Blog
COVID-19 Update: Trails Opening Monday, April 27
We are pleased to announce that we will be reopening our trails this Monday, April 27th. Once again, we'll be welcoming visitors back to our preserves to enjoy the trails and reconnect with nature. Our decision follows the town's decision to reopen the trails at town...
Helping NCLT Through Unprecedented Times
We know that this crisis is hitting everybody differently, and we hope that you are doing okay. Some of our supporters have asked what they can do to help the New Canaan Land Trust continue to thrive in this moment, so we made a list of three ways you can help: ...
The Humble Bumblebee
Written and photographed by Susan Bergen, NCLT Board Member Did you know that the pregnant queen is the only member of a bumble bee hive to survive the winter? All the other workers and drones die at the end of the season. The queen goes into hibernation, spending...
What Earth Day Means to Us
Fiftieth anniversaries are usually big deals. In ordinary times, that is. The ‘golden’ anniversary of Earth Day however will likely be eclipsed by the extraordinary health crisis the world faces in 2020. Over the past 49 years, the celebration of Earth Day on April...
COVID-19 Update: Trail Closures Announced
In consideration of the Town of New Canaan’s recent order to close town parks, all New Canaan Land Trust preserves are closed until further notice. Please understand that we did not make this decision lightly. We know that, for many, a walk through the woods was a...
Amazing Skunk Cabbage
Written and photographed by Susan Bergen, NCLT Board Member Did you know that skunk cabbage is a perennial flower? It is also an invaluable native plant in our wetland habitats.Skunk cabbage is one of the first plants to emerge in the spring – sometimes even in late...
NCLT’s Response to COVID-19
Hello Friends, I’d like to provide you with a quick update from the New Canaan Land Trust, and some of the ways that COVID-19 is impacting our programs, preserves, and events. Visiting Our Preserves At this time, the New Canaan Land Trust's preserves will remain open...
Spring Equinox Update from NCLT’s Board President
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and have my senses put in order." John Burroughs, a leader in the early conservation movement, an American essayist, and a naturalist, wrote those words over one hundred years ago. Today, scientists and environmentalists are...
Winter Solstice Letter from NCLT’s Board President
I woke up a bit earlier than usual the other morning. From my vantage point on Smith Ridge Road, I watched the snow glistening under a full moon as it set over Oenoke Ridge.December’s full moon has been known as the Cold Moon or the Long Night’s Moon, a...
Fields of Gold – A Photo Essay
By Susan Bergen In early fall, the New Canaan Land Trust meadows become a sea of yellow as the goldenrod bursts into bloom. Goldenrod is considered by the Xerces Society as one of the most important native plants that supports pollinators and other...
Summer Steward Internship 2019: Session 2, Week 4 Update
Dear supporters of the New Canaan Land Trust and Waveny Park Conservancy, This Friday marked the end of the 2019 Summer Steward Internship program. First off, I would like to thank everyone that has made these past fifteen weeks with the New Canaan Land Trust so...
Summer Steward Internship 2019: Session 2, Week 3 Update
Dear supporters of the New Canaan Land Trust and Waveny Park Conservancy, Today marks the end of our third week with the Session 2 interns. This week, we focused on habitat and resource conservation. We realized these lessons through our projects and educational...
Summer Steward Internship 2019: Session 2, Week 2 Update
Dear supporters of the New Canaan Land Trust and Waveny Park Conservancy, This week, the interns and I continued to work across New Canaan’s open spaces while creating numerous learning opportunities. On Monday, the interns met at the Silvermine-Fowler preserve to...
Summer Steward Internship 2019: Session 2, Week 1 Update
Dear supporters of the New Canaan Land Trust and Waveny Park Conservancy, This week, we began our second session of the 2019 Summer Steward Internship program. During the first session, we were able to complete numerous projects across many of our properties. We plan...
Meet NCLT’s Summer Steward Interns: Session 2
Every year since 2014, NCLT has worked with high-school-aged students across New Canaan to introduce them to land stewardship and conservation. This program offers so many unique opportunities for our interns to learn about and preserve New Canaan’s environment. Tasks...
Summer Steward Internship 2019: Session 1, Week 4 Update
Dear supporters of the New Canaan Land Trust and Waveny Park Conservancy, Today marks the end of our first session of the 2019 Summer Steward Internship. Alex Hazlin, Alex Schauer, Ben Walter, Jake Harasiuk, and Vivi Reeves have learned so much during their time with...
Summer Steward Internship 2019: Session 1, Week 3 Update
Dear supporters of the New Canaan Land Trust and Waveny Park Conservancy, Today marks the end of the third week of our first Summer Steward Internship session for the 2019 season. The interns have consistently performed great work these past few weeks, and we are...
Summer Steward Internship 2019: Session 1, Week 2 Update
Dear supporters of the New Canaan Land Trust and Waveny Park Conservancy, The Session 1: Summer Steward Interns have just completed their second week of our program. Despite the shortened week, we were able to make significant improvements to Hicks Meadow,...
Summer Steward Internship 2019: Session 1, Week 1 Update!
Dear supporters of the New Canaan Land Trust and Waveny Park Conservancy, My name is Kelly Flannery and I am excited to share updates from the first week of our Summer Steward Internship program! Aaron Lefland, NCLT’s Executive Director, and I have been preparing for...
Meet NCLT’s Summer Steward Interns: Session 1!
Every year since 2014, NCLT has worked with high-school-aged students across New Canaan, CT to introduce them to land stewardship and conservation. This program offers many unique opportunities for our interns to learn about and preserve New Canaan’s environment....
Summer Solstice Letter: A Seasonal Update from NCLT’s Board President
Dear Members and Friends of the New Canaan Land Trust, Today’s summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, and with it, a change in season from spring to summer. Change is also occurring within NCLT, as Art Berry steps down from his role as President of the...