Photos - New Canaan Land Trust

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What a great way to spend this beautiful afternoon

What a great way to spend this beautiful afternoon: snowshoeing around Still Pond Preserve with a group of supporters! On our walk, we spotted many animal tracks, including fox, coyote, and deer. The fresh snow provided a glimpse of the wildlife activity on the preserve, and reminded us of the importance of protecting these special places.

#snowshoe #landtrust #loveyourctlandtrust #wildlife #animaltracks #tracking #snowshoeing #newcanaan #winterfun

Did you know that today is Tu B’Shevat, an ancie

Did you know that today is Tu B’Shevat, an ancient Jewish holiday that celebrates a new year for trees?

The holiday began on Wednesday at sundown and ends today (Thursday) at sundown. It honors the date from which the age of trees was counted, determining when fruit tithes were owed in the days of the Temple. This date was selected because trees flowered after it.

Many contemporary Jewish communities celebrate the day like a Jewish Earth Day. In Mediterranean climates, it’s also a great time to plant a tree, as it’s in the middle of the rainy season!

Post adapted from @urbanresources

#tubishvat #trees

The ground may be covered with snow today, but the

The ground may be covered with snow today, but the Land Trust, with the help of you and volunteers (such as Boys and Girls Scouts) are getting ready for the summer. (Can't wait, right?)

Here you see an amazing recent improvement to our Firefly Sanctuary, thanks to Eagle Scout candidate William Tang. It's a new and improved viewing area to observe fireflies and the brilliant light show that they put on during their mating season. We are now all ready for the visitors during peak firefly viewing season that starts in late June.

William laid down landscaping fabric and an entire truckload of wood chips, which will make the area much more usable for future events and programs. That helps eliminate poison ivy, which will make our guests happy!

William also built five benches, in the style of other benches at our properties, which can be moved around to accommodate different types of events. They are currently positioned for a sort of group viewing, but we can move them out of then way if we want to bring in some tables, or can be spread out for social distancing. A significant improvement from the very rustic bench that was there previously -- which you can see in the background.

Thanks to Scouts like William, and with your support, we are able to take care of our properties and make improvements that you and our community benefits from. Thank you William.
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#landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust #stewarding #newcanaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #newcanaan #fairfieldcountyct #fairfieldcounty #buildingcommunities #conservationarea #environmentalscience #conservationist #conserve #givebacktothecommunity #boyscoutsofamerica #eaglescout #volunteerspirit
#boyscouts

We posted evidence of a deer’s antler rub on our

We posted evidence of a deer’s antler rub on our Watson-Symington Preserve a couple of days ago. We took a look at our trail camera only to find the act in progress at another preserve!

This 8-point buck is sniffing a sapling, likely getting to rub his antlers and leave his scent behind. The same deer was photographed in the same spot on another day, indicating that this location is certainly within his territory.

If you like playing "I Spy", take a close look behind the deer and see if you can spot another animal the night photo). Let us know what you think it is in the comments section.

Thanks to our supporters we are able to protect open space forever, and support the habitat of wildlife, pollinators, birds and more.

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#buckdeer #deerlife #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust #naturephotograhy #naturephotographersofinstagram #newcanaanmoms #newcanaanct #natureupclose #inaturalist
#nocturnalanimals #backyardwildlife #livenewcanaan #newcanaan #fairfieldcountyct #fairfieldcounty

Look who stopped by the Sculpture Trail! Bundle up

Look who stopped by the Sculpture Trail! Bundle up...it’s chilly out there 🙂
#berniesanders #newcanaansculpturetrail #newcanaan #photoshopfun

On your walks in the woods, have you ever seen a t

On your walks in the woods, have you ever seen a tree with section of bark partially rubbed off? Here is an example on our Watson-Symington Preserve. It's evidence of deer rub when male deer clear away velvet from their newly-grown antlers, often when the bucks’ testosterone levels start peaking as the breeding season, or rut, nears.

It's part of the cycle of life. When the buck's antlers have fully developed, their velvet starts drying and shedding. Bucks accelerate its removal by rubbing their antlers on trees or raking them through brush. Bucks also do this to mark their territory, show their dominance and intimidate other bucks.

The bigger the tree rub, the bigger the deer. As Ex-Officio Land Trust Board Member Chris Schipper (@schipper.christopher) reports, this looks like the work of a 8-10 point male! So keep your eyes out for tree rubs.
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#buckdeer #deerlife #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust #naturephotograhy #naturephotographersofinstagram #newcanaanmoms #newcanaanct #natureupclose #inaturalist
#nocturnalanimals #backyardwildlife #livenewcanaan #newcanaan #fairfieldcountyct #fairfieldcounty

A red fox makes its way through the morning flurri

A red fox makes its way through the morning flurries in search of breakfast. These furry friends are omnivorous, eating rodents, berries, and nuts.

After breakfast, it may be time to find a mate! The red fox breeding season is just starting, and will last through March. After 6-7 weeks, foxes birth a litter of 4-5 pups. The pups will remain with their parents and learn to hunt during the summer months, before going off on their own in the fall.

#redfox #fox #wildlife #habitat #newcanaan #landtrust #loveyourctlandtrust

What happens when a tree falls in one of our meado

What happens when a tree falls in one of our meadows?

We are fortunate to answer in the case photographed here: our amazing volunteers Gabe and Haik Kovookjian showed up with the 'equipment' (i.e., the front loader) and clear the trees which had fallen into the meadow. A task that is important in the winter as we prepare the for the once-a-year mowing of our meadows.

Winter is the optimal time to mow our meadows, while dormant, so not to disrupt the habitat. Thanks to your support, we -- along with our volunteers -- can take care of our properties all year long.

Many thanks, Gabe and Haik, for your help taking care of this special place.
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#themeadows #meadows #stewarding #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust #volunteerspirit #newcanaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #newcanaan #fairfieldcountyct #fairfieldcounty #conservationarea #environmentalscience #conservationist #conserve #frontloader

From @susannbergen: Shhh! Pollinators sleeping. T

From @susannbergen: Shhh! Pollinators sleeping.

The Silvermine Fowler meadow, seen here under a blanket of snow, harbors hibernating immature pollinators.

Pollinators, like all insects, have multi-phased life cycles. While the majority of the adults die with the first killing frost, the next generation lives on, spending the winter in diapause, a kind of arrested development. Depending on the species, this could be in the form of eggs, larva or pupa/caterpillars.

Hibernating pollinators produce a natural ‘antifreeze’ which protects them from freezing. They spend the cold months buried underground, in leaf mulch, under rocks or hidden in pithy plant stems. When the temperatures warm again in spring they continue their transformation into adults.

As pollinators are with us year round in some form, preserving their winter habitats is just as important as offering summer blooms in the garden.

#habitat #meadow #pollinators #landstewardship #loveyourctlandtrust #silvermine #newcanaan #landtrust #pollinatorpathway

We made it...final day of 2020. We continue to cou

We made it...final day of 2020. We continue to count how thankful we are for your support. At a time when access to nature and the outdoors is more important than ever, we are thankful for all that you, our supporters, have made possible.

Today, and the last day of our countdown, we are thankful for how your support has enabled the Land Trust to conserve open space FOREVER! In 2020, we crystalized our 20-year strategic conservation plan. (You can download the plan from our website).

Our plan calls for conserving an additional 400 acres between now and 2040 -- that translates into doubling the amount of land protected by the Land Trust in New Canaan over the next 20 years! Our organization has set its sights on doubling our network of open space that is so critital for wildlife habitat, water and air quality, the beauty of our surroundings, recreational activity and more! Hopefully our ambitious long-term goal will inspire you to support the Land Trust. Our gates are open for your contribution!

If you’d like to support the New Canaan Land Trust’s ongoing work to protect and care for special places in New Canaan, please consider supporting our year-end appeal. A link to our secure online donation form can be found in our bio.

Happy New Year!
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#givebacktothecommunity #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust #volunteerspirit #newcanaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #natureupclose #inaturalist #donatelocal #funforthewholefamily #newcanaan #fairfieldcountyct #fairfieldcountyct

Nearing the new year...Hurray! The second-to-last

Nearing the new year...Hurray! The second-to-last day of our countdown where we are highlighting what you, our supporters, have helped us accomplish. At a time when access to nature and the outdoors is more important than ever, we are thankful for all that you have made possible.

Today, we showcase New Canaan's first-ever outdoor art exhibtion, the 2020 New Canaan Sculpture Trail. This inaugural exhibition was made possible because of you and all the partners and sponsors that made it happen. Here you see Gilbert Boro's After Alex which added a nine-sphere reflective intrigue to the front of New Canaan Town Hall. Did you see it on your travels through town? We were sad to see the sculpture head back to #oldlymect on November 1st.

Thanks to our sponsors, The Harlan E. and Lois J. Anderson Family Foundation, and A.P. Construction Company @a.p.construction, The Stuart Higley Foundation, the Town of New Canaan, our media sponsor @serendipitymagazine and our app sponsor @gilliandepalo.raveis. Everyone who contributed to our Virtual Sculpture Soirée in June enabled the Land Trust to hire two college interns and to successfully implement the seventh annual summer stewardship program.

Of course, we would like to thank Laney Lloyd for capturing this photo, and thousands of others during the exhibition. Thank you.

If you’d like to support the New Canaan Land Trust’s ongoing work to protect and care for special places in New Canaan, please consider supporting our year-end appeal. A link to our secure online donation form can be found in our bio.
@gilbertborosculptor @elloyd12
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Nearing the destination of our countdown...3 days

Nearing the destination of our countdown...3 days to the new year.

As we count down to 2021, we are highlighting all that you, our supporters, have helped us accomplish this year. At a time when access to nature and the outdoors is more important than ever, we are thankful for all that you have made possible.

Without a question, our network of nearly 6 miles of trails across our 10 open-to-the-public properties saw more traffic than ever since the start of the pandemic. Individuals, families, out-town visitors, runners and dogs took to our trails throughout the year.

Do you recognize this meadow?

It's Livingston-Higley Preserve where Carlos Davila's Sugar Maple graced the field from June to October. Many tell us that they discovered this preserve for the first time because of Sugar Maple. The six Sculpture Trail sculptures on our preserve attracted over 10,000 visitors last summer! And all our trails continue to draw so many visitors. The solace and calm that walking in nature offers is so much appreciated. Thanks to you, we can care for these amazing properties that are open for anyone to enjoy.

If you’d like to support the New Canaan Land Trust’s ongoing work to protect and care for special places in New Canaan, please consider supporting our year-end appeal. A link to our secure online donation form can be found in our bio.
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.#sundayhike #findmeoutside #newcanaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #newcanaan #fairfieldcountyct #fairfieldcounty #newcanaansculpturetrail #bestphotos #conservationarea #environmentalscience #conservationist #conserve #protecttheenvironment #environmentalprotection #natureupclose #inaturalist #photographoftheday #outdoorsculpture #sculpturetrail

Counting down with only four days to go to 2021! W

Counting down with only four days to go to 2021! With our countdowm, we are highlighting all that you, our supporters, have helped us accomplish -- and we are thankful for -- in 2020. At a time when access to nature and the outdoors is more important than ever, we thank you for all that you have made possible.

Today, we take a look at one of our favorite ways to engage residents in our work: through guided walks on our preserves. Thanks to your support, we were able to offer a number of these outings before the pandemic. Topics ranged from winter tree identification to finding evidence of historic land use at our preserves.

Land Trust preserves are amazing classrooms, and your support ensures that we can continue teaching our community about the natural world. We’re already planning more walks for 2021, with topics including foraging, tree identification, and more. Keep an eye on our newsletter for dates and details.

If you’d like to support the New Canaan Land Trust’s ongoing work to protect and care for special places in New Canaan, please consider supporting our year-end appeal. A link to our secure online donation form can be found in our bio.
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#outdoorclassroom #conservationarea #environmentalscience #conservationist #conserve #newcanaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #newcanaan #fairfieldcountyct #fairfieldcounty #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust

Five days and counting ... to 2021. As we count do

Five days and counting ... to 2021. As we count down to the new year, we are highlighting all that you, our supporters, have helped us accomplish this year. At a time when access to nature and the outdoors is more important than ever, we are thankful for all that you have made possible.

Today we take a look at one of the many ways that the Land Trust takes on the cause of defending nature when it is at risk. When the Norwalk First Taxing District's proposal to repair the Grupes Reservoir Dam threatened to destroy the banks along the reservoir and adjacent to our Browne Wildlife Sanctuary, the Land Trust joined forces with the Norwalk River Watershed Association to intervene in the process. Your support ensured we had the funds needed to hire experts and legal aid, and demonstrate the environmental destruction that would be caused by the water company’s proposed construction. We are still waiting for a decision from the hearing officer, and will continue to stand up for nature when it is threatened.

If you’d like to support the New Canaan Land Trust’s ongoing work to protect and care for special places in New Canaan, please consider supporting our year-end appeal. A link to our secure online donation form can be found in our bio.
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#conservationarea #environmentalscience #conservationist #conserve #newcanaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #newcanaan #fairfieldcountyct #fairfieldcounty #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust

The countdown to a new year continues with only si

The countdown to a new year continues with only six days to go until we welcome in 2021. We are thankful for so many things in this challenging year -- namely all that you, our supporters, have helped us accomplish. At a time when access to nature and the outdoors is more important than ever, we are thankful for all that you have made possible.

Today, we take a look at the new welcome signs that have been recently at our preserves. Thanks to the support of nine incredible sponsors, new visitors will have an easier time locating our preserves and trails. The welcome signs also highlight our town-wide network of open space, and made it easier for our community to discover and explore new Land Trust preserves. Have you notice these signs around town?

If you’d like to support the New Canaan Land Trust’s ongoing work to protect and care for special places in New Canaan, please consider supporting our year-end appeal. A link to our secure online donation form can be found in the bio.

Hope you enjoying the holidays!
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#givebacktothecommunity #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust #volunteerspirit #newcanaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #natureupclose #inaturalist #donatelocal #funforthewholefamily #newcanaan #fairfieldcountyct #fairfieldcounty

On Christmas Eve, we continue our countdown to a n

On Christmas Eve, we continue our countdown to a new year. Eight days...and counting!

You, our supporters, have helped us accomplished some much this year. We are thankful for all that you have made possible.

Today, we take a look at the amazing work of Girl Scouts who have worked with the Land Trust. Thanks to your support, we are able to provide our community’s youth with a space to carry out leadership and service projects. In the last year, five boy and girl scouts have climbed through the ranks by completing projects with us, and another five scouts have projects in planning or underway.

Pictured here is a Megan Brunner, who built and installed two owl nesting boxes at the Land Trust’s Watson-Symington Preserve. Megan is one of three Brunner siblings who have completed scout projects with the Land Trust. Her sister, Claire, and her brother, Kevin, each constructed a series of raised walkways at the Watson-Symington and Colhoun Preserves, respectively. We love when scouting, family, and the outdoors all come together!

If you’d like to support the New Canaan Land Trust’s ongoing work to protect and care for special places in New Canaan, please consider supporting our year-end appeal. A link to our secure online donation form can be found in the bio.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

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#givebacktothecommunity #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust #volunteerspirit #girlscout
#boyscoutsofamerica #boyscouts #newcanaanmoms #fairfnewcanaanieldcountyctnaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #natureupclose #inaturalist #donatelocal
#girlscoutsofamerica #girlscoutsrock #funforthewholefamily

Nine days and counting ... Despite 2020's innumera

Nine days and counting ... Despite 2020's innumerable challenges, we end the year by highlighting all that you, our supporters, have helped us accomplish.

One of the silver lining of this year is that nature and the outdoors have become more important than ever to our community. Today, we take a look at the homes we are providing for the avian residents at our preserves. Note here: that's Aaron Lefland, Executive Director of the Land Trust, posed next to a kestrel bird house, helping it get ready for a new resident early in the spring.

Thanks to you, the Land Trust has built and installed bird houses that are designed for species in need, and who call our preserves “home." Each house is constructed using designs that favor a particular bird species, and is then mounted in the right habitat, facing the right direction, and at the right height.

The Land Trust bird houses are tended to on an annual basis. Each spring, we visit every bird house and clear out the previous year’s nest. We also add wood shavings to get the next year’s nest started. And when bird houses reach the end of their usable life, your support ensures that we are able to replace them for our feathered friends.

If you’d like to support the New Canaan Land Trust’s ongoing work to protect and care for special places in New Canaan, please consider supporting our year-end appeal. A link to our secure online donation form can be found in the bio.
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#givebacktothecommunity #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust #volunteerspirit #newcanaanmoms #fairfnewcanaanieldcountyctnaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #natureupclose #inaturalist #pollinatorhabitat #pollinatorplants #pollinatorfriendlygardening #pollinatorlove #pollinate #birdhousesofinstagram #birdhouses #kestrel

Ten days to 2021! And now that we are past yesterd

Ten days to 2021! And now that we are past yesterday's winter solstice, every day has more daylight. Wahoo!

For our countdown to the new year, we are highlighting all that you, our supporters, have helped us accomplish. At a time when access to nature and the outdoors is more important than ever, we are thankful for all that you have made possible.

Remember those days when we could gather in one auditorium? March seems years away from today when Doug Tallamy visited New Canaan as captured in this photo taken at the New Canaan Country School. Thanks to your support, and our amazing Pollinator Pathway Partners, world-renowned speakers and visionaries such as Professor Tallamy and Bill McKibben presented to large groups. They shared ideas and stories about climate change and habitat protection with hundreds of audience members, and inspired us all to live more sustainable lives.

If you’d like to support the New Canaan Land Trust’s ongoing work to protect and care for special places in New Canaan, please consider supporting our year-end appeal. A link to our secure online donation form can be found in the bio.
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#givebacktothecommunity #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust #volunteerspirit #newcanaanmoms #fairfnewcanaanieldcountyctnaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #natureupclose #inaturalist #dougtallamy #pollinatorsneedlovetoo #pollinatorswelcomehere #pollinatorsmakeitpossible #pollinatorsgonnapollinate #pollinatorsrule #pollinatorsupport #pollinatorsmatter #pollinatorsanctuary #pollinatorsarelife #pollinatorsneeded #pollinatorpathway #pollinatorswelcome #pollinatorhabitat #pollinatorplants #pollinatorfriendlygardening #pollinatorlove #pollinate is

Day #10 and counting to 2021! We are counting dow

Day #10 and counting to 2021!

We are counting down to the new year by highlighting all that you, our supporters, have helped us accomplish. At a time when access to nature and the outdoors is more important than ever, we are thankful for all that you have made possible.

Today, we take a look at our newest trail, the Oenoke Lane GreenLink. This new trail is like a newly unwrapped gift for us and the community. Thanks to your support, we were able to build a new trail through the Land Trust’s preserve, and create a safer walking route along this popular road. While short in length, the trail crosses a beautiful stream, meanders through towering tulip trees, and passes by the remains of a historic well. All of this is located just a short walk from the center of town. Have you had a chance to walk it yet?

In a year when access to the outdoors was more important than ever, your support ensure that our community has places to play, explore and find solace. As we continue protecting special places in New Canaan, we look to create more of these linkages and trails for our community to enjoy. You make it all possible.

If you’d like to support the New Canaan Land Trust’s ongoing work to protect and care for special places in New Canaan, please consider supporting our year-end appeal. A link to our secure online donation form can be found here in the bio.
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.#givebacktothecommunity #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust #volunteerspirit #newcanaanmoms #fairfnewcanaanieldcountyctnaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #natureupclose #naturepreserve #oaktree
#redoak #fallentree #outwalking #walksinthewoods #onawalk #naturepreserveDay

Eleven days...getting closer to 2021! We are coun

Eleven days...getting closer to 2021!

We are counting down to the new year by highlighting all that you, our supporters, have helped us accomplish. At a time when access to nature and the outdoors is more important than ever, we are thankful for all that you have made possible.

Today, we take a look at the amazing work of Boy and Girl Scouts and their work with the Land Trust. Thanks to your support, we are able to provide our community’s youth with a space to carry out leadership and service projects. In the last year, five boy and girl scouts have climbed through the ranks by completing projects with us, and another five scouts have projects in planning or underway.

Pictured here is a (pre-Covid) volunteer team assembled by Eagle Scout David Hanson. For his eagle scout project, David chose to replace two footbridges at our much-loved Firefly Sanctuary. Thanks to David, visitors will have a much easier time navigating the trail, especially the wetter sections that get muddy after a good rain.

Other projects completed this year have included the installation of new raised walkways, benches, bird houses, and more.

If you’d like to support the New Canaan Land Trust’s ongoing work to protect and care for special places in New Canaan, please consider supporting our year-end appeal. A link to our secure online donation form can be found in the bio.
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#givebacktothecommunity #landtrust #landtrustlife #landtrusts #loveyourctlandtrust #volunteerspirit #girlscout
#boyscoutsofamerica #boyscouts #newcanaanmoms #fairfnewcanaanieldcountyctnaanmoms #newcanaanct #livenewcanaan #natureupclose #inaturalist

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