Branford Land Trust

Red Hill Woods: Public Walk
2016-09-10 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Red Hill Woods, Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Red Hill Woods is a stunning 29-acre parcel at the end of Red Hill Road, just north of 950 acres of open space. The Branford Land Trust is working to raise $200,000 to preserve and protect this stunning property, along with Spectacle Island, for generations to come! See for yourself in a series of public walks scheduled this summer. The walks are approximately one mile in length, and will take about an hour. Walkers should expect moderate terrain, with some sloping trails and inclines. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. Directions: From Leetes Island Road, turn onto Red Hill Road and continue past Van Wie Pond to the very end of the road. Park along the gravel lane.

Killam’s Point Shore Birds
2016-08-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Shore birds’ migration begins early with the many species moving to their winter homes. Have you ever heard an oyster catcher laugh? An osprey shriek? Seen an eagle snag a bunker? Watched the dabbling and diving ducks eat lunch?
Join us on Saturday, August 27 at 10am for this exciting new Killam’s Point event led by local naturalist Martha Rice. The event is co-sponsored by the Branford Land Trust and First Congregational Church of Branford.

Red Hill Woods: Public Walk
2016-08-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2016-08-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2016-07-23 10:00 - 11:00 | CT

Environmental Day Camp
2016-08-22 09:00 - 16:00 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
The Branford Land Trust is pleased to announce that the 21st Annual hands-on Environmental Day Camp will be held on Monday, August 22. 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.

Work Party
2016-08-20 09:00 - 12:00, 2016-07-16 09:00 - 12:00, 2016-01-16 09:00 - 12:00 | CT
Watch for details.

Our Useful Neighbors, the Horseshoe Crabs
2016-06-25 15:30 - 16:30 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Led by Martha Rice. Come to Love’s Beach and learn about some of Earth’s oldest creatures, their spawning and birth on Killam’s Point beaches and how their blood makes our vaccines safe. Co-sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Branford. Held at Killam’s Point on Shore Drive just west of the Orchard House Adult Day Care Center (see page 6 for details). Please drive SLOWLY to the end of the road to the parking area. For details, call 203-747-4184.

Work Party: Branford Festival
2016-06-18 07:15 - 16:00 | CT
Join us at the Land Trust booth to help set up (7:15 am), break down (3:30 pm) 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.

Nature Explorer: Flora Walk
2016-06-04 14:00 - 16:00 | Stony Creek Trolley Trail, West Point Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Lauren Brown will lead us on a June walk on Vedder to see and identify native plants and flowers. Meet in Stony Creek at the far end of West Point Rd., which is across from the Willoughby Wallace Library. Expect moderate terrain, with sloping trails and inclines, and rocky under footing. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. For details, call 203-415-1571.

CT Trails Day Hike: Hammer Woodlands & Sliney Family Property
2016-06-04 09:30 - 11:00 | Hammer Woodlands, Cherry Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
The 26-acre Hammer Woodlands and Sliney Family Property includes a pond, traprock ridge, and a meadow. Expect one moderately steep stretch. Park in parking lot behind Jalapeno Heaven Restaurant at the corner of North Main St. and Cherry Hill Rd. Expect moderate terrain, with sloping trails and inclines, and rocky under footing. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. (Rain Date: June 5, 9:30am)

Annual Meeting: Sex and the Suburban Frog
2016-05-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main Street, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Our Annual Meeting, held at the Blackstone Library, will feature a brief business meeting and guest speaker David K. Skelly, Director of the Peabody Museum of Natural History and the Frank R. Oastler Professor of Ecology at the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies at Yale University.

Open House at Supply Ponds Fishway for World Fish Migration Day
2016-05-21 10:30 - 15:00 | Supply Pond Fishway, 32 Short Rocks Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
The Branford Land Trust is hosting an Open House at the Supply Ponds Fishway on Saturday, May 21, 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM, in honor of World Fish Migration Day. This Open House will be one of thousands going on around the world and will help educate Branfordites about the benefits of migratory corridors for fish like alewifes, blueback herring and American eels. Click here for more information.

CFPA Spring Trail Workshop
2016-05-21 09:00 - 15:30 | Van Wie Woods, 87 Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
The BLT and the Town Parks & Open Space Authority will host Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s Spring Trail Workshop in Van Wie Woods. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about all aspects of trail management, from trail blazing to bog bridge and boardwalk construction. Experienced CFPA professionals will lead a variety of activities, providing the necessary materials and equipment. The day ends with refreshments for all! Contact Matt Reed for details, mwreed81@gmail.com.

Natural History of Killam’s Point
2016-05-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Led by Martha Rice. Walk the beautiful trails through upland forest, by productive marshes and enjoy breath-taking views of the Sound. Co-sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Branford. Held at Killam’s Point on Shore Drive just west of the Orchard House Adult Day Care Center (see page 6 for details). Please drive SLOWLY to the end of the road to the parking area. For details, call 203-747-4184.

Nature Explorer: Spring Bird Walks
2016-05-08 08:30 - 22:30, 2016-05-07 08:30 - 22:30 | Stony Creek Trolley Trail, West Point Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Chris Woerner leads our annual bird walks along the Trolley Trail and into the Vedder property. Come to one OR both! Meet in Stony Creek at the far end of West Point Rd., across from the Willoughby Wallace Library. Expect moderate terrain, with sloping trails and inclines, and rocky under footing. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. For details, call 203-415-1571.

Nature Explorer: Wildflower Walk
2016-05-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Van Wie Woods, 87 Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Join Sam Saulys, an avid and expert botanist, as she walks on the Van Wie Preserve to see and identify spring wildflowers. Expect moderate terrain, with sloping trails and inclines, and rocky under footing. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. Meet at the trailhead at 87 Red Hill Rd. welcome. For details, call 203-415-1571. (Rain date: May 8, 1:00pm)

BLT Lecture: “How to Watch Birds”
2016-04-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main Street, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
This illustrated talk will feature Robert’s artwork and writings which have appeared in national publications and exhibits. Robert teaches bird watching classes and leads conservation projects which included a 25-year Bluebird Nestbox Project which fledged over 5,000 Eastern Bluebirds. His wood bird sculptures have won numerous awards and have been exhibited nationally. The event is free and open to the public, and will be held at the Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St, Branford.

Branford River and Town Clean-up Day
2016-04-23 08:00 - 12:00 | CT
Sign in at the Green starting at 8:00 am and pick a site to work. Collected trash and debris (not your household trash!) can be dropped off at the Green until noon. Please be on the lookout for areas that especially need attention and report them to Maryanne Hall (203-488-4272 or mlhall511@comcast.net) before the day of the clean-up. For more information, contact Maryanne. (Rain date: April 30)

Work Party: Van Wie Woods
2016-04-16 09:00 - 12:00 | CT
Weather permitting, we will continue the clearing of fallen trees and limbs and woody shrubs and saplings that have grown out into the edges of 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.

BLT Lecture: Horseshoe Crabs and Project Limulus
2016-03-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main Street, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Learn the importance of these amazing creatures and how the Branford Land Trust has assisted in the study of Horseshoe Crabs in Long Island Sound. Project Limulus was started in 1998 and has since conducted multiple studies focusing on the life history of the American horseshoe crab population living within Long Island Sound. The event is free and open to the public, and will be held at the Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St, Branford.

Work Party: Stony Creek Limited Partnership
2016-03-12 09:00 - 12:00 | CT
NOTE CHANGE OF DATE. 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 drive opposite 41 Wallace Rd. Call Bill Horne (203-488-6146) for more information.

Nature Explorer Program: Animal Tracking Classes
2016-02-27 09:30 - 11:00 | CT
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 | CT
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 | CT
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 | CT
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 | CT
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.
