Avalonia Land Conservancy

Hike - Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor, Ledyard
2018-06-23 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | CT
Please park at our trailhead, on Merry Lane, which is off Whalehead Road – get directions
Trail Details: North Tract- 2-mile trail loop, beginner
Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor is one of Ledyard’s most interesting, and under-celebrated properties. Featuring an impressive glacial moraine, ponds, swamps, and lush wildlife, our preserve protects one of southeastern Connecticut’s major aquifers. Comprised of three major scenic tracts, we will explore the properties’ beautiful glacier moraine features, wildflowers and water resources.
Please RSVP for this event as a courtesy to Avalonia, with your name and contact information. Any related questions or concerns can be addressed to Karen Askins. Email: k.askins@sbcglobal.net

Griswold - Educational Hike - Rixtown Road
2018-06-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Rixtown Mt., 367 Rixtown Road, Griswold, CT, United States
A CT Trails Weekend Hike
Challenging hike up Rixtown Mt. in honor of our 50th anniversary with views and a quarry, then through a chestnut oak forest to Avalonia’s Lost Pond, hiking over two old stone dams. Remarkable stone walls and other structures are found along the entire trail. Please bring water and a cell phone. The entire loop hike requires the ability to climb about 60 flights of stairs over 2 hours.
Leader: Sue Sutherland
Meeting Place: 367 Rixtown Road, Griswold. Carpooling is encouraged. See Google Maps for directions.
more info

Ledyard - Paddle at Poquetanuck Cove
2018-06-02 13:00 - 15:00 | CT
A CT Weekend Event
Explore Poquetanuck Cove with the Thames River Basin Partnership. The cove is a two mile long brackish water tidal cove of the Thames River with a long history of conservation focused efforts. The cove is a Connecticut Bird Sanctuary located between the Towns of Ledyard and Preston, CT. We will launch from the Royal Oaks Drive car top boat launch in Ledyard just before high tide and view properties owned by Avalonia Land Conservancy (celebrating their 50th anniversary), The Nature Conservancy and the CT DEEP from the water. Life jackets and pre-registration required.
Leader: Jean Pillo
Meeting Place: Royal Oaks Drive car top boat launch in Ledyard See Google Maps for directions.

rain cancels

more info

North Stonington - Nature Walk - Babcock Ridge/Henne Preserve Trails
2018-06-02 10:00 - 12:30 | Babcock Ridge, 113 Babcock Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
A CT Trails Weekend Hike
In honor of our 50th anniversary, we’ll explore of two of North Stonington’s most prized open spaces. This family-oriented nature hike will start with a great circle trek of the rugged valleys and slopes of Babcock Ridge, where we’ll look for vernal pools, Pileated Woodpeckers, glacier-carved hillsides, wildflowers, and even tree-climbing Black Rat Snakes.
We’ll follow with a more gentle walk through the Henne Preserve and its beaver-created wetlands, home to nesting Great Blue Herons, acrobatic Tree Swallows, all sorts of ducks and geese, many colorful warblers and other songbirds, an abundance of dragonflies and damselflies, and maybe even Osprey. Bring your cameras, binoculars, and sketchpads, along with an abundance of curiosity.
Leader: Bruce Fellman
Meeting Place: 113 Babcock Rd (0.9 miles from Wyassup Rd or 0.8 miles from Rt 49). Parking area is on the north side of the road by the preserve sign. See Google Maps for directions.
Rain postpones. Rain date: Sunday, June 3, 2018 – 10:30am

more details

Groton Hike - Bluff Point State Park, X-TOWN TRAIL
2018-06-02 09:15 - 12:15 | Bluff Point State Park, Depot Rd, Groton, CT, 06340, United States
A CT Trails Weekend Hike
Meet our bus at Bluff Point State Park that will deliver us to Avalonia Land Conservancy’s Town’s End Park. This is the reverse our hike from previous years. We’ll hike from Town’s End on Beebe Cove and the Mystic River, to Groton’s Beebe Pond Park, continuing over the ridge on GOSA’s Merritt Family Forest, through Groton’s Mortimer Wright Preserve, across RT 215 to Haley Farm State Park, past Palmers’ and Mumford Coves, and across the railroad bridge to Bluff Point and the Poquonnock River. Please arrive a little early for prompt bus departure.
more details
Leader: Sidney F. Van Zandt

Meeting Place: Bluff Point State Park, Groton. See Google Maps for directions.

Rain cancels

North Stonington - Educational Walk - Tefftweald at Birchenturn
2018-06-02 09:00 - 11:00 | Tefftweald at Birchenturn, 282 Grindstone Hill Road, North Stonington, CT, 06359, United States
A CT Trails Weekend Hike
Photography hike in honor of our 50th anniversary, led by professional photographer. Wyassup Brook flows through a beautiful forest with rugged ledges, rocky outcrops and historic stone structures. The property was a former Girl Scout Camp. Lois Tefft, a founder of Avalonia, purchased it and donated it to Avalonia when it was up for sale and likely to be developed. The preserve provides easy walking in a lovely setting.
Leader: Carl Tjerandsen

Meeting Place: 282 Grindstone Hill Rd, North Stonington. Go down the dirt roadway to the parking area on the left. See Google Maps for directions.

Rain or shine.

more details

19th Annual CT Greenway Awards & National Trails Day Celebration
2018-06-01 10:00 | CT
Celebrate Southeastern Connecticut’s First Greenway
Join Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Greenways Council, the Town of Ledyard and the Avalonia Land Conservancy for the 19th Annual CT Greenway Awards & National Trails Day Celebration. This event will be the official opening of the Great Oak Greenway in Ledyard, southeastern Connecticut’s first such designation.
This ceremony will present awards to local conservation organizations as well as recognize the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Click HERE for the official invitation, directions, a list of the day’s events and guest speakers. Please let us know you are coming by registering HERE. We look forward to seeing you at this grand celebration!
June 1st 10am
Nathan Lester House, in Ledyard, CT
153 Vinegar Hill Road
Ledyard, CT 06335

Full Moon Flower Walk with DPNC
2018-05-29 19:45 - 20:45 | Preston Nature Preserve, Krug Road, Preston, CT, United States
This walk, hosted by Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
From DPNC – “Join us as we celebrate the full moon with an evening walk thru the Preston Nature Preserve, an Avalonia Land Conservancy property. The transition from day to night can be an exciting time to tune our sense to nature. This program is suited for adults and older, interested children and takes place whether the sky is clear or overcast. Moderate walk. Members: Free, Nonmembers: $10”
Register Here

Cinco de Mayo Hike
2018-05-05 09:00 - 11:00 | TriTown Forest Preserve, 91 Miller Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
On March 20th, Avalonia closed on one of its most exciting acquisitions in many years. The Tri-Town Ridgeline Forest, a 409-acre property straddling Griswold, North Stonington and Preston, is the largest fee purchase made in Avalonia’s 50-year history, bringing Avalonia’s total preserved acreage to exactly 4,000.
Come and join us at 91 Miller Road, North Stonington on Saturday, May 5th at 9 a.m. for an introduction to the property and a moderately easy guided hike. We should be finished by 11 a.m. Please bring a cellphone and water and email Sue Sutherland at suesutherland@snet.net with any questions.
Please register for the hike here
We look forward to seeing you then.
Photo: A large chestnut oak sits high on a ridge on Avalonia’s 409-acre Tri-Town Ridgeline Forest. The oak is but one example of the unusual flora and fauna found on this extraordinary land. The preserve is the conservancy’s largest acquisition in its 50-year history. Photo by Kelly Allen

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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.
