Avalonia Land Conservancy

Boundary Walking Instructional Meeting
2018-09-22 09:00 (America/New_York) | CT
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

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 Marking Training Session
2018-09-29 09:00 | CT
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

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

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

Tri-Town Natural History Trek
2018-10-07 10:00 - 13:00 | 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

Trail-Building Workshop
2018-10-12 09:00 - 15:00 | CT
Our trail-building workshop will be on Friday, October 12, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. This session will be held on our Tri-Town Preserve (North Stonington) and taught by Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s Clare Cain, one of the state’s leading trail planners.
Send an email to abpatterson@ctconservation.org with your name and contact information for the trail-building class.
Interested in joining our new Trail Maintenance Team? learn more here

RiverFest 2018
2018-10-13 13:00 - 16:00 | Devil’s Hopyward State Park, 366 Hopyard Road, East Haddam, CT, United States
Avalonia will be participating with a table/tent at this event.

Directions:

From CT Route 9: take Exit 7, then a left at the end of the exit ramp onto CT Route 82 east/154 north. Take a right at the first traffic light following CT Route 82 east and follow the signs.

From Interstate 395: take Exit 80 west. Take a right onto CT Route 82 west. Take a right onto Hopyard Road and follow signs.

Full “Hunters” Moon Walk with DPNC on Knox Preserve
2018-10-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Knox Preserve, Wilcox Road, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Celebrate the full “hunters” moon with Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center on a night hike through the Knox Preserve in Stonington (84 Wilcox Road), an Avalonia Land Conservancy property. Please note full moon hikes happen even on overcast nights, and are suitable for adults and older, interested children. Heavy rain cancels. Easy.
Members: Free, Nonmembers: $10 per person
more info and register

INFORMATION SESSION on ballot initiative #2
2018-10-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Groton Town Hall Annex, 134 Groton Long Point Rd, Groton, CT, United States
Dear Friends of Groton’s Environment,
Now, with only 25 days remaining until Nov. 6th when we vote on Ballot Initiative #2, we’re inviting you to attend an information session to learn more about the reasons for, and benefits of, this amendment to Connecticut’s constitution.
Please, mark your calendar and join us for an

INFORMATION SESSION
and Q & A
Groton Town Hall Annex
134 Groton Long Point Rd, Groton
7:00 – 8:30, Thursday, October 25th
Led by Eric Hammerling, Executive Director of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA)
Sponsored by Groton Conservation Advocates

We are thrilled that Eric found time in his packed schedule to speak to us about the amendment because, in all honesty, there is no one in the state more qualified to speak about this amendment initiative than Eric. Eric Hammerling has served as CFPA’s Executive Director since May 2008 and is the lead advocate for CFPA at the state legislature where he works primarily on forestry, recreation, education, and trail-related policy issues. (The CFPA, founded in 1895, was the first private, nonprofit, conservation organization to be established in Connecticut “to develop public appreciation of the value of forests, and of the urgent need for preserving and using them rightly.”) Recently, Eric has been advocating tirelessly in support of the constitutional amendment to protect our state public beaches, parks, forests, landmarks, and wildlife management areas from being given away by the legislature without adequate public input. He founded and is serving as treasurer of the constitutional amendment advocacy organization, Protect CT Public LandsCoalition, Inc.

Thank you and we’ll see you at the Town Hall Annex on the 25th!

Liz Raisbeck and Eugenia Villagra
Co-Chairs, Groton Conservation Advocates

Treasures of Southeastern Connecticut Book Presentation Schedule
2018-11-03 - 2018-12-12 | CT
Steve Fagin is scheduled to give a series of presentations regarding the upcoming publication of “Treasures of Southeastern Connecticut. Our Proud History of Preserving Scenic Woodlands, Farms, the Shoreline and Other Natural Gems.”
From Steve: “I’m very excited about the book and am sure those connected with Avalonia will be happy to read about how your preservation efforts are paying off. There are chapters and photos devoted to Avalonia.”
– 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, Lyme Public Library
– 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, Mystic & Noank Library
– 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, Wheeler Library, North Stonington
– Noon Thursday, Nov. 15, Otis Library, Norwich
– 7 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 20, East Lyme Public Library
– 5:30 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 27, New London Public Library
– 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, Mystic.
– 3 p.m. Saturday Dec. 1, Waterford Public Library
– 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, Groton Public Library
– 6 p.m. Wednesday, Wednesday, Dec. 12, Salem Public Library

Winter Wonderland Hike
2019-02-09 09:00 - 23:30 | TriTown Forest Preserve, 91 Miller Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
Bundle up and take a winter tour of Avalonia’s TriTown Forest Preserve! The route will be decided by the hike leader based on the condition of the trails, but there will be plenty of options. You may visit a winter wonderland at Lost Pond or pause in the solitude of a deep valley. Discover a rich variety of stone formations from past eras and hear the stories behind them. Even if you’ve visited TTFP before, its a different world in winter. Anyway, its time to get out of the house and onto the trail!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the hike leader, Sue Sutherland, at suesutherland@snet.net or call 860-574-5111.

Registration: Required, click HERE

Where: TriTown Forest Preserve, 99 Miller Rd., N. Stonington, CT United States See Map
When: Saturday, February 9, 9:00 – 11:30 AM
Rain Date: Sunday, February 10, 9:00 – 11:30 AM
Cancellations: Rain reschedules/cancels; snow is a go!
Difficulty: Moderate
Bring: Water, trail snacks, warm rugged boots, walking poles or staff; dress in layers (no jeans or cotton base layers); snow shoes/cross country skis okay with sufficient snow cover.
Dogs: Leashed dogs welcome

A Vernal Pool Adventure, Babcock Ridge Preserve
2019-03-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Babcock Ridge, 113 Babcock Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
After a long winter in hiding, an amazing variety of frogs, salamanders, and aquatic invertebrates will once again make their presence felt in a temporary wetland known as a vernal pool. At twilight, we’ll hike the trail to a group of vernals in Avalonia’s Babcock Ridge Preserve to search for such creatures as wood frogs and spring peepers, spotted and marbled salamanders, and fairy shrimp. We might also hear the booming hoots of barred owls and the peents of woodcock. Bring a flashlight, wear warm clothes and waterproof boots, and don’t forget your spirit of adventure. Walk leader Bruce Fellman has been introducing people to vernal pool life for almost a half-century.

Become a Nature Detective at Moore Woodlands (NEW DATE 4/16)
2019-04-16 13:00 | Moore Woodlands, 314-264 Capstan Ave, Mystic, CT, 06355, United States
NEW DATE 4/16: Please note this event has been moved from Monday 4/15 to Tuesday 4/16 due to forecasted rain.
Register Here

All Hands on Deck! Seedling Planting at Anna Coit Parcel
2019-04-27 07:30 - 12:30 | Anna Coit Parcel, 65 Denison Hill Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
Here’s the situation. Anna Coit, an amazing force of nature and long-time Avalonia supporter, willed a parcel of land to us that needs our help. We have secured 2,900 pine and spruce seedlings that need to be planted as soon as possible on Anna’s property, as they can only live so long out of the soil.
Yes, we know this is a last minute request, but if you can show up for only an hour or two that would be wonderful; every little bit helps. Besides, the property is beautiful, the weather looks great, you’ll meet some fellow tree-huggers, and you will be outside as close as you can possibly get to nature. 🙂
WHAT: Help plant 2,900 seedlings at the Anna Coit parcel
WHERE: 65 Denison Hill Road, North Stonington, CT
WHEN: April 27, 2019
TIME: 7:30 am – 12:30 pm (or as long as you can)
WHO: Anyone and everyone that can help (young and old)
PARKING: Park on the side of the street near 65 Denison Hill Road and walk into the field where the seedlings are being distributed.
BRING: Shovel, water, bug spray
The land used to be an old Christmas tree farm and is mostly flat with slight hills.
Share this with your friends, and check out our posts on our Facebook and Instagram.
A very BIG THANK YOU in advance!

Benedict Benson Preserve Hike
2019-04-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Benedict Benson Preserve, Swantown Hill Road, North Stonington, CT, 06359, United States
In honor of Earth Day, we’ll be hiking the main trail of Avalonia’s Benedict Benson Preserve on a mission to find signs of spring. There are sure to be emerging fern fiddleheads, the calls of amphibians and newly arrived migrant songbirds, including, perhaps, the rare cerulean warblers that occasionally call the refuge home, and a stunning array of wildflowers, especially an extra-extra bloomer called the hepatica that thrives in a rocky area near the picturesque Lantern Brook. Veteran naturalist Bruce Fellman will lead this gently-paced exploration.
Register Here

Hike & Seek Babcock Ridge/Henne Preserves
2019-05-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Babcock Ridge, 113 Babcock Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
With the dogwoods and spring wildflowers in bloom, and the birds singing and nesting, there’s no better time for a walk than mid-May. But Avalonia’s Hike and Seek program makes a good walk better, particularly for families who take part in this ongoing natural history scavenger hunt. For this family-friendly introduction to the Hike and Seek challenge, we’ll learn how to use our smart phones to access basic information about what a “refuge” is, or access more in-depth material for further study; a list of “targets” will direct us to search for, photograph, and share features like evidence of glaciers and great blue heron nests. Naturalist Bruce Fellman will help hikers search for clues.
Register Now

CT Trails Weekend - 5 Hikes
2019-06-01 - 2019-06-02 | CT
Celebrate CT Trails Day / Weekend with 5 Avalonia-sponsored hikes!
Follow the links for details.
TriTown Forest Preserve – June 1, 9am-12pm
Great Oak Greenway – June 1, 10-11:30am
Hike & Seek on Knox Preserve – June 1, 1-2:30pm
Tefftweald at Birchenturn – June 2, 9-11:30am
Groton Central Greenway – June 2, 1-4pm

Trails Day at Tefftweald
2019-06-02 09:00 - 11:30 | Tefftweald at Birchenturn, 282 Grindstone Hill Road, North Stonington, CT, 06359, United States
Documenting what you discover on the trail is a key skill that needs to be in every naturalist’s toolkit. Whatever form your notes take, from pen and ink on paper to digital drawings, photos, and text entered on a smart device, we’ll have plenty to observe and record as we greet the morning and hike the Avalonia Land Conservancy’s Tefftweald at Birchenturn Preserve in North Stonington. Tefftweald, a former Girl Scout camp, is a 77-acre masterpiece of upland forest, meadows, wetlands, old graveyards and cellar holes, and the wonderfully photogenic—and inspirational—Wyassup Brook. We’ll explore the woodland trails at a pace moderate enough to enable everyone to give the Preserve a close read and stop often enough to capture the experience in whatever form your journaling takes. Walk leader Bruce Fellman is a veteran photojournalist, naturalist, and documentarian who has kept and published a weekly Naturalist’s Journal in a number of local newspapers for the past 41 years.

A Conservation Conversation
2019-07-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Nathan Lester House, 153 Vinegar Hill Rd, Gales Ferry, CT, 06335, United States
Visit Avalonia’s future acquisition, Atkinson-Dirlam (AD) in Ledyard, with state and local elected officials.
This event is co-sponsored by Avalonia and the Connecticut Land Conservation Council who have invited over 15 of your elected representatives for an easy walk on this beautiful preserve. (Elected attendees will be announced prior to the event.)
65% of the funding for AD has been provided by funds from the state’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition program. Avalonia will acquire AD at the end of this year which will add over 200 acres and miles of trails on to the existing 400 acres of the Great Oak Greenway.
This is an opportunity to let your elected officials know how important their support is for state and local funding for conservation of critical land.
We will meet at the Nathan Lester House in Ledyard where there is plenty of parking. To join us in this important conversation, make your voice heard, so REGISTER HERE.

Annual Membership Meeting
2019-07-25 18:00 | Ledyard Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 722 Colonel Ledyard Hwy, Ledyard, CT, 06339, United States
Ledyard Congregational Church Community Center
722 Colonel Ledyard Hwy
Ledyard, CT 06339
6:00 PM Social reception
6:30 PM meeting start
Guest speaker – Kevin Case, Northeast Director of the Land Trust Alliance
Please let us know you’re coming
RSVP

Connecticut Botanical Society Field Trip to Tri-Town Preserve
2019-08-10 10:00 - 14:00 | TriTown Forest Preserve, 91 Miller Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
The Connecticut Botanical Society will walk into the interior of this new 540-acre preserve and botanize a 30-acre interior fen (footing good in midsummer). Underlain by gabbro bedrock, an ancient metamorphic rock of volcanic origin, like traprock, low hills with rock outcrops have minerotrophic plants such as Allegheny vine and abundant hop hornbeam.
Directions: Head east (northbound) on I-95, take Exit 90 onto Route 27 north (1.3 miles); take a short hitch east (right) on CT 184E (1.2 miles); follow Route 201 northerly for 7.5 miles. Turn left on Miller Road and park on right before sharp left turn. (set GPS at 80 Miller Road, North Stonington). Bring a lunch, a hat & sunscreen.
Leader: Sigrun Gadwa

Bruce Fellman Leads Hike & Seek On Preston Nature Preserve
2019-08-17 10:00 - 12:30 | Preston Nature Preserve, Krug Road, Preston, CT, United States
The 56 acres of meadows, woods, and wetlands of the Preston Nature Preserve are at their prettiest in August, when the fields are dominated by Joe-Pye weed, various goldenrods, milkweeds, grasses, thistles, asters, and a remarkable expanse of bee balm, to name some of the botanical treasures. The abundant blossoms always attract an array of exquisite butterflies, from monarchs and swallowtails to fritillaries and skippers, with a collection of mesmerizing hummingbird moths thrown in for good measure. And that’s just the tip of the insect iceberg: PNP in August is alive with dragonflies, beetles, true bugs, bees and wasps, and other invertebrates.

Join naturalist Bruce Fellman on Saturday, August 17th, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for an exploration of the plants and animals — yes, it’s a great birding spot, too — that thrive along PNP’s gentle trails. Bring binoculars, hand lenses, cameras, notebooks, your natural history curiosity, and, if you have them, your kids and grandkids since this is a Hike & Seek area that we’ll also be using for a smart-phone-based digital scavenger hunt.
Registration is recommended, as space is limited, so click HERE to sign up.
If you need more info, email Bruce.
More information about Hike and Seek and Preston Nature Preserve clues.

POSTPONTED Hike the Great Oak Greenway & Atkinson-Dirlam Preserve
2019-09-18 18:00 | Nathan Lester House, 153 Vinegar Hill Rd, Gales Ferry, CT, 06335, United States
This hike has been POSTPONED. Will re-post when new date and daytime start is scheduled.
Join the Ledyard Library for an early evening 2-mile hike on the trails of the Great Oak Greenway, and beyond to the Atkinson-Dirlam preserve. Meet at the Nathan Lester House parking lot for 6:00 p.m. Please wear proper hiking attire.
The Great Oak Greenway is a productive collaboration of the Town of Ledyard and the Avalonia Land Conservancy, connecting three open-space properties: the 110-acre Great Oak Park; the 25-acre open space parcel at 800 Long Cove Road, and Avalonia’s 260-acre Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor.

Two Walktober Hikes on TriTown
2019-09-28 09:00 - 12:30 | TriTown Forest Preserve, 91 Miller Road, North Stonington, CT, United States
The Avalonia Land Conservancy’s TriTown Forest Preserve is a 527-acre stretch of rugged and unfragmented woods and wetlands located in North Stonington, Griswold and Preston.
As summer gives way to autumn, we’re offering two different guided treks—one geared towards slower-paced nature observation; the other for hard-rock, longer-distance hikers—along TriTown’s magnificent trail system amidst a backdrop of migrating birds, insects, and amphibians; late-blooming wildflowers; early fall foliage; mushrooms; and stone walls.
This event is in partnership with The Last Green Valley’s Walktober program.
Register for Nature Walk
Register for Rugged Hike

'Open Spaces' Art Exhibit Opening Reception
2019-10-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Groton New London Airport, 155 Tower Ave, Groton, 06340, United States

Sawmill Tour at Hull Forest Products
2019-10-19 08:00 - 14:00 | Hull Forest Products, 101 Hampton Road, Pomfret Center, CT, 06259, United States
This event is a great opportunity to see where the Hoffman trees went!
Hull Forest Products is celebrating sustainable forestry and National Forest Products week with a free public tour of our sawmill on Saturday October 19th, 2019 from 8am-2pm.
Watch us turn locally grown wood into forest products! Free and open to the public, our sawmill’s “how it’s made” tour is fun and educational for the whole family. Tours take approximately one hour and will be given on a drop-in basis from 8 am to 2 pm on Saturday October 19th.

Tidal River Hike & Seek at Knox Preserve
2019-10-19 10:00 - 14:00 | Knox Preserve, Wilcox Road, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Hey kids, grab mom or dad or your favorite grownup and show them all the great things to discover in nature! Avalonia is hosting a Hike & Seek nature treasure-hunt that you get to lead yourselves, like a real explorer. Join us at Knox Preserve in Stonington, where you can explore the shoreline, thickets, and meadows. You’ll find all kinds of plants and critters on the way. You might see butterflies and bees, or an osprey nest and oysters, too! And maybe even a few hidden treasures. We’ll hand out a list of clues and things to look for, but the path of the adventure is up to you!
An Avalonia volunteer will be on October 19th at Knox Preserve, and someone will be handing out clues from 10-2. The walk will take 30-45 minutes, so come and go as you please! Bring the whole family for a fun, easy walk. You’ll learn a lot and spend some time outdoors in nature!
Please take photos not things. Leave the treasures you find for others to enjoy!
While on your hike, you can also use your smartphone to refer back to the clues and targets page. How many can you find?
View Knox Preserve Hike & Seek Clues
Sponsored by:

Hike at Tefftweald with Naturalist Bruce Fellman
2019-10-19 12:30 - 14:30 | Tefftweald at Birchenturn, 282 Grindstone Hill Road, North Stonington, CT, 06359, United States
Documenting your discoveries on the trail is a skill that needs to be in every naturalist’s toolkit. We’ll have plenty to observe and record as we enjoy the fall colors at Avalonia’s Tefftweald at Birchenturn Preserve on 280 Grindstone Hill Road.
Tefftweald, a former Girl Scout camp, is a 77-acre masterpiece of upland forest, meadows, wetlands, old graveyards and cellar holes, and the wonderfully photogenic Wyassup Brook. This is a family-friendly excursion, and we’ll explore the woodland trails at a pace moderate enough to give the Preserve a close read and capture the experience in whatever form, from pen and ink on paper to digital drawings, photos, and text entered on a smart device.
Walk leader Bruce Fellman is a veteran photojournalist, naturalist, and documentarian who has kept and published a weekly Naturalist’s Journal in a number of local newspapers for the past 41 years.
Register for this Excursion
For more information, email Bruce Fellman at fellnature@scbglobal.net, or call 860-599-4867.

Margaret Gibson, Connecticut's Poet Laureate, Reading at Preston Library
2019-10-29 18:30 | Preston Public Library, 389 Route 2, Preston, United States
Join the Friends of the Preston Library as they welcome Preston resident, Margaret Gibson, Connecticut Poet Laureate. Margaret will be reading a selection of poems from books and new poems that have to do with Nature and the environment. Come and help us celebrate poetry.
Tuesday, October 29, 6:30 pm at the Preston Public Library, 389 Route 2, Preston.
Please call the library at 860-886-1010 to reserve a seat for this free program.
Margaret Gibson is a Director at Avalonia, and her poem “Riverkeeper” was published in our Spring 2019 Newsletter.
