|
Conservation does not end when land is protected. It continues through the steady work of caring for each place.
This month, we look at planting American chestnuts at Rock Cobble Farm in Kent, responding to storm damage at Mallory Preserve in Sherman, and celebrating local history with our partners at the Bridgewater Land Trust. Together, these efforts reflect the many dimensions of caring for conserved lands—from ecological restoration and public safety to preserving the history that connects communities to place.
I hope you will join us to experience and enjoy the lands you protect at our Annual Picnic on Saturday, October 3. We invite you to bring the whole family to Milde Farm Preserve in Litchfield to explore this remarkable future public nature preserve, share lunch, enjoy live music, take a hayride, and welcome the fall together outdoors. The event is free and open to the public.
With gratitude,
| | |
Catherine M. Rawson
Executive Director
| | Preserving More than Land in Bridgewater | Photo from left to right: Margery Feldberg, President, Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC); Christian Feuer, President, Bridgewater Land Trust (BWLT); Lisa Antel, Vice President, BWLT; Maria Grace, Director of Stewardship, NCLC; Eric Gsell, First Selectman, Town of Bridgewater; and Julie Stuart, Executive Director, BWLT | In July, NCLC was honored to join conservation partners, Bridgewater Land Trust and the Town of Bridgewater, to celebrate the installation of a permanent historic marker at Tim's Pond, honoring Timothy Randall, a veteran of the American Revolution. Located primarily on NCLC-protected land in Bridgewater, Tim's Pond was named by the townspeople in honor of Timothy Randall after his remarkable return to Bridgewater in 1777, following his capture defending Fort Washington and three months of captivity aboard a British prison ship. The marker commemorates Randall's courage, resilience, and enduring place in Bridgewater's history. | | | |
Be On Alert for Trail Damage After Recent Storms
Due to bridge and trail damage caused by recent storms, the trails on the western side of the Sawmill Brook (yellow and blue trails) at Mallory Preserve in Sherman are closed until further notice. Nature is beautiful and wild. Please always use caution and remain on the marked trails when exploring the outdoors. If you are visiting any of our public nature preserves and see a concerning trail condition, please let us know by emailing info@ctland.org.
| | | |
Acquisition 101 Webinar Recordings Now Available
Last month, NCLC Executive Director Catherine Rawson and Director of Operations Amanda Branson presented a two-part webinar on land acquisitions, covering real-world projects and key topics including landowner negotiations, due diligence, project planning, accreditation, and funding. Missed it? Recordings of both sessions are now available on our website.
| | | |
Growing a Future for the American Chestnut
Our summer interns recently helped plant American chestnuts on property owned by NCLC and Rock Cobble Farm in Kent, supporting an ongoing effort to bring this once-iconic tree back to Eastern forests. Once one of the most abundant trees in our region, the American chestnut was devastated by chestnut blight more than a century ago. Today, scientists and conservationists are working to develop blight-resistant trees—and these new plantings are part of that effort.
| | |
Kick off the fall season with an afternoon of outdoor fun at NCLC’s Annual Picnic on October 3! Explore one of our newest public nature preserves, take a hayride, enjoy live music and lunch, and let the kids get creative with face painting. There’s something for everyone—and plenty of time to simply enjoy being outside together.
Saturday, October 3
12 - 3 p.m.
Milde Farm Preserve, 165 Town Farm Rd., Litchfield
Rain date: October 4
Free and Open to the Public! Registration required.
Generously sponsored by Haley Ward, Litchfield Hills Nursery, O’Keiff Orthodontics, Sensory on Wheels, The Green Spot, and William Raveis Lifestyles Realty.
| | | | |
Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy is a nonprofit regional land trust.
As a guardian of natural and working lands, public recreation areas, and drinking water resources, NCLC permanently protects 14,400 acres (and growing) of vast, connected natural areas in Litchfield and northern Fairfield Counties.
| | | | |
