BLT Annual Meeting + Lecture by Mark Urban
2019-06-19 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Willoughby Wallace Library, 146 Thimble Island Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Leading Climate Change Scientist Mark C. Urban to Speak at Branford Land Trust Annual Meeting on June 19
The Branford Land Trust’s 2019 Annual Meeting will feature guest speaker Mark C. Urban, an award-winning scientist, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut, founder and director of the Center of Biological Risk, and global expert on one of the most important topics of our time: climate change impacts on nature. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 7:00 p.m. at the Willoughby Wallace Library (146 Thimble Island Road, Stony Creek). Urban’s presentation, “Climate Change Impacts on Connecticut Wildlife,” will follow a brief business meeting which will include the election of officers and directors and a proposed amendment to BLT bylaws allowing all officers to serve an equivalent number of terms. Refreshments will be served. The evening is free and open to the public. The Branford Land Trust is a non-profit organization, celebrating more than 50 years of protecting Branford’s open space and natural resources. For more information about the Annual Meeting, the proposed bylaws amendment, and other upcoming events, visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.

July Work Party -- Red Hill Woods
2019-07-20 09:00 - 11:00 | Red Hill Woods, Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
We will be working at Red Hill Woods, removing Japanese barberry and other invasive plants from the stream floodplain and the area of dumped rock and fill east of the stream near the highway.
Meet at 9:00. AM Park on the unpaved end of Red Hill Road. If you’re running late and we’ve already headed for the worksite, walk down the unpaved road to where the White Circle trail enters from the left and follow the White Circle blazes across the stream and onto the Red Hill Woods preserve. Take the Blue Trail to the floodplain and filled area.
Bring mattocks (grub hoes), loppers, sturdy hand clippers, and heavy work gloves. We don’t plan to be working a lot in water but wearing shoes or boots that can stand getting wet is a good idea.
Note: Saturday is forecast to be very hot and humid. Bring plenty of water!

Killam's Point: Native Americans Summer at the Shore
2019-08-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
August 4
Native Americans Summer at the Shore
Sunday, 10:00am – Noon
Native Americans spent summers on Killam’s Point. Food was readily available, caves protected them from the elements, travel by water simplified moving and a spring supplied drinking water. Kids of all ages will enjoy this fascinating talk by Town Historian Jane Bouley.

Environmental Day Camp
2019-08-16 09:00 - 16:00 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
The Branford Land Trust is pleased to announce the 24th Annual hands-on Environmental Day Camp to be held on Friday, August 16. Children ages 5-9 will enjoy hands-on activities, including touch tanks, woodland and Long Island Sound exploration, nature crafts, and more. The day will run from approximately 9:00am to 4:00pm. Click here for more information.

Work Party - Goss Preserve
2019-08-17 09:00 - 11:00 | Goss Preserve
We are returning to the Goss Preserve to focus on cutting the wisteria vines that are strangling trees on the tract. Time and volunteer numbers permitting, we will also clean along the Totoket Road edge of the preserve, removing litter and invasive plants, and trim the trails as needed.
Meet at 9:00 am at the Tilcon parking lot at the west end of the Pine Orchard/Stony Creek trolley trail.
Bring work gloves, mattocks, clippers, and loppers. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

Work Party - Lower Sybil Creek Preserve
2019-09-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Sybil Creek, Block Island Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
We will return to the Sybil Creek property 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.
Meet at 9:00 am. Park next to the woods between buildings #3 and #4 (on the left shortly after entering the Bruce & Johnson Marina at the end of Block Island Road.
Bring loppers, small handsaws, sturdy hand clippers, and work gloves. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

BLT's Annual River Parade
2019-10-12 10:30 - 13:30 | Branford High School, 185 E. Main Street, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Celebrate the beauty of the Branford River on Saturday, October 12! Join kayakers, canoeists, and paddleboarders from Branford and surrounding communities as we paddle in a boat parade from behind the Branford High School to Branford Point. (Read More)

Work Party - Red Hill Woods
2019-10-19 09:00 - 11:00 | Red Hill Woods, Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Red Hill Woods: We will continue removing Japanese barberry and invasive plants from the stream floodplain and the area of dumped rock and fill near the highway. Meet at 9:00AM.
Get to know some of the BLT properties and spend a little time with some great people. A great chance for school-age kids to pick up some community service credits. Additional Work Parties scheduled for November 16, December 7, January 18, and February 15. For details, call Bill Horne (203-488-6146).

Killam's Point in Fall Splendor
2019-10-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Led by educator and naturalist Jim Goggin. Walk the trails and enjoy magnificent views from granite bluffs. Watch the birds and animals preparing for winter. Wonder over the forest in amazing color. Diversity and serenity awaits those joining us for a family outing. Registration required. Call 203-314-7128. (Read More)

Work Party - Lucy Hammer Woodland
2019-11-16 09:00 - 12:00 | Hammer Woodlands, Cherry Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Lucy Hammer Woodland – We will return to the trail that runs along the top of the ridge, which has become overgrown by Euonymus. Time and number of volunteers permitting, we will clear the top of the dam and check the other trails. Meet at 9:00AM.

Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Walk
2019-11-24 13:00 - 14:30 | Van Wie Woods, 87 Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Join the us for our traditional pre-Thanksgiving hike at Van Wie Woods, exploring fields, woodlands, streams, and granite outcrops of the 100 acres donated by two generations of the Van Wie family. Led by Land Trust Trustees and Advisory Board members, this is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and refreshing fall weather with friends and family. Watch for details!

BLT Osprey Support Group Meeting
2019-12-02 19:00 - 20:30
Monday, December 2 at 7:00PM
You’re invited to join us at the Sylvan Point Condominium club house for the BLT Osprey Support Group Meeting on Monday, December 2 at 7:00PM.
Goals: Top priority is to establish support system for Bob Bejnerowicz for his continued leadership in maintaining approximately 40 osprey nesting platforms. Second priority is to explore reestablishment of school and public education efforts.
Refreshments will be served.
Please feel free to extend this invitation to any who might be interested.
Directions: Coming past Stony Creek Brewery on Indian Neck Ave, turn right onto Frank Street, then right into Sylvan Point Condos. Ample parking. Club house on left.

Work Party - Hoadley Creek Preserve
2019-12-07 09:00 - 12:00
Hoadley Creek Preserve – We will work in the Medlyn fields, clearing along the edges and around boulders and staking the boulders to make them visible during next year’s mowing.
Get to know some of the BLT properties and spend a little time with some great people. A great chance for school-age kids to pick up some community service credits. Additional Work Parties scheduled for November 16, December 7, January 18, and February 15. For details, call Bill Horne (203-488-6146).

New Year's Day Hike
2020-01-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Van Wie Woods, 87 Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Start off the New Year on the right foot! Join the Branford Land Trust on Wednesday, January 1 at 1:00 PM for a hike at Van Wie Woods, exploring fields, woodlands, streams, and granite outcrops of the 100 acres donated by two generations of the Van Wie family. Led by local naturalists, this is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and refreshing fall weather with friends and family.

Winter Lecture Series: Pollinators
2020-01-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Willoughby Wallace Library, 146 Thimble Island Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Join the Branford Land Trust for an informative and important lecture on Connecticut’s most important pollinator — bees — presented by Dr. Kimberly Stoner, Entomologist, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. The first event in this Winter Lecture Series will take place on Tuesday, January 28, 7:00 p.m., at the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library in Stony Creek (146 Thimble Island Rd, Branford).

Winter Lecture Series
2020-02-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Willoughby Wallace Library, 146 Thimble Island Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States

Maple Sugaring Demo
2020-03-07 12:00 - 16:00 | Weil Preserve, Buena Vista Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Stop by and check out the Branford Land Trust maple sugaring demonstration on Saturday, March 7 from 12-4pm.This is a great chance to learn about the cultural history of maple sugaring, walk the trails to see how sap is collected, watch sap being boiled into syrup, and taste some of the sweet stuff for yourself! The demonstration will be ongoing from 12-4pm, so just drop by! The Weil Property is located at the end of Buena Vista Road in Stony Creek. The demonstration area is an easy 5-minute trail walk, watch for signs starting at the information kiosk. For more information visit: https://branfordlandtrust.org/sweet-its-a-branford-land-trust-maple-sugaring-demo/

Cancelled: Winter Lecture Series
2020-03-26 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-04-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Willoughby Wallace Library, 146 Thimble Island Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States

Thanksgiving Weekend Walk
2021-11-28 13:00 - 14:30 | Van Wie Woods, 87 Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Join the Branford Land Trust on Sunday, November 28 at 1:00 PM for this traditional Thanksgiving hike at Van Wie Woods, exploring fields, woodlands, streams, and granite outcrops of the 100 acres donated by two generations of the Van Wie family. We’ll be joined by several local naturalists and members of the Branford High School Land Conservation Club. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and refreshing fall weather with friends and family you might not have seen for a while. (Read More)

January Lecture: Betty Ann Donegan
2022-01-26 19:00 - 20:30
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 sourced ingredients, local food phenom Betty Ann Donegan will teach us how to make a Vegetarian Chile and Cheese Casserole, Cornbread with Manchego Cheese, and a Berry Tart. This Branford Land Trust January lecture will be held on Wednesday, January 26 at 7:00PM via Zoom.
Together, we’ll explore how to find and use locally sourced ingredients while making some delicious dishes to share with loved ones during these cold winter days. Upon registration you’ll be provided with recipes so you can follow along — and even cook along — at home! Bon Appétit!
Betty Ann has been teaching her popular cooking classes in the Pine Orchard section of Branford for 46 years. She has written several cookbooks and was a guest chef on Connecticut Style for eight years.
The January program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please contact Martha Rice at mhbrice@gmail.com to sign-up or for more information. Once registered, a Zoom link will be emailed along with the recipes.

Winter Animal Tracking Classes
2022-02-26 09:30 - 11:00 | Lake Saltonstall Preserve, Hosley Avenue, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Branford Land Trust Winter Animal Tracking Classes
Saturday, January 29 & Saturday, February 26
9:30am – 11:00am at Lake Saltonstall Recreational Area
Not just a walk in the woods, the Branford Land Trust’s popular Animal Tracking classes are led enthusiastically by naturalists Tom Cleveland and Chris Woerner each winter. Learn how to recognize animal footprints and other signs of their passage through the woods during two Animal Tracking Classes scheduled for Saturday, January 29 and Saturday, February 26 from 9:30 to 11am at the Lake Saltonstall Recreational Area. We’ll hope for snow, but it will be fun even without it! This program is fun for both kids and adults.
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. We’ll meet at the fishing area parking lot off of Hosley Avenue in Branford. The address is 100 Hosley Avenue and it is located approximately halfway down Hosley Avenue off of Route 1 to the south and Brushy Plain Road to the north.
Bad Weather dates: January 30 and February 27. Watch our Facebook page for possible schedule changes. For questions please call Tom Cleveland @ 203-981-9040.

Winter Tree Walk
2022-03-13 14:00 - 15:30 | Red Hill Woods, Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Winter Tree Walk
Hosted by the Branford Land Trust
Sunday, March 13, 2:00 p.m.
at the Red Hill Woods Preserve
You don’t need leaves to tell one tree from another! Local botanist and author Lauren Brown will show you how to use growth form, bark, and other features to make some sense out of the winter woods.
Meet at trailhead at the end of Red Hill Road. The walk will be about 1.5 miles, starting on a flat gravel roadbed, then with some up and down in the woods. Walkers should expect moderate terrain, with some sloping trails and inclines. Bad weather cancels.
To maintain social distancing, space is limited to 15. Registration required. Email Martha Rice at mhbrice@gmail.com

BLT Earth Day Clean-up
2022-04-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Red Hill Woods, Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
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 end of Red Hill Road so we can hike into the preserve together. BLT will supply pickup sticks and bags. Please wear gloves, long sleeves & appropriate footwear that may get muddy! No open toed shoes!
Rain Date: Sunday, April 24th.
No need to reserve — just show up!

Annual Spring Bird Walk
2022-05-07 09:00 - 11:00, 2022-05-08 09:00 - 11:00 | Stony Creek Trolley Trail, West Point Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
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 lead these popular walks along the Stony Creek Trolley Trail and into the Land Trust’s Vedder property. Chris will help us identify the birds by sight and by call. It should be a fun and exciting walk for both adults and families, rain or shine.
The event is free and open to the public. We’ll meet in Stony Creek at the far end of West Point Rd. across from the Willoughby Wallace Library. You can choose the day that fits best into your schedule, or for birding enthusiasts, you can even come both days-since the birds we sight will vary on each day. Mostly flat terrain with one steep, rocky hill. Families are welcome, but no dogs please.
We’ll abide by current COVID precautions at the time of the walk. Please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome.

BLT Annual Meeting
2022-05-23 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for our Annual Meeting on Monday, May 23 beginning at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom featuring Gerald Torres, Professor of Environmental Justice, Yale School of the Environment. His presentation on the implications of environmental justice for conservation land trusts will follow a brief business meeting and the election of officers and directors. Click here for more information.

Horseshoe Crab Program
2022-05-24 19:00 - 20:00
Horseshoe Crab Program
May 24, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Loves Beach, Killam’s Point Conference Center

Join this co-sponsored program with the First Congregational Church of Branford and the Branford Land Trust led by Martha Rice to learn about the ecology and importance of Horseshoe crabs in our lives today. This program is open to the public, but registration is required. Please email info@killamspoint.org to register.

Annual Branford Land Trust Environmental Day Camp
2022-08-18 09:00 - 16:00
Children ages 5-9 will enjoy hands-on activities, including touch tanks, woodland and Long Island Sound exploration, nature crafts, and more. Click here to read more.

CLCC Award Ceremony
2022-08-30 16:00 - 17:30
We hope you will join us, the CLCC, and local officials and representatives, for a special award ceremony in honor of Bill Horne to be held on Tuesday, August 30, 4:00 p.m. at DeLeo Field, 156 Laurel Hill Road, Branford. The ceremony will feature an award presentation and music, followed by a guided hike at Pieper Woods.
Register here: https://bit.ly/3Pn9pi9.
Carpooling is highly encouraged, as parking spaces are limited. We’ll be in an open field, so please wear comfortable shoes and socks, bring a lawn chair if you’d like, consider a hat and bug spray. Bring a refillable water bottle as no plastic water bottles will be given out.
READ MORE
