Safeguarding the
Future of Farming in Warren
Since 1965, Weantinoge has conserved more than 2,800 acres of farmland across Northwest Connecticut.
Together these partners received a $22,800 grant from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, which will also leverage an additional $18,885 of in-kind support.
The funds will be used to develop a long-term, actionable plan to support farm viability, sustainable farming practices, and farmland conservation in the Town of Warren.
Warren's agricultural history predates the Revolutionary War, and its farming heritage and scenic beauty are beloved by residents and visitors.
Warren's Farming Future will help ensure the Town retains the economic, environmental, and quality-of-life benefits derived from its finite and irreplaceable farmland. Further, sustainable farming practices will help to protect the clean, natural waters of the Town, which is located within the watersheds of Lake Waramaug, as well as the Shepaug and Housatonic Rivers. Warren's Farming Future is an opportunity to support the continuation of a farming legacy that is deeply valued by the community and fundamental to its social and economic well-being.
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Planning for Municipal Open Space: HB 5254
Did you know that most communities in Connecticut do not have a permanent, reliable source of funding for land conservation and stewardship? Weantinoge’s Executive Director, Catherine Rawson, offered testimony in support of HB 5254, a bill that would enable participating cities and towns to establish their own dedicated source of land conservation and stewardship funding by adopting a buyers’ conveyance fee of up to 1% on the purchase of real estate. The first $150,000 of the purchase price, or more -- at the discretion of the municipality -- would be exempt from the fee. HB 5254 provides communities with flexibility and choice for conservation funding, further enabling communities to acquire and steward natural lands, including public parks and water resources, farmland, as well as funding for other important environmental projects, such as brownfields remediation.
To learn more or voice your support for HB 5254, click here
.
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We hope you can join us at one of our upcoming events.
All events are free and open to the public.
If you have any questions please contact:
info@weantinoge.org.
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Mountain Lion Returns to the East
Date:
Friday, February 22
Time:
7 PM
Location:
Housatonic Valley Regional High School, main auditorium
Address:
246 Warren Tpke, Falls Village, CT
Mountain lions are not only being seen in eastern North America, some are attempting to recolonize their former habitats. Join us for an engaging introduction to the biology and ecology of mountain lions with wildlife researcher and photographer Sue Morse, founder of
Keeping Track.
Sue will share the latest confirmations of mountain lions in the east and discuss the suitability of wild habitats from Maine to Georgia.
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Trail Work Day
Date:
Friday, March 29
Time:
9 AM to 12 PM
Location:
Pratt Glen Preserve
Address:
40 A Obtuse Rd. North, Brookfield, CT
Join Weantinoge and
Brookfield Open Space Legacy
at our Pratt Glen and Birch Rocks Preserves for the first volunteer Trail Work Day of 2019! These preserves were devastated by last
May’s macroburst
and have been closed to the public since. Volunteers will help re-route the trails and clear debris. All materials and hand tools will be provided. We strongly recommend wearing long sleeves, long pants tucked into your socks, and bug spray to discourage ticks and other bugs.
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Live Birds of Prey
Date:
Saturday, March 30
Time:
11 AM to 12 PM
Location:
Washington Montessori School
Address:
240 Litchfield Turnpike, New Preston, CT
Cost:
$5 per person (children under 2 free)
Weantinoge protects more 10,000 acres across Northwest Connecticut for people and wildlife. Join us in learning how conservation supports birds of prey in this presentation by our partners at
Sharon Audubon.
This a terrific family event and opportunity to see native birds of prey in person. The presentation will explore the special adaptations of these beautiful birds, how they hunt, and what they need for their continued survival.
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Green Drinks
Date:
Thursday, March 21
Time:
5 to 7 PM
Address:
30 Kent Road, New Milford, CT
Details:
Beer will be available for purchase and light food and refreshments will be served.
Weantinoge's Green Drinks is Litchfield County's monthly happy-hour for environmentalists
, providing opportunities to make connections and exchange news about conservation initiatives, local farming, land use, and more. All are welcome, no reservations or RSVP necessary.
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In the News:
Polar Vortex Brings Relief to Eastern Hemlocks
Since the 1980s the hemlock wooly adelgid (
Adelges tsugae
)
has spread throughout Connecticut,
causing the widespread decline of eastern hemlock trees
.
S
adly, this tiny aphid will alter, perhaps forever, the composition of New England forests and devastate habitat for dependent species.
Dr. Carole Cheah with the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station
suspects that the abnormal blasts of arctic air, lovingly known as the polar vortex, may be killing off the aphids, giving our hemlocks a much-needed respite. Are you interested in learning more about eastern hemlocks? Dr. Carole Cheah will give a presentation for Weantinoge this spring!
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