Branford Land Trust

Work Party: Zielinski Farm Field
2017-11-18 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zielinski Farm Field, 186 Brushy Plain Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
We will continue clearing woody shrubs and small trees from the edges of the Zielinski Farm field, 186 Brushy Plain Rd. Bring loppers, small handsaws, sturdy hand clippers, and work gloves. One or two chainsaws would be welcome. Turn into the driveway and park along the side of the field, being careful not to block the driveway. The work parties offer a chance to get to know BLT properties and to spend a little time with some great people. If you have school-age kids, this is a chance for them to pick up some community service credits. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

Killam's Point: A Walk through Natural History
2017-10-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
A Walk Through Natural History
Killam’ s Point Events
Come take a walk with us through natural history led by Jimmy Goggin. Clad in fall colors, the raw beauty of Killam’s Point will be on display. Crisp air, the ospreys feeding for their long migration, the granite bluffs against the sparkling Sound, schools of bunker fleeing a bluefish frenzy, chipmunks and squirrels harvesting acorns, and through it all, the peace and order of an undisturbed ecological system—this is the Point in all its glory. Held at Killam’s Point on Shore Dr. For info, call 203-747-4184. Co-sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Branford.

Work Party: Sybil Creek
2017-10-21 09:00 - 12:00 | Sybil Creek, Block Island Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
We will return to the Sybil Creek tract next to the Bruce & Johnson marina to continue cutting bittersweet and other climbing plants that are strangling the trees on this important upland part of the Sybil Creek Preserve. Park next to the woods between buildings #3 and #4 on the left after entering the marina at the end of Block Island Rd. Bring loppers, small handsaws, sturdy hand clippers, and work gloves. The work parties offer a chance to get to know BLT properties and to spend a little time with some great people. If you have school-age kids, this is a chance for them to pick up some community service credits. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

Annual Branford River Parade
2017-09-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Branford High School, 185 E. Main Street, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Celebrate the beauty of the Branford River! Join kayakers and canoeists from Branford and surrounding communities as we paddle in a boat parade from behind the Branford High School to Branford Point on Saturday, September 16. (More Info)

22nd Annual Hands-on Environmental Day Camp
2017-08-14 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
The Branford Land Trust will hold its 22nd Annual Hands-on Environmental Day Camp on Monday, August 14, 2017. This camp, for children ages 5-9, is held at the Killam’s Point Conference Center in Branford. The event includes activities, presentations and games that help kids learn about such things as tide pools, woodland habitats, wildlife rehabilitation, nature crafts, and more. The cost of the camp is $45 for the day (additional children, same family $35.00), or $35 for BLT members. Scholarships available.
Registration deadline is Friday, August 10, 2017. Download the Registration Form, or contact Martha Rice at 203-314-7128, mhbrice@gmail.com.
The Branford Land Trust is a non-profit organization, celebrating 50 years of protecting Branford’s open space and natural resources.

Killam's Point: Exploring the Point
2017-08-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Tidal pools, stands of pitch pines, salt marshes, inland wetlands, an osprey nest, remains of a worked quarry, invasive species – Killam’s Point has something for all. The day is being planned so that young and old and everyone in between will experience the Point with newly opened eyes. Co-sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Branford.

Stony Creek Brewery Meet-Up
2017-06-27 17:00 - 22:00, 2017-06-20 17:00 - 22:00, 2017-06-13 17:00 - 22:00 | Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Avenue, Branford, 06405, United States
TUESDAYS IN JUNE!
June 13, June 20, June 27 • 5PM – Close
Stop by the Stony Creek Brewery Tuesday nights in June and help support the BLT! Have a beer, meet some BLT volunteers, and enjoy the evening knowing that $1 from every pint sold will be donated to the Branford Land Trust.

Work Party: Branford Festival
2017-06-17 | Branford Green, Town Hall Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Join us at the Land Trust booth to help set up, break down, or for an hour or two during the day to tell your friends and neighbors about how you’re helping the Land Trust protect Branford’s open space for future generations. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

Killam's Point: Horseshoe Crabs
2017-06-10 12:30 - 14:30 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Led by local naturalist Martha Rice. Horseshoe crabs may be our oldest and best friends. Come learn about the research program under way and help measure and tag some of these fascinating creatures. Co-sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Branford. Click here for more information.

Flora Walk at Vedder Preserve
2017-06-04 14:00 - 15:30 | Stony Creek Trolley Trail, West Point Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Lauren Brown will lead us on a late spring walk at the Vedder Preserve to observe and identify native plants and flowers. Meet in Stony Creek at the far end of West Point Road, which is across from the Willoughby Wallace Library. Click here for more information.

CT Trails Day Hike: Stony Creek Quarry Preserve
2017-06-03 09:30 - 11:30 | Stony Creek Quarry Trail, Quarry Road, Branford, 06405, United States
Walk the trails of the Stony Creek Quarry and Red Hill Woods Preserves in the heart of nearly 1000 acres of preserved land. Points of interest along the 3.5 mile hike include a small Native American rock shelter and evidence of historic quarrying. Click here for more information or call 203-514-8554.

BLT Annual Meeting
2017-05-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main Street, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Come to the 50th Anniversary kick off at the Blackstone Memorial Library. Includes brief business meeting and guest speaker.

Work Party: Stony Creek Limited Partnership Field
2017-05-20 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 road that goes off to the right just as Wallace Rd starts to climb the hill. Take the first driveway on the left (where the road curves right) and look for some stepping stones going up the hill on the right side of the driveway with a BLT signpost at the top. Follow the red blazes to the field, bearing left at the point where the trail splits. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

Nature Explorer: Spring Bird Walk
2017-05-07 08:30 - 10:30, 2017-05-06 08:30 - 10:30 | Stony Creek Trolley Trail, West Point Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Naturalist Chris Woerner leads our annual bird walks along the Trolley Trail and into the Vedder property. Come to one OR both!

Winter/Spring Lecture: A Place Called Hope
2017-04-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main Street, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Join us for a close-up view of live birds of prey at the Blackstone Memorial Library. Learn each bird’s story of survival and ways to lessen conflicts with the wildlife in your very own backyard.

Branford River and Town Clean-up Day
2017-04-15 | Branford Green, Town Hall Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Watch for details!

Work Party: Red Hill Woods
2017-04-08 09:00 - 12:00
On April 8, we will begin the process of building a bog walk and two bridges on the Red Hill Woods stream floodplain. Help move the materials for the bog walk (210 12-ft long 2×8 hemlock planks, 350 cedar logs) from Red Hill Road to the project site. We will be joined by a large group of students from Quinnipiac University as part of QU’s annual Big Event community service day. Meet at 9:30 at the end of Red Hill Road. Bring work gloves and wear footwear that is waterproof or can get wet. For more information, call Matt Reed (203-376-6199).

Lecture: Long Island Sound’s Lobster
2017-03-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main Street, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Learn about Long Island Sound’s Lobster from former fishmonger and commercial lobsterman Richard J. King at the Branford Land Trust’s March lecture.

Trees in Winter at Killam’s Point
2017-03-11 14:00 - 15:30 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Guided by local naturalist Lauren Brown, and co-sponsored by the Branford Land Trust and the First Congregational Church of Branford.

Work Party: Vedder Preserve
2017-03-11 09:00 - 12:00
NOTE CHANGE TO 2ND SATURDAY
We will clean up chronic party sites, do any needed trail maintenance and continue the removal of invasive plants, mostly privet, that has been the focus of our stewardship work on this preserve for several years, focusing on pulling the small seedlings that have sprouted in the previously cleared areas. Meet at 9:00 am at the pull-off on Pleasant Point Rd. just south of the Amtrak line. Bring work gloves, grub hoes, clippers and loppers. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

Animal Tracking Class 2
2017-03-04 09:30 - 23:00 | Lake Saltonstall Preserve, Hosley Avenue, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Learn to recognize animal footprints and other signs of their passage through the woods during the two Animal Tracking classes sponsored by the Branford Land Trust’s Nature Explorer Program from 9:30 to 11am on Saturday, February 25. These fun and interesting classes will be led by naturalists Tom Cleveland and Chris Woerner at the Lake Saltonstall Preserve. We’ll hope for snow, but it will be fun even without it! Classes are free and open to the public.

February Lecture: What is the Long Island Sound Blue Plan?
2017-02-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main Street, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
What is the Long Island Sound Blue Plan? Find out at the Branford Land Trust’s February Lecture to be held on Wednesday, February 22, 7 p.m. at the Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford. All are free to the public.

Work Party: Hammer Woodland
2017-02-18 09:00 - 12:00
We will continue to work on removing trees and shrubs that have encroached on the field and clearing along the fence line and the trail entrance. Time and number of volunteers permitting, we will also clear the top of the dam. Meet at 9:00; park along the side of Cherry Hill Road across from Montoya condominiums. Bring loppers, clippers and work gloves. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

Animal Tracking Class 1
2017-01-28 09:30 - 23:00 | Lake Saltonstall Preserve, Hosley Avenue, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Learn to recognize animal footprints and other signs of their passage through the woods during the two Animal Tracking classes sponsored by the Branford Land Trust’s Nature Explorer Program from 9:30 to 11am on Saturday, January 28 and Saturday, February 25. These fun and interesting classes will be led by naturalists Tom Cleveland and Chris Woerner at the Lake Saltonstall Preserve. We’ll hope for snow, but it will be fun even without it! Classes are free and open to the public.

Work Party: Medlyn Field
2017-01-21 09:00 - 12:00
The work parties offer a chance to get to know BLT properties and to spend a little time with some great people. If you have school age kids, this is a chance for them to pick up some community service credits. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

New Year's Day Hike - Red Hill Woods
2017-01-01 13:00 - 14:30 | Red Hill Woods, Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Join us for a peaceful start to 2017 with a hike at the Branford Land Trust newest acquisition, Red Hill Woods.
Red Hill Woods is a stunning 29-acre parcel at the end of Red Hill Road, just north of 950 acres of protected open space currently protected by the Branford Land Trust, the Guilford Land Conservation Trust, and the Town of Branford.
Walkers should expect moderate terrain, with some sloping trails and inclines. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome.
To get there, take I-95 to Exit 56 and head south on Leetes Island Road about 0.3 miles. Turn left onto Red Hill Road and continue past Van Wie Pond to the very end of the road. Some short-distance carpooling may be required if there is significant snow.

Work Party: Stony Creek Partnership
2016-12-03 09:00 - 12:00
We will continue the clearing of woody shrubs and trees from Stony Creek Limited Partnership field. Bring loppers, small handsaws, sturdy hand clippers, work gloves. Park on Long Point Road or Wallace Road. The work parties offer a chance to get to know BLT properties and to spend a little time with some great people. If you have school age kids, this is a chance for them to pick up some community service credits. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.
