Avalonia Land Conservancy

Tri-Town Natural History Trek
2018-10-07 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | TriTown Forest Preserve, 91 Miller Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
This trek is part of Walktober festivities sponsored by the Last Green Valley.
The Tri-Town Ridgeline Forest, a 409-acre property straddling Griswold, North Stonington, and Preston, is Avalonia Land Conservancy’s newest acquisition. In honor of ALC’s 50th anniversary, we’ll explore Tri-Town’s rugged trails for migrating birds, insects, and amphibians, late-blooming wildflowers, early fall foliage, and stone walls.
Register for this event
Trek leader and contact: Bruce Fellman – 860-599-4867

Record Keeping Training Session
2018-10-04 10:00 | Hatch Street Office, 6 Hatch Street, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
There will be a short record keeping training session on Thursday, October 4 at 10:00 AM 6 Hatch St., Mystic to become familiar with the procedures. If you are interested, click HERE to sign on.
Interested in joining our Record Keeping Team? learn more here

Trail Maintenance Training Session
2018-09-29 10:00 | Pine Swamp and Wildlife Corridor, 113 Whalehead Rd, Gales Ferry, CT, 06335, United States
Our team leader, Kimberly Bradley, will be holding a basic field instruction for trail volunteers on September 29 at 10:00 AM at the Pine Swamp Preserve in Gales Ferry section of Ledyard, so come and join us to learn more. To keep our volunteers informed and safe, we ask that new trail stewards attend at least one class before taking on the trail steward job.
Interested in joining the Trail Maintenance Team? learn more here

Boundary Marking Training Session
2018-09-29 09:00
Our first boundary marking training session will be held on Saturday, September 29, at 9:00 AM at the Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Rd., Groton.
Interested in joining the Boundary Marking Team? learn more here

Hike the New TriTown Forest Preserve Trail
2018-09-23 09:00 | TriTown Forest Preserve, 91 Miller Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
Avalonia volunteers have been hard at work building a great trail system on our new TriTown Forest Preserve (TTFP).

This hike will mark the grand opening of the blue trail (a major five-mile loop around the perimeter of these properties) and celebrate the addition of the impressive Boyd Preserve to Avalonia’s acreage. It takes about three hours to complete. Hikers have the option of an easier three-mile hike by taking a return trail midway through the blue-trail loop.

The hike is moderate in difficulty with trails summiting both the 520-foot Lambert and the 510-foot Rixtown Mountains. Hikers will start by joining the atmospheric Old King’s Highway, an historic colonial road, followed by stops at Lost Pond, The Beeches Overlook, and Chestnut Oak Alley, home of several of the largest chestnut oaks in Connecticut.

Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water and trail snacks. Leashed dogs are welcome.
register for this event
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the hike leader, Sue Sutherland, at suesutherland@snet.net.

Boundary Walking Instructional Meeting
2018-09-22 09:00
Attend our first boundary walking team meeting on Saturday, September 22, at 9:00 AM at the Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Rd., Groton.
This instructional class will be led by our experienced board members, Scott Dawley and David Young. During this session, they will discuss monitoring procedures and our developing drone technology.
Interested in joining the Boundary Walking Team? learn more here

Salt Marsh Scavenger Hunt!
2018-09-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Barn Island, 249 Palmer Neck Road, Stoningtong, CT, United States
Explore Barn Island’s Salt Marsh with Avalonia and the
UCONN Dept. of Marine Sciences
Learn more about how coastal marshes provide habitats for a variety of creatures.
Explore three stations:
1. a welcome area with a touch tank containing marsh creatures, plants and seaweed
2. a stream area for trapping fish, hunting for coffee bean snails, and scanning for birds
3. a marsh pool and plant area
Avalonia owns over 250 acres of land affected by tides. They provide buffers for storm surges and are vital to our local economy as spawning grounds for the fishing industry. Join us this Sunday to learn more about how our coastal marshes provide habitats for a variety of residents.
Come prepared to get your feet wet!
This event is FREE and open to people of all ages – REGISTER HERE
Where: Meet at the educational kiosks on the left just before the Barn Island, Connecticut, state boat launch parking lot located at 249 Palmer Neck Road in Stonington. See Map Access road is handicapped accessible (and stroller accessible too)
When: Sunday, September 16, 10 am – 12 pm
Bring: Shoes and clothing that may get wet, binoculars and a camera
Celebrate Avalonia’s 50 years of wetlands conservation at this FREE and FUN event.

Wood Pawcatuck Paddle and Picnic
2018-09-07 16:00 | Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, 203 Arcadia Rd., Hope Valley, RI, 02832, United States
RSVP recommended – click here

RSVP recommended – click here

Chain Saw Workshop
2018-09-01 09:00 - 16:00
A chain saw workshop will be held on Saturday, September 1, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Avalonia’s Hoffman Preserve (Stonington) with expert instructions on the safe operation of chain saws.
Class size is limited and this class will sell out quickly.
There is a $50 fee. Send an email to abpatterson@ctconservation.org with your name and contact information to register for this training.
Interested in joining our new Trail Maintenance Team? learn more here

Hike - Preston Nature Preserve, Preston
2018-08-11 10:30 - 12:30 | Preston Nature Preserve, Krug Road, Preston, CT, United States
Everyone needs to spend some time in a high summer meadow. The woodlands are quieting, uniformly green now and drier. Spring wildflowers are long gone and most vernal pools have dried up. But the excitement can be found in the open fields, those not hayed or mowed, but allowed to grow naturally and wildly.

Join noted naturalist and photographer, Bruce Fellman and enjoy our well-established 0.5-mile trail. Our meadow walk is one of peace and observation- advertised to families, residents and anyone looking for a slow and educational hike, on one of our most beautiful properties. Learn about wildflowers, meadows, bees, butterfly migration and their important role in our ecosystem. Come enjoy the beautiful colors of summer!

Where: Preston Nature Preserve – Krug Rd., Preston, CT. Our trailhead is located on the South side of Krug Road, 0.6 miles west of Jewett City Road. Please park at the trailhead. Google Directions
When: Saturday, August 11, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Difficulty: Beginner level. Great for families.
Bring: Camera, binoculars, water, good hiking shoes

Registration requested, click HERE

Regional Conservation Conversation
2018-07-14 09:00 - 10:00 | TriTown Forest Preserve, 91 Miller Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
Avalonia Land Conservancy will host an informal discussion and guided tour for State legislators, community leaders, and other land trusts in southeastern Connecticut at our Tri-Town Ridgeline Forest on Saturday, July 14. The event is sponsored by the Connecticut Land Conservation Council to celebrate projects made possible in part by DEEP’s Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) grant program, funded by the Community Investment Act.
Please RSVP for an informal conversation about your local, regional, and statewide land conservation priorities, and enjoy a short walk into our forest preserve.
The event is from 9:00 to 10:00 am, and heavy rain cancels. Meet at 91 Miller Road in North Stonington. Parking is limited to the sides of the street. We recommend good footwear as this trail is rugged in places. No dogs, please. Visit the Connecticut Land Conservation Council webpage for more information, or REGISTER HERE.

Conservation & Tractor Night
2018-07-13 16:00 - 19:00 | Bozrah Farmer’s Market, 45 Bozrah St., Bozrah, CT, 06334, United States

Hike - Hoffman Evergreen Preserve, Stonington
2018-07-07 10:00 - 11:30
Our trailhead is located off Route 201, and can be hard to see at times. You may receive directions using Google maps on either your computer, our website, or a smart-phone. Google Directions
Trail Details: This is a beginner-intermediate hike, geared towards individuals interested in hiking rocky, woodland terrain. Roadside parking at signed trailhead. Mixed evergreen and hardwood forest, some wetlands.
more on Hoffman Evergreen Preserve
Please RSVP this event HERE as a courtesy to Avalonia, with your name and contact information.

Annual Meeting 2018
2018-06-26 18:00 | Dennison Pequotsepos Nature Center, 109 Pequotsepos Road, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
Avalonia will hold its annual membership meeting on June 26th at the Dennison Pequotsepos Nature Center, 109 Pequotsepos Rd., Mystic, CT. Doors will open at 6:00pm with light refreshments and a social gathering. The meeting will start at 6:30pm with an update of Avalonia’s accomplishments over the past 12 months. We will take some time to recognize several Avalonia volunteers and present our 2018 Hero Awards.
The primary business at hand will be to elect a slate of new board members, who will be introduced by Avalonia’s president, Dennis Main, followed by a vote. After the vote, member Mike Goodwin will be our special guest speaker. Mike has led a team of volunteers to upgrade the maps of Avalonia’s properties and he will introduce a new ARC GIS system that shows more of the amazing details of our properties. ARC GIS maps are downloadable to cell phones so a visitor can follow our trails and see elevations, stone walls and other landmarks. This mapping project is the result of many hours of volunteer time and a proud accomplishment for Avalonia in 2018. See the map here.
Please join us for an evening of Avalonia accomplishments and successes in this, our 50th anniversary year.
Please CLICK HERE to let us know you are coming.
photo: Beth Sullivan

Hike - Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor, Ledyard
2018-06-23 10:00 - 11:30
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
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
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
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
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
