulack
Executive Director, Northeast Organic Farming Association (www.ctnofa.org)
Organic garden and composting techniques
Please use the 2nd entrance for Avery Point and parking area D.

CT Trails Day (3 Events)
2017-06-03 | CT
We have three programs happening on Saturday, June 3 for CT Trails Day:

Cross-town hike in Groton from 9:30-1:30 (in partnership with GOSA and Groton Parks and Rec.),
The Benedict Benson Hike in North Stonington from 10-12:30
the Dodge Paddock and Beal Preserve trail maintenance from 10-2 (in partnership with Mystic Aquarium)

those interested can find more information at www.ctwoodlands.org

Earth Day is Here! Program at Library
2017-04-22 15:00 | Mystic & Noank Library, 40 Library Street, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
You’ll first learn about Avalonia’s new program “Hike and Seek” so that you can try it another time on some of their local trails.
Avalonia folks will also discuss protecting our waters, including local watersheds and aquifers. What do we need to know about drinking water, pollutants and our shoreline, as well as the plants and animals that call the water their home?
Get in the know and love the Earth today!

Benedict Benson Dedication w/ Guided Hike on Earth Day
2017-04-22 10:00 | Benedict Benson Preserve, Swantown Hill Road, North Stonington, CT, 06359, United States
with naturalist Bruce Fellman
Swantown Hill Road in North Stonington
Lat/Lon: 41.4772679, -71.9264603

Winter Gathering 2017 (despite today's snow, it's a go!)
2017-03-10 17:30 - 21:00 | Mystic Congregational Church, 43 E Main St, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
UPDATE: We have been diligently watching the weather and road conditions and it looks like we are good to go for tonight’s Winter Gathering. Hope to see you there!
Join us for good fellowship, good fun, and good food! Bring your friends!

Member Open House
2017-03-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Hatch Street Office, 6 Hatch Street, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
Avalonia will be holding a monthly “Open House” in the office on the first Tuesday of each month. This is a great time for anyone to stop by the office and have the opportunity to chat about any questions or concerns they may have or even just to pop in and see where we are and what we’re doing.
No need to call ahead, just stop by between 10am and 2pm, have a cup of coffee or tea, and talk. Our office is located at 6 Hatch Street. We’d love to see you!

Film Screening: "Hometown Habitat: Stories of Bringing Nature Home"
2017-02-11 11:00 | Mystic & Noank Library, 40 Library Street, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
This free screening of a 90 minute movie about landscaping for habitat value is sponsored by the Connecticut College Arboretum and Wild Ones.

Member Open House
2017-02-07 10:00 - 14:00 | Hatch Street Office, 6 Hatch Street, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
Beginning February 7th, Avalonia will be holding a monthly “Open House” in the office on the first Tuesday of each month. This is a great time for anyone to stop by the office and have the opportunity to chat about any questions or concerns they may have or even just to pop in and see where we are and what we’re doing.
No need to call ahead, just stop by between 10am and 2pm, have a cup of coffee or tea, and talk. Our office is located at 6 Hatch Street. We’d love to see you!

Haunted Hike at Preston Nature Preserve
2016-10-22 16:00 - 17:30 | Preston Nature Preserve, Krug Road, Preston, CT, United States
Avalonia naturalist and photojournalist Bruce Fellman will lead a family-friendly trek along the Preserve’s half-mile of gentle trails that starts with a search for migrating birds and butterflies, including Monarchs, and a scan of plants for caterpillars, galls, and all the preparations for winter that the natural world undergoes in October.
Then, as the darkness grows, we’ll enter a spooky forest. If we survive, we’ll emerge in the fields to hunt for bats and owls.
Come in costume… if you dare.
For more information email us (newsletter@avalonialc.org), or just meet at 4pm at the trailhead on the south side of Krug Road, 0.6 miles west of Jewett City Road (Route 164).
Trail map here

Stonington Resiliency Plan Kick-Off Event
2016-10-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Mystic Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
The Town is excited to announce the public event to kick off its Municipal Coastal Resilience Plan on Thursday October 20th 6:00pm at Mystic Aquarium. The event will feature a children’s activity area, food and interactive sessions to gather public feedback.
The focus will be on how Stonington prepares for sea level rise and extreme weather so our community continues to thrive for our children and future generations. The Town and Arup consulting team will present survey findings and other information. Stonington has a long and proud history of settlement dating back to 1649 and the Town is planning for it to thrive well into the future. Current changes in weather patterns and projected sea level rise present significant challenges for our coastal community and the Town is starting to plan in order to better understand the extent of risks we will face in the future and to identify things we can do to adapt and respond to these risks. This resiliency plan is about being wise, planning ahead, and protecting people, places, and investments. Broad public engagement in this resiliency planning will provide the best chances for success for our efforts and the best use of public and private resources.
VIEW FLYER

Hometown Habitat: Stories of Bringing Nature Home - Documentary & Lecture at CT College
2016-10-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Connecticut College, 270 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT, United States
Hometown Habitat: Stories of Bringing Nature Home is a documentary film that flips the landscaping paradigm by raising awareness about the critical role native plants play in the survival and vitality of local ecosystems.. Join in on a discussion after the 90 minute film.
FREE screening at Blaustein Humanities Center, Rm 210. For FREE reservations, call 860-439-5020

Argia Private Charter Cruise
2016-10-01 10:05 - 12:50 | Argia Mystic Cruises, 15 Holmes St # 7, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
PURCHASE TICKETS

PURCHASE TICKETS

DPNC led Walk-tober hike at Tefftweld at Birchenturn - FREE
2016-10-01 09:00 - 10:30 | Tefftweald at Birchenturn, 282 Grindstone Hill Road, North Stonington, CT, 06359, United States
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center will lead a hike at Tefftweld at Birchenturn. This is a free hike.
more about Tefftweld at Birchenturn

Summer Guided Hike Series: Knox Preserve (change of location)
2016-09-03 09:00 | CT
*Please note this hike was edited on 8/25 – change of location – the hike will be at Knox Preserve (previously listed as Knox Family Farm)
Looking for a good hiking trail this summer? Join the Avalonia Conservancy as we embark on guided hiking trails on our beautiful preserves! See an array of wildlife, get a good workout and spend some time learning about nature with family or friends!
September 3 rd : Knox Preserve, Stonington CT
Trail Details: Approximately 1 mile of trails. Easy, family friendly. Wide flat trails, pretty views along the water, and a field of flowers great for butterflies.
Knox Preserve location and details
part of Avalonia’s Summer Guided Hike Series
RSVP is not necessary but strongly appreciated! Please RSVP at amanda.dostie@gmail.com

Summer Guided Hike Series: Preston Nature Preserve
2016-08-20 09:00 | CT
Looking for a good hiking trail this summer? Join the Avalonia Conservancy as we embark on guided hiking trails on our beautiful preserves! See an array of wildlife, get a good workout and spend some time learning about nature with family or friends!
August 20 th : Preston Nature Preserve, Preston CT
Trail Details: Well-established 0.5 mile trail system with bridges. Beautiful meadows, pastures, swamps, ponds and varied vegetation
Preston Nature Preserve location and details
part of Avalonia’s Summer Guided Hike Series
RSVP is not necessary but strongly appreciated! Please RSVP at amanda.dostie@gmail.com

Summer Guided Hike Series: Avery Preserve
2016-08-06 09:00 | CT
Looking for a good hiking trail this summer? Join the Avalonia Conservancy as we embark on guided hiking trails on our beautiful preserves! See an array of wildlife, get a good workout and spend some time learning about nature with family or friends!
August 6 th : Avery Preserve, Ledyard CT
Trail Details: Approximately 1 mile of hiking trails. Beginner hike! Glacial rock deposits, wetlands and lush wildlife.
Avery Preserve location and details
part of Avalonia’s Summer Guided Hike Series
RSVP is not necessary but strongly appreciated! Please RSVP at amanda.dostie@gmail.com

Summer Guided Hike Series: D.R. Henne Memorial Brook Preserve
2016-07-23 09:00 | CT
Looking for a good hiking trail this summer? Join the Avalonia Conservancy as we embark on guided hiking trails on our beautiful preserves! See an array of wildlife, get a good workout and spend some time learning about nature with family or friends!
July 23 rd : D.R. Henne Memorial Brook Preserve, North Stonington CT
Trail Details: Main trail extends approximately 1.5 miles, beginner hike! Full of lush vegetation and wetlands.
D.R. Henne Memorial Brook Preserve location and details
part of Avalonia’s Summer Guided Hike Series
RSVP is not necessary but strongly appreciated! Please RSVP at amanda.dostie@gmail.com

Summer Guided Hike Series: Hoffman Evergreen Preserve
2016-07-09 09:00 | CT
Looking for a good hiking trail this summer? Join the Avalonia Conservancy as we embark on guided hiking trails on our beautiful preserves! See an array of wildlife, get a good workout and spend some time learning about nature with family or friends!
July 9 th : Hoffman Evergreen Preserve, Stonington CT
Trail Details: About 2 miles of connected trails, an intermediate-beginner hike! Mixed evergreen and hardwood forest.
Hoffman Evergreen Preserve location and details
part of Avalonia’s Summer Guided Hike Series
RSVP is not necessary but strongly appreciated! Please RSVP at amanda.dostie@gmail.com

Impromptu Outing: Moore Woodlands
2016-06-25 09:00 | Moore Woodlands, 314-264 Capstan Ave, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
Approximately 0.8 miles of trails connect Moore Woodlands to Beebe Pond Park trails. The preserve contains wetlands draining into the Mystic River. Great beginner hiking!
To read more about the preserve, and for a map and directions click here.
To RSVP (optional, but preferred) email

PINE SWAMP WILDLIFE CORRIDOR HIKE
2016-06-05 10:00 | Pine Swamp and Wildlife Corridor, 113 Whalehead Rd, Gales Ferry, CT, 06335, United States
Meet us at the cul-de-sac at the end of Merry Lane, Ledyard.
PSWC protects one of southeastern Connecticut’s major aquifers, and features ponds, extensive swamps and upland woods. Its habitats support many types of plants, flowers are abundant and birdwatching is excellent. Gravel roads and a low shrub habitat are excellent for rabbits.

HENNE PRESERVE AND BABCOCK RIDGE NATURE HIKE
2016-06-04 10:00 | Babcock Ridge, 113 Babcock Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
Early June is a great time to observe all kinds of wildlife and this hike, led by naturalist and photojournalist Bruce Fellman, packs a lot of habitat diversity into a small and easily walkable distance.
We’ll start with a great circle trek of the rugged valleys and slopes of Babcock Ridge, where we will look for vernal pools, pileated woodpeckers, worm-eating warblers, glacier-carved boulders, and possibly tree-climbing black rat snakes. We’ll follow with a more gentle walk through the Henne Preserve, with its beaver-created wetlands, nesting osprey and great blue heron, tree swallows, ducks, turtles and possibly nesting red-headed woodpeckers. Bruce will highlight the abundant plants and animals and help with photography. Bring binoculars, cameras, magnifying glasses, and field guides.
Meet Saturday, June 4 at 10am at the small parking area at 113 Babcock Road, North Stonington. Rain date Sunday, June 5 at 10:30am.

Groton's X-Town Trail Hike
2016-06-04 09:30 | Bluff Point State Park, Depot Rd, Groton, CT, 06340, United States
This moderately-paced 5-6 mile hike is co-sponsored by Avalonia, GOSA and the Town of Groton Parks & Recreation Department and connects public hiking trails on two state parks, two Town of Groton parks, and preserves owned by the Groton Open Space Association (GOSA), as well as Avalonia’s own Town’s End and Moore Woodlands preserves.
The hike extends from the Poquonnock River to the Mystic River in Noank and will involve a small amount of travel along paved roads. Meet at the Bluff Point State Park Parking lot at 9:30 am on Saturday, June 4. A Groton Parks & Recreation bus will meet us at Beebe Pond Park about 1-1:30 pm for our return to Bluff Point parking lot.
Heavy rain cancels; there is no scheduled rain date. No dogs, please.
Pre-registration is requested: contact Sidney Van Zandt by phone 860-572-5715 or email svanzandt3@aol.com.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
2016-05-27 18:00 - 21:00 | LaGrua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, United States
There will be a business meeting at which we will review our activities for the past year, and the membership will elect the Officers and Board of Directors for the coming year. The Nominating Committee has submitted the following slate of candidates:
President: Dennis Main
Vice-President: Sue Sutherland
Secretary: Binti Ackley
Treasurer: Claude Pellegrino
Directors-at-Large:
Karen Askins
Dick Conant
Scott Dawley
Rusty Morrison
Mike Pernal
This will be followed by a program that is open to the general public. Please feel free to invite your friends. The speaker will be
Ayla Fox

Ayla Fox is a documentary filmmaker from Rhode Island who believes in using film to “communicate the science, policy, and social topics surrounding coastal issues to the public”. She founded her own production company called Shed Light Films and has worked with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, NOAA, Rhode Island Sea Grant, Sailors for Seas, and The Coastal Resource Center.
We are excited to welcome Ayla to speak with us about her experiences and the knowledge she has gained from her work She will be talking about.integrating technology and media for the success of an organization’s mission, and the ways in which they can raise awareness and support.

Avalonia on TV
2016-05-25 19:00 | SEC TV (Channel 12)
There will be a segment on Avalonia on SEC-TV’s non-profit series. It will air on Wednesday, May 25th at 7:00pm on channel 12.

BABCOCK RIDGE DEDICATION
2016-05-14 10:00 | Babcock Ridge, 113 Babcock Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
We completed the acquisition of this beautiful property last spring. Now we have signs, trails, and water crossings in place and are ready to proudly introduce it to the Avalonia membership.
Join us for the dedication, rain or shine, meeting at the preserve entrance at 113 Babcock Road.
Formalities will be minimal, and light refreshments will be served. There will be ample opportunity to explore the newly installed trails, which connect with those on the popular Henne and Erisman preserves.
