Evan Zocco, a graduate student at the University of Connecticut, conducted wildlife research at Bolton Land Trust Blackledge Marsh and Freddo Family Preserve. His research focused on mapping wildlife activity, particularly the effect beavers have on their environment and neighboring homes. Evan's tool of choice, a drone, used a combination of LIDAR (Light Detection and Rating) and thermal and spectral imaging to identify wildlife activity in the area. More information about Evan's project, the Connecticut Beaver Site Mapping Project, can be found here....

"Purple Martins are a critical part of our ecosystem...It is of critical importance to understand the complete biology of the species across the western hemisphere to best determine how to help the population recover." - Joe Siegrist, President of Purple Martin Conservation Association

Kent Land Trust (KLT), Marvelwood School (MWS), and the Sharon Audubon Society were included in the Purple Martin Conservation Association's research network to help conserve purple martins. KLT interns, MWS students, local banders, and volunteers, assisted by Joe Seigrist, came together to deploy 20 Motus Tags and 20 GPS Backpack loggers on adult purple martins breeding in colonies managed by all three organizations. These devices will collect crucial tracking and biological data from the species as they move in the region. KLT properties protect inland wetlands, key feeding, and nesting grounds for the Eastern Purple Martin sub-species. With this partnership, the purple martin's lifecycle can be better understood for conservation...

The Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust's newest environmental education space, the Trail House Lab, hosted its first educational program this past week with the Mapping Landforms Science Academy. The program introduced students to identifying connections between landforms and bodies of water and then mapping them using various tools to observe the environment around them. Stacey Deming, GIS Manager at the Housatonic Valley Association, was a guest speaker at the academy, presenting information on landforms and their characteristics, complementing the academy's curriculum...

Avon Land Trust Trail Master Scott Lewis worked diligently the past week at the land trust's Hazen Park to Tower Trail to forge out a new looping trail just below the Heublein Tower, just in time for their Hike to the Mic and Tower Toot events. While Scott was working, on the other side of town, Girl Scout Makena L. was working hard at their Oakes Preserve. She installed a bat house, two mulberry trees, and has nearly completed an important connecting trail...

It's no secret that Connecticut's land trusts are leaders in land conservation across the state. Their volunteers and members work tirelessly to maintain their preserves and host community events. And the land trusts' communities contribute to their longevity and continuous stewardship of the land around them. Engaging with youth, educational institutes, and community organizations ensures the bonds between land trusts and people continue to be strengthened and connected.

#LoveYourCTLandTrust - Through diligent effort and collaboration, land trusts and community members can pave the way toward a brighter environmental future for land, wildlife, and community.