Celebrating Winter, Nature We Love

Dear James,  

Happy Winter and Happy Valentine's Day! At this time of year, all of us at Aspetuck Land Trust enjoy taking the time to think of all the things we love.  

Nothing makes us happier than a hike on our trails. As for me, I love getting out there with a four legged friend or two. Hope you join me and Leo for an off leash dog hike on the Pink Trail on Saturday, February 25th at 10:00 AM The hike will be moderate and will last about an hour. Sign up here. 

Adam Goodman, our Land Protection Specialist, loves conserving land and especially the mapping of open space and land in our region. Please join us as he takes us on a digital hike, Wednesday, March 15th at 12:00 through what we love to think of as the "Lungs of Fairfield County". Learn more about Aspetuck Land Trust's preserves and trails and how they connect the region. Sign up here for this Lunch & Learn webinar. 

And if you would love to do a trail run, our friend Rocky Progano invites you to join him on Saturday, March 4th, 10:00 AM. Rocky will meet runners –beginners welcome– at the Wells Hill Lot. It is a 4.5 mile loop and will be at an easy pace with an uphill finish on this Trout Brook Valley trail. Sign up here. Route Preview 

As many of the plants and wildlife rest during these winter months, Mary Ellen (Mel) Lemay, Landowner Engagement Director, loves to do anything but rest as her programming continues with this two part series featuring our friends from Plan It Wild, Advancing Habitat Gardening on Wednesday, Feb 17th  and Measuring Backyard Biodiversity on Friday, March 3rd. Sign up here. 

We also love a great documentary, and this one is on the importance of seeds. Don't miss this special live screening, 2nd in the environmental film series at Fairfield Theatre Company, The Seeds of Vandan Shiva on Sunday March 14th, 4:30-6:30 with a panel discussion led by our friend the Seed Huntress, Sefra Alexander. For more information click here.

And who doesn't love a good book at this time of year? Three choices we know you will love:

Mel recommends We Are the Ark by Mary Reynolds. ARK stands for Acts of Restorative Kindness. Read about how we can create restored native ecosystems which become pantries for pollinators and habitats for wild creatures who are in desperate need of support.

Joan Byrne, Volunteer Coordinator, recommends Beaverland by Leila Philip. A New York Times Editor’s Choice of 2022, Beaverland tells how one unusual rodent has played an outsized role in American history and what role it might play in the future.

Shaina Meyer, Communications and Database Manager, recommends this children's book for the young at heart of all ages. Snowscape by Nicole Yen is a charming interactive pop-up full of fascinating facts about the natural world in winter.

As much as we love getting out there in winter, we also love the gear that makes it easier, especially when there's ice on the trails. Our friend Joe Schnierlein wrote to me recently about how much he appreciates his ice cleats that strap on to his shoes – and so do we! Check out these options here. 

From all of us at Aspetuck Land Trust, we hope you find some time in these winter days to enjoy the nature you love.