Branford Land Trust

Nature Explorer Program: Animal Tracking Classes
2016-02-27 09:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Learn to recognize animal footprints and other signs of their passage through the woods during two upcoming Animal Tracking Classes sponsored by the Branford Land Trust’s Nature Explorer Program, from 9:30AM to 11AM on January 24 and February 27 at Lake Saltonstall Preserve. The classes will be led by Tom Cleveland and Chris Woerner. Expect moderate terrain, some sloping trails and inclines, rocky underfooting. Parents should be prepared to carry younger children if they get tired. Please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. Meet at the Regional Water Authority parking lot on the north side of Hosely Avenue, down Hosely Avenue 0.3 miles from Brushy Plain Road. For questions, contact Tom at 203-981-9040 or tgcleve@yahoo.com.

BLT Lecture: “Saving the Sound: from Your Beach to the Ecosystem”
2016-02-24 07:00 - 21:00
Did you know that Branford has two beaches that rank amongst the worst 10% around the Sound? Curt will focus on both challenges and pathways forward for cleaning up bacteria at local beaches, including how to restore ecological health to our local river, harbor, bay and ultimately the Sound.

Work Party: Hammer Woods
2016-02-20 09:00 - 12:00
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN THE LOCATION OF THE FEBRUARY 20 WORK PARTY. On February 20, we will return to the Hammer field to continue clearing brush from the back edge of the field as well as cut up and move the remains of the dead trees along the road side that were felled by a tree service a few weeks ago. Meet at 9:00 am. Bring loppers, small handsaws, sturdy hand clippers, and work gloves. Park on the edge of Cherry Hill Road across from Montoya condominiums. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

BLT Lecture: “Butterflies and Their Garden”
2016-01-27 19:00 - 21:00
Join the Branford Land Trust for the first of its Winter/Spring Lecture Series, “Butterflies and Their Garden,” with naturalist, artist and writer John Himmelman on Wednesday, January 27, 7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and will be held at the Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St, Branford.
Highlighted by a collection of local photographs, John’s presentation addresses many of the questions asked about the lives and preferences of this fascinating group of insects. He’ll discuss butterfly families and species, life cycles, finding butterflies, and creating butterfly habitats.
John is the author/illustrator of nearly 80 books for children and books (for grown up kids) on various nature topics, some of which will be available for purchase the night of the lecture. He graduated School of Visual Arts in 1981, and his first book, Talester the Lizard, was published later that year. His children’s book genres range from whimsical to natural history. He is a naturalist, involved in many organizations where he gives lectures and leads trips in search of exciting flora and fauna. He strives to incorporate his interests with his career as a writer and illustrator because it just makes both more fun. To find out more about his work, visit www.johnhimmelman.com.
Please save the date for these other upcoming BLT lectures: “Saving the Sound: from Your Beach to the Ecosystem,” with Curt Johnson, Executive Director of Save the Sound, on February 24; a presentation on Horseshoe Crabs and Project Limulus by Sacred Heart University on March 23; and “How to Watch Birds” with Artist and Naturalist Robert Braunfield on April 27.
The mission of the Branford Land Trust is to preserve open space in Branford, and to promote our community’s appreciation of Branford’s diverse natural features. For more information about the BLT or its Winter/Spring lecture series, please call Martha Rice at 203-314-7128.

Nature Explorer Program: Animal Tracking Classes
2016-01-24 09:30 - 11:00
DATE CHANGED TO JANUARY 24. Learn to recognize animal footprints and other signs of their passage through the woods during two upcoming Animal Tracking Classes sponsored by the Branford Land Trust’s Nature Explorer Program, from 9:30AM to 11AM on January 24 and February 27 at Lake Saltonstall Preserve. The classes will be led by Tom Cleveland and Chris Woerner. Expect moderate terrain, some sloping trails and inclines, rocky underfooting. Parents should be prepared to carry younger children if they get tired. Please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. Meet at the Regional Water Authority parking lot on the north side of Hosely Avenue, down Hosely Avenue 0.3 miles from Brushy Plain Road. Bad Weather dates: January 24 & February 28. For questions, contact Tom at 203-981-9040 or tgcleve@yahoo.com.

Work Party
2016-01-16 09:00 - 12:00
Watch for details.

Annual New Year’s Day Walk: Short Beach Preserve
2016-01-01 13:00 - 15:00
Start your New Year by walking out of doors! We’ll walk the Short Beach Preserve on Friday, January 1 at 1:00PM. This walk, led by Meg Kilgore, is open to all ages and free of charge. Meet at the end of Midwood Road, which runs off of Shore Drive in Short Beach. The walk begins at the cul-de-sac at the end of the road. Expect moderate terrain, some sloping trails and inclines, rocky underfooting. Please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. For questions, contact Meg (203) 415-1571.

WORK PARTY: Van Wie Woods
2015-12-05 09:00 - 12:00
We will clear the edges of the field of woody shrubs and saplings that have grown out into the field and are interfering with the mowing. Meet at 9:00 am. Bring loppers, small handsaws, sturdy hand clippers, and work gloves. Park on Whitewood Drive near Flat Rock Rd. We will walk in across the end of the driveway at #32 Flat Rock Rd (across Flat Rock from Whitewood). Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

Pre-Thanksgiving Walk at the Van Wie Preserve
2015-11-22 13:00 - 15:00
The Branford Land Trust’s NATURE EXPLORER PROGRAM is pleased to offer our Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Walk at the Van Wie Preserve, led by Bill Horne and Matt Reed on Sunday, November 22 at 1:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and the refreshing fall weather! Meet at the trailhead at 87 Red Hill Road. Directions: From Exit 56 on I-95, go south on Leetes Island Rd. for 0.1 mile, and turn left (east) onto Red Hill Rd. Proceed to #87, which is on the right, and park on the right side of the road. For more information call 203-415-1571. All events are free and open to the public.
For all BLT walks, please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome.

WORK PARTY: Stony Creek Limited Partnership
2015-11-21 09:00 - 12:00
We will continue the clearing of woody shrubs and trees from the field on the Stony Creek Limited Partnership Preserve to maintain the old-field character. Meet at 9:00 am. Bring loppers, small handsaws, sturdy hand clippers, and work gloves. Park on Long Point Rd or Wallace Rd (the far intersection of Wallace Rd with Thimble Island Rd, opposite Long Point Rd). We will walk in along the private driveway marked 50 Wallace Rd. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

NATURE EXPLORER: Fall Foliage Walk with Truman Sherk
2015-10-24 10:00 - 12:00
Enjoy a walk at Young’s Pond, beginning at 10:00AM. (Rain Date, October 25) For all BLT walks, please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. For more information, call 203-415-1571.

NATURE EXPLORER: Fall Flora Walk with Lauren Brown
2015-10-18 14:00 - 16:00
Explore the Vedder Preserve at 2:00PM. Meet on Pleasant Point Road just past the Amtrak overpass. For all BLT walks, please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. For more information, call 203-415-1571.

WORK PARTY: Short Beach Preserve
2015-10-17 09:00 - 12:00
We will clear the trail from the entrance to the preserve near Double Beach Rd and do other trail maintenance as time and number of volunteers permit. Meet at 9:00 am. Tentatively, park in the Air, Inc. parking lot (171 Short Beach Rd) in the spaces closest to the road. Enter along the right-of-way to the left of the driveway at 183 Short Beach Rd. Bring loppers, small handsaws, sturdy hand clippers, and work gloves. Call Harry Merrick (203-481-0674) for more information.

NATURE EXPLORER: Fall Bird Walk For Beginners
2015-10-04 09:00 - 11:00
Meet at 9:00AM at the Supply Ponds trailhead. (Rain Date Sunday, October 4) For all BLT walks, please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. For more information, call 203-415-1571.

Branford Land Trust Annual Branford River Parade
2015-09-12 10:30 - 14:00 | Lake Saltonstall Preserve, Hosley Avenue, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
For the 17th year, kayakers and canoeists from Branford and surrounding communities will celebrate the joy of being out on the beautiful Branford River by paddling in a boat parade from behind the high school to Branford Point on Saturday, September 12. Boaters should drop boats off behind Branford High School between 10:30-11:15 AM, driving to the parking lot at Parker Park at Branford Point to leave their cars/trucks and taking the shuttle bus (hired for this event) back to the high school for the NOON parade start.
Bring a picnic with for you and your family, and join us to enjoy lunch at Branford Point at the end of our river journey. We will share memories about our trip, and enjoy the view of Branford Harbor and the river. (Rain date: September 13)
This event is free and open to the public. It is presented by the Branford Land Trust’s Nature Explorer Program, which coordinates events for adults and families. For more information call (203) 415-1571 or visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.
