Highlights from the January Film Series: Afro-Indigenous Relationships to Land

In January, the BLT hosted a series of short films at the Blackstone Memorial Library that highlighted Native American bonds to land, including nations in the northeast like the Narragansett, […]

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! BLT Winter Animal Tracking Class

Saturday February 25 9:30am – 11:00am at Lake Saltonstall Recreational Area OK, maybe not lions and tigers, but bears, maybe. Deer, coyote, and more! You never know what you’ll discover […]

Join Us for These Saturday Work Parties

The Branford Land Trust welcomes local residents to come volunteer for its Saturday Work Parties. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, learn about the Land Trust and […]

BLT January Film Series: Afro-Indigenous Relationships to Land

An Afternoon of Film and Discussion with Clan Mother Shoran Waupatukuay Piper of the Golden Hill Paugussetts Join the Branford Land Trust on Saturday, January 21 from 1:30 – 4:00 […]

Join Us for a Public Meeting about Todds Hill Wet Meadow Preserve

Please join the Branford Land Trust for a public meeting on Wednesday, January 25 at 7pm at the Town Firehouse at 45 North Main Street, for information about plans for […]

SAVE THE DATE! BLT January Film Series: Afro-Indigenous Relationships to Land

SAVE THE DATE! BLT January Film Series: Afro-Indigenous Relationships to Land An Afternoon of Film and Discussion with Clan Mother Shoran Waupatukuay Piper of the Golden Hill Paugussetts Join the […]

It’s a Walk in the Woods…Annual Van Wie Walk

Join the Branford Land Trust on Sunday, December 4 at 1:00 PM for this annual hike at Van Wie Woods, exploring fields, woodlands, streams, and granite outcrops of the 100 […]

BUY THE BOOK: Writing the Land: Windblown I

Writing the Land: Windblown I, Book Launch & Art Reception A Creative Project from the Branford Land Trust & the Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance Writing the Land: Windblown I […]

Windblown I: Book Launch & Art Reception

Writing the Land: Windblown I, Book Launch & Art Reception A Creative Project from the Branford Land Trust & the Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance You don’t want to miss […]

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Celebrated on Monday, October 10, Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognizes the Indigenous communities that have lived in the United States for thousands of years. It is now a state observance in […]

Hot Off the Press: BLT’s Fall Newsletter!

You’re probably used to seeing the Branford Land Trust at the Branford Festival every year. Or maybe you know us from our popular nature walks and lecture series. You might […]

Special Gathering Honors Local Conservation Champion Bill Horne

“This feels like family,” said Amy Blaymore Paterson of the 60 people gathered to celebrate Bill Horne on August 30. Patterson, Executive Director of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, was […]

Conservation Champion Bill Horne Awarded 2022 Katchen Coley Award for Excellence in Conservation by the Connecticut Land Conservation Council

The Branford Land Trust (BLT) is thrilled to announce that Bill Horne has been awarded the 2022 Katchen Coley Award for Excellence in Conservation by the Connecticut Land Conservation Council […]

Registration Open for Annual Branford Land Trust Environmental Day Camp for Kids!

Registration is still open for the Branford Land Trust’s annual hands-on Environmental Day Camp on Thursday, August 18. Children ages 5-9 will enjoy hands-on activities, including touch tanks, woodland and […]

Our Work Here Is Never Done

By Gordon Hutchinson The BLT Trails Crew has kept busy all winter and spring with several projects, including the removal of invasive autumn olive from Partnership Field and the Todd’s […]

Collective Care & Indigenous Wisdom

Recommended reading by Laura Noe Leanne Betasamosake Simpson writes, “strong communities are born out of individuals being their best selves.” As a Canadian indigenous woman, musician, and writer, she shares […]

Todds Hill Wet Meadow Preserve

A lot has been happening at the Todds Hill Wet Meadow Preserve, a 24-acre open space set-aside located between Todds Hill Road, Cherry Hill Road and Parish Farm Road. Last […]

Would you like to help protect native plants in Branford?

The Branford Land Trust and the Town Conservation and Environment Commission are launching a new initiative called the Native Plant Protection Corps. Working both on BLT and Town-owned conservation lands, […]

Invasive Plants

Not only do invasive plants cost towns, state agencies, land trusts, farmers, homeowners, and others large sums of money and thousands of hours of labor for removal and restoration, invasive […]

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS PLANT?

By Lauren Brown Does it grow on your property? If so, GET RID OF IT! This woody vine goes by many names – porcelain vine, porcelain berry, Amur peppervine, or […]

Know Egrets…

According to the CT DEEP, the great egret is a large member of the heron family, with long legs, white plumage, and a slender body. Adults have black legs and […]

What the blazes?

By Jen Payne My nephew Max and I have been hiking Branford trails since he was old enough to walk. He’s always been a lively and curious kid, so our […]

25th Annual Branford Land Trust Environmental Day Camp for kids!

25th Annual Branford Land Trust Environmental Day Camp for kids! Thursday, August 18, 2022 The Branford Land Trust is pleased to announce the 25th Annual hands-on Environmental Day Camp. Children […]

Your Land Trust at Work

By Jen Payne “I want to say thanks to the Branford Land Trust. Over the last year, my family has taken much joy in exploring Land Trust properties. We hiked […]

EVOLUTIONS Afterschool Program

EVO students at Red Hill Woods. Photo by Andrea Motto. By Julie Wagner The BLT recognizes that youth involvement is crucial to the future of land conservation, but that the […]

Jarvis Creek Farm – Thank You!

The Branford Land Trust is thrilled to announce the purchase of Jarvis Creek Farm! Thanks to the support of the community — including grants and donations — we have raised […]

LAST CALL: Writing the Land Project

The Branford Land Trust is excited to participate in WRITING THE LAND, a project that links local artistic and conservation communities. This creative collaboration, made possible by funding from the […]

Join Us for Our Annual Meeting, May 23

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO COVID, THE ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON ZOOM AND NOT AT THE LIBRARY. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. To register, please email Martha Rice, mhbrice@gmail.com, who […]

Annual Spring Bird Walks on Mother’s Day Weekend

The Branford Land Trust is hosting two spring bird walks on Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Local birder Chris Woerner will […]

From Stony Creek to Guilford – Explorations Inspired by the Carleton Granbery Map

From Stony Creek to Guilford – Explorations Inspired by the Carleton Granbery Map April 29 – May 23, 2022 Opening Reception: Sunday, May 1, 4-6 p.m. The Friends of the […]

Celebrate Earth Day with the BLT at these Two Special Events!

In coordination with the Town of Branford please join us for the BLT Earth Day Clean-up on Saturday, April 23, 10:00am-12:00pm at Red Hill Woods. Volunteers should meet at the […]

BLT Earth Day Clean-up: April 23

In coordination with the Town of Branford please join us for the BLT Earth Day Clean-up on Saturday, April 23, 10:00am-12:00pm at Red Hill Woods. Volunteers should meet at the […]

Get to Know Your Trees

Winter Tree Walk at the Red Hill Woods Preserve Sunday, March 13, 2:00 p.m. Hosted by the Branford Land Trust You don’t need leaves to tell one tree from another! […]

Your Branford Land Trust

As Seen in BRANFORD NEIGHBORS Magazine, January 2022 “I want to say thanks to the Branford Land Trust. Over the last year, my family has taken much joy in exploring […]

Local Food Phenom Betty Ann Donegan Kicks Off the Branford Land Trust’s 2022 Lecture Series

With climate change one of the most important issues of our time, let’s start at home and think about how we can lower our carbon footprint right here. Using locally […]

Views from Jarvis Creek Farm

Located on the south side of historic and scenic Route 146, the 20-acre Jarvis Creek Farm property is part of an unusually large, environmentally sensitive, protected coastal area on the […]

Branford Land Trust and Local Environmental Groups Join Forces to Protect Jarvis Creek Salt Marsh

The Branford Land Trust (BLT) — in partnership with the Guilford Land Conservation Trust, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Seedlings Foundation — is purchasing a […]

Branford Land Trust Receives $10,000 Branford Community Foundation Grant for Education and Community Outreach

The Branford Land Trust (BLT) is pleased to announce the receipt of a $10,000 grant from the Branford Community Foundation and its Deirdre Baker Schiffer Fund. Inspired by his late […]

Garlic Mustard Pesto

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an open space nemesis — an aggressive invasive plant that forms dense colonies in our woods, along our trails, and even in our yards. Will […]

Environmental Justice Demands Listening

In order to serve our membership, our community, and our region, the Branford Land Trust continues to present materials that help place our mission to preserve open space in historical, […]

Branford Land Trust Helps Anchorage Road Barn Find New Home(s)

In 2019, the Branford Land Trust was given a lovely 3.7-acre property that abutted Young’s Pond Park, increasing the protected open space at this popular preserve. The property came with […]

Lessons Learned When Woodlands Burn

The Branford Land Trust suffered a large brush fire on its property behind Orchard Avenue on the evening of January 24, 2021. It was a clear, cold, windy Sunday. The […]

Snapped Trees

By Jonathan Katz November 21, 2020. Saturday. A gift day, warm, sunny, almost t-shirt weather at Thanksgiving. Into the woods. To the Supply Ponds, the Town of Branford’s magnificent central […]

BRIDGEWORK

By Jonathan Katz If you have walked the Stony Creek Limited Partnership property, you have seen, and likely strolled across, the magnificent, elevated boardwalk running east to west over the […]

WHAT WE’RE READING: The Soul of an Octopus

The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery Another New York Times bestseller from the author of The Good Good Pig, this […]

WHAT WE’RE READING: The Bird Way

The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think by Jennifer Ackerman From the New York Times bestselling author of The Genius of Birds, […]

We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Saw

Branford Land Trust Trails Crew members Dave Andrews, Bob Hull, and John Ruckes get to work on damage sustained during last week’s storm. Photo along the Van Wie Woods green […]

The Inequality of America’s Parks and Green Space

In thinking about how to best serve our membership, our community, and our region, the Branford Land Trust will be presenting some materials over the next few months that place […]

WHAT WE’RE READING: What It’s Like to Be a Bird

What It’s Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing – What Birds Are Doing, and Why by David Allen Sibley The bird book for birders […]

Mistaken Identity: Invasive Plants and their Native Look-Alikes

Did you know there is a native euonymus that is a ringer for the invasive burning bush euonymus? Staghorn sumac looks very much like trees of heaven. There actually is […]

WHAT WE’RE READING: Billionaire Wilderness

Billionaire Wilderness: The Ultra-Wealthy and the Remaking of the American West by Justin Farrell A revealing look at the intersection of wealth, philanthropy, and conservation Billionaire Wilderness takes you inside […]

REDISCOVERING THE SUPPLY POND & PISGAH BROOK PRESERVES

Most residents of the greater Branford area are familiar with the Supply Ponds. This popular recreation area is heavily used by walkers, runners, mountain bikers, fishermen, bird watchers, and […]

Connecticut Physical Climate Science Assessment Report

Human pollution of the atmosphere with greenhouse gases is altering the global climate. As greenhouse gases continue to increase, with a limited response from United States federal policy makers, local […]

It’s Invasive

As you walk through the woods these days, you might be heartened by the burgeoning green leaves on many bushes. Unfortunately, most of these are non-native invasive species, which is […]

Ferns!

Along with the spring wildflowers, the ferns are now providing delight as they unfold in their typical fiddlehead arrangement. On our nature walks, people often ask if the fiddleheads we […]

Poem: Trout Lillies

Trout Lilies by Mary Oliver It happened I couldn’t find in all my books more than a picture and a few words concerning the trout lily, so I shut my […]

Wildflower Week: Marsh Marigold

Submitted by/Photo by Jen Payne SUPPORT THE ONGOING EFFORTS OF THE BRANFORD LAND TRUST Become a Member Today!

Wildflower Week: Trout Lily

Deep in the forests of Georgia, at the Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve, millions of Trout Lilies bloom every spring. Sprawling across 15 acres of the preserve, this is the […]

Wildflower Week: Bloodroot 2

“Medicinally, bloodroot was used to treat coughs and stomach and urinary troubles,” Martha said. “The Iroquois also brewed a tea that they believed made the heart stronger and cleansed the […]

Wildflower Week: Bloodroot 1

Bloodroot, Sanguinaria Canadensis, is also known by folkname as Indian Paint, Indian Plant, King Root, Sweet Slumber, and Tetterwort. It is a small perennial growing up to six inches tall, […]

Wildflower Week: Violets

“When I was little, my parents owned a Sing Along with Mitch Miller and the Gang album. It didn’t take too long to learn every song by heart, including this […]

Wildflower Week: Spring Beauty

Above is the spring wildflower know as Spring Beauty or Claytonia virginica. Found in Eastern North America, its scientific name honors Colonial Virginia botanist John Clayton. This from the British […]

Wildflower Week: Dutchman’s Breeches

Dutchman’s Breeches by Marjorie Kahl Lawrence The fairies washed their panties And hung them up to dry. Who else could wear So small a pair? I’m sure not you nor […]

A Visit to Hammer Woodlands

Lucy T. Hammer moved to Branford in 1927 after marrying her husband, Thorvald. He soon succeeded his father as president and general manager of Malleable Iron Fittings, a company that […]

The Great Jet Ski Caper

In March, BLT Trails Crew volunteers Dave Andrews, John Ruckes, Bob Hull, Bob Baker, and Matt Reed spent a day retrieving a discarded jet ski from the Beacon Hill Preserve. […]

Nature Scavenger Hunt Anyone?

Scavenger hunts are a great way to get kids outside, especially during our nice spring days…even more so now since we’ve been sheltering in place for a while! Check out […]

Making Ready for the Ospreys

In late February, a BLT work party replaced two osprey platforms, one at Summer Island and one near the Trolley Trail in Stony Creek. UPDATE: At least 2 of the […]

Can You Find a…Vernal Pool?

Vernal Pools, like this one at the Red Hill Woods preserve, appear in the spring and disappear by midsummer. Frogs and salamanders lay their eggs in these pools. The eggs […]

Can You Find a…Glacial Erratic?

A glacial erratic is a rock resting on today’s land surface that has been deposited by the retreat of glacial ice at the end of the last Ice Age 11.000 […]

Nature’s Best Hope

Presented by the New Canaan Land Trust and sponsored by the New Canaan Pollinator Pathway partnership, Doug Tallamy, PhD Entomology, discusses simple steps that each of us can and must […]

A Pundit on the Trail

By Jonathan Katz In a war-torn election season, punditry is everywhere. Pundits prattle and pontificate about politics. It’s what they do. Or do they? The first Pundits were Hindus from […]

How We Manage Our Properties

Dave Andrews, Property Management One of the requirements of Land Trust Alliance accreditation is to annually monitor our properties. This helps the Branford Land Trust assure we know the current […]

Supply Ponds: Branford’s Hidden Escape (video)

Take a look at Supply Ponds: Branford’s Hidden Escape, a new documentary video produced by Iryna Solomko and Adrian Bonenberger to acknowledge and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Town […]

The Branford Land Trust Earns National Accreditation!

The Branford Land Trust is pleased to announce that it has achieved national recognition as an Accredited Land Trust! We join a network of more than 400 land trusts across […]

Soil Health: The Basics

by Emily Oldfield, BLT Guest Writer What is soil health? Can you diagnose a soil as healthy or not? Recently, the concept of “soil health” has gained traction in policy, […]

Branford’s Shoreline Resiliency Fund

by John Watson In February, the Town of Branford announced the creation of a $1 million fund to help finance future efforts to prepare for and mitigate the consequences of […]

The Eagle and The Terrapin

By Jonathan Katz National Trails Day 2019. Good day for a bike ride, along the Folks on Spokes route in Milford, by the shore. I make a right, residential downhill […]

Short Beach Preserve Turns 20!

The Short Beach Preserve is a 40-acre parcel with rugged rock outcroppings, tall oaks, beeches, extensive groves of mountain laurel, wetlands, and a magnificent bluff offering spectacular views of Talmadge […]

Take a Walk in Branford: Van Wie Woods

A visit to Van Wie Woods is special any time of year and in any kind of weather, even a rainy spring morning. The Van Wie Preserve, abutting the Quarry […]

Perambulating Zielinski Field

A person driving north on Brushy Plain Road might be forgiven for thinking that it’s just a long stretch of suburbia, with condominiums, houses, apartment buildings, a school and a […]

A Meditation on Mushrooms

Take a walk on a BLT trail these days and you’re sure to discover a multitude of mushrooms and more. Take a look! CLICK HERE for more information and identification […]

The Leave No Trace Seven Principles

The Leave No Trace Seven Principles are the bedrock of the Leave No Trace program. They provide guidance to enjoy our natural world in a sustainable way that avoids human-created […]

Spotted: American Oystercatcher

American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus A large, boldly patterned bird, the American Oystercatcher is conspicuous along ocean shores and salt marshes. True to its name, it is specialized in feeding on […]

Look! Up in the Sky!

Fifty-four birds were sighted during this weekend’s two bird walks led by Chris Woerner and Martha Rice. Here is an accounting… SPECIES OF BIRDS RECORDED: 54 American Crow American Goldfinch […]

BLT Guidelines for Off-Road Bicycle Use

As the last reminders of winter fade from our local trails, it’s a good time remind you of guidelines for use of BLT properties. This year, the BLT has adopted […]

A Trip To Our Rocky And Stony Past At Branford’s Hoadley Creek

by Peter Marteka, Nature’s Path & Way To Go, Hartford Courant A few years ago, I visited Ledyard’s Glacial Park, probably the state’s best example of a moraine field left […]

Branford’s Red Hill Woods From Selectman’s Stones To Indian Ledges

by Peter Marteka, Hartford Courant, Nature’s Path & Way To Go (August 20, 2016) A pile of rocks along the trails of Branford’s Red Hill Woods tells a story of […]

Preserving Spectacle Island Memories

Branford resident Eric Johansson loved the outdoors! When he wasn’t out in his boat fishing, he was working at Vail Ski Resort, spending his free time skiing. But, summer was […]

Dedication of the Peter H. Borgemeister Memorial Trail

The Branford Land Trust is pleased to announce the dedication of the Peter H. Borgemeister Memorial Trail, located in the Hoadley Creek Preserve on the eastern side of Branford. Peter […]

LEARN MORE ABOUT: Sea Level Rise

Did you know that the Greenland ice sheet is the second largest ice body in the world, after the Antarctic Ice Sheet? The Greenland ice sheet is approximately 1,500 miles […]

Video: Visit Outer Island

Take a video tour of Outer Island, presented by the Friends of Outer Island, a unit of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, located in Long Island Sound off the […]

The Zielinski Farm

A person driving north on Brushy Plain Road might be forgiven for thinking that it’s just a long stretch of suburbia, with condominiums, houses, apartment buildings, a school and a […]

Videos Highlight Long Island Sound

FROM THE LONG ISLAND SOUND STUDY: The Long Island Sound coast has its share of highways and densely populated cities and towns. But there are also miles of beautiful seascapes […]

Branford Land Trust and coastal climate change

Coastal communities in Connecticut and elsewhere are considering how they can become more resilient to flooding from greenhouse gas-driven increases in sea level and predicted more frequent severe storms. Residents […]

CALENDAR