The Westerly Land Trust

Thursday Hike: Candlewood Ridge & Avery Farm Nature Preserve
2022-05-05 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Candlewood Ridge and Avery Farm Nature Preserve, Groton, CT
Candlewood Ridge and Avery Farm Nature Preserve is owned and managed by Groton Open Space Association (GOSA) along with contiguous town property, comprise over 430 acres of high-quality wildlife habitat. A wonderful trail system showcases the diversity and rugged beauty of the landscape’s ridges, valleys, wetlands, shrublands and meadows. Meet at the end of Lambtown Road, heading north off the Gold Star Highway (Rte 184) where it dead ends at a parking area.
To sign up, please contact hike leader: Maggie Jones, (860) 941-7682 and email: margarettljones@gmail.com
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. Make sure you bring water and maybe a snack. Hikes leave promptly so please be on time.
NOTE: This event is FREE to all. Inclement weather cancels and if in doubt, contact leader.
*****************************************************************************
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 the leader. Keep in mind some folks may be uncomfortable having someone share their vehicle. An alternate way is to caravan.

*****************************************************************************
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.

Providence Pollinator Lab Bumblebee Walk
2022-05-01 12:00 - 14:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join the fun and inspiring Providence Pollinator Lab duo Dr. Rachael Bonoan and Alexa Pudlo from the on a hunt for queen bumblebees at Barlow Nature Preserve! Dr. Bonoan and Alexa will teach us how to identify bumblebee species, learn about their springtime habits and hopefully spot some queens as they look for a spot to nest.
Register Here!
The Providence Pollinator Lab has teamed up with Westerly Land Trust to measure pollinator biodiversity across WLT properties and has an amazing specimen collection to share with us. We are excited to have the chance to learn from the experts, so come and join us!
This event is free for WLT members and $10 for non-members. Click here to learn more about becoming a WLT member.
Questions? Email Marc Doherty at mdoherty@westerlylandtrust.org for answers!

And be sure to check out Dr. Bonoan’s TEDxTufts Talk: Embracing Science as a Verb!

Forest Bathing- Dr. Deirdre O’Connor
2022-04-30 09:00 - 11:30 | Wahaneeta Preserve, 118 Moorehouse Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Slow down, awaken your senses and connect with Nature as you luxuriate in a Forest Bath!
Join Dr. Deirdre O’Connor for a slow and easy walk in Wahaneeta Preserve.
Forest Bathing is the pleasant practice of spending time in nature for the purpose of enhancing health and happiness. Evidenced based research confirms that time in nature has profound healing benefits for physical and emotional well – being. The term Forest Bathing comes from the Japanese tradition of “shin-rin yoku” literally translated to “bathing in the atmosphere of the forest”. On this walk you will experience and learn about how the regular practice of Forest Bathing can restore health and vitality by strengthening immune function, lowering stress hormones, improving mood and sleep, and stimulating creativity. Forest Bathing also offers us the opportunity to deepen our relationship with the natural world.
You will be walking slowly for about one mile on mostly flat but uneven forest trails as you are offered a series of invitations to explore the landscape with your senses and connect with the natural world. We will be walking and sitting for 2 hours and will finish our walk by sharing tea together. This experience is open to ages 15 and up.
To sign up for this event please email: lbarber@westerlylandtrust.org with the following information:

Email subject: Forest Bathing
Include: All attendee’s names and cell phone numbers

This experience is brought to you by Dr. Deirdre O’Connor. Each walk is $30 per person which Deirdre has generously pledged to donate to the Westerly Land Trust.
Dr. Deirdre O’Connor is a Certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. She practiced Naturopathic Medicine in Mystic, CT for over three decades where she was the founder and former Clinical Director of Natura Medica – The Center for Natural Medicine. Deirdre is delighted to continue to share the healing power of Nature through Forest Bathing where Nature and our true natures come to know one another. She resides in Westerly, enjoying birding, botany, bicycling and exploring the next cool place to share Forest Bathing.
**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.

Thursday Hike: Carolina North, Richmond
2022-04-28 10:00 - 13:00 | Carolina North, Richmond
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. Be aware that our hikes leave promptly so be on time!
Well-traveled, all-weather gravel tracks and footpaths, hills and valleys, a stream, a pond, and a deciduous and evergreen forest. Directions: Pine Hill Road, 1.7 miles west of Rt 112, or 0.6 miles east of Switch Road. Park at the DEM station, a red structure on the south side of the road.
To sign up please contact co-leaders: Sally Hanson, (401) 348-9109 (h), (401) 932-5295 (c) email sallyhanson242@gmail.com and Liz Anderson (401)401 322-8619 (h) and email newlondonliz@msn.com N 41º 27.979’ W 71º 41.293’
*****************************************************************************************
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.

Earth Day Mini BioBlitz
2022-04-22 16:00 - 20:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Calling all curious humans! Let’s celebrate Earth Day together by getting out there and finding all the life that surrounds us, both small and large. A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many living species as possible. From fungi to trees, mammals to insects and everything in between, we will try to catch ‘em all at Barlow Nature Preserve.

This is a free, all-ages, all-abilities and family-friendly event – it doesn’t matter if you are an expert naturalist or have never stepped into the woods before. The event will be from 4pm to 8pm, but participants can arrive or leave any time they would like to.
There will be snack and refreshments and a whole bunch of adventure!
There are some great tools out there besides field guides and experts that can help you identify all kinds of different species of plants and animals out there. Be sure to download apps like iNaturalist or Seek from the App Store. Play around with them and be sure to show up with a full battery when you join us!
Register Here!
Any questions? Email Marc Doherty at mdoherty@westerlylandtrust.org.

Thursday Hike: Riverwood Preserve, Westerly
2022-04-21 10:00 - 13:00 | Riverwood Preserve, 5 Boy Scout Drive, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
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. Be aware that our hikes leave promptly so be on time!
This property is part of the Westerly Land Trust’s Pawcatuck River Corridor Initiative. It consists of 148 acres of woodland, rocky ridges and fresh water wetlands adjacent to the Pawcatuck River and the Boy Scout Camp. It has interesting quarry remnants, river views and descent through a beautiful gorge. Some climbing in rocky areas may be involved as the best views are from the higher elevations. Meet on Old Hopkinton Road at the end of Boy Scout Drive. Please park along the road – we will walk into the preserve from there.
To sign up please contact leader: David Prigmore, (401)348-2855, (401) 932-1654 (c) or email: d.bprigmore@gmail.com
*****************************************************************************************
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.

Clean-Up Crews and Brews
2022-04-19 17:15 - 19:30 | Community Garden at 145 Main Street, 145 Main Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Cleaning up is always more fun when you do it with friends! Join us for this Earth Day-inspired trash pick-up, then head to Grey Sail Brewing Company for a post clean-up brew. This event will start at the Community Garden on Main Street, and teams will be assigned to different WLT properties. Registration is required. For more information or to sign up, please contact Lauren Barber at lbarber@westerlylandtrust.org.

Many thanks to Grey Sail Brewing Company for hosting our clean-up crews!

Earth Day Scavenger Hunt
2022-04-18 08:00 - 2022-04-22 17:00 | RI
Celebrate the Earth with your family and friends by getting outside on Westerly Land Trust trails and participating in an Earth Day scavenger hunt. This activity will be available through Earth Day on April 22. Explore at your own pace, send photos of your adventures to Lauren Barber at lbarber@westerlylandtrust.org and/or tag us on social media for a chance to be featured and inspire others to explore!
Start the Hunt!
Looking for a new trail to explore? Check out our trails APP. If you love our trails and you are not a member and would like to support the work we do, we invite you to join our community! CLICK HERE for more information.

Thursday Hike: Hoffman Evergreen Preserve, Stonington, CT
2022-04-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Hoffman Evergreen Preserve, Stonington, CT
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. Be aware that our hikes leave promptly so be on time!
This is an Avalonia Land Conservancy preserve. The trails offer beautiful scenery of evergreen and hardwood forests. A restoration project is underway to regenerate new growth and young forest patches where the old forest was dying due to disease drought, storm and insect damage. Expect to see brush piles of cut tree limbs created for wildlife, in addition to areas of dense vegetation of re-growing habitat. The area is crisscrossed by old stone walls, a colonial highway and stone structures of questionable age. Directions from Westerly: CT 2W (toward Norwich, CT), at traffic circle take 3rd exit onto CT 184W, turn right onto CT 201N (North Stonington Road), park on either side of road at trailhead.
To sign up please contact leader: Sally Hanson, (401) 348-9109 (h), (401) 932-5295 (c) email sallyhanson242@gmail.com
*****************************************************************************************
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: Jewett Preserve, Lyme, CT
2022-04-07 09:30 - 13:30 | Jewett Preserve, Lyme, CT
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 will be another hike to see more Native American ceremonial stonework left behind by the indigenous population in Lyme, Connecticut. Over the course of thousands of years (the earliest people in New England were here more than 12,000 years) they built over two dozen different types of stone structures as expressions of their spiritual beliefs. As most of the stonework was placed in highly fractured landscapes, much of it still exists as the terrain has always been considered unsuitable for anything but logging. Lyme, full of rifted valleys left behind by plate-tectonics, is a great place to see these structures. Much of the stonework we will visit is not directly on the trails running through this preserve, so this will not be like most hikes the WLT sponsors. This 3-4 hour hike will go through some rough terrain, and all of it is quite hilly, so walking sticks are highly recommended, as are water and a snack. Not a hike for the faint of heart. We will see a number of Native built walls, cairns, and serpent effigies, including one of the best I’ve seen east of the Connecticut River.
Meeting place: we will meet at the parking lot for the Mt. Archer Woods trail head. This is on the south side of Mt. Archer road in Lyme, across from a farm field to the right of a huge farmhouse across the street. (Do not go to the Jewett Preserve parking lot to the left of the big farm house.) You can see maps of both preserves and their parking lots if you Google the Lyme Land Trust. A heavy, all-day rain cancels the hike, but a slight drizzle predicted to end will still work. You can text my phone (860 908 3870) the morning of the hike after 6:30 if in doubt.
To sign up please contact leader: Mark Starr via email: Jstarr@snet.net
*****************************************************************************************
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.
