Naromi Land Trust  
Forever. Sherman.   
June 2019
                                                                                               Vol. 12, Issue 7     
 
Spring Fawn Camoflage - Photo by John Foley
In This Issue
Annual Meeting
Conservation Conversations
Wildlife Tips
Deer Pond Farm Celebration
Great Hollow Summer Camp
Quick Links
Support Naromi
Members, Friends and Neighbors,
Summer is finally here and the hiking and outdoor activity season is in high gear.  June has already been fun with our Trails Day at the Herrick Preserve and the celebration at Deer Pond Farm for the opening of their New York trails. 

Many thanks to those of you who joined in on May 18 for the Special Meeting of Members. It was a pleasure to get together with people who care so deeply about conservation in Sherman - and we conducted some very important business while we were at it.  At the meeting, members adopted the new Certificate of Incorporation.  This vote and approval was crucial to be sure our organization is in compliance with current CT state law.

We are happy to welcome our dynamic stewardship duo for the summer.  James Wistman is a dedicated volunteer for many organizations including Naromi.  This year we are so grateful to have Jim volunteering alongside our summer intern - his son Noah.  Say hello if you see them out on any of our preserves this summer!

Be sure to mark your calendars for Friday, July 12th at 6:30 for our Annual Membership Meeting at the Lake Mauweehoo Club House.  

Enjoy!

Amanda Branson
Executive Director
Naromi Annual Meeting - Friday, July 12
Save the date for the Naromi Annual Meeting on Friday, July 12 starting at 6:30 PM at the Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse.  This event is open to the public and is free. Light refreshments will be provided. It's a wonderful opportunity to get together with friends in a very neat place to support Naromi.   
 
2019 Conservation Conversations
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council has coordinated "Conservation Conversations" throughout the state, celebrating the great natural places made possible by the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition grant program, funded by the Community Investment Act.

On July 1, 4:30- 5:30pm, enjoy an informal afternoon at Steep Rock's Macricostas Preserve with state legislators, other elected officials, land trust representatives, and community leaders. These events are free and open to land trust members and others interested in discussing your state, regional, and local conservation priorities and celebrating land conservation success stories around the state.   
 This event is co-hosted by Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative (of which Naromi is a member), Steep Rock Association, and Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust.  

Wildlife Tips
Most animals are most active at dawn and at dusk. Be especially aware of this when driving.  If you see one animal cross the road, slow down.  It is very likely more will follow.

Let Fawns Alone
If there is no dead doe in the area or on nearby roads, and if the fawn has not been crying all day, the fawn is not an orphan.  The mother will not return until after dark. Just keep yourself and your pets far away from the fawn and mom should return soon. 

Raccoons  If you see a raccoon out in the day it does not mean that it is rabid, Even though raccoons are nocturnal, mother raccoons are commonly seen in the daytime napping in trees and foraging for food when nursing cubs depletes their energy. If a raccoon is showing abnormal behaviors such as partial paralysis, circling or exhibiting unprovoked aggression - call your local animal control officer or police.

Baby Birds  If you find a baby bird without full feathering, look for its nest and if  possible, return the bird back to its nest.  If the bird is very young and mainly skin and pin feathers, it can't be put in a substitute nest since baby birds can't maintain their own body heat and will die unless put back in the nest to be brooded by the parent(s).  If you do not see a parent bird within an hour, call a local wildlife rehabilitator for help.

Turtles  Late May through June is the time of year when turtles are most often
seen crossing roads and in gardens. A majority of these turtles are gravid (e
gg-bearing) females looking for a sandy location to nest. Unfortunately, its also the time of year where many are crushed by cars and mowing equipment. 
 
Motorists and bicyclists who are willing to help can due so by simply moving the turtle off the road and placing it in the direction it was going. If it's a Snapping Turtle, find a blunt object such as a branch and gently try to "push" it off the road. Do not pick up a snapping turtle as their necks are surprising long and they might get your fingers. DO NOT pick the turtle up by its tail because severe injury can occur to the turtles spinal column. Above all, be safe and do not attempt stop traffic.  
 CT Audubon Deer Pond Farm celebration
The estate of Kathryn D. Wriston has given 835 acres of rugged hardwood forest, meadows, and wetlands straddling the border of Connecticut and New York to the Connecticut Audubon Society to be preserved as a sanctuary.   Called Deer Pond Farm, about half the property is in Pawling New York and the other half in Sherman, Connecticut.

On June 8, they celebrated the opening of their New York trails and invited many area conservation organizations to celebrate with them. There were two birds walks, a birds of prey demonstration by Christine's Critters, a bird banding demonstration by Dr. Seewagen of Great Hollow, and a wonderful gathering of conservation organizations in our area including Friends of the Great Swamp, New Milford Garden Club, and Protect Our Pollinators.


We were so happy to see long-time friends and meet some new ones! Whether you're visiting for the season or a veteran supporter, we hope you can explore some of Naromi's incredible properties.
  Great Hollow Eco-Discovery Camp

From June 24 to August 2, Great Hollow Nature Preserve is hosting a summer camp for kids ages 5-12. If you're 14 - 17, they are looking for CITs (Counselors in Training) to join the team.

Camp days are spent exploring Great Hollow's creeks, forests, meadows, and trails, learning about the critters that make this special place their home.

Each weekly session includes science-based environmental education activities, live animal presentations, games, hikes, and daily time for self-directed nature play.