Summer Guided Hike Series: Avery Preserve
2016-08-06 09:00 (America/New_York) | 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: 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: 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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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
2017-03-07 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!

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!

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

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!

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

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.

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

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.”

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.

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.

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

Connecticut League of Conservation Voters 2017 Environmental Scorecard
2017-10-15 | CT
Connecticut League of Conservation Voters to Honor David Anderson, a longtime Avalonia member, at its 2017 Scorecard Launch
David Anderson, former state legislator and CTLCV Scorecard Committee chair, will be recognized for his lifelong work to protect CT’s environment at the October 15 release of the 2017 Environmental Scorecard.
The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters will be launching its 2017 Scorecard on October 15 in Mystic, Connecticut. The 2017 Scorecard will detail the voting records of every member of the State Senate and House of Representatives in the most recent legislative session. This will include both floor votes and committee votes on bills scored by the League.
An “insider” analysis of the recent legislative session from the perspective of environmental concerns will be provided by Executive Director, Lori Brown.
As part of its 2017 Scorecard Launch, the League will honor David Anderson, a resident of Mystic, and a founding member of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters. In addition to his long service as an active member of the CTLCV board, Anderson served as its first chair of the Scorecard Committee in 2000.

Bird Banding Event at Knox Preserve
2017-10-22 08:00 - 11:00 | Knox Preserve, Wilcox Road, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Bob Dewire and Beth Sullivan will demonstrate the process of federal bird banding of fall migrants passing through Knox Preserve where banding has occurred for almost 30 years. This is a hands-on experience for the whole family.

Mystic River Kayak Clean-Up
2017-10-27 10:00 - 14:00 | CT
Ram Point Preserve and Downes Marsh are on the schedule for this Mystic River clean-up by kayak hosted by CUSH (Clean Up Sound & Harbor)
SIGN-UP HERE TO PARTICIPATE

WalkTober Walk at Knox Preserve
2017-10-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Knox Preserve, Wilcox Road, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Beth Sullivan will lead a WalkTober Walk at Knox Preserve for early fall observations. Everyone welcome!

50th Anniversary Celebration
2018-02-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Mystic Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
When: February 21, 5:30 – 7:30PM (Snow date: Feb. 28)
Where: Mystic Aquarium, Great Hall
Cost: $60 per person
Guest speaker: Robert Klee, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Special citation from the State of Connecticut presented by Dianna Urban
Wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres
Photo display
Tickets will be available the first week in January on our website or by sending a check to the Avalonia PO box 49, Old Mystic, CT 06372.

Earth Day Event at UConn Avery Point
2018-04-19 11:00 - 13:30 | UCONN Avery Point Campus, 1084 Shennecossett Rd., Groton, CT, 06340, United States
Celebrate Earth Day with the EcoHuskies on the UConn Avery Point Campus!

Salamander Search with DPNC
2018-04-21 14:00 - 16:00 | DPNC, 109 Pequotseps rd, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
view event page for details

Marsh Restoration with Mystic Aquarium at Dodge Paddock and Beal Preserve
2018-04-22 11:00 - 14:00 | Dodge Paddock & Beal Preserves, 32 Wall Street, Stonington Borough, CT, 06378, United States
Join Mystic Aquarium at the Dodge Paddock and Beal Preserve in Stonington Borough as they prepare this unique marshland for the summer! This family friendly event is open to conservationists of all ages, and the Aquarium will provide work gloves, buckets and gardening tools.
Cost: No cost but registration is requested to ensure they have all the supplies needed for this event! Contact educationinfo@mysticaquarium.org to register.

History & Nature Hike at Perry Natural Area
2018-04-29 14:00 - 16:00 | CT
April 29, 2-4 pm.
Perry Natural Area, North Anguilla Road in Stonington (directions)
Beth Sullivan will lead a hike with Beth Moore from Stonington Historical Society. A joint effort to look at the history and nature of the area.
Parking is limited at site, so roadside parking will be necessary where ever possible.
