Corridors
Farmlands,
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Almost all operational funding comes from our members; grants don’t buy insurance or copy paper.
Donate
Nearly $200,000 from generous individual donors has made possible the acquisition of our Land Trust properties.
Volunteer
We welcome help with a variety of activities. We are an all-volunteer organization, and we need you!
Become a Member
Whether you’re on a hike or bike ride, or looking out your living room windows or buying locally-grown food, the rural character of Bloomfield is one of the major reasons we live here. We’re preserving that. It is our mission to preserve, improve, protect, and conserve our natural resources in and around our community.
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The Stewardship Program is the eyes and ears of the Land Trust. Stewards are aware of the conditions of the particular land preserve they are supervising and are a positive neighborhood representative. Become a Steward and take responsibility for watching over a land trust property, or become a Neighborhood Helper to assist a Steward.
Sign Up!Our Projects
LaSalette Trail
This two-town east-west trail is the most ambitious trail-building project. This…
Speer Preserve
The Speer Preserve is rich with diversity. Hikers will be treated to an upland hardwood forest strewn with…
Lisa Lane Farm
One block from Cottage Grove Road in Bloomfield’s most densely populated neighborhood sits Lisa Lane Farm with 10 acres…
Hawk Hill Farm
It took five grants to acquire this 45-acre farm (23 acres of prime soils) and then $54,000…
Calendar
The Wintonbury Land Trust cordially invites you for a night of good cheer and gourmet eats at our fourth annual WINE & DINE Community Dinner and Fundraiser:
- “Meet and Greet” your neighbors and community at the picturesque Wintonbury Hills Golf Course for tasty appetizers, a glass of wine and friendly conversation.
- Then join other guests for a home-cooked dinner in an intimate group setting at one of our many hosts’ homes in Bloomfield.
- Enjoy old-fashioned conversation over dinner while getting to know folks around the table.
- Dress is “informal chic.”
- DEADLINE TO BUY TICKETS: April 12
Make a Reservation
Tickets are $85 as a member or $95 as a nonmember (become a member and save $10). Your reservation includes a reception with appetizers, a sumptuous meal with wine & dessert in a private home, and the warm feeling you’ll get doing something good for your community — helping the Wintonbury Land Trust protect our natural resources, farmlands, and wildlife corridors. It’s a win-win for everybody! Reservations accepted on a first come, first served basis:
- Register online with a credit card. Deadline is April 12
- Print a PDF registration form to mail-in with a check.
- Can’t attend? Make a donation or voice your support in the event program.
- Questions? Contact events@wintonburylandtrust.org.
Making a Difference
Wine & Dine is Wintonbury Land Trust’s major annual fundraising event, contributing over $19,000 to our funds in the past three years! Last year’s event enabled our 501(c)3, all-volunteer nonprofit to:
- Advance the mission of Hawk Hill Farm – Ongoing partnership with multi-year lease with HighlandArt Farm and their Community Supported Agriculture program; and support member gatherings at the farm such as the Fall Social & Hike.
- Conduct Educational Outreach Events – “Bears in Connecticut” presentation at our annual meeting; Earth Day co-sponsorship; Trails Day nature hikes; and work with the Town of Bloomfield to promote the community gardens at Lisa Lane Farm.
- Fund Annual Operations – Insurance, supplies, website redesign, stewardship, postage, property title searches, property surveys, and land appraisals; and strengthen our financial reserves so we have monies available for major projects and future acquisitions.
Please join us in protecting our community’s natural resources, farmlands, and wildlife corridors:
We gratefully acknowledge our two wonderful sponsors: SEABURY, An Active Life Plan Community and THE RICHARD P. GARMANY FUND at The Hartford Foundation for Giving Eat Well and Do Good!
The board of directors meets monthly, and members are welcome to learn more about your land trust by attending. Please contact us for details.
This easy nature walk will explore Auerfarm State Park Scenic Reserve, Connecticut’s newest State Park located next to the 4-H Education Center on property that once was part of Auerfarm. We will walk to the top of the drumlin known as Cider Hill for great views of the surrounding hills and descend through woods and farm fields in search of Bobolinks, a species of special concern in Connecticut due to limited grassland habitat. Great for families as part of the State’s Great Park Pursuit, the total distance is approximately 1.0 mile.
Meet at the parking area at the intersection of Auer Farm Road and Cider Hill Road. Heavy rain reschedules – rain date next Saturday, June 8, same time. Due to the bird habitat, dogs are not permitted. Pre-registration not required. Free.
Connecticut Trails Day
This is one of many hikes across the state Connecticut Trails Day weekend, part of an initiative the American Hiking Society established in 1993 to recognize the incredible benefits trails provide for recreation and exposure to nature.
This easy hike will start at the head of Seabury’s Wildwoods Trail, State property leased to the Town of Bloomfield for passive recreation with trails developed and maintained with the assistance of the Seabury Trails Committee. We will explore several trails for a total distance of approximately 2.0 miles, spotting interesting birds and flowers in the meadows, wetlands, and woods.
Meet at the visitor parking at the rear of Seabury Active Life Plan Community. Look for the painted cow sculpture. Heavy rain reschedules – rain date next Sunday, June 9, same time. Leashed dogs permitted. Pre-registration not required. Free.
Connecticut Trails Day
This is one of many hikes across the state Connecticut Trails Day weekend, part of an initiative the American Hiking Society established in 1993 to recognize the incredible benefits trails provide for recreation and exposure to nature.
Similar to the Connecticut Trails Day hike, this easy nature walk will explore Auerfarm State Park Scenic Reserve. This is Connecticut’s newest State Park, located next to the 4-H Education Center on property that once was part of Auerfarm in Bloomfield. Auerfarm was an award-winning poultry farm, dairy herd, and fruit orchard and continues to play a role in maintaining Bloomfield’s agricultural heritage.
We will walk to the top of the drumlin known as Cider Hill for great views of the Metacomet Ridge and neighboring drumlins including the Land Trust’s Hawk Hill Farm. Then we will descend through woods and farm fields in search of Bobolinks, a species of special concern in Connecticut due to limited grassland habitat. At a total distance of just 1.0 miles, this is great for families young and old, with options to continue bird watching in the meadows or visit animals at the nearby 4-H Education Center.
Meet at the parking area at the intersection of Auer Farm Road and Cider Hill Road. Heavy rain cancels – no rain date. Due to the bird habitat, dogs are not permitted. Pre-registration not required. Free.
Celebrate Bloomfield
This hike has become one of the many ways people of all walks of life Celebrate Bloomfield together all week to appreciate the natural and cultural gifts, healthy living, and sense of community in Bloomfield. Please join us!
Like the Connecticut Trails Day event, this easy hike will start at the head of Seabury’s Wildwoods Trail. This State property is leased to the Town of Bloomfield for passive recreation with trails, where the Seabury Trails Committee volunteers developed and maintain the trails and boardwalks. We will explore several trails for a total distance of approximately 2.0 miles, spotting interesting birds and flowers in the meadows, wetlands, and woods.
Meet at the visitor parking at the rear of Seabury Active Life Plan Community. Look for the painted cow sculpture. Heavy rain cancels – no rain date. Leashed dogs permitted. Pre-registration not required. Free.
Celebrate Bloomfield
This event is part of Celebrate Bloomfield, a week when people of all walks of life come together to appreciate the natural and cultural gifts, healthy and mindful living, and sense of community in Bloomfield. Please join us!
Topics of Interest:
Wildlife populations around the world have declined by 60% since 1970. It’s time to decide. Are you for the world, or against it?
Join the #FightForYourWorld
WWF Living Planet Report 2018: a warning sign for our planet.
“Few people have had the chance to find themselves on the cusp of a truly historic transformation. I passionately believe that this is where we stand today. Our planet
is at a crossroads and we have the opportunity to decide the path ahead.”
Marco Lambertini, Director General WWF International
Testimonial
I love the sense of community with the Land Trust. Farming is a hard business but people stopping and supporting my CSA, asking about the Scottish Highland cattle, or just shooting the breeze make it so worthwhile. And the Land Trust has been amazing with their follow through. They put in electricity, water and restored the barn to make it a workable situation for us. They have a level of commitment, that I think is very special.
Farmer at Hawk Hill Farm
I got involved because I wanted to give back to my community. My children grew up here and now my grandchildren. I want them to enjoy the land that I love and the diversity. I like meeting new people and the social interaction that the Land Trust offers.
Volunteer, Wine & Dine Event Committee
My mother wanted her land to remain as it was. She left Stout’s Family Fields to me and my two siblings. I convinced them it was a good idea to donate to the Land Trust and they all agreed. Every day in all seasons, 20 or more people walk the path through the fields to reach Penwood Park. It’s a very special place in our community.
Land Owner, Steward for 5 years