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Mushroom Kingdom

Mushroom Kingdom

False Turkey Tails, a type of Polyspore Shelf Mushroom If you are of a certain age, you probably learned in school that all life on Earth is divided into two kingdoms: plant and animal. For years, scientists following Carl Linnaeus’ lead classified fungi (mushrooms,...
Life in a Meadow

Life in a Meadow

Livingston-Higley Meadow The wind rustles through the grasses. Song sparrows and crickets serenade. Tree swallows soar overhead, catching insects on the wing. A cottontail nibbles clover on the edge of the path. Butterflies flutter about the wild bergamot. A praying...
Turtle Terrain

Turtle Terrain

Eastern painted turtle basking on a log at Still Pond Preserve. Photo by Connor deMayo. Did you know that the United States has more species of turtles than any other country? According to CT’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, there are 328 species...
Turn Out the Lights

Turn Out the Lights

Firefly Sanctuary at peak season photographed by Rob Petersen Peak firefly viewing season is quickly approaching. From late June through early July, thousands of fireflies twinkle in the dark at the New Canaan Land Trust’s Firefly Preserve. This extraordinary show...
Spring Beauties

Spring Beauties

Trout lilies with vinca minor at Silvermine-Fowler Meadow April is a good month to hunt for native wildflowers in the understory of our woodland preserves. Early spring bloomers take advantage of warming soil and abundant sunshine. The five species highlighted here...
Spring Migration

Spring Migration

While we sleep on these warm spring nights, millions of birds are winging their way north to their summer breeding grounds. Migratory birds start returning to Connecticut as early as February and continue into late May. Each species keeps its own internal clock of...