By Dr. Carole Cheah, Research Entomologist at CT Agricultural Experiment Station
Dr. Cheah will give an overview of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) and Connecticut’s use of the biocontrol agent Sasajiscymnus tsugae to help manage HWA to preserve and protect our hemlocks.
Co-sponsored by: Bloomfield Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services
Ring in the new year outdoors with friends and neighbors! Our fourth annual First Day hike at Wintonbury Hills Golf Course, co-sponsored with Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services, will explore the Town of Bloomfield’s picturesque golf course abutting the Land Conservancy’s Beacon Hill Preserve. Some of the property along Duncaster Road was once a part of A. C. Peterson Farms and nicely illustrates the rural character of western Bloomfield. As a result of continuing thoughtful management, it is certified as a Cooperative Bird Sanctuary by Audubon International.
This guided walk will follow approximately 2.5 miles of cart paths over the rolling hills. Leashed dogs are welcome. Please use the online RSVP form to help our volunteer event leaders plan ahead. Thank you!
Wintonbury Hills is closed for the season for golfers. During this hiatus, walkers are welcome to use the grounds as long as they stay on the cart paths. Snowshoeing also is allowed once there is snow. Take advantage of this opportunity to explore one of Bloomfield’s nicest walks and wonderful views. Once Spring arrives, it will belong again to the golfers!
(Photos: Paula Jones)
We will continue to clear around the foundation along the northwest corner of the field. Park at end of Stone Hill Road.
RSVP to our Conservation Chairs at conservation@trlandconservancy.org if you are interested in attending so that you can be contacted in case of changes or cancellations.
Join us to get hands-on experience clearing invasive plants. You will learn what plants are invasive to our area and how to treat them to hinder further growth.
We will be cutting and painting common buckthorn. Park along the road near 64 Orchard.
RSVP to our Conservation Chairs at conservation@trlandconservancy.org if you are interested in attending so that you can be contacted in case of changes or cancellations.
It’s a good idea to wear long pants, long sleeves, socks, sturdy shoes and work gloves. Bring loppers and water to drink.
We will start to clear the foundations along the western boundary of the south field. We will be able to clear the fencing, dumping and other debris that hides some interesting historical features. Park at end of Stone Hill Road.
RSVP to our Conservation Chairs at conservation@trlandconservancy.org if you are interested in attending so that you can be contacted in case of changes or cancellations.
Join us to get hands-on experience clearing invasive plants. You will learn what plants are invasive to our area and how to treat them to hinder further growth.
We will be identifying and spray-painting common buckthorn in anticipation of cutting it later. Park along the road near 64 Orchard.
RSVP to our Conservation Chairs at conservation@trlandconservancy.org if you are interested in attending so that you can be contacted in case of changes or cancellations.
It’s a good idea to wear long pants, long sleeves, socks, sturdy shoes and work gloves. Bring water to drink, and loppers and a shovel if you have them.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about invasive plant species, their impact on wildlife habitats and how to manage invasive plant species. Registration is $85. The Land Conservation Committee has enough in its budget to sponsor two attendees. Please email Cathy at conservation@trlandconservancy.org if interested.
Enjoy an invigorating hike from Simsbury to Bloomfield co-sponsored by the Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy (TRLC), Simsbury Land Trust (SLT), and Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services. The free hike – now in its 11th year – will showcase TRLC, SLT, and town properties that provide trail connectivity linking the two towns through Penwood State Park. And the fall scenery should be gorgeous!
The hike will be approximately 5 miles. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the hike’s end point, the Oliver Filley House in LaSalette Park in Bloomfield (120 Mountain Ave). (Google map) Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services will provide a bus to shuttle hikers to this year’s starting point, SLT’s Tanager Hill property in Simsbury. SLT’s Walk Book notes that Tanager Hill is “the most diverse parcel” of preserved land in Simsbury.
The group will proceed through Tanager Hill to the yellow trail in Penwood State Park. In Penwood, hikers will visit Lake Louise and The Pinnacle for spectacular fall views of Simsbury and the Farmington Valley.
From there, the hike will proceed southeast to TRLC’s Stout Family Fields, Bloomfield’s gateway to Penwood State Park. From there we’ll do a short stretch on the road to reach TRLC’s Hawk Hill Farm property, a working farm with passive recreation trails and several notable trees, including a magnificent American elm. Hawk Hill adjoins Bloomfield’s LaSalette Park, where the trail will return the group to the historic Oliver Filley House and their vehicles.
We invite you to take advantage of this annual opportunity to experience a different mode of journeying between our two neighboring towns and enjoy the end of the fall color. RSVP to help us plan ahead. Thank you!
Interns and visitors are welcome to attend our October Land Conservation Committee Meeting at the Bloomfield Human Services Center building. We will go over property updates, policies we need to work on this winter, and start thinking about our budget.
Join us at an invasive plant workshop to get hands-on experience clearing invasive plants. You will learn what plants are invasive to our area and how to treat them to hinder further growth.
We will finish up work on the Notable Tree Trail. 20 Duncaster Road.
RSVP to our Conservation Chairs at conservation@trlandconservancy.org if you are interested in attending so that you can be contacted in case of changes or cancellations.
It’s a good idea to wear long pants, long sleeves, socks, sturdy shoes and work gloves. Bring loppers and water to drink.