The Westerly Land Trust

Thursday Hike: Burlingame North, Charlestown
2022-01-13 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Buckeye Brook Road, Charlestown
Join us for our free-guided trail walks on Thursdays. Walks are open to all ages with our target group being agile seniors. Please keep in mind that these are wooded trails with stumps, roots and rocks so be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. If a lot of snow bring snowshoes. Be aware that our hikes leave promptly so be on time!
This hike will take us over a bit of the Vin Gormley and Schoolhouse trails and then down several
unnamed trails past some very interesting ruins. The trail is an undulating one so if snowy or icy
bring stabilizers and/or sticks. The hike will be about 3 1/2 miles with an option to extend it to
5 if we want.
Directions – Meet at the parking lot on the north side of Buckeye Brook Road, Charlestown 1.5
miles from its intersection with Rte 216. Leader: Janice Fifer, (401) 213-6479, and email:
jhfifer@verizon.net
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Due to the COVID:
• We realize lots of people have concerns about getting together. Therefore, please sign up
with leader so that person will know how many are coming. If no one signs up the leader
may not show up.
• Social distancing of 6’ apart.
• Everyone needs to have a face mask in case it is needed.
• Carpooling is up to you or the leader. Keep in mind some folks may be uncomfortable having
someone share their vehicle. An alternate way is to caravan.
**************************************************************************
PLEASE NOTE:

Inclement weather cancels and if in doubt, contact leader.
If you wish to bring a dog please contact the leader as some properties do not allow them.
However, if a dog is present they must be leashed at all times.
If you wish to get the hiking schedule emailed to you contact Lauren Barber,
lbarber@westerlylandtrust.org and ask her to put you on the Thursday hiking group email list.

FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:
In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight
fluorescent orange from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and the last
Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

Friday by the Fire
2022-01-07 15:00 - 17:30 | Grills Preserve, 198 Bowling Lane, Westerly, RI, 02808, United States
UPDATE 1/7 — LOCATION CHANGE TO GRILLS PRESERVE (198 Bowling Lane, Westerly).
It may be the dead of winter, but let’s walk, talk and warm our souls by the riverside. After a nice late afternoon stroll through the hidden craggy goodness of Riverwood, we will gather around the fire to share food, drink and more! Bring warm layers, a headlamp/flashlight and an open heart. Hope to see you all there!
To sign up for this event please email: mdoherty@westerlylandtrust.org with the following information:

Email subject: Friday by the Fire
Include: All attendee’s names

We will park along the side of Old Hopkinton Road, near the intersection with Boy Scout Drive, and walk down to the preserve together!
This event is FREE for members, and $10 per person for non-members.
**Please note: Spots are limited. If you sign up and can no longer participate please let us know so that we can open this experience to others on our waitlist and prepare the proper amount of refreshments.

Thursday Hike: Native American Ceremonial Stonework Hike
2022-01-06 09:00 - 13:00 | Hartman Park, Lyme Land Trust, Lyme Connecticut
Join us for our free-guided trail walks on Thursdays. Walks are open to all ages with our target group being agile seniors. Please keep in mind that these are wooded trails with stumps, roots and rocks so be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. If a lot of snow bring snowshoes. Be aware that our hikes leave promptly so be on time!
The terrain is quite hilly, and while we will be on trails for the majority of the hike, most of
the stonework we will see is slightly off the trail, so walking sticks are highly recommended. As
we will always be near a trail, anyone wishing to head home can easily do so at any point without a
guide, as the trails are well marked. You can either photograph the trail sign map at the beginning
of the hike or print out a trail map from the Lyme Land Trust site before the hike. Expected hike
time is 4 hours, so bring either a quick lunch or snacks and water.
Cancellation Policy: Heavy rain or snow cancels walk, hopefully to be rescheduled at a later date. I will be there for light rain or snow if anyone wants to hike. Questions about cancellation can be texted to me at 860-908-3870 after 6:00 AM on the day of the hike.
Hike Description: Native Americans occupied this portion of New England for 12,000 years before the
arrival of European settlers. As an expression of their spiritual lives, they built over two dozen
different types of stone structures from Nova Scotia to Georgia, and countless examples of their
work still remain deep in the forests of New England. On this hike I will take you on a tour of
some of the Ceremonial sites that remain in Hartman Park and explain what is known about the
stonework you will see. As the description below from the Land Trust website explains, you will
also see many Colonial and post-Colonial examples of stonework on the hike. Hartman Park provides a
clear example of the intermingling of both culture’s stonework. It is only recently that the Land
Trust has begun recognizing Native work on their land, and the new signs on the property are
beginning to point out these structures. Lyme Land Trust Description of Hartman: For thousands of
years prior to the arrival of European settlers, the Corner Trails area was a seasonal hunting
ground for the Nehantic Indians. After the establishment of the Saybrook colony in 1635, the
English set aside this land as an Indian hunting ground, while reserving the right to harvest the
valuable timber. During colonial times, subsistence farmers set up homesteads in the area. Freed
African and American Indian slaves were welcomed into the area along with European settlers. In
1800, the census record states that there was a multi-racial community of fifteen households in the
area. Indications are that the farmers were able to eke out a living by cooperation with their
neighbors – sharing tools, barns, and labor. The destructive agricultural practices of the time
damaged the already marginal farmland and most of the inhabitants moved to more fertile lands by
the 1850s. Although the land has been undeveloped for more than 100 years and the cleared pastures
have been replaced by mature forests, there is still evidence of this once active agricultural
community. The elaborate stone walls and stone foundations that lace the area are a beautiful
legacy left for us by inhabitants from long ago.
Meet at Main Parking Lot – Head north from Beaver
Brook Road onto Gungy Road. Go approximately 1.25 miles. Parking lot is on right – it is a semi-circular loop off and back onto Gungy Road.
Leader: Mark Starr, you can call or text me at 860-908-3870 on the morning of the hike after 6:30 AM.
*****************************************************************************************
Due to the COVID:
• We realize lots of people have concerns about getting together. Therefore, please sign up
with leader so that person will know how many are coming. If no one signs up the leader
may not show up.
• Social distancing of 6’ apart.
• Everyone needs to have a face mask in case it is needed.
• Carpooling is up to you or the leader. Keep in mind some folks may be uncomfortable having
someone share their vehicle. An alternate way is to caravan.
**************************************************************************
PLEASE NOTE:

Inclement weather cancels and if in doubt, contact leader.
If you wish to bring a dog please contact the leader as some properties do not allow them.
However, if a dog is present they must be leashed at all times.
If you wish to get the hiking schedule emailed to you contact Lauren Barber,
lbarber@westerlylandtrust.org and ask her to put you on the Thursday hiking group email list.

FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:
In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight
fluorescent orange from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and the last
Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

Thursday Hike: 30 Great Swamp, Kingston
2021-12-30 10:00 - 13:00 | RI
Join us for our free guided trail walks on Thursdays. All walks begin at 10:00 AM unless stated to the contrary. We will visit various local conservation properties, including some of our Westerly Land Trust preserves. Walks are between 1 ½ to 3 hours and are open to all ages with our target group being agile seniors. Please keep in mind that these are wooded trails with stumps, roots and rocks so be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. Also, you’ll want to bring water and maybe a snack.
This hike:
The hiking area is on a peninsula of high ground rising 80 feet above Worden Pond and
the surrounding swamp. Most of the trails are gravel roads. The footing is solid, and
the slopes are gentle.
Directions: From Westerly: US-1 S; take exit for RI-110 N, turn
right onto RI-110 N; turn left onto RI-138 W; turn left onto Liberty Lane which
becomes Great Neck Road; once you turn onto Liberty Lane you go 2 miles, Liberty Lane
turns into Great Swamp Road, go past the Great Swamp Management headquarters, to the
parking area at the dead end. Liberty Lane leads south from RI 138 – 200 yards west of
the junction of RI 138 and 110.Follow the lane 2 miles, past the Great Swamp
management headquarters, to the parking area at the dead end.
Leader: Sally Hanson,(401) 348-9109 (h), (401) 932-5295 (c), and email: sallyhanson242@gmail.com
*****************************************************************************
Due to COVID-19:

We recognize many people still have concerns about gathering; therefore, please sign up with the designated hike leader, so that person will know how many will be attending and cap the group size if necessary.
Maintain a safe and comfortable distance from other hikers.
Please bring a face mask in case it is needed.

****************************************************************
PLEASE NOTE:

There are still a few open Thursdays before the end of the year. If you would like to lead a hike, please contact Sally for availability. sallyhanson242@gmail.com
Inclement weather will cancel the hike. If in doubt, please contact leader.
Please notify the hike leader if you plan on attending.

FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:
In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and the last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

Thursday Hike: Black Farm, Hopkinton
2021-12-23 10:00 - 11:30 | RI
Join us for our free guided trail walks on Thursdays. All walks begin at 10:00 AM unless stated to the contrary. We will visit various local conservation properties, including some of our Westerly Land Trust preserves. Walks are between 1 ½ to 3 hours and are open to all ages with our target group being agile seniors. Please keep in mind that these are wooded trails with stumps, roots and rocks so be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. Also, you’ll want to bring water and maybe a snack.
Black Farm is a State Fish & Wildlife preserve.
Directions: From the intersection with Rte 91 at Alton dam go north on the Woodville-Alton road 2 miles OR from I-95, Exit #2 go south 1.3 miles on the Woodville-Alton road. The sign and parking area are on the east side of the road. Park close – there’s not much room. This is a glorious little area bordered by the Wood River. It is hilly with both deciduous and pine forest. There is a cemetery and foundations, a stream, several bridges and a kettle hole pond. The loop is about 3 miles long.
Leader: Janice Fifer, 401-213-6479 (h), and email jhfifer@verizon.net
*****************************************************************************
Due to COVID-19:

We recognize many people still have concerns about gathering; therefore, please sign up with the designated hike leader, so that person will know how many will be attending and cap the group size if necessary.
Maintain a safe and comfortable distance from other hikers.
Please bring a face mask in case it is needed.

****************************************************************
PLEASE NOTE:

There are still a few open Thursdays before the end of the year. If you would like to lead a hike, please contact Sally for availability. sallyhanson242@gmail.com
Inclement weather will cancel the hike. If in doubt, please contact leader.
Please notify the hike leader if you plan on attending.

FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:
In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and the last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

Ugly Sweater Season Hike
2021-12-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park, 5 Kettle Close, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Grab the ugliest sweater you can find (thrift stores are great for this) and hit the trails at Glacier Park. Complement the chilly weather with a nice cup of hot chocolate.
To sign up for this event please email: lbarber@westerlylandtrust.org with the following information:

Email subject: Ugly Sweater Season Hike
Include: All attendee’s names

This event is FREE for members, and $10 per person for non-members.
**Please note: Spots are limited. If you sign up and can no longer participate please let us know so that we can open this experience to others on our waitlist and prepare the proper amount of refreshments.

Thursday Hikes: Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park, Westerly
2021-12-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park, 5 Kettle Close, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join us for our free guided trail walks on Thursdays. All walks begin at 10:00 AM unless stated to the contrary. We will visit various local conservation properties, including some of our Westerly Land Trust preserves. Walks are between 1 ½ to 3 hours and are open to all ages with our target group being agile seniors. Please keep in mind that these are wooded trails with stumps, roots and rocks so be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. Also, you’ll want to bring water and maybe a snack.
This is a walking tour of the WLT’s Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park featuring wooded trails with gentle hills and some rocky sections. This site’s unique geological features are worth the trip.
Directions: Meet at the trailhead off of Tom Harvey Road just outside the entrance to Winnapaug Cottages. Please park in the designated area outside of the Winnapaug Cottages gate or in the parking lot across the street.
Leader: Lauren Barber, 401.315.2610 x1 (w), and email lbarber@westerlylandtrust.org
*****************************************************************************
Due to COVID-19:

We recognize many people still have concerns about gathering; therefore, please sign up with the designated hike leader, so that person will know how many will be attending and cap the group size if necessary.
Maintain a safe and comfortable distance from other hikers.
Please bring a face mask in case it is needed.

****************************************************************
PLEASE NOTE:

There are still a few open Thursdays before the end of the year. If you would like to lead a hike, please contact Sally for availability. sallyhanson242@gmail.com
Inclement weather will cancel the hike. If in doubt, please contact leader.
Please notify the hike leader if you plan on attending.

Thursday Hikes: Bradford Preserve, Bradford
2021-12-09 10:00 - 12:00 | RI
Join us for our free guided trail walks on Thursdays. All walks begin at 10:00 AM unless stated to the contrary. We will visit various local conservation properties, including some of our Westerly Land Trust preserves. Walks are between 1 ½ to 3 hours and are open to all ages with our target group being agile seniors. Please keep in mind that these are wooded trails with stumps, roots and rocks so be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. Also, you’ll want to bring water and maybe a snack.
A hidden treasure along Rte 91 in Bradford! The trail is in fact a cross country trail for the Westerly High School, but open to the public when not in use by them. The trail is blazed orange but be sure to keep and eye for them at turns and intersections.
To access the trailhead from the parking area you must cross the large grass field to the right. You will find the trailhead at the back end of the field. A short entrace trail will be the first part of the hike. Turn left at the intersecition to do the orange-blazed loop. The trail climbs slowly and steadily uphill for a bit, passing stone walls, a vernal pool and a fern-covered forest in a northely direction before turning to the south. Ahead a trail to the left will lead you into Woody Hill Management Area. We ill go into Woody Hill then return to continue straight to follow the blazes. When you reach the southern end of the loop you will come upon a large, open field filled with tall grasses and wildflowers. A path to the left will lead you back into the woods. Turn right here and follow along the edge of the woods, keeping the field to your left –take your time here and enjoy the sights! Soon the field path enters back into the woods and the trail starts its long decent down hill. Keep an eye out for a spur trail to the left. This trial leads you to a monument in the woods built in 1886 in honor of the Vars family, who first came to the colonies in 1680. After stopping by the monument, continue along the orange-blazed trail, still descending to the entrance trail. Here you will want to turn left and cross the field once again to the parking area.
Directions from Westerly: Take Rte 91 heading towards Bradford. 131 Bradford Rd. Westerly, RI 02891
Leader: Sally Hanson (401) 348-9109 (h); (401) 932-5295 (c); sallyhanson242@gmail.com
*****************************************************************************
Due to COVID-19:

We recognize many people still have concerns about gathering; therefore, please sign up with the designated hike leader, so that person will know how many will be attending and cap the group size if necessary.
Maintain a safe and comfortable distance from other hikers.
Please bring a face mask in case it is needed.

****************************************************************
PLEASE NOTE:

There are still a few open Thursdays before the end of the year. If you would like to lead a hike, please contact Sally for availability. sallyhanson242@gmail.com
Inclement weather will cancel the hike. If in doubt, please contact leader.
Please notify the hike leader if you plan on attending.

****************************************************************
FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:
In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and the last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

Wellness in the Woods: Forest Bathing
2021-12-09 09:00 - 11:00, 2021-12-04 09:00 - 11:00 | Wahaneeta Preserve, 118 Moorehouse Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join Certified Forest Therapy Guide Deirdre O’Connor for a wander among the trees of Wahaneeta Preserve and experience the healing power of nature and forest bathing. Groups are limited to 6 adults per walk. The only requirement is that you must be able to walk slowly for about one mile over a two-hour period. Each walk is $30 per person, which Deirdre has generously pledged to donate to the Westerly Land Trust.
To register, please contact Deirdre directly at sweetfernforesttherapy@gmail.com.
Deirdre is waiving the fee for healthcare workers in appreciation of their dedication and service to our community.

Annual Meeting
2021-12-02 17:30 - 18:30 | RI
This year, WLT’s annual meeting will be held virtually. The meeting is open to WLT members and features a review of the previous year’s accomplishments, completion of necessary business such as the review of the organization’s financial position, and the election of new board members. Should you wish to attend, please send an email to elebling@westerlylandtrust.org for a link to the meeting.
