Corridors
Farmlands,
Annual Meeting 2020
Our annual meeting will highlight last year’s accomplishments, review this year’s priorities, and honor our volunteers. Current members also will elect directors to the board.
This year we’ll meet online. For details on how to participate and materials shared during the meeting:
Event Details & Annual ReportThank You!
As we adjust to new circumstances one thing hasn’t changed: the steadfast and generous support the Land Trust receives from the community. Our new “Acknowledgements” page links to this year’s major event sponsors, business donors, and in-kind contributors. Please support them as they work to address this pandemic!
Acknowledgements
Join
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!
Our Projects
LaSalette Trail
This two-town east-west trail is the most ambitious trail-building project. This…
Beacon Hill Preserve
Recently donated hardwood uplands will connect to Reservoir #3 and provide views of Metacomet Ridge …
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
Join Peter Picone and Ron Pitz for a guided tour of Hawk Hill Farm’s beautiful, gently sloping trails. Peter is an urban wildlife biologist at the State Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, and Ron is the former executive director of Knox Foundation (and regular volunteer at Hawk Hill). They will discuss the property’s many champion trees, native plants, and efforts to identify and control invasive plants.
The walk will be approximately 1 mile. Please expect to practice “social distancing” even as we come together to learn more about this site. Heavy rain cancels. (Co-sponsored by the North Central Conservation District, and rescheduled from their April 25 plant sale weekend.)
The Board of Directors meets monthly, and members are welcome to attend to learn about the Land Trust’s properties and activities. For the health and safety of participants, this month’s meeting will be conducted by conference call. Please contact us for details about participating.
The Board of Directors meets monthly, and members are welcome to attend to learn about the Land Trust’s properties and activities. For the health and safety of participants, this month’s meeting will be conducted by conference call. Please contact us for details about participating.
Our 5th annual Wine & Dine for for the health and safety of our guests becomes: A TAKE-OUT HARVEST DINNER from our farms to you on Saturday, September 26…More details to come!
Eat Well & Do Good!
- “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: “Informal chic.”
- DEADLINE TO BUY TICKETS: Friday, September 10, 2020.
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 and prosecco, a sumptuous meal with wine and dessert in a private home, and the warm feeling you’ll get doing something good for your community — helping Wintonbury Land Trust protect our natural resources, farmlands, and wildlife corridors while connecting people with nature. It’s a win-win for everybody! Reservations accepted on a first come, first served basis. Deadline is September 10.
- Register online with a credit card.
- Print a PDF Registration Form to mail-in with a check.
- Can’t attend? Make a donation or voice your support in the printed program.
- Questions? Contact events@wintonburylandtrust.org.
Where Does the Money Go? 
Wine & Dine is Wintonbury Land Trust’s major annual fundraising event, contributing over $36,250 to our work in the past four years! Last year’s event enabled our 501(c)3, all-volunteer nonprofit to:
Maintain our pastures, fields, and meadows:
- Proper stewardship requires periodic mowing of pastures, fields, and meadows. We “caught up” on some deferred cutting at the Sinnot Farm-The Knoll site and maintained our Hawk Hill Farm pastures, Stout Family Fields, and Evans Family Meadows.
- Work with the town to promote Lisa Lane Farm community gardens and to improve the LaSalette Trail.
Advance the mission of Hawk Hill Farm:
- Purchased parts to repair a donated tractor. This will enable WLT to do some of the mowing and trail maintenance with volunteers at a reduced expense,
Fund educational outreach events:
- Presented Monarch Butterfly Habitats lecture at WLT annual meeting at the 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm.
- Co-sponsored with Bloomfield Leisure & Senior Services Departments a Black Bears in CT lecture. (Over 100 people attended!)
- Conducted nature hikes on CT Trails Day.
- Organized annual Over the Mountain Hike with co-sponsors Simsbury Land Trust and Town of Bloomfield.
- Paid for insurance, supplies, website maintenance, postage, and unexpected stewardship expenses such as the complicated removal of barbed wire fence from WLT’s Van Otterloo Preserve.
Please join us in connecting people with nature and protecting our community’s natural resources, farmlands, and wildlife corridors:
- Become one of the event’s leading sponsors.
- Voice your support in our event printed program.
- Learn where the money goes.
The Board of Directors meets monthly, and members are welcome to learn more about your land trust by attending. Please contact us with questions about attending. Enter Seabury Life via Door 18 and go to the Clock Room on Level 5.
The Board of Directors meets monthly, and members are welcome to learn more about your land trust by attending. Please contact us with questions about attending. Enter Seabury Life via Door 18 and go to the Clock Room on Level 5.
The Board of Directors meets monthly, and members are welcome to learn more about your land trust by attending. Please contact us with questions about attending. Enter Seabury Life via Door 18 and go to the Clock Room on Level 5.
Topics of Interest:
“Help Us Draw the Line,” presented at our 2019 annual membership meeting. Created by Hartford Art School Civic Design class members Paulina Modestow, Darcy Peterson, and Emma Schroh.
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