Mark Your Calendars ... Upcoming Land Trust Events

It’s almost spring and the Simsbury Land Trust has announced its 2011 annual meeting and several springtime events for area residents who are interested in preserving the beauty of the community’s landscapes.

The 2011 Annual Membership Dinner of the will be held on Thursday, March 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Riverview banquet facility at 10 Winslow Place in Simsbury. The evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner and jazz entertainment. In addition to a review of the past year and a look ahead to 2011, there will be a celebration of the completion of the organization’s 10-year “Campaign for Simsbury” and special recognition of several individuals who helped to make that effort a success. Reservations for the event must be made by March 24. The cost is $40 for Simsbury Land Trust members and $45 for non-members. Included are hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, dining stations, and dessert and coffee. To make a reservation, call the land trust at 860-651-8773.

Spring is a time for wildlife babies. On Saturday, March 26, local residents of all ages can come learn when exactly these babies will be arriving, where to find them, and how to make their yards safe for these new arrivals. The free Simsbury Land Trust program, “Chicks, Tadpoles, Pups and Kits,” will begin at 10 a.m. in the Simsbury Farm Apple Barn at 60A Old Farms Road. Participants also will learn what to do if they find what seems to be an abandoned baby bird or bunny. There may even be a few newborn animals on hand. To reserve a space at this event, call the 860-651-8773.

Bird-lovers are invited to a Saturday, April 9 “Wagner Woods Morning Bird Walk.” At 8 a.m., participants will meet local birding expert and property steward Roger Preston for a 1½-hour walk starting at Wagner Woods on Great Pond Road. Walkers should dress appropriately for the weather and wet trail conditions, and binoculars are suggested. The free event will be canceled if there is heavy rain. Space is limited and reservations are required by calling 860-651-8773.

On Saturday, April 30, at 9:30 a.m., the Simsbury Land Trust will host a Breakfast and Family Hike at Flamig Farm’s party room on 7 Shingle Mill Road in West Simsbury. Participants will join enjoy breakfast and a family hike. This event is free and limited to members only. Space is limited and reservations are required by calling 860-651-8773.

Other upcoming events include:

Interested in trail running? The Simsbury Land Trust will present new trail run series to take place, once a month, on a variety of off-road locations in Simsbury. Runner Laura St. Onge of Simsbury will lead the runs on Saturday, April 2, Saturday, May 7, and Saturday, June 4. Contact amyzeiner@aol.com to get more information or to sign up.

Saturday, May 15, family-oriented Macro Invertebrate Stream Hunt, a search for crayfish, insect larvae and other local stream inhabitants, led by Alissa Philips-Griggs of the Simsbury Land Trust and the Farmington River Watershed. More information to come.   

On Saturday, June 4, in honor of “Connecticut Trails Day”, the Simsbury Land Trust will host a Family-Friendly 3.5-Mile Hike around Great Pond and through the woods to Great Pond Road. More information to come.

The Simsbury Land Trust works to protect scenic vistas, geological features and farmland that visually define Simsbury’s character and provide healthy habitats for local wildlife and plants. The goal is to develop, support and implement creative land conservation solutions for the benefit of present and future generations. Since its establishment in 1976, the non-profit organization has permanently protected 32 parcels of property in the town, totaling nearly 892 acres, more than half of which have been donated to the Simsbury Land Trust. Currently, the land trust is raising funds so it can purchase development rights to a 73-acre woodlot on Tulmeadow Farm.

For information about the Simsbury Land Trust, its volunteer opportunities and upcoming programs, call 860-651-8773 or visit www.simsburylandtrust.org. Individual memberships in the Simsbury Land Trust begin at donations of $40 and family memberships begin at donations of $60. All memberships include a copy of The Walkbook.