UPDATE: If you missed this important presentation, a recording is available on the Land Conservancy’s YouTube Channel! Many thanks to David Pogue for allowing us to record it and to Matt Mace at Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services for technical support.
Wintonbury Land Trust joins with Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services Department, Bloomfield Public Library, and TREES FOR BLOOMFIELD Initiative to sponsor a live webinar and important discussion on climate change.
David Pogue will offer sensible, researched advice on how we can start to ready ourselves for what’s ahead. Mr. Pogue is the host of 20 “NOVA” science specials on PBS, a six-time Emmy Award-winning technology and science correspondent for “Sunday Morning” on CBS, a five-time TED speaker, and a New York Times best-selling author! Bloomfield Mayor Danielle C. Wong will serve as moderator.
Pre-register to receive the link for this free webinar. Attendees at the talk will be eligible for a special drawing to receive a signed copy of David’s recent book, How to Prepare for Climate Change: A Practical Guide to Surviving the Chaos.
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Update: While this webinar was not recorded, Roger has shared his presentation slides in PDF file format. Thank you, Roger, for helping us learn more about the risks of mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses and steps we may take individually and together to confidently enjoy the outdoors.
Whether in your backyard, walking Land Trust trails, or other outdoor adventures, staying safe from diseases transmitted by insects and ticks is an important part of being prepared to enjoy connecting with nature. In this free webinar, environmental scientist Roger Wolfe will help us learn about mosquitoes and ticks, efforts to manage their habitats, and how we can reduce our risks individually. As the Wetland Restoration Biologist at the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Roger coordinates the Wetland Habitat & Mosquito Management program.
The Nature Lecture Series is co-sponsored with Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services, who will host the webinar. You may participate on any device with a web browser and email access. A link to login will be sent to your email when you register online.
Want to make a difference for wildlife by managing the vegetation in your surroundings? Join DEEP Wildlife Biologist Peter Picone as he shares tips and strategies for managing invasive, non-native plants and enhancing your gardens with the addition of native plants. You will leave this talk prepared with practical knowledge and tips on creating a more biologically diverse area and the ability to make a difference for wildlife from monarch butterflies to wild turkeys.
Managing invasive plants often is one of the key land conservation tasks of Land Trust stewards when we acquire a property. Recent efforts have focused on Hawk Hill Farm where invasive plants are encroaching upon champion trees. The more volunteers, neighbors, and residents who undertake similar efforts across town, the better it is for all of us!
This program is provided in partnership with Stephanie Bahramian, Bloomfield Town Environmental Planner, Bloomfield Public Library, and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. You must RSVP with your email address to receive the Zoom link. Your Confirmation Notice will include the Zoom link for the program. This program may be recorded.
Update: A recording of this webinar now is available on Wintonbury Land Trust’s YouTube Channel. Thank you, Ginny, for helping us learn so much about squirrels.
Cute and cuddly or invasive pests? Actually, Squirrels play an important role helping to shape the plant composition of our ecosystem. By burying their main source of nutrients, seeds, throughout the environment, they effectively influence the number and distribution of different plant species. But they also are drawn to human-provided resources like bird seed and often create nests around our homes.
This free webinar will look at the balance of their lives and their overall effect on nature and humans. State-certified Master Wildlife Conservationist Ginny Apple will lead our discussion with time for your questions. Ginny has hiked, climbed, kayaked, skied, and poked her way through the outdoors and developed a passion for all things natural around her home within Peoples State Forest in Barkhamsted.
You may participate on any device with a web browser and email access. Please register in advance with our co-sponsor, Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services. A link to login will be sent to your email after you register.
Update: Well, no snow this year! Nonetheless it was a beautiful day to explore the quiet woods of Speer Preserve and adjacent MDC Reservoir 6 and Talcott Mountain State Park. Photos: Paula Jones & Ashley Stewart.
Join us at the Land Trust’s Speer Preserve annual outing. This short trail connects to more remote sections of MDC Reservoir 6 and Talcott Mountain State Park, which can feel very much like one is in the deep woods. The route is easy-to-moderate and will last 1.5-2.0 hours. Please come with snowshoes if we have snow, waterproof hiking boots if not, and seasonal outdoor clothing.
Come early, ready to be on the trail at 9:30 a.m. Meet at the cul-de-sac at the top of Juniper Road in Bloomfield. Rain date is Sunday, February 19. (Photo by Vikki Reski)
Update: Thank you, Ginny, for helping us learn so much about foxes! If you missed it, a recording of this webinar is available on Wintonbury Land Trust’s YouTube Channel.
Connecticut is home to two species of fox: the brilliantly colored Red Fox with its white-tipped tail and black legs celebrated in literature from Reynard the Fox to Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss and the smaller, lesser-known Grey Fox which, believe it or not, can climb trees. These efficient omnivores play important roles in our ecosystem keeping the balance of nature in sync.
Tune-in to our next Nature Lecture to learn more about these fascinating creatures, including time for your questions. Ginny Apple, a State-certified Master Wildlife Conservationist, will lead our discussion. As a sportswriter and communications professional, she hiked, climbed, kayaked, skied, and poked her way through the outdoors. Now her home within Peoples State Forest in Barkhamsted, surrounded by bears and other wildlife, inspires her passion for sharing all things natural with us.
This free, informational webinar is a great way to learn about some of the wildlife in our community. You may participate on any device with a web browser and email access. Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services, our event co-sponsor, will host the webinar and email you the weblink when you register online.
Update: If you want to learn why these furry neighbors are not to be feared, view a recording of this webinar on Wintonbury Land Trust’s YouTube Channel!
Join us for the return of the Nature Lecture Series! These free, informational webinars are a great way to learn about wildlife in our community. Enjoy 60-minute live talks including a Question-and-Answer segment.
Our first webinar will present what you always wanted to know about raccoons, opossums, skunks, and porcupines. Often overlooked and misunderstood, these unique and fascinating animals have spectacular characteristics and adaptations for life in their environments. Come learn about these captivating critters that wander among nature – and our neighborhoods – with courage and tenacity.
Our presenter will be Ginny Apple, a State-certified Master Wildlife Conservationist inspired by a life filled with bears and other wildlife around her home within Peoples State Forest in Barkhamsted. Previously she was one of the first full-time women sportswriters in the country, and hiked, climbed, kayaked, skied, and poked her way through the outdoors developing a passion for all things natural.
The Nature Lecture Series is co-sponsored with Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services, who will host the webinar. You may participate on any device with a web browser and email access. A link to login will be sent to your email when you register online.
Update: Fifty-two hikers (and several dogs) kicked-off the New Year with Bloomfield’s second annual First Day hike at Wintonbury Hills Golf Course. Co-sponsored with Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services, this year’s hikers enjoyed some sun and warm temperatures in the fifties, although a stiff breeze added a bit of chill.
The approximately 2.5-mile hike showcased the town’s award-winning golf course abuting Wintonbury Land Trust’s Beacon Hill Preserve. Some of the property along Duncaster Road once was part of A. C. Peterson Farms and nicely illustrates the rural character of western Bloomfield. As a result of continuing, thoughtful management it is certified as a Cooperative Bird Sanctuary by Audubon International.
Wintonbury Hills is closed for the season for golfers. During this hiatus, walkers are welcome to use the grounds as long as they stay on the cart paths. Snowshoeing also is allowed once there is snow. Take advantage of this opportunity to explore one of Bloomfield’s nicest walks and wonderful views. Once Spring arrives, it will belong again to the golfers!
(Photos: Paula Jones)
Update: Twenty-nine hardy souls braved the cold to tour the notable trees at Wintonbury Land Trust’s Hawk Hill Farm. The ‘silhouette’ tree walk was co-sponsored with the TREES FOR BLOOMFIELD Initiative and local company SavATree. Instead of identifying the trees by their leaves, characteristics such as bark, color, and shape were highlighted to enable winter identification of deciduous trees. Arborist Jake Bongiovanni ably led the walk and provided many interesting insights from his work caring for trees.
Connecticut’s Notable Tree Project identifies large and historic trees in the state, and Hawk Hill Farm contains a number of them. A White Oak on the property is in the top 50 in the state, and a Black Birch is in the top 12. Probably the most stunning tree on the property, however, is a magnificent American Elm classed in the top 25. With the spread of Dutch elm disease in the 1950s, it’s a treat to visit a surviving tree of this stature. Hikers easily can recognize it from the trail across the middle field. (Photo: Paula Jones)
Wintonbury Land Trust is in the process of enhancing its trails at the farm with a self-guided tree walk to showcase the trees at Hawk Hill.
Rescheduled from October 1 due to rain. Please re-register for the new date!
Wintonbury Land Trust’s Vic Herson, former executive director of the Knox Foundation, Ron Pitz, and Bloomfield’s Environmental Planner, Stephanie Bahramian, will lead an interactive workshop on invasive species in our Connecticut landscapes. Join fellow residents to tackle some of these plants at the Land Trust’s Hawk Hill Farm at 22 Duncaster Road.
You will walk away feeling confident in knowing how to identify and remove some of the harmful plants taking over our backyards and natural spaces while getting social and physical exercise. We recommend long pants and gloves. Please bring water, insect repellant, and any cutting and digging tools you have along with your fun spirit. RSVP online through our workshop co-sponsor, Bloomfield Public Library.