Branford Land Trust

CT Trails Day Hike: Stony Creek Quarry Preserve
2017-06-03 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | 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 | CT
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 | CT
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 | CT
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 | CT
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 | CT
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 | CT
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.

Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Van Wie Walk
2016-11-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Van Wie Woods, 87 Red Hill Road, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Our traditional pre-Thanksgiving hike will explore the fields, woodlands, streams and granite outcrops of the 100 acres donated by two generations of the Van Wie family. 87 Red Hill Road off Leetes Island Road. Park along road at #87.

Work Party: Van Wie Field
2016-11-19 09:00 - 12:00 | CT
We will clear the edges of the field of woody shrubs and saplings that are interfering with the mowing. Bring loppers, small handsaws, sturdy hand clippers, work gloves. Park on Whitewood Drive near Flat Rock 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.

Trail to Tavern Event at Trailblazer/Denali
2016-11-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Trailblazer, 1004 Main Street, Branford, 06405, United States
Join the Branford Land Trust for a special Trail to Tavern event hosted by Trailblazer/Denali on Thursday, November 3, starting with an optional 5pm hike at the Red Hill Woods preserve, and a wine tasting provided by Votto Vines of Hamden from 6-8pm. This great night out, sponsored by Toad&Co, is open to the public and includes light snacks, a raffle, and free wine glasses for the first 50 people. A $5.00 donation gets you in the door. All proceeds benefit the Branford Land Trust’s Red Hill Woods/Spectacle Island fundraiser. (Read More)

Killam’s Point Fall Foliage Walk
2016-10-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Killam’s Point, Shore Drive, Branford, CT, 06405, United States
Guided trail walk with Martha Rice featuring the Point’s trees decked out in reds, oranges, yellows and brilliant rusts. The forest is healthy, despite vicious hurricanes, and provides excellent habitat. Co-sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Branford.

Work Party: Lower Sybil Creek Preserve
2016-10-15 09:00 - 12:00 | CT
We return to the Sybil Creek property next to the Bruce & Johnson Marina to continue cutting bittersweet and other climbing plants. Park next to the woods between buildings #3 and #4 after entering the marina at the end of Block Island Road. Bring loppers, small handsaws, sturdy hand clippers, 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.

Red Hill Woods: Public Walk
2016-09-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2016-09-10 10:00 - 11:00 | 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 | 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 | CT
Watch for details.
