2021/2022 Summary of Activities

 

PROGRAMS

 

“Bats of Connecticut” Presentation via ZOOM – February 15, 2022

 

Kim Hargrave, education director of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) in Mystic, will present an informative program on the importance of conserving and protecting these fascinating flying mammals that are living in our state. Kim will explore our local bats, the threats they face and what we can do to help. For latest program details, and to register for ZOOM, visit: www.lhcglastonbury.org.

 

“Seeing the Forest Through the Trees” Presentations via ZOOM

 

November 15, 2021 – “Through the Eyes of the Forest Manager”

Ethan Tapper, Chittenden County, Vermont, Forester discussed how New England’s frame and enrich our lives, making our region a beautiful place to live, while also providing many critical benefits: cleaning our sir and water, providing habitat for birds and wildlife, sequestering and storing carbon, and much more. He discussed how we can manage forests in a way that is responsible and regenerative, producing renewable resources while protecting biodiversity and habitat.

 

January 19, 2022 – “Forest Stewardship – Advocacy & Education”

This program featured Eric Hammerling, Executive Director of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, the oldest conservation group in the state, and Thomas Worthley, Associate Extension Professor, UCONN Dept. of Natural Resources and the Environment. The speakers discussed such topics as the current state of Connecticut’s forests, some of our forest health concerns, the effect of a changing climate, the role forests play with respect to climate change, and how sound, well –conceived forest management practices are of benefit to all of us.

3. March 23, 2022 – “Urban Forestry”

The third, and final, program in our series will host Danica Doroski, DEEP Urban Forest Coordinator, and Andrea Urbanco, DEEP Regional Forester, for the Glastonbury area. While Connecticut has increased its forest canopy to near 75% over the years, much of these forest areas are small woodlands in private ownership or in residential areas. They will discuss the importance of urban forests in Connecticut and actions that we can take to manage, protect and improve them.

 

“Stewardship of the Earth” Film Series

 

March 11, 2021 – “Chasing Ice”

Co-sponsored with the First Church Outside Group, the final film in our “Stewardship of the Earth” series chronicles photographer James Balog’s quest to document glacial decline in the Artic, After witnessing climate change in the Artic in 2005, Balog conceived the “The Extreme Ice Survey” which, with hauntingly beautiful videography, captures ancient mountains of ice in motion as they disappear at a breathtaking rate.

Chrisoph Geiss, Professor of Physics and Environmental Science, at Trinity College commented on the film and conducted a question and answer session.

 

WALK SERIES

 

The 2021/22 Walk Series, organized and coordinated by LHC board member Charley Smith, consisted of guide led walks and hikes, along with informative brochures.

May 16, 2021 – Birding Walk at Longo Open Space – Wind Hill Farm, with bird expert Michael Corcoran.
September 26, 2021 – Cotton Hollow South History, narrated by Dr. Brian Chiffer. Shared activity with Save Cotton Hollow Mill Coalition.
October 25,2021 – Greyledge Farm Open Space, Sparrow identification & other birds with Michael Corcoran.
November 28, 2021 – Thanksgiving Walk at Hollister/Whitehouse, with Jim Cole & Dennis McInerney.
January 30, 2022 – Horton Farm – Connecticut River, Snowshoe Walk with Rich Sawitzke.
February 20, 2022 – MDC Property, Keeney St., with Whit Osgood. New Town Open Space.
April 17, 2022 – Blackledge Falls led and narrated by Michael Corcoran.

 

PROJECTS

 

1. Cotton Hollow Mill Wall Preservation

Following the Town’s acquisition of the site, in a cooperative effort with the Cotton Hollow Mill Coalition, the Town of Glastonbury, and the Historical Society, LHC took the lead to prepare a successful application for a $35,000.00 grant from the Norma and Natale Sestero Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. The grant will be used to undertake masonry work to stabilize the historic mill wall, improve trail access, and install interpretative signage. Towering above Roaring Brook are the remains of the five story Cotton Hollow Mill, an iconic link to Glastonbury’s History. The wall harkens back more than 200 years when the Hollow was a key manufacturing center in Connecticut.

2. Invasive Plant removal at Ferry Park

Organized by LHC’s Courtney MacDonald, and working with the Pollinator Pathways group and the Town Park Dept., two very successful invasive plant removal days were held in the spring. Large growths of wild garlic and Japanese knotweed were removed from Ferry Park’s grounds. These invasive plants create a monoculture, chocking out beneficial native plants.

 

2019/2021 Summary of Activities

 

Programs – “Stewardship of the Earth” Film Series

 

November 13 – “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time”

The film chronicles the extraordinary career of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold and the impact his ideas still have today. His “Land Ethic” philosophy inspires us to see the natural world as a community to which we belong and to treat it as such. UConn professor Thomas Bontly shared his impressions of the film and led as open audience discussion.

January 20 – “The Biggest Little Farm”

John Chester’s award–winning film provides a vital blueprint for better living and a healthier planet. In the Chester’s efforts to create a 200 acre farm from barren land, they uncover a biodiverse design for living in harmony with nature. Glastonbury farmers Bethanne Dufford Couture and Chris Bassette offered their views about local farming as an introduction to the film.

March 11 – “Chasing Ice”

Co-sponsored with the First Church Outside Group, the final film in our “Stewardship of the Earth” series chronicles photographer James Balog’s quest to document glacial decline in the Artic, After witnessing climate change in the Artic in 2005, Balog conceived the “The Extreme Ice Survey” which, with hauntingly beautiful videography, captures ancient mountains of ice in motion as they disappear at a breathtaking rate. Chrisoph Geiss, Professor of Physics and Environmental Science, at Trinity College commented on the film and conducted a question and answer session.

 

Walk Series

 

The 2019/20 Walk Series, organized and coordinated by LHC board member Charley Smith, consisted of guide led walks and hikes, along with informative brochures.

May 11 – Birding Walk at Wind Hill Farm, with bird expert Michael Corcoran.
May 19 – Invasive Plant Identification at Wind Hill Farm, led by Ananya Aggarwal, LHC’s supported participant in the UConn Natural Resource Conservation Academy.
September 29 – Cotton Hollow History, narrated by Dr. Brian Chiffer.
December 1 – Thanksgiving Walk at Hollister/Whitehouse, with Jim Cole & Dennis McInerney.
January 25 – Audubon-Austin/Matava parcels, with Larry Lunden, Great Meadows Conser. Trust.
February 1 – Point Road/River Meadows, with Larry Lunden, Great Meadows Conservation Trust.
February 15 – Hockanum Meadows led and narrated by Goodwin College’s Bruce Morton.
April 18 – Portland Reservoir/Meshomasic State Forest, with a narrative of the CCC and history of the forest, led by LHC’s Michael Corcoran and narrated by John LaShane.

Thanks

Special thanks to Norma and Natale Sestero Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, which provided a grant to purchase a complete audio/visual system for greatly improving LHC’s presentations. We also wanted to thank our film Sponsors Wind Hill farm, Cotton Hollow Kitchen, Two Hopewell, and First Church; and Contributors Christine Penny for framed photography door prizes, Christine Nair for baked goods, Karen McRee (SoG) for coffee, and Meghan Hayden of River Bend Bookshop.

2018/2019 Summary of Activities

 

Programs

 

November 14 – “Plain Talk about Sustainability in Glastonbury”

This event is the first of three that LHC plans for the 2018/19 series on sustainability. This forum featured four experts discussing what Connecticut towns are doing to anticipate long-term issues related to climate change, including recycling, food plain and wetland protection, and smart growth.

March 20 – “Livable Landscapes” (Photos)

This film explores how growth and sprawl affect the quality of life in New England. By examining the history of land use and the changes that have hit working forest, farms, village centers, and urban downtowns, the video looks at how communities have tried to preserve the qualities that make them unique.

April 3 – “Restoring Nature’s Relationships” (More Information)

Sponsored with major support from Prides Corner Farms, this is LHC’s final program in this year’s Sustainability series. Our speaker is Douglas Tallamy, photographer, professor, and author of Bringing Nature Home. He is the recipient of the Garden Club of America Margaret Douglas Medal for Conservation and the Tom Dodd Jr. Award of Excellence. His engaging presentation discusses how native plants promote biodiversity, as well as the link between healthy local ecosystems and human well-being, and how invasive plants harm local wildlife.

 

Walk Series

 

The 2018/19 Walk Series, organized and coordinated by LHC board member Charley Smith, consisted of guide led walks and hikes, along with informative brochures.

April 22 – Goodwin College Connecticut River Trail, guided by Bruce Morton.
May 11 – Birding Walk at Wind Hill Farm, 8 AM. with bird expert Michael Corcoran
September 23 – Trees of Interest on Main Street, narrated by Frank Caputa (with GPIP guide booklet.
October 14 – Fall Foliage Connecticut River Boat Tour, presented by Goodwin College’s Bruce Morton.
November 25 – Thanksgiving Walk at Great Pond Preserve, led and narrated by Whit Osgood.
February 18 – Full Moon winter walk, Windhill Farm event, cosponsored by LHC.
February 24 – Longo Open Space/Windhill Farm Snowshoe Walk, led by Al Tinti.
March 24 – Crowe Point Late Winter hike, led and narrated by Goodwin College’s Bruce Morton.