Volunteer Day: Invasive Species Removal at Anguilla Brook Northern Headwaters Preserve
2025-09-27 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Anguilla Brook Northern Headwaters Preserve, 33 N Anguilla Road, North Stonington, CT, 06359, United States
Join the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District (ECCD) and Avalonia Land Conservancy for a hands-on volunteer day at the Anguilla Brook Northern Headwaters Preserve in Stonington/North Stonington.

We’ll be working along the brook to remove invasive plants such as Autumn olive, multiflora rose, bittersweet, and Japanese barberry. This important first step will make way for planting native trees, including Atlantic white cedar, to restore a rare cedar swamp and establish a riparian buffer.

All participants will receive training in invasive plant identification and best management practices. Tools and light refreshments will be provided. Please wear sturdy footwear, bring thick gloves and water, and feel free to bring loppers or clippers if you have them.

Registration is required to participate. A confirmation email will include parking information and additional details.
Register here: https://InvasiveVolunteerDay1.eventbrite.com

Funding provided by the USDA Forest Service, administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Dragonfly Mercury- an Exciting Volunteer Opportunity at Avalonia's Yannatos Preserve Sponsored by the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council
2025-09-27 12:00 - 14:00
The Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council (WPWCRSC) is excited to announce a new opportunity to get involved with The Dragonfly Mercury Project (DMP)—https://www.nps.gov/articles/about-the-dmp.htm, a nationwide community science effort that enlists volunteers to collect dragonfly larvae for mercury testing. Mercury is a global pollutant that, in large amounts, can be toxic to humans and wildlife. The data from this field study help scientists and resource managers better understand and fight mercury contamination. Since 2009, over 6,000 volunteers have helped collect dragonfly larvae at more than 140 parks and other protected areas across the US, making the DMP the nation’s largest mercury assessment effort.
Now, you can be part of it—right here on our local Wild and Scenic Rivers. We’re looking for approximately 8 volunteers at each site to help us collect samples, learn about dragonfly larvae, and get hands-on with river science. Be prepared to get muddy (and maybe a little wet!) while making a real contribution to environmental research.

Volunteer Opportunities:
Wednesday, September 24 – 10AM to 12PM at Arcadia Management Area Check Station, Exeter, RI (RIDEM)
Saturday, September 27 – 9AM to 11AM at Mastuxet Brook Greenway North, Westerly, RI (Westerly Land Trust)

Saturday, September 27 – 12PM to 2PM at Yannatos Preserve, Wyassup Brook and Green Fall River confluence, N Stonington, CT (Avalonia Land Conservancy)
**Important to note that these events are pending approval from the states of CT and RI for the scientific collector’s permit, which are currently under review.

What to expect:
-Training and guidance from WPWCRSC National Park Service Natural Resources Manager

-A field day at local rivers or streams to collect dragonfly larvae
-The chance to learn more about mercury, watershed science, and community action
-Your contributions informing science, policy, and public health

By volunteering, you’ll help fill critical data gaps in Rhode Island and Connecticut, where mercury contamination in fish is known but understudied in rivers and streams. Your participation will not only contribute to national research but also support WPWCRSC Stewardship Plan goals—engaging the community, raising awareness, and teaching watershed science through hands-on exploration. No prior experience is needed—WPWCRSC will provide training, supplies, and guidance. All you need is curiosity, a willingness to get outside, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.

To register, RSVP here by Mon, September 22.
https://forms.gle/c3KEvdNXBCTUvFFR9

Upcoming Landscape Mobile App Tutorial
2025-10-07 18:30 - 19:30
The lifeblood of Avalonia has always been the passion and commitment of its volunteers! This is no more evident than in the realm of stewardship where we rely on volunteers to assist in maintaining trails, monitoring properties, and to engage in a variety of conservation projects.
Scan QR code to register
Avalonia’s volunteers have more than met the call by embracing the use of Landscape land conservation software and its accompanying mobile app. We began our transition to this program nearly two years ago and since then we’ve held numerous formal and informal training sessions. Since May of this year, we have dedicated the first Tuesday of each month for virtual tutorials and trouble shooting sessions for existing Landscape users.
Our “critical mass” of volunteers using the Landscape mobile app has certainly grown, with nearly 60 active users, but we are looking, this coming October 7 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, to engage with first time users in a virtual training session. Prerequisites are few …access to a computer, use of a smart phone, a one hour attention span, and the desire to apply what you learn one one or more of our beautiful preserves.
Register here so that a user profile can be developed for you and so that any necessary information can be funneled your way in advance of October 7th.

Dodge Paddock & Beal Preserve Marsh Restoration Field Trip and Workshop
2025-10-16 10:00 - 15:00 | Stonington Community Center, 28 Cutler Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Get Ready for Coastal Resilience Month!
October is Long Island Sound Coastal Resilience Month, and we are teaming up with Long Island Sound Partnership and Connecticut Sea Grant for a field trip they are hosting to the marsh restoration project at Dodge Paddock and Beal Preserve in Stonington Borough. We will start the day at the Stonington Community Center, joined by Connecticut Sea Grant and local volunteers who helped make this project possible. They will share behind-the-scenes project details, lessons learned, and discuss plans for the future, followed by a guided tour of the site.
Find out all the details — lunch will be provided!
REGISTER HERE

Upcoming Landscape Mobile App Tutorial
2025-12-02 18:30 - 19:30
The lifeblood of Avalonia has always been the passion and commitment of its volunteers! This is no more evident than in the realm of stewardship where we rely on volunteers to assist in maintaining trails, monitoring properties, and to engage in a variety of conservation projects.
Scan QR code to register
Avalonia’s volunteers have more than met the call by embracing the use of Landscape land conservation software and its accompanying mobile app. We began our transition to this program nearly two years ago and since then we’ve held numerous formal and informal training sessions. Since May of this year, we have dedicated the first Tuesday of each month for virtual tutorials and trouble shooting sessions for existing Landscape users.
Our “critical mass” of volunteers using the Landscape mobile app has certainly grown, with nearly 60 active users, but we are looking, this coming December 2 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, to engage with first time users in a virtual training session. Prerequisites are few …access to a computer, use of a smart phone, a one hour attention span, and the desire to apply what you learn one one or more of our beautiful preserves.
Register here so that a user profile can be developed for you and so that any necessary information can be funneled your way in advance of December 2th.

Trail Work at Founders Preserve In Ledyard
2025-12-04
Join Avalonia Land Conservancy for a hands-on volunteer day at the new Founders Preserve in Ledyard.

We’ll be working along the main trail near the dam on Tribrook Pond to remove obstructive invasive plants such as Autumn olive, multiflora rose, bittersweet, and Japanese barberry. This important first step will give us visual access to the roadway and allow us to better plan for a potential bridge.

We plan to meet at the preserve parking area at 334 Colonel Ledyard Highway on December 4 at 9:30. It is a third of mile walk from the trail head to worksite. We’ll work until about mid-day.

All participants will receive training in invasive plant identification and best management practices. Tools and light refreshments will be provided. Please wear sturdy footwear (muck boots or low waders might be a good idea), bring thick gloves, and drinking water.

Avalonia's Annual Members Meeting 2025
2025-12-07 | Ledyard Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 722 Colonel Ledyard Hwy, Ledyard, CT, 06339, United States
SAVE THE DATE
Join us for Avalonia’s Annual Members Meeting on Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 3 – 5 pm at Ledyard Congregational Church Fellowship Hall. Catch up with friends while you hear what Avalonia’s been up to, and what we have planned for 2026. Light refreshments will be served.

Accessibility Note:
Structural: The meeting site offers good accessibility in regard to parking, entry, main room, and bathrooms.
Communication: The meeting will be amplified. For sign language interpretation, please submit your request by 12/1/25.
For detailed accessibility information, please email accessibility@avalonialc.org or call (860) 884-3500.

RSVP HERE

Fourth Annual Earth Day Expo at the Groton Public Library
2026-04-25 11:00 - 16:00 | Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road, Groton, CT, 06340
Avalonia is proud to be an exhibitor at this annual, family-friendly event, featuring 50+ exhibitors, community organizations, and vendors sharing resources and information on sustainable initiatives, green living, and more.

Join us for a fun-filled day of caring for our planet. This event will be held rain or shine, and additional parking will be available at Thrive 55+ Active Living Center.

Visit Fourth Annual Earth Day Expo to find out more
