tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25628797428667915632023-11-16T03:28:38.754-08:00The Aspetuck Land Trust BlogAspetuck Land Trust Inc. is a non-profit Connecticut Corporation devoted to preserving open space and the natural resources of Easton, Fairfield, Weston and Westport for the benefit of the public. It was formed in 1966 by leading area conservationists. Through generous gifts of land, continued efforts of volunteers, and cooperation from town agencies, the Aspetuck Land Trust has preserved over 1,700 acres of land, which will be maintained in a natural state in perpetuity.Chris Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14364090237915891343noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-15403953705037146652013-09-13T11:40:00.000-07:002013-09-13T11:40:03.703-07:00Jr Trail Stewards: Summer Visits to the Preserves<br />
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<i>A Junior Trail Steward is a younger member of the Aspetuck Land Trust who has volunteered to help a preserve stay healthy so that visitors of the preserve can enjoy the beautiful open space for years to come. Currently the Easton/Poindexter Preserve, Fairfield/Harwood Preserve, Weston/Stonebridge Waterfowl Preserve, and the Westport/Newman Poses Preserve are included in the program. Visits by the Junior Stewards occur at least once a season and are documented with a blog post. </i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zachary at the Newman Poses Preserve (Westport)</span></i></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the beginning of my quarterly blog posts about the Newman Poses Preserve in Westport, CT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I want to talk to you about the habitat this preserve creates for wild animals. It is called a beginning forest habitat. It is a habitat that is not very common around here. This habitat occurs when a field or strip of farmland is making its way back into forest. This place is an essential habitat for young birds because the smaller trees don't scare them as much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Aspetuck Land Trust is trying to preserve this habitat as long as it can, by cutting down the tallest trees and allowing the bushes to take over. I'm sure the Aspetuck Land Trust will do a good job.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xqes8tWs1qCkaBLvBbxr4EYctz6tfef5zeZ61oDbE78j5f3TgcBMDrcSk6y-LY2HVdeZDwtOL8V5icUWoQmo24_0wURk-GY7aIU_PCcOBWmw5fDcYUoSGOo42U3ShQqsMLjK0QU_Qsfy/s1600/PastedGraphic-2.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xqes8tWs1qCkaBLvBbxr4EYctz6tfef5zeZ61oDbE78j5f3TgcBMDrcSk6y-LY2HVdeZDwtOL8V5icUWoQmo24_0wURk-GY7aIU_PCcOBWmw5fDcYUoSGOo42U3ShQqsMLjK0QU_Qsfy/s400/PastedGraphic-2.tiff" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning forest habitat in Newman Poses Preserve<br />Photo credit: Zachary</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i>Avery @ Poindexter Preserve (Easton)</i></span></h3>
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<b><i>Things we found at the preserve:</i></b></div>
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<li>A deer hip bone that looks like a mask</li>
<li>A tiny bird's nest on the ground</li>
<li>Orange slug that was really sticky and messy. Don't touch the orange slugs.</li>
<li>Lots and lots of tracks in the mud</li>
<li>A lot of trees were knocked down from the hurricane.</li>
<li>Three deer</li>
<li>Horse with a purple tail</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ohbcmtVvTqBaFqcrbTSIZrksGvXbhKgp4Yuj84lDXGAS6VBrPH2yrDRLgPcGryAg0WKbww3hi_FZmMIWjcxkjdU8owAZz_5UAe2kYlAM3MRoi3I63JzwPpvXvhiQoS_bHcgT2eNrv3lN/s1600/Avery.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ohbcmtVvTqBaFqcrbTSIZrksGvXbhKgp4Yuj84lDXGAS6VBrPH2yrDRLgPcGryAg0WKbww3hi_FZmMIWjcxkjdU8owAZz_5UAe2kYlAM3MRoi3I63JzwPpvXvhiQoS_bHcgT2eNrv3lN/s400/Avery.png" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avery and a deer hip bone.</td></tr>
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<b><i>Things I liked at the preserve:</i></b><br /><ul>
<li>Splashing the water with sticks</li>
<li>Throwing little stones in the water</li>
<li>Some of it is open meadow and some is in the trees</li>
<li>Stone walls</li>
<li>Drawing pictures and eating a snack</li>
<li>Ferns</li>
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<b><i>What I did to help the preserve:</i></b><br /><ul><a href="webkit-fake-url://2F838088-FDC9-4860-9C67-3FE97F22A2ED/application.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="webkit-fake-url://06C7B227-9178-4B3E-8010-1EC4E0765050/application.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>
<li>Moved sticks off the porch</li>
<li>Left my hiking stick at the beginning of the path for someone else</li>
<li>I had a bag to pick up trash, but there wasn't any</li>
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David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-6126138268796635072013-08-12T13:19:00.001-07:002013-08-14T09:35:16.098-07:00Bill McKibben Speaks to Aspetuck Land Trust Members<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We kicked off our inaugural <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/18862/Bill_McKibben_Pequot_on_Aug_9th_is_FULL" target="_blank">Haskins Lecture Series</a> on August 9 at the Pequot Library in Southport. Author and climate change activist Bill McKibben was our guest speaker. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Author Bill McKibben</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The purpose of the Haskins lecture is to educate the public on a
science-related conservation issue that’s related to a land conservation
activity or issue faced by Aspetuck Land Trust. To learn more about Caryl and Edna Haskins who donated their Westport estate to Aspetuck Land Trust, <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/17244" target="_blank">click here</a>.</span><a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/17244" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> They were amazing people and Aspetuck Land Trust is honored to be a part of preserving their legacy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bill McKibben is the author of many books including the first book on climate change for a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">general audience,</span><a href="http://www.billmckibben.com/end-of-nature.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"> The End of Nature.</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I read this book when it came out in 1989 and I haven't stopped thinking about it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Since
then Bill has been busy. He has written lots more books and founded </span><a href="http://350.org/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">350.org</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, a
global grassroots movement to solve the climate change crisis. I recorded a quick video of Bill on my I Phone at the Delamar before we went over to the Pequot. Here it is. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Bill McKibben (left) and Aspetuck Land Trust executive director, David Brant</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />There is nothing more important than tackling global climate change. Bill McKibben's organization, <a href="http://350.org/" target="_blank">350.org</a><span style="font-size: small;"> is a cause worthy of your support! I contributed after hearing him speak and I did so on behalf of my two seven-year old children, Joshua and Sydney, to whom I pledge to make this beautiful planet earth a greener, more sustainable place. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">My kids with an oak tree we planted in Vermont.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Haskins event pictures credit: Amanda Desmond</span><br /><br /><br /> </span><br />
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David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-55415718955112606482013-04-24T13:04:00.000-07:002013-04-24T13:04:10.774-07:00Earth Day Vernal Pool Hike<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We had a great Earth Day hike last Saturday, April 20. Below
are some pictures from our meanderings in the vernal pools with Ecologist Anthony Zemba from <a href="http://www.ctaudubon.org/">Connecticut Audubon Society</a>. If you haven’t
read the wildlife study of Trout Brook Valley that we did in partnership with
Connecticut Audubon, you can read the full report <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/17357/Trout_Brook_Valley_Wildlife_Survey">here</a>. Sign up for our hikes <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/view/17016">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">Vernal pools are filled by </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">snow melt and spring rains and contain </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">amphibians that form the foundation </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">of the forest food chain. Trout Brook is </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">host to over 100 plant and animal species </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">of conservation concern. Help us protect </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">the preserve’s biodiversity and sensitive </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">plant and animal habitats by staying on </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: medium;">marked trails.</span><br />
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David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-16523823835912794942013-01-01T12:36:00.000-08:002013-04-17T12:21:11.790-07:00New Policies at Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last
October, <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/view/16813">Aspetuck Land Trust</a> contracted with <a href="http://www.ctaudubon.org/">Connecticut Audubon Society</a> to conduct a wildlife study in the 1,009 acre <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/17213">Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area</a>. Our
goals for the year-long study were to identify the wildlife and ecologically
fragile areas within the preserve. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View of Saugatuck Reservoir from Popp Mountain in Trout Brook Valley</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The
study is now complete and according to CT Audubon, </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Trout Brook Valley</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is one of the most important ecological features of Fairfield County. It forms the
core of a 6,400-acre expanse that is the “green heart” of the region, according
to the Connecticut Audubon Society report which identified a remarkable
inventory of species and their habitats in the preserve. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the most interesting features of Trout Brook Valley are its 60+ ephemeral wetlands or vernal pools. Miley Bull from CT Audubon discusses the importance of vernal pools below, which form the foundation of the forest food chain on the property. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connecticut
Audubon Society’s conservation biologists spent hundreds of hours over four
seasons performing fieldwork at the preserve and analyzing data. They conducted
surveys of birds and amphibians, which both are indicators of ecological
health, and assessed the habitat quality and ecological functions of the
preserve. The report also recommended strategies to help protect the flora and
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tree used as Bobcat scratching post!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">We now have a plan to manage Trout Brook Valley based upon the scientific findings of the wildlife study, which can be found </span><a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/17357/Trout_Brook_Valley_Wildlife_Survey" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">HERE</a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Our next step is to better educate the public
about this unique and important natural resource. Our members should be proud that we
undertook this effort which will help us to more effectively manage the
property for both conservation and public use purposes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">We implemented new policies in Trout Brook Valley as a result of the wildlife study. We are now asking people to leash their dogs throughout the preserve to protect the sensitive habitats we discovered. And we now have a </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">2 mile off leash loop trail in the Crow Hill section of the preserve on the blue/white trail. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We closed the red/black trail because the trail was too close to vernal pools, and are currently re-routing/improving the green/white trail to connect with the white trail with help from the Fairfield County Chapter of the Northeast Mountain Biking Assoc. This trail will now be open to mountain biking. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Land Trust member with dog on leash with child in tow!</span></td></tr>
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<br />David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-53604194918309757142012-12-03T11:31:00.000-08:002012-12-06T12:22:28.400-08:00Discount on Local Christmas Trees Print out this Blog post and get 10% off a locally grown Christmas tree at the <a href="http://ctchristmastree.org/CandH/bacchiocchi.html">CT Audubon Tree Farm</a> located on Sasco Creek Road in Westport. Lou has a Forestry degree from Yale and knows his trees! He's also a great cook and makes his own beer and venison jerkey! Sorry ladies, he's married. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lou on right with happy customers</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">They sell beautiful wreaths too</span></td></tr>
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For other great "hyper local" holiday gifts <a href="http://www.hamlethub.com/easton-main-street/cat/local-business/22917-super-local-holiday-shopping-great-gift-ideas-in-easton">CLICK HERE</a>. Getting someone a Gift membership in <a href="https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1000176">Aspetuck Land Trust</a> for the holidays is mentioned as a great green gift idea! <br />
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Please support our local organizations this holiday season!<br />
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Happy Holidays!<br />
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Aspetuck Land Trust<br />
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<br />David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-32531618429334295992012-08-14T08:54:00.002-07:002012-08-14T08:54:36.047-07:00U.S. Congressman Jim Himes Visits Aspetuck Land TrustUnited States <a href="http://himes.house.gov/">Congressman Jim Himes</a> visited Trout Brook Valley in Easton as part of his 17 Days/17 Towns tour. <div>
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Himes visited the orchard area of Trout Brook Valley with Land Trust executive director David Brant to learn more about the 1,009 acre preserve which is one of the largest forest blocks in Fairfield County and is an important natural resource in the region. <div>
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We walked among the apple trees in the orchard and picked some blueberries. David and the Congressman stayed well under the 2 quart limit!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Congressman Himes with Aspetuck Land Trust Executive Director David Brant</span></td></tr>
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CT NEWS 12 showed up to interview the Congressman.</div>
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We had a great talk and walk and the Congressman was amazed at the scope and breadth of Trout Brook Valley, a true gem of Fairfield County. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Walking up to the orchard </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View of the Farm fields and barn from orchard hill</span></td></tr>
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David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-28080347669201622902012-06-26T10:12:00.000-07:002012-06-26T11:20:57.974-07:00Why Should You Join Aspetuck Land Trust?The Aspetuck Land Trust is many things to many people. Below are my top 4 reasons to join the Land Trust.<br />
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Reason #1<br />
<b>You believe in land conservation and open space</b>. Last year, we saved 73 acres in Easton and Westport. The <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/maps/ALT-001-map_newman_poses.pdf">Newman Poses preserve</a> in Westport and <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/maps/ALT-001-map_randallfarm.pdf">Randall's Farm preserve</a> in Easton are great additions to our <a href="http://aspetucklandtrust.org/html/maps.html">42 other trailed nature preserves</a> on over 1,700 acres of land in the 4 local towns we serve. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">34 Acre Randall's Farm Preserve, Easton. </span></td></tr>
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Reason #2<br />
<b>You think it's important to preserve local plants and animal species for future generations.</b> We are working with CT Audubon to conduct a flora and fauna survey in the 1,009 acre<a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/maps/ALT-001-map_troutbrook.pdf"> Trout Brook Valley</a> preserve, our largest, most popular and wildest preserve. Trout Brook is home to 17 state listed endangered species and 80 species identified by the state of CT as having the greatest conservation need. CT Audubon scientists have found 141 bird species, 15 mammals, 13 different amphibians and 11 reptile species. Insects and other invertebrates are gradually becoming more numerous and to date 10 different dragonfly and damselfly species and 24 different butterflies have been recorded. Also, more than 85 different wildflower species have been identified. To see the very cool Audubon blog posts on the survey findings, <a href="http://www.ctaudubon.org/conservation-services/">click here</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eastern Newt in Trout Brook Valley Vernal Pool</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Reason #3</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>You think it's important that children have a connection with nature. </b>We created a <a href="http://aspetucklandtrust.org/html/schine_preserve.html">Natural Playground</a> for children at our Leonard Schine Preserve in Westport, launched a hike series for kids called <a href="http://aspetucklandtrust.org/html/schine_preserve.html">Short Hikes for Short People</a>, and are educating the public about the joys and benefits of getting children outside by screening the inspiring movie, <a href="http://www.mothernaturesmovie.com/the-film/">Mother Nature's Child.</a> We have been very successful in getting more families and children outside! Last year, 7,400 people clicked the Natural Playground link on our website and many of them visited. Hundreds of children have participated in our short hikes!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ppgbqEQgqgC1lpYjkZ2rnCCGE8VJ9twvlApjSuf2M5nkZdEIvioR35d5c1yypbPyCVJGuKYDJEw3Ywf6-IsGafO9GyMXx0w5YTeTDqboXHTJQGx1JWlrwlRvxeOQzhmuF8MSKbPjRIjt/s1600/Westport+Leonard+Schine+Tower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ppgbqEQgqgC1lpYjkZ2rnCCGE8VJ9twvlApjSuf2M5nkZdEIvioR35d5c1yypbPyCVJGuKYDJEw3Ywf6-IsGafO9GyMXx0w5YTeTDqboXHTJQGx1JWlrwlRvxeOQzhmuF8MSKbPjRIjt/s400/Westport+Leonard+Schine+Tower.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tower at Natural Playground</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Yummy Reason #4</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>You love blueberries</b>. We maintain 800 blueberry bushes in the southern tip of the orchard in our <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/maps/ALT-001-map_troutbrook.pdf">Trout Brook Valley preserve</a> in Easton/Weston? 2012 is an epic year for blueberries. Our local, organic berries are now ripe for pickin' and will be bearing through August. There is nothing better than hiking in with your children, grandchildren or friends to pick and eat our blueberries. This is a great local adventure that I guarantee you will love! It's a 30 minute hike to the bushes. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNu-SXeIJMICNe6AuTW6lPCwqOTxKrIbwh7yBFZWlzZI4qcHyBShjH8YGtK2i6MX3gTItGjdJ3r3myizbc4QxPnKCWaueINxR94UI0EntaI2jRgRHrYmsaaoLIca3SaCsa7aWR4MbwODFj/s1600/6-23-12+blueberries+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNu-SXeIJMICNe6AuTW6lPCwqOTxKrIbwh7yBFZWlzZI4qcHyBShjH8YGtK2i6MX3gTItGjdJ3r3myizbc4QxPnKCWaueINxR94UI0EntaI2jRgRHrYmsaaoLIca3SaCsa7aWR4MbwODFj/s400/6-23-12+blueberries+003.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Land Trust member and volunteer pruner from Weston</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">If you want to pick blueberries, I recommend you park at the Elm Drive entrance to the <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/maps/ALT-001-map_troutbrook.pdf">Trout Brook Valley Preserve</a> and follow the trails to the orchard which is indicated on the map. After you enter the orchard through the gate, go right and walk down the hill to the blueberries. There is a 2 quart limit. But this doesn't include what you eat! And if you want to help us prune the bushes in the spring, email me at <a href="mailto:dbrant@aspetucklandtrust.org">dbrant@aspetucklandtrust.org</a>. Every year, over 100 volunteers help us prune the bushes and as a benefit they can drive in on a specified day to pick them. This year it was last Saturday and I include some pics from the day including the pie I baked! We spend alot of time and effort on the bushes and I hope you enjoy the fruits of literally hundreds of hours of labor. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQj9g2XVlfNBUVmT6xCLsWQRb0WOycl9cazfDWbakZqZxITmpzzuJhsm-OPptVTaxo6KeH8RAfW1aHG6vDQdhhUer_o8i6nwaIifib_0fPyMmmFOsaxKTrP1lf9ipXvDYbRRq2Z8VYyOR/s1600/6-23-12+blueberries+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQj9g2XVlfNBUVmT6xCLsWQRb0WOycl9cazfDWbakZqZxITmpzzuJhsm-OPptVTaxo6KeH8RAfW1aHG6vDQdhhUer_o8i6nwaIifib_0fPyMmmFOsaxKTrP1lf9ipXvDYbRRq2Z8VYyOR/s400/6-23-12+blueberries+005.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Land Trust Family</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">I am inspired by all of the things we do. And I should be. I am the executive director of the Land Trust. But more importantly, I hope you are inspired too, and will join us. Land Trust members care about the land, the unique character of our local towns, and the preservation of plants and animals. They care about having local adventures and value spending time outdoors with friends and family. To become a member of Aspetuck Land Trust, </span><a href="https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1000176" style="line-height: 18px;">CLICK HERE</a><span style="line-height: 18px;">. Individual memberships start at $35, about the price of a few quarts of organic blueberries, and you can join by credit card. Easy! Pie not included! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiSmO_qwspf9uN8-NenPuhndHDSd8oRkB5IrOPHAT7chQX7BQSaqOuit7hVZiDE1UXPbbqkvqLbPRZPuEcasK9x4c4-ybcOagL1vnr-_c57hv5eDs0eZVbBW74dbJ8-6yPbMgl5NSSnrw/s1600/6-23-12+blueberries+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiSmO_qwspf9uN8-NenPuhndHDSd8oRkB5IrOPHAT7chQX7BQSaqOuit7hVZiDE1UXPbbqkvqLbPRZPuEcasK9x4c4-ybcOagL1vnr-_c57hv5eDs0eZVbBW74dbJ8-6yPbMgl5NSSnrw/s400/6-23-12+blueberries+014.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My children like to pick and eat! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My beautiful pie</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTsd6ZzsJfc4_nLAoP3hpBRBbRz90y_qoEeTUrxwg-SedaUP68as-7zoxrfMxp5OaJClGpknTxxscTHKQXSQXt_LMQOFFLu49cm7tL7QCL-LVTl8G9Dr35NtcSczmBtrw-cbb23D76Epr/s1600/6-23-12+blueberries+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTsd6ZzsJfc4_nLAoP3hpBRBbRz90y_qoEeTUrxwg-SedaUP68as-7zoxrfMxp5OaJClGpknTxxscTHKQXSQXt_LMQOFFLu49cm7tL7QCL-LVTl8G9Dr35NtcSczmBtrw-cbb23D76Epr/s400/6-23-12+blueberries+026.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A work of art</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0nPftBOPJbrTWWyXVMhN1YDQEkOtTkjFMQIf82ajYkYJnAHwPg6eIcHcKRiaqOlHrkAtDK2LK2g61A6ai9UpbBT2BefJAvgeE4G-FDeBtZyl_V4rBcCev6F8PFuFrA2S6NM3Opl04NHJ/s1600/6-23-12+blueberries+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0nPftBOPJbrTWWyXVMhN1YDQEkOtTkjFMQIf82ajYkYJnAHwPg6eIcHcKRiaqOlHrkAtDK2LK2g61A6ai9UpbBT2BefJAvgeE4G-FDeBtZyl_V4rBcCev6F8PFuFrA2S6NM3Opl04NHJ/s400/6-23-12+blueberries+021.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My daughter likes dad's blueberry pie!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-53572830829322245652012-06-14T10:22:00.000-07:002014-03-11T11:00:50.334-07:00Randall's Farm Nature Preserve Grand Opening<a href="http://aspetucklandtrust.org/index.html">Aspetuck Land Trust</a> opened up a new nature preserve in Easton last week! The 34 acre Randall's Farm Nature Preserve donated by Mrs. Henry B. DuPont III of Fairfield includes some of the last great old farm fields in Fairfield County. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1XAnns8Jzcet3obul_MgLvoJwGO1OZIa8kLDRA-oCIws-BAjmjlgEnY6DounxRAuWI0fMnwtR4oWlydaKzfaWsB6pKDx5yFovvXsn1g5KclYbuNbJKubKvYYmZKG6h1EbN4AdhT28Qzt/s1600/P1150243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1XAnns8Jzcet3obul_MgLvoJwGO1OZIa8kLDRA-oCIws-BAjmjlgEnY6DounxRAuWI0fMnwtR4oWlydaKzfaWsB6pKDx5yFovvXsn1g5KclYbuNbJKubKvYYmZKG6h1EbN4AdhT28Qzt/s320/P1150243.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Aspetuck Land Trust executive director David Brant, land donor Joan DuPont, former ALT executive director Bruce LePage and ALT Board President Princie Falkenhagen. </td></tr>
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The new preserve is located on Sport Hill Road (Farmers Row) north of <a href="http://www.sherwoodfarm.org/">Sherwood Farm</a> and <a href="http://www.silvermansfarm.com/">Silverman's Farm</a>, and is adjacent to Gilberties Farm which has a retail store in Westport called <a href="http://www.gilbertiesherbs.com/">Gilberties Herb Gardens</a>. <a href="http://www.sporthillfarm.com/">Sport Hill Farm</a> and <a href="http://www.snowsfarm.com/">Snow's Farm</a> are south of the preserve on Sport Hill Road. This new nature preserve of mostly old hay fields is in good company among Easton's other local farms and highlights Easton's agricultural heritage. If you visit make sure to stop in and purchase locally grown apples and vegetables from Easton's local farmers.<br />
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The local press was on hand for the opening and here is a sampling of the news coverage from the <a href="http://minutemannewscenter.com/articles/2012/06/13/fairfield/news/doc4fd90a27557a3477093514.txt">Fairfield Minuteman</a>, <a href="http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Easton-dairy-farm-serves-new-function-3620289.php">Connecticut Post</a>, <a href="http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/eastoncourier/news/localnews/124071-aspetuck-land-trust-opens-new-34-acre-randalls-farm-nature-preserve-in-easton.html">Easton Courier</a>, and the <a href="http://hamlethub.com/easton-entertainment/cat/places/14532-randalls-farm-preserve-access-your-primal-past-and-unleash-your-dog">Hamlet Hub</a>. News 12 Connecticut stopped by to cover the festivities.<br />
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A map of the Randall's Farm Nature Preserve can be <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/maps/ALT-001-map_randallfarm.pdf">found here</a>. We would like to thank Mrs. DuPont for this generous gift of land that preserves a piece of Easton's rural character and which will remain a permanent fixture of Easton for generations to come.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tf-k2eIQJfoLXcOOMeBKHYr1pS6XasK5sO0VWsOWu92XcaLjuf5iZl9gqVhR6Z3QXnxjY4qGK6EXNKcm9Xdu4vvNFa9thlFHYgaf8mgMThmd2sWcvNo55nboIC2je1aNDxyLH0JJjLvc/s1600/ALT+Randalls+Farm-2012.04.25-3614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tf-k2eIQJfoLXcOOMeBKHYr1pS6XasK5sO0VWsOWu92XcaLjuf5iZl9gqVhR6Z3QXnxjY4qGK6EXNKcm9Xdu4vvNFa9thlFHYgaf8mgMThmd2sWcvNo55nboIC2je1aNDxyLH0JJjLvc/s640/ALT+Randalls+Farm-2012.04.25-3614.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of one of the old farm fields on the 34 acre preserve<br />
Photo by SimplyMaura.com</td></tr>
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<br />David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-80176829355249670002012-05-16T10:48:00.000-07:002012-05-16T10:48:03.373-07:00Nature is Everywhere - even in NYCMy family had a great trip to NYC for our annual birthday celebration for our children Josh and Sydney. The theme of this year's trip was nature. <br />
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We started off by visiting the South Street Seaport Museum where we stumbled upon Manhattan before people! The Mannahatta Project tells the story about what Manhattan looked like when Henry Hudson stumbled upon it in 1609. To learn more about this incredible glimpse into the not so recent past take a look at this clip: <a href="http://www.wcs.org/multimedia/videos/the-mannahatta-project.aspx">http://www.wcs.org/multimedia/videos/the-mannahatta-project.aspx</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0-bMpvPH1MpqzV54ZXizUbe-jrkjeAa1F6pvgHDr7TGel2P0gG7JN6ymP2l2JOKnz9ejb3p-rosO4P_HuQCcIxlOFCK9xlEbjMiTD692iCEgkpV3XjEVYCaB_4fhPau4PjZFapyn3YW0/s1600/090424-01-mannahatta-manhattan-island_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0-bMpvPH1MpqzV54ZXizUbe-jrkjeAa1F6pvgHDr7TGel2P0gG7JN6ymP2l2JOKnz9ejb3p-rosO4P_HuQCcIxlOFCK9xlEbjMiTD692iCEgkpV3XjEVYCaB_4fhPau4PjZFapyn3YW0/s640/090424-01-mannahatta-manhattan-island_big.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manhattan now and as Henry Hudson saw it in 1609</td></tr>
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From there, we went to the new Freedom Tower at Ground Zero and saw the Survivor Tree which is a pear tree that was the only tree to survive after the 911 attacks. It had to be removed and nursed back to<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survivor Tree</td></tr>
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After a nearly sleepless night which is always the case when our twins spend the night on a pull out couch in a hotel room, we woke up the next day and took the subway to Madison Square Park to see a famous elm tree that we had been reading about in a great children's book entitled, The Tree. The book is about New York growing up around this tree which sprouted from a tiny seedpod in the 1700's and still stands. We were there at the perfect time to see seedpods from another elm blowing down with the breeze and I thought back to what it must have been like when that first tiny seedpod drifted down with the wind and took root at this very spot. More on the book can be found <a href="http://treeblog.hansels.net/2011/04/the-tree.html">here</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old and famous Elm in its last days<br /></td></tr>
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We ended the day by walking on the verdant and popular new <a href="http://www.thehighline.org/">High Line Park</a>. What an amazing testament to the power of nature which took root by human design on this old abandoned elevated freight rail line on the West Side of Manhattan. The kids loved it and so did I. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggUKlI3gMeaEYCytMf5OZziE76PEW2NKOsLdLXsbhphT_Zoq9wZuWT-THwhOqugPJ3XyEkdE7-q6j5Lv3LauCRiKgnvSwwn3sko0Tahi7eUXs_tAWig5FK3dCAN7vDTsLVgiJytHGHm8Y/s1600/NYC+Trip+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggUKlI3gMeaEYCytMf5OZziE76PEW2NKOsLdLXsbhphT_Zoq9wZuWT-THwhOqugPJ3XyEkdE7-q6j5Lv3LauCRiKgnvSwwn3sko0Tahi7eUXs_tAWig5FK3dCAN7vDTsLVgiJytHGHm8Y/s400/NYC+Trip+006.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Line Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofX9KfUW6VqdLCyncQOJFNUyrFxYvhcgNurCu_JCgal3KMLZ2G6GaKNz7HiOat38maN1-OnCKrW_UKSdjvmJcjAI42ZTKJxTMlV7TF7Va30s7tjMO5rHR9H4SQookXxiPwUBWbf9RoGR4/s1600/NYC+Trip+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofX9KfUW6VqdLCyncQOJFNUyrFxYvhcgNurCu_JCgal3KMLZ2G6GaKNz7HiOat38maN1-OnCKrW_UKSdjvmJcjAI42ZTKJxTMlV7TF7Va30s7tjMO5rHR9H4SQookXxiPwUBWbf9RoGR4/s400/NYC+Trip+009.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little peanut, Sydney</td></tr>
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So, whether you are in New York City, the Rocky Mountains, Adirondacks, or hiking on one of our nature preserves at <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/">Aspetuck Land Trust</a>, nature will find you. It is resilient and it is fragile. It is inspiring. And it is absolutely essential for our own preservation.<br />
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David<br />
<br />David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-90057328590969494492011-12-08T18:09:00.000-08:002011-12-08T19:52:04.737-08:00Happy Holidays from Aspetuck Land TrustLou Bacchiochi is the manager of <a href="http://ctchristmastree.org/CandH/bacchiocchi.html">Audubon Christmas Tree Farm</a> on Sasco Creek Road in Westport. The farm is beautiful and it smells of fragrant pine. Lou talks about the farm in the video below. Stop in to buy a great locally grown tree!<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3l-7tSE1ALyJxizTGicYRqR5RWRfP2e39seQk2aC7fW5-gvYy13djvM9RJXyUOkbwV-lTiYZXnRlc43io-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-55508728520379459032011-07-28T08:53:00.000-07:002011-07-28T09:37:39.673-07:00Blueberry Picking in Trout Brook Valley PreserveOne of the best things about summer at Aspetuck Land Trust is picking blueberries at our 1,009 acreTrout Brook Valley preserve. We spend alot of time taking care of the 800 blueberry bushes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCobe2x2KME6E6nB5v4JsXtE93bsC9L38mjdsYvwFpSzjmyycR7nD8hGEi3sLas2ySz1JmAI8Ts9PTnVwaPNZulzz4eJ_Rb2DU1MB5wRvnHLFOGxfVhLoKQcui1-3z3qLOqvgriQYZDhBc/s1600/7-28-11+pics+026.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634433205264013074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCobe2x2KME6E6nB5v4JsXtE93bsC9L38mjdsYvwFpSzjmyycR7nD8hGEi3sLas2ySz1JmAI8Ts9PTnVwaPNZulzz4eJ_Rb2DU1MB5wRvnHLFOGxfVhLoKQcui1-3z3qLOqvgriQYZDhBc/s320/7-28-11+pics+026.jpg" /></a>. I hope you will have a chance to hike out and pick some berries this summer.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There is a great story written about the berries at Fairfield Green Food Guide, an excellent local food blog. Find out how to get to the blueberries at this great site.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://fairfieldgreenfoodguide.com/2011/07/11/gone-pickin/">http://fairfieldgreenfoodguide.com/2011/07/11/gone-pickin/</a><br /><br />Last week I was at the blueberry patch and ran into a Aspetuck Land Trust member. I interviewed her and the video is below.<br /><br />You may not know we are member supported private non-profit with 1,000 local members. Please become a member on our website by clicking Support Us)<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzVCH4uyy9ynglzupCZOJ-QHgewiqF1-vocn5dw2DchTH0XeTNRFVRJavMLkqzBxV9P97ZJaGkojt294InYvQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpap-ppqjdFYJeeSyFe_0FEzNmP_vkTU67i2_uxYe3szPISxIFrlW6-H165ZdbfUDOdL3iw8yBEAuxG5AJZ5QlfAVjpS-AeBD-qUFD6AuAUeRolycdEOe9DO5NeO1SMAxU6TWes31R_58/s1600/Blueberry+Picking+2011+003.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634434853533795778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpap-ppqjdFYJeeSyFe_0FEzNmP_vkTU67i2_uxYe3szPISxIFrlW6-H165ZdbfUDOdL3iw8yBEAuxG5AJZ5QlfAVjpS-AeBD-qUFD6AuAUeRolycdEOe9DO5NeO1SMAxU6TWes31R_58/s400/Blueberry+Picking+2011+003.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-35568647894113020152011-06-22T10:13:00.000-07:002014-03-11T12:32:59.694-07:00Replacing a boardwalk at Benjamin Wildflower Preserve in Weston<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqChj9-uIIfbSqWS3gHYqlkCeZyap_Zvbzfr-pnBZtHK3clDn41zg_YiivKgnJvGG6zD6Kw6LEvgciNDrnq8bM8_wU57vAUe3y3YKeXNzw_Z7juzkAttvaZ2FVvQ3Heq8Oymt_aYPsOfeC/s1600/i+phone+pics+003.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqChj9-uIIfbSqWS3gHYqlkCeZyap_Zvbzfr-pnBZtHK3clDn41zg_YiivKgnJvGG6zD6Kw6LEvgciNDrnq8bM8_wU57vAUe3y3YKeXNzw_Z7juzkAttvaZ2FVvQ3Heq8Oymt_aYPsOfeC/s320/i+phone+pics+003.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621104537138638802" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 293px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 281px;" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">We actively maintain and improve our nature preserves like rebuilding this boardwalk at the 4 acre Benjamin Wildflower preserve on Stagecoach Road in Weston (off Kellogg Hill Road). </span><a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/17208" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Click here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> for a map of this nature preserve. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a small but pretty little property that is surrounded by wetlands. It can become quite wet in the spring which is why we have constructed boardwalks to span the wet areas. Stop by if you are in the area.</span> <br />
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<br />David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-40150346320402580352011-05-18T12:31:00.001-07:002011-05-18T13:36:48.839-07:00Operation Garlic Mustard DawnThe Aspetuck Land Trust began its campaign to educate the public about the threat posed by invasive plants in our communities yesterday at the LeGallienne Bird Sanctuary in Weston.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ua35J1NR-lq1NntnP3isDFz-d4Ev1MT3jx6z71sPb80kMhzovNJk8UOSuVUw7bOOKmGL8kvCfOChIrUvsQk8F79iOE8rUp63ANOaoSPThRJvX4nkhBaJyDQJwYVjgp2dsYGg3gLpkTP4/s1600/Legalliene+invasive+removal+5-14-11+004.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608156791451411074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ua35J1NR-lq1NntnP3isDFz-d4Ev1MT3jx6z71sPb80kMhzovNJk8UOSuVUw7bOOKmGL8kvCfOChIrUvsQk8F79iOE8rUp63ANOaoSPThRJvX4nkhBaJyDQJwYVjgp2dsYGg3gLpkTP4/s200/Legalliene+invasive+removal+5-14-11+004.jpg" /></a><br />News 12 covered the event: <a href="http://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=281760&position=1&news_type=news">http://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=281760&position=1&news_type=news</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Our plan is to add information on invasive plant management on our website and organize community education events in partnership with other community groups.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div>I took this video of one of our Trail Stewards flame weeding invasive Japanese Barberry:</div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxND1j12NbnkIGmgtxKButWBoYra1Gwb3oS8aT2v_EhUNNzSJJohCw3VRQjqb4naa1cIkuzbX6IFRSx6Q-5zQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br /><div>Experts all point to studies showing invasive plants are crowding out native species and disrupting native habitats. They say invasive plant species occupy valuable open space real estate as well as homeowner properties and risk the extinction of many endangered species, each a part of the web of interdependency in local habitats. The consequence: fewer birds, fewer butterflies, fewer fragrant flowers on the forest floor. In addition, there are also fewer native shrubs that produce food for our native wildlife.</div><br /><br /><div>Garlic Mustard is only one of many invasive plant species now threatening to choke out the understory of native plant growth in Fairfield County open space areas. Originally imported as a foodstuff to the U.S. in the 19th century it has since grown out of control, according to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. To eradicate it, uprooted plants need to be wrapped tightly in plastic bags so they eventually suffocate and die. Taking garlic mustard to a landfill site only deepens the problem as its seeds can survive for five years in soil.<br /><br />In research conducted at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station another invasive, Japanese Barberry, has been associated with a seven fold increase in Lyme disease carrying deer ticks versus land where that plant is absent. The ticks seek out the moist ground cover from the shade that the barberry provides. Ticks don't like hot, dry conditions. The more barberry, the more ticks!<br /><br />Japanese Barberry was originally imported as an ornamental plant but it has escaped from private gardens and grown out of control. It becomes a dense, spiny shrub that grows two to eight feet high. It is impervious to any pests or predators and quickly forms thick stands that become home for the white footed mouse, a host for the Lyme tick. The white footed mouse is protected by the spiny branches of the Japanese barberry, harboring it from the natural predators, mainly hawks. The ticks are then free to hop a ride on passing deer, humans and other animals.</div><br /><br /><div>Stay Tuned...</div></div>David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-50318974405955352712011-05-16T10:55:00.000-07:002011-07-28T09:38:43.538-07:00Trail Re-Route Project in 1009 acre Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area<p>On May 14, volunteers from the Aspetuck Land Trust and CT Northeast Mountain Biking Assoc. re-routed a section of the Blue trail in the Crow Hill preserve in the 1009 acre Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area. The result is a better trail for mountain bikers and hikers and more protection for wildlife who inhabit the nearby wetlands and vernal pools. Thanks to all for their great work on this project! See the slide show at: <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/23733438">http://www.vimeo.com/23733438</a> </p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8j1KUVlX-unR0E2cuwK0zB8xev7N2Q4WUOPSLYQXTp6JAckW7BNd26H49I41swZKHp7hSzoCR6pwCOBZZRTipbtxHs5rVDFOiihSe-56eilYnU06rGW3068hYQ5VhOKh3DfRiTtk4qmn/s1600/IMG_3016.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 294px; HEIGHT: 353px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607380416154950114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8j1KUVlX-unR0E2cuwK0zB8xev7N2Q4WUOPSLYQXTp6JAckW7BNd26H49I41swZKHp7hSzoCR6pwCOBZZRTipbtxHs5rVDFOiihSe-56eilYnU06rGW3068hYQ5VhOKh3DfRiTtk4qmn/s400/IMG_3016.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><img style="WIDTH: 295px; HEIGHT: 435px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607380631879383858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3tpI6wCQxxo4oOnfX_h8wvkbQ29A51gO2ERZNyDKrTeP8jT5_kgF0e7wwxNOZ0OV93KWF3qDjk4PhKawCBIwiUcigQpdXcRIwlAroZ4JZGJLr_2HJx2KbiiaX6toc6t5NbKI5ftsolKW/s400/IMG_3022.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzG-Ig1hIvM22H3jHMKkPJTeUbB8pi-4HP5LVSbMb74lphaV31LVjOHE8Z3UZsHKjZwsbSpBgt1ka8iTyjV7IeyUNkcL6YwaZwxRL9FdaxgRiByzjnRPNGdf8K_n0E8IPy36m4iVIWpEKT/s1600/IMG_3017.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 290px; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607380527783611826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzG-Ig1hIvM22H3jHMKkPJTeUbB8pi-4HP5LVSbMb74lphaV31LVjOHE8Z3UZsHKjZwsbSpBgt1ka8iTyjV7IeyUNkcL6YwaZwxRL9FdaxgRiByzjnRPNGdf8K_n0E8IPy36m4iVIWpEKT/s400/IMG_3017.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJamhMnPSs0xt4z-QciRejBkK1LMcvivnUKQgRVW2RWjAX_Xhwv3UZPhVLtVnS8qsoX65_50qi7fMr16JgwlfOkYsMC3oClY3FYPmCnWLTNbXuPmJMG8xsQD1_uVnQCv4hQIPi-yVdiOt/s1600/IMG_3036.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 291px; HEIGHT: 357px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607380785548371698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJamhMnPSs0xt4z-QciRejBkK1LMcvivnUKQgRVW2RWjAX_Xhwv3UZPhVLtVnS8qsoX65_50qi7fMr16JgwlfOkYsMC3oClY3FYPmCnWLTNbXuPmJMG8xsQD1_uVnQCv4hQIPi-yVdiOt/s400/IMG_3036.jpg" /></a>David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-34466758527549911692011-05-16T09:40:00.000-07:002011-05-16T12:53:53.247-07:00Huge Tree at Eno Marsh PreserveI stumbled upon this massive tree at our Eno Marsh preserve in Westport. It may be a Tulip tree - hard to tell as the leaves were still emerging to true shape. A preserve map/location is on our website. Click Maps/Westport/Eno Marsh Preserve for directions. The entrance is at the train station parking lot off Saugatuck Ave. Not a pretty entrance, but if you hike in, half way through on left is this great tree. Check out the video I took below. It is worth the short hike in! I am taking my kids to see this tree.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xQjobBlQrI1K1mux3OsewnV1HigpCTW4GOziZ-hVq_wocOBEorAjTlPZkBT9aMuAPWQGmdqB10uEm64rSQLCPoXhncgecuQMqntK19vQhhtusk7BVrTFP9LMBr53nTEXdKi125TIQ3YA/s1600/5-13-11%252C+Oak+Eno+w+clipboard.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 297px; HEIGHT: 333px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607355299579395346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xQjobBlQrI1K1mux3OsewnV1HigpCTW4GOziZ-hVq_wocOBEorAjTlPZkBT9aMuAPWQGmdqB10uEm64rSQLCPoXhncgecuQMqntK19vQhhtusk7BVrTFP9LMBr53nTEXdKi125TIQ3YA/s400/5-13-11%252C+Oak+Eno+w+clipboard.jpg" /></a><br />Put my clipboard on tree for scale<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WhThrxthikrHJmSp1hpy443Fy6CTZH78YQGA51kqlMk0CdIrVFZuIdl-zobKVbZjwVj9Zlha3K0wIJmP_-4zlVEMY8Dds8XrWTzg5wo8VH1MCzFx1NRsWH1NwFBcrQeM7tg2ISdyZ3V3/s1600/5-13-11+004+Oak+at+Eno+Marsh.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607355428391437490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WhThrxthikrHJmSp1hpy443Fy6CTZH78YQGA51kqlMk0CdIrVFZuIdl-zobKVbZjwVj9Zlha3K0wIJmP_-4zlVEMY8Dds8XrWTzg5wo8VH1MCzFx1NRsWH1NwFBcrQeM7tg2ISdyZ3V3/s400/5-13-11+004+Oak+at+Eno+Marsh.jpg" /></a><br />Just like the Georgia O'Keeffe painting, The Lawrence Tree. To see the real painting and a description:<br /><a href="http://www.ljclark.com/seeing/seeing-03.htm">http://www.ljclark.com/seeing/seeing-03.htm</a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx1JeCaFUQPk3U55849EHZS5-Avc2jnLOYlamZT6EAujJZNeyNtABRQ2x27C9yQMO0lrx8tNlfQX7uvUvA9JQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-54395278850473983392011-04-27T09:16:00.000-07:002011-04-27T09:37:43.607-07:00Newman Poses Nature Preserve<p><br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzqmRoZ-kTJcJDxbmRABfhe2779w_Lf3kLNRAkp5LOfttJtKQu2qLrfsIJJTEBh1GCz15DKP9WbeA5qg13SOQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><br /><br /><p>I took this video yesterday at our new 39 Acre Newman Poses nature preserve in Westport. Preserve opens to the public May 1. It is worth a visit. If the parking lot is full park on the old state hwy pulloff at Bayberry and Route 136 and walk across Route 136 about 500 feet north on Bayberry to entrance. Our parking lot only has room for 3 cars. </p><br /><br /><p>See our website for a map and more details. This new preserve is a partnership between the town of Westport and Aspetuck Land Trust!</p><br /><br /><p><br />Enjoy!<br />David exec director, Aspetuck Land Trust</p>David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-81173011884548135542011-03-31T11:44:00.000-07:002011-03-31T11:49:40.553-07:00Blueberry Pruning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFHq01-N49YQJ71_nis2mDxMEjNSmqwDhtfcBo-_EGwN281q2wik83oHAazJN-SHz16Dd-ESLePaEmJXmRORK0guJGFh2l0hVm0NmiGz6_FY-CHKJGKXMB05smMEj3KYDtE06DjY25O7s/s1600/3-31-11+I+phone+024.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590317991282518882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFHq01-N49YQJ71_nis2mDxMEjNSmqwDhtfcBo-_EGwN281q2wik83oHAazJN-SHz16Dd-ESLePaEmJXmRORK0guJGFh2l0hVm0NmiGz6_FY-CHKJGKXMB05smMEj3KYDtE06DjY25O7s/s400/3-31-11+I+phone+024.jpg" /></a> <br /><div></div><br /><p><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwt9YgTSrd_5U4DuP5rxnfceasPol1KTym1OWdxqvX6Pndez4v-T0qOYE6v6SuRMXfxzwb1xSQjlIUzWI0Edg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p>We had a good morning pruning blueberries. We pruned 7 rows. Brisk. Light snow. Nature's last breath of cold air before Spring arrives. </p><br /><p></p>David Branthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17555748865865788429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-41821723781589013122010-07-20T22:24:00.000-07:002010-07-20T22:35:59.411-07:00Short walk, big fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyG-3xpsax4os_emD5ChU0h8OvZjs0VbA7vKyQYHrsYQt8CUEQ8OXeLyyAubAsjr4hwS3tQlyqkIlBWN9VwNzbtU4_V7wbSuOEy0hGY7cgXIfhikoQKZIlkHM5N5zALxciR093CPczVw/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyG-3xpsax4os_emD5ChU0h8OvZjs0VbA7vKyQYHrsYQt8CUEQ8OXeLyyAubAsjr4hwS3tQlyqkIlBWN9VwNzbtU4_V7wbSuOEy0hGY7cgXIfhikoQKZIlkHM5N5zALxciR093CPczVw/s200/DSC_0057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496228969338395442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5hlwqmit70QMoKqd9YJj-Hsh4PAP3x6tB4OaXSzFXieHe_Um8_hGbggzLXmVkXCCu2C2rIFmL3MupyZ2mlk2DRScuzh_9Uh9qbWVUopYMyDKt-INzWIrSsNdzqRnFojI9_nL6yRDykk/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5hlwqmit70QMoKqd9YJj-Hsh4PAP3x6tB4OaXSzFXieHe_Um8_hGbggzLXmVkXCCu2C2rIFmL3MupyZ2mlk2DRScuzh_9Uh9qbWVUopYMyDKt-INzWIrSsNdzqRnFojI9_nL6yRDykk/s200/DSC_0053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496226794587185474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1SuRlEWi7Q-P5buukMCYD92BuapVo_nU_dtOQKwzS3UREqotKu3nuG7-W35qzbGj9HoVUK43n-lLsDv_WN3xqmtp8ujWyXpnC3Gm5nPBH4lknmgBHFc1rLE3VP-HdAwzqPQQYaP1BM0/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1SuRlEWi7Q-P5buukMCYD92BuapVo_nU_dtOQKwzS3UREqotKu3nuG7-W35qzbGj9HoVUK43n-lLsDv_WN3xqmtp8ujWyXpnC3Gm5nPBH4lknmgBHFc1rLE3VP-HdAwzqPQQYaP1BM0/s200/DSC_0040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496226776883735314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9aFmX_6rIHb5anH1r0t-vY_IRWMrlUwz0kU09b4nd9vgbjyd5aA8DcapK9k1-isO_mnHI0ImQKW52SYHjmeHBVY4dnW9N3dD1eSiMVquk-1-7MvbZLvsgeG9ybZCutQUT_JepR58wzg/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9aFmX_6rIHb5anH1r0t-vY_IRWMrlUwz0kU09b4nd9vgbjyd5aA8DcapK9k1-isO_mnHI0ImQKW52SYHjmeHBVY4dnW9N3dD1eSiMVquk-1-7MvbZLvsgeG9ybZCutQUT_JepR58wzg/s200/DSC_0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496226760463345634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhCV96cb7z1PQGERevAdea-uF5eJtodCyCiueUjCyW38uNOzGlLFqQlsg829fsGV8MvCJRiP4NkjwetRWOneykJ6i0QZZuSab-leyKVgJB8ZPfWbl5ub7z8aTh_P9foHwDzbEUKHGFcw/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhCV96cb7z1PQGERevAdea-uF5eJtodCyCiueUjCyW38uNOzGlLFqQlsg829fsGV8MvCJRiP4NkjwetRWOneykJ6i0QZZuSab-leyKVgJB8ZPfWbl5ub7z8aTh_P9foHwDzbEUKHGFcw/s200/DSC_0018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496226740968181650" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeI1Xa28ZsSZuqBnPK32QjBhRB-k5l0BcmaPjuEkh7tcXrHuc8zTf3xSJUeRFuE630-nkEUTZel6wnlsmduBe-ma9VMyAf-bACbdYy2a5aZwWvFOaN8sNvbQ8Pdv3Ik7MOOl4VqjqXP8/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeI1Xa28ZsSZuqBnPK32QjBhRB-k5l0BcmaPjuEkh7tcXrHuc8zTf3xSJUeRFuE630-nkEUTZel6wnlsmduBe-ma9VMyAf-bACbdYy2a5aZwWvFOaN8sNvbQ8Pdv3Ik7MOOl4VqjqXP8/s160/DSC_0099.JPG" border="0" /></a> Our first "Short Walks for Short People" took place last Saturday, July 17, at the Schine Preserve/Natural Playground. We had a large group of kids and grownups who met some trees, watched butterflies, and collected treasures on the short walk to the playground. At the playground, the kids had a great time exploring - some kids for the first time, and some (like my children) were repeat visitors. The playground has changed even since the last time I was there in June. The teepee has been added to and the elvin village has new props (moss mattress). It's great to see how playful spirits and nature lovers, young and old, can be creative when given the materials and freedom to do so. I watched the sorting table be both a scientific exploration table, a grocery store, and a light saber battleground in just a few minutes.<br /><br />Many thanks to Karin Slayton who brought her guitar and recycled instruments to the playspace, and was both entertaining and inspiring. The kids had fun singing/playing and I am excited to make my own bottlecap shaker.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnpxcff8ZNz6nu_FwJyDbOGYH8js7_MCkqBRap3f9jB_FALGHoUBxW_rqL636wBmpsZac7AGrRmw8hoiji94C3mog-YlK8ThhoF0BgRAtBcBcmgUxamVqPhmxZ0CZxGwlPepuzsudfHw/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnpxcff8ZNz6nu_FwJyDbOGYH8js7_MCkqBRap3f9jB_FALGHoUBxW_rqL636wBmpsZac7AGrRmw8hoiji94C3mog-YlK8ThhoF0BgRAtBcBcmgUxamVqPhmxZ0CZxGwlPepuzsudfHw/s160/DSC_0017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWUMsz7e978TGg_UwCbglYBKcoaGhcq_FChzelMyVDm8u8Jh3PQGC8Z8wEK_wkC8TZ-XhLmExW9vnQvQ_BBVeRSXqob7JbEls6lbrv1ZkaDGTbeG7x58W7SB8k69hRUaP0w7lk6Rx2ys/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWUMsz7e978TGg_UwCbglYBKcoaGhcq_FChzelMyVDm8u8Jh3PQGC8Z8wEK_wkC8TZ-XhLmExW9vnQvQ_BBVeRSXqob7JbEls6lbrv1ZkaDGTbeG7x58W7SB8k69hRUaP0w7lk6Rx2ys/s160/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none; padding: 0px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952805141657678377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-15990942406348385652010-07-07T20:07:00.000-07:002010-07-07T20:11:53.302-07:00Blueberries by the people, for the people<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdKYGAuLhQhvcvtxV6yfjL3C1aOlUViR07LQSdehk7TXrv50aWJAKMEfbG_Ui9Bw14U8lTOsRy2J8BzGz4OaFHCxvGg4W3JpfkLEMuQ9s5Cx-laQYnKLVFeMeIGKMYD5WzMDKDZjDqDk/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdKYGAuLhQhvcvtxV6yfjL3C1aOlUViR07LQSdehk7TXrv50aWJAKMEfbG_Ui9Bw14U8lTOsRy2J8BzGz4OaFHCxvGg4W3JpfkLEMuQ9s5Cx-laQYnKLVFeMeIGKMYD5WzMDKDZjDqDk/s200/DSC_0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491367567223211250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJRYRrqvrIUtq14NyDe4A9WnVvyKBGfC2u59UptZeV3bQujwSVKt6-a_KhyphenhyphenEpnQGSX6TE9Li2e-jNzigWN2HWkw8QqdOuY_sMJQaTKc8fLwpfq9YTVrUEawvUf0A4s2B1naHtPiVFjhE/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJRYRrqvrIUtq14NyDe4A9WnVvyKBGfC2u59UptZeV3bQujwSVKt6-a_KhyphenhyphenEpnQGSX6TE9Li2e-jNzigWN2HWkw8QqdOuY_sMJQaTKc8fLwpfq9YTVrUEawvUf0A4s2B1naHtPiVFjhE/s200/DSC_0056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491367566066725506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JflGG9BTMd45A7Map7RWZ6Xl0Y6RZ9ytFKQKNk9OSyB39jUCLuqGZO7U294eDJEnC3mEr55AnSPsZzFGK5KFhU1AKZheb9jUiu1w46W3yMvmTCCzN8czAh4GPJkevMC3Z05icmIDK1s/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JflGG9BTMd45A7Map7RWZ6Xl0Y6RZ9ytFKQKNk9OSyB39jUCLuqGZO7U294eDJEnC3mEr55AnSPsZzFGK5KFhU1AKZheb9jUiu1w46W3yMvmTCCzN8czAh4GPJkevMC3Z05icmIDK1s/s200/DSC_0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491367554177430514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0upkZRJCToOCFioDDQKvkiOaTaqy9KnzY2Hv9Hl9iEfdsKraUOadyN0gGGFLFTdr3M1DCCBMW_hyphenhyphenaBCjgkRTNJ_nVok_KwDmp8u50X7UynX3jGbZ1WscT4X5_JY477EJJFUcJlQExgIM/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0upkZRJCToOCFioDDQKvkiOaTaqy9KnzY2Hv9Hl9iEfdsKraUOadyN0gGGFLFTdr3M1DCCBMW_hyphenhyphenaBCjgkRTNJ_nVok_KwDmp8u50X7UynX3jGbZ1WscT4X5_JY477EJJFUcJlQExgIM/s200/DSC_0032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491367545604057442" border="0" /></a><br />Last week I attended a blueberry picking session with other ALT volunteers who help prune the blueberry bushes in the Spring. It was beautiful weather and the berries were plentiful (although don't worry, there were plenty of unripe ones that are waiting for you to hike in and get them). People of all ages, from 2 and up, were there with buckets, baskets and open mouths to harvest berries. I came with 2 helpers, my 5 year old and 4 year old, and we treated ourselves to blueberry pancakes for dinner, blueberry jam for breakfast, and blueberry snacks all weekend. Stash just ran out today. Time for a Trout Brook Valley hike! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkUv3TQwvpdOawd3-rt9GxXKgv1wZS1K3zdSNGc5sB-VSVhjp-H_m2TDKyBjp8iosQHc3nGfUsgy2VQCbgIKzwsUgtKQ-RDxARxbnUzpqSxHT3Ju4MnCi_nwQ-AzjIe7fAwxvDX7UIsM/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkUv3TQwvpdOawd3-rt9GxXKgv1wZS1K3zdSNGc5sB-VSVhjp-H_m2TDKyBjp8iosQHc3nGfUsgy2VQCbgIKzwsUgtKQ-RDxARxbnUzpqSxHT3Ju4MnCi_nwQ-AzjIe7fAwxvDX7UIsM/s160/DSC_0019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj1lYk1_zbdnJ_UK1Sa9FyYgAjfOEFvXU40Y0cc05kAUXyT2k1CjjZ7X3YqGrdShjjtWv4FrZ9ulwPW0eG-AbQCDa52nsjwDngj9sOqFq2CtqgIisBdoWT0WuiZ_xpGS_E8D7eD_himo/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj1lYk1_zbdnJ_UK1Sa9FyYgAjfOEFvXU40Y0cc05kAUXyT2k1CjjZ7X3YqGrdShjjtWv4FrZ9ulwPW0eG-AbQCDa52nsjwDngj9sOqFq2CtqgIisBdoWT0WuiZ_xpGS_E8D7eD_himo/s160/DSC_0026.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJoGKwAXLnk5d-3OpAUheUX8edzzml5vikiI2G2hSIyvRd0rMosaBiXxBcrQSGXluIfDdTf4jleoGqTrRBV6YCGKfEik6HQIFoi8kNT0nsIFK7ceHr8yKDzx4Ae0xJasRH8WzqZaFXqY/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJoGKwAXLnk5d-3OpAUheUX8edzzml5vikiI2G2hSIyvRd0rMosaBiXxBcrQSGXluIfDdTf4jleoGqTrRBV6YCGKfEik6HQIFoi8kNT0nsIFK7ceHr8yKDzx4Ae0xJasRH8WzqZaFXqY/s160/DSC_0027.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc36scvamykoTO7VQxL1NOC1A2RmWIFoXJB8hfasd24cjU1w98pc1xrjJYcoJTarl30msKKnyeco8QyVSG53nd0qW2tH2jRMIN2BXjV3VZPTl6NJmEXQL5fPzXq95jFJ0BuhNq_pd2V8/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc36scvamykoTO7VQxL1NOC1A2RmWIFoXJB8hfasd24cjU1w98pc1xrjJYcoJTarl30msKKnyeco8QyVSG53nd0qW2tH2jRMIN2BXjV3VZPTl6NJmEXQL5fPzXq95jFJ0BuhNq_pd2V8/s160/DSC_0028.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none; padding: 0px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952805141657678377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-83492536069483288562010-06-23T21:26:00.000-07:002010-06-23T21:30:11.368-07:00Schine Playground for childrenGreat video by Nancy Moon!<div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyTKJDXsC-ANiHg0dV41H5RU4XwsY39-3fbFjSd-KLJNmm-wjBY2uqbvkToiEHPR4316sjq7hdMJjHTCsYufg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Chris Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14364090237915891343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-44894743688056992522010-06-12T20:16:00.000-07:002010-06-12T20:28:47.054-07:00Schine Playspace: Opening Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicglzg-G4lV8bp91xLH1jvTNrlMpdlUswcb0xt4WuVCQbAJ9V4EAxt2OjmTNq6S5kH_eYUMmjeVHuSOdWevCMKAxc-DY5nJ0au_fqOJt42YuUZJyYkrvqYPuV5R19ZDWFyUZDZHH1ywBs/s1600/DSC00251.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicglzg-G4lV8bp91xLH1jvTNrlMpdlUswcb0xt4WuVCQbAJ9V4EAxt2OjmTNq6S5kH_eYUMmjeVHuSOdWevCMKAxc-DY5nJ0au_fqOJt42YuUZJyYkrvqYPuV5R19ZDWFyUZDZHH1ywBs/s320/DSC00251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482094595390846034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW1EwjbFCBHEcd7YesqFT21Py2uAEJhGTLfddq6iGKx_-YxNxT5MRZWBPYIg-Lzjax_BaTZXGW0hOFs_xFKfr91RdKfyjHdWPr4ys-W1gcP8BenHk_6HcwFe7v5wAV8zzyFZhfAyiYDg/s1600/DSC00250.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW1EwjbFCBHEcd7YesqFT21Py2uAEJhGTLfddq6iGKx_-YxNxT5MRZWBPYIg-Lzjax_BaTZXGW0hOFs_xFKfr91RdKfyjHdWPr4ys-W1gcP8BenHk_6HcwFe7v5wAV8zzyFZhfAyiYDg/s320/DSC00250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482094589429377746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8OgSJsJD19LBP6ODQ_sT-Z2TeyEQ6gnQwhXGvWvzEimN6oh_XbhMZjYeHNyaHshdnphb746T43HAdMuI1hdyxe9RawMhpHr4QncHuHZyxiLhvbJCZ579J2AUissdAboDVWlHyQheC0A/s1600/DSC00213+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8OgSJsJD19LBP6ODQ_sT-Z2TeyEQ6gnQwhXGvWvzEimN6oh_XbhMZjYeHNyaHshdnphb746T43HAdMuI1hdyxe9RawMhpHr4QncHuHZyxiLhvbJCZ579J2AUissdAboDVWlHyQheC0A/s320/DSC00213+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482094574491924386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QTupoEHWkSybL4FRJHnRFyfFERzF1FDPGTS99A2tvOvn9jygmXLaHx2JGmeGPvnlPwqFvUyYK78WUZEoicgKIn5CJJ1TAB_rWOX2GyEjlB6ICBLK_zJbEDNU7JnKuEolxkf8HSVFcjU/s1600/DSC00200.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QTupoEHWkSybL4FRJHnRFyfFERzF1FDPGTS99A2tvOvn9jygmXLaHx2JGmeGPvnlPwqFvUyYK78WUZEoicgKIn5CJJ1TAB_rWOX2GyEjlB6ICBLK_zJbEDNU7JnKuEolxkf8HSVFcjU/s320/DSC00200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482094562439461202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2wvW8kFHCyfyj1mxmaz58qWZWWO-SVDLdI_L-5zZY5FAyNYKABKjdsldQF6MBtFlwW5equM1g9OuBw25aGmCFW5X9hr49LvwQhuVK2S0xcUj57wNCbGukzQIkKQqhrsCEK2A42sfNjY/s1600/DSC00170+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2wvW8kFHCyfyj1mxmaz58qWZWWO-SVDLdI_L-5zZY5FAyNYKABKjdsldQF6MBtFlwW5equM1g9OuBw25aGmCFW5X9hr49LvwQhuVK2S0xcUj57wNCbGukzQIkKQqhrsCEK2A42sfNjY/s320/DSC00170+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482094547600511554" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzEKE62dr-0L6KE_2miFegpp-ZbgUUKJTAgG2zsakKE2mEbtNpDPctsE6rhU1nTCAFxHALE6I6UVAZ6V8bw-2iHde_NGR9pKQhVDYoE5sG9nUDhoYdxMnMu4Ar09YKF8Bae1s9MAuHow/s1600/DSC00245.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzEKE62dr-0L6KE_2miFegpp-ZbgUUKJTAgG2zsakKE2mEbtNpDPctsE6rhU1nTCAFxHALE6I6UVAZ6V8bw-2iHde_NGR9pKQhVDYoE5sG9nUDhoYdxMnMu4Ar09YKF8Bae1s9MAuHow/s320/DSC00245.JPG" border="0" /></a>Just before 10 o clock this morning, a small group of volunteers waited at the Natural Playspace. We had snacks and drinks. We had bug boxes. We had made a last minute push to complete some play areas, including the Elvin Village, Tea Party, and Sorting Table. I was a little nervous - I knew that my kids and the kids of other volunteers loved the playspace, but would others come? And would they love it too?<br /><br />At 10 AM, Abi (age 4) and her dad walked up the purple trail. She was a little nervous too - she wanted her dad to come up in the tower with her. But soon she was exploring, and smiling, and serving her dad a pretend breakfast, and examining the elves with her magnifying glass. And it was a blast to watch so many kids of all ages (including members of the Schine family) exploring and playing with nature. We had kids growling from the bear's den, giving the elves a ride in the basket, gathering materials for our play areas, going on a family hike, and sending down rocks 2 at a time into the rock pit. <br /><br />Thanks to everyone who came to our opening, to all the volunteers who helped make it happen, and to the rain for holding out until noon! <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHMARTlfGEYfnEsBG2XVt15q7-35RIMyihF-MypKlQxAxNheMiYBAu3upEkyAa7y5UXhpvCSqRyBWoTzaduYj43lbjZyNQtOHVmmlcuPUZq9bBKGqM8HhHYXAi8YBub_DnWu4vS8acCM/s1600/DSC00252.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHMARTlfGEYfnEsBG2XVt15q7-35RIMyihF-MypKlQxAxNheMiYBAu3upEkyAa7y5UXhpvCSqRyBWoTzaduYj43lbjZyNQtOHVmmlcuPUZq9bBKGqM8HhHYXAi8YBub_DnWu4vS8acCM/s320/DSC00252.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Foi4teBMDifuXeZVFltyWlHbzNq9LjSNQhKJcwd5mi2LkeRd6U_n8l1Dfgy69V3OLdJ3Bhy4YyS_DgCjR-71WNfFTbGcMTyV04Cz8W0tVNMRV84tpLUgOgHiQjH2yFHNgVo5Z1L8BT0/s1600/DSC00232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Foi4teBMDifuXeZVFltyWlHbzNq9LjSNQhKJcwd5mi2LkeRd6U_n8l1Dfgy69V3OLdJ3Bhy4YyS_DgCjR-71WNfFTbGcMTyV04Cz8W0tVNMRV84tpLUgOgHiQjH2yFHNgVo5Z1L8BT0/s320/DSC00232.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovrV_BDbPTZ-50njoDJ5SUt4cco0X52aHXS1ebrglQcyKl5ZKGfG2cLeR_hvixHjsCamOTXXVQMVvfBtb7Pjkh_gw6A8ep6R5xbArX3Y0Oq5PP79zt4XnmUyjasxmNph32m52y1IoqV0/s1600/DSC00185.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovrV_BDbPTZ-50njoDJ5SUt4cco0X52aHXS1ebrglQcyKl5ZKGfG2cLeR_hvixHjsCamOTXXVQMVvfBtb7Pjkh_gw6A8ep6R5xbArX3Y0Oq5PP79zt4XnmUyjasxmNph32m52y1IoqV0/s320/DSC00185.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none; padding: 0px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952805141657678377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-4402207474231243082010-06-05T20:45:00.000-07:002010-06-05T20:54:32.160-07:00Schine Natural Playspace: It Takes a Village<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4EPgmslWrAJlkOPRodS0b6Yvh8Je09d7UD5gJ7ufAapvxnOmFi2m1Zp23Ldz0hJfk5VGwdZSDSipDVHbuR8vg_mHJecBjMo7RNgNmOPd-YIPqnNYW5wld0Xq6tKFT2BB5WKv4LBFzpA/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4EPgmslWrAJlkOPRodS0b6Yvh8Je09d7UD5gJ7ufAapvxnOmFi2m1Zp23Ldz0hJfk5VGwdZSDSipDVHbuR8vg_mHJecBjMo7RNgNmOPd-YIPqnNYW5wld0Xq6tKFT2BB5WKv4LBFzpA/s200/DSC_0108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479503556858220050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Pu_M1nCxbtTTpifmV6TB8_1n4cayYhpbxDMKJ-wxDNs5u0pz3MaqvdDn7_zCT8bQIDztKMPWFL96AzzNLa1aiyTiV-aEL7wLwbE0u49G_rWwE04RjTDi7THAmQ9WytEk7Pq-CT-k9Fg/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Pu_M1nCxbtTTpifmV6TB8_1n4cayYhpbxDMKJ-wxDNs5u0pz3MaqvdDn7_zCT8bQIDztKMPWFL96AzzNLa1aiyTiV-aEL7wLwbE0u49G_rWwE04RjTDi7THAmQ9WytEk7Pq-CT-k9Fg/s200/DSC_0095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479503551204136418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ66UiVuWDzOKptZDr2WYuvHYerMu7jYOW7YfF3b8qi4eMMB2sWuWm6PjZZbbUypR4SUoZk01BlD4a8skV6eMbSHccSoJ8AERuGW9jlFglsNArOnjZyv9uKty7sFlLj-5rNSHCaw2IPI/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ66UiVuWDzOKptZDr2WYuvHYerMu7jYOW7YfF3b8qi4eMMB2sWuWm6PjZZbbUypR4SUoZk01BlD4a8skV6eMbSHccSoJ8AERuGW9jlFglsNArOnjZyv9uKty7sFlLj-5rNSHCaw2IPI/s200/DSC_0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479503547917257234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee16AtWFjT9ENgBvllmRfGwCo0Ydwi03CADhUdCPOK75oOD5wobRMz0Vh1MaW3cYZC8LIdcFkA9dsDPT5cX_G1YH2CJwjrczjqJpqLfF9NnKKsZ1NedIBdaFcNRtEvfZLfs2YH_d2DI4/s1600/DSC_0058+-+copy.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee16AtWFjT9ENgBvllmRfGwCo0Ydwi03CADhUdCPOK75oOD5wobRMz0Vh1MaW3cYZC8LIdcFkA9dsDPT5cX_G1YH2CJwjrczjqJpqLfF9NnKKsZ1NedIBdaFcNRtEvfZLfs2YH_d2DI4/s200/DSC_0058+-+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479503536888800626" border="0" /></a><br />We had another build session on Friday, where a great group of people came to put some finishing touches on existing structures (tower, rockpit, bear's den) and build some new ones (teepee, stick stack, tea party table, sorting table). I am amazed at the huge amount of time people have generously given to this project. I was there with my family for a few hours and it is about the best possible volunteering project you could ask for - outside in the beautiful weather, in a peaceful/lovely setting, doing interesting/creative work with found materials, and then getting the immediate payoff of watching couple of kids having a blast. It's hard work but fun!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D-NjE_ZONqjpgHj0aNmnbFmF_zx5-goxuIAJM0fXBxt2pDFSbvjGhReMNITPTd12-J-HMkABCepQU_s1YwEKlEij8OGrj4LrQUZc8_Nf4ii7_CKnBmdo4DqhQYam-ueMuwaXoVYApJk/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D-NjE_ZONqjpgHj0aNmnbFmF_zx5-goxuIAJM0fXBxt2pDFSbvjGhReMNITPTd12-J-HMkABCepQU_s1YwEKlEij8OGrj4LrQUZc8_Nf4ii7_CKnBmdo4DqhQYam-ueMuwaXoVYApJk/s160/DSC_0043.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0g-FGK6_yW2dogx38UP0Bd-X2NKN-VcD4sBGlKGsX_II-yxMPKH_vVNnRydwR4ToXfxfjTKH7nSBgVcYBM_CjtNpoPAekif74LdAd_y-Oq63BGdQmJ7Gswekmkx4upFKEUCDT8wWypE/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0g-FGK6_yW2dogx38UP0Bd-X2NKN-VcD4sBGlKGsX_II-yxMPKH_vVNnRydwR4ToXfxfjTKH7nSBgVcYBM_CjtNpoPAekif74LdAd_y-Oq63BGdQmJ7Gswekmkx4upFKEUCDT8wWypE/s160/DSC_0069.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vYmBo2aZtQj_CA8wv0dtS5DK4y90mJgt41EmKOefPiATtOOh-KLSQO7Pek_kaYpsvrSlV4l1NUgz7CY02RtlGp5UPLi3iDAI2DrB6SMQyvjfGDRH2f-5DoOP02jWSoh_2Tfbus2ukXo/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vYmBo2aZtQj_CA8wv0dtS5DK4y90mJgt41EmKOefPiATtOOh-KLSQO7Pek_kaYpsvrSlV4l1NUgz7CY02RtlGp5UPLi3iDAI2DrB6SMQyvjfGDRH2f-5DoOP02jWSoh_2Tfbus2ukXo/s160/DSC_0034.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0YdZz8eTWMCBhT6ORRm021VT8wf76MxvJvnubCG3XG38PDVAZWsIRjbUfXjzdzYVOD2qcOfqt2VUvR2wGlN9UgyU7qhp4cqfRrhyphenhypheneYwvvvLRPNx6I07yxorKtICMNVi8lLDbB7iUJE4/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0YdZz8eTWMCBhT6ORRm021VT8wf76MxvJvnubCG3XG38PDVAZWsIRjbUfXjzdzYVOD2qcOfqt2VUvR2wGlN9UgyU7qhp4cqfRrhyphenhypheneYwvvvLRPNx6I07yxorKtICMNVi8lLDbB7iUJE4/s160/DSC_0075.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none; padding: 0px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952805141657678377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-11130262597002410692010-05-27T19:13:00.000-07:002010-05-27T19:32:40.044-07:00Natural Playspace: Test Drive by Target Audience<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbgVsF5zr33mTD9GTxmW2Ft8yGo32JxgMcsQ2rc6nRE1eexkapARbrsMSM-uaw8Rnymd_ELTjB2H4eOXEh0FsJ0xuMwiU1cxfGO3EkZE6H8godukOq_8Fc6yPY0I9VKafVvrt9bB9cLQ/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbgVsF5zr33mTD9GTxmW2Ft8yGo32JxgMcsQ2rc6nRE1eexkapARbrsMSM-uaw8Rnymd_ELTjB2H4eOXEh0FsJ0xuMwiU1cxfGO3EkZE6H8godukOq_8Fc6yPY0I9VKafVvrt9bB9cLQ/s200/DSC_0123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476143080310814930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZGxyNjjPyEBpRnYMSM7_ZfUUHYXx7YEd2ofTZ-Gwat7RiDwn-Vq7lfOd-8ygP4y9HJQqDy8itQ1ZeUeYPVlTTNktaMNAEfboC_rNMXoKabgQNdUHhDdSoyqLm688g6YrTNlS0JfUepE/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZGxyNjjPyEBpRnYMSM7_ZfUUHYXx7YEd2ofTZ-Gwat7RiDwn-Vq7lfOd-8ygP4y9HJQqDy8itQ1ZeUeYPVlTTNktaMNAEfboC_rNMXoKabgQNdUHhDdSoyqLm688g6YrTNlS0JfUepE/s200/DSC_0091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476143068050745666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObD27eaWaMdOnB8LGcOKqsNk8pddjM0946q82Z9kx9qhjO8OHandPuJFKQwmY3AVhFWvmZcvc1YpqH6gnv1HdmvDM3wnrF-xLshGNxVPKX4vrsORFbLww6gtKHl_1RJawlF3WrWBqaIY/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObD27eaWaMdOnB8LGcOKqsNk8pddjM0946q82Z9kx9qhjO8OHandPuJFKQwmY3AVhFWvmZcvc1YpqH6gnv1HdmvDM3wnrF-xLshGNxVPKX4vrsORFbLww6gtKHl_1RJawlF3WrWBqaIY/s200/DSC_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476138926370668498" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm1HBFqf9vZBZTcmtysyhyNnwi1wvAEsUQibfNQ9QaacoTaXYY2wf9zEUKOQCbJAMHv53ae3kCnyAFvqUPzcZ39v_jY5IelmtdeP86Cl5RI4JQDaVPiSLSn37TGyZFwdSnlpEMrNfGkc/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm1HBFqf9vZBZTcmtysyhyNnwi1wvAEsUQibfNQ9QaacoTaXYY2wf9zEUKOQCbJAMHv53ae3kCnyAFvqUPzcZ39v_jY5IelmtdeP86Cl5RI4JQDaVPiSLSn37TGyZFwdSnlpEMrNfGkc/s160/DSC_0028.JPG" alt="" style="clear: both; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKzVyRlh6EkKXqP8a-yOZWK6qpSGSJVM_sxUNDh9r7v6kKZZSTtt4MTG3qUOBuA4gU3LriXrrFmrwglpOXwpADeqsr4r1MbQOqKu7qYRZ-GNYlyLltMhTkc8xz8pEOBxQMjZ6AABlRjs/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKzVyRlh6EkKXqP8a-yOZWK6qpSGSJVM_sxUNDh9r7v6kKZZSTtt4MTG3qUOBuA4gU3LriXrrFmrwglpOXwpADeqsr4r1MbQOqKu7qYRZ-GNYlyLltMhTkc8xz8pEOBxQMjZ6AABlRjs/s200/DSC_0031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476138929343675714" border="0" /></a>Today my 3 year old son and I went to the Natural Playspace to check on the progress and test drive the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-cdI6_669jqzzCCTAR5mY1zBEsJiM7DJ5TiK6Ilgja12QooDRs0EQ9w8uOg-UA9mPgDnwNWNWxwhR7FMSsDnFNUlCWVTl1_P8eCYpELzVEWQrLS2BmFAR1_4Xoqi-cAaeACgEFO8I5A/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-cdI6_669jqzzCCTAR5mY1zBEsJiM7DJ5TiK6Ilgja12QooDRs0EQ9w8uOg-UA9mPgDnwNWNWxwhR7FMSsDnFNUlCWVTl1_P8eCYpELzVEWQrLS2BmFAR1_4Xoqi-cAaeACgEFO8I5A/s200/DSC_0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476138938840127282" border="0" /></a>play areas. As you can see from the first picture, he was very excited to be hiking down the trail - the new trail markers at kid height are perfect. When we got there, I was the more excited one. It's so wonderful to be able to see something go from an idea to a plan on paper to reality (with the help of many many volunteers).<br /><br />The highlight for my son was the rock pit - he loved rolling different sized rocks down the chute. We also climbed the tower and hung out in the bear's den. Most importantly, we had some fun outside time, where he got to march around and collect sticks, find a bird feather, and chase butterflies. Its such a beautiful, cozy setting with so much to see and explore. I can't wait to share it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZA6p6098FP4vtAfS0pRioz_tylpEK7jBNZPaMKBJVUn0VuXvXJgKCcrWNZjdVG_5qmGNNjdB9OtZ3WKsxHe90klVnY_DzHyHQovl3ly2Hk8nVRt5hvzoDGo9MIpMDV5LXxxexYuBfsY/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZA6p6098FP4vtAfS0pRioz_tylpEK7jBNZPaMKBJVUn0VuXvXJgKCcrWNZjdVG_5qmGNNjdB9OtZ3WKsxHe90klVnY_DzHyHQovl3ly2Hk8nVRt5hvzoDGo9MIpMDV5LXxxexYuBfsY/s160/DSC_0048.JPG" alt="" style="clear: both; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Many, many, many thanks to all who have worked (and are still working) on this project.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZA6p6098FP4vtAfS0pRioz_tylpEK7jBNZPaMKBJVUn0VuXvXJgKCcrWNZjdVG_5qmGNNjdB9OtZ3WKsxHe90klVnY_DzHyHQovl3ly2Hk8nVRt5hvzoDGo9MIpMDV5LXxxexYuBfsY/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG"></a> <div style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none; padding: 0px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952805141657678377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-90685265795766562692010-05-19T20:18:00.000-07:002010-05-21T11:51:04.116-07:00Natural Playground Build Session - May 22<div style="text-align: right;clear: both; "><br /><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td height="30" colspan="3"><div style="text-align: left;">This Saturday, May 22, from 9am to noon, is our make-up construction day to complete the building of the natural playground. It should be a beautiful day - perfect for being in the woods and making a cool playspace for kids<br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Check out the <a href="http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/maps/ALT-001-map_schine.pdf">updated Schine Arboretum map </a>to see where the playground will be and the new trail that will take you there.<br /></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="30%"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUPQOk2rZGTPYtg2ji8fChbm5aQE1UPgkR2FWJAUlM1TEtIiORGDVU8RbpcTaBIti8dOhzTwzbSezj53nowDS8_WMM7WAAZHGrYDO7eBMmTv7PsILOu6uPX0fPIvabjG-ZOuM76msW_k/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG"><img style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; float: right; clear: both; " border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUPQOk2rZGTPYtg2ji8fChbm5aQE1UPgkR2FWJAUlM1TEtIiORGDVU8RbpcTaBIti8dOhzTwzbSezj53nowDS8_WMM7WAAZHGrYDO7eBMmTv7PsILOu6uPX0fPIvabjG-ZOuM76msW_k/s160/DSC_0108.JPG" /></a></td> <td width="30%"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPiho3xGsNGBtl5YpVqwYZbIhVoQPefEmHIKcH38A8a8K_RcIS7q0R0XTKSwm7JLY-Mba83tRadnON18uW-vQwmc2q1ngt3lRAcZRI8R4LytosdKrwOYrXsoLImbNtRKRTtWx5VIpYfI/s1600/DSC_0162.JPG"><img style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; float: right; clear: both; " border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPiho3xGsNGBtl5YpVqwYZbIhVoQPefEmHIKcH38A8a8K_RcIS7q0R0XTKSwm7JLY-Mba83tRadnON18uW-vQwmc2q1ngt3lRAcZRI8R4LytosdKrwOYrXsoLImbNtRKRTtWx5VIpYfI/s160/DSC_0162.JPG" /></a></td> <td width="30%"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhxzV9cNn0nU-wDU7aDn_QFTRTGxTD_9JUyiseRFjULcp8Mj9IjOD4phytJD3v7OAbUc9Nh-cfKgOWsTH_mCMRIIjwNJiMJz8PTgiCy2v5ZEtFvLEoHrxk-HrlrvUxeuVc0qn9f8-TbQ/s1600/DSC_0189.JPG"><img style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; float: right; clear: both; " border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhxzV9cNn0nU-wDU7aDn_QFTRTGxTD_9JUyiseRFjULcp8Mj9IjOD4phytJD3v7OAbUc9Nh-cfKgOWsTH_mCMRIIjwNJiMJz8PTgiCy2v5ZEtFvLEoHrxk-HrlrvUxeuVc0qn9f8-TbQ/s160/DSC_0189.JPG" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952805141657678377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2562879742866791563.post-12163232282108658252010-05-06T19:01:00.000-07:002010-05-06T21:32:17.718-07:00Natural Playground - Taking Shape!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_4cuelYq5hEYfpRKgktpXgSwdtyG2jT1iRjXgPI0PpWGcX53oYN7CHM7jpAXwn5T_cTeDhsc08HMcyGwbKfGWS7iDRMn_D5KtvXtXEh02wvvOma65hDr06Kosjj3-cKG8IZWqTpf4MY/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_4cuelYq5hEYfpRKgktpXgSwdtyG2jT1iRjXgPI0PpWGcX53oYN7CHM7jpAXwn5T_cTeDhsc08HMcyGwbKfGWS7iDRMn_D5KtvXtXEh02wvvOma65hDr06Kosjj3-cKG8IZWqTpf4MY/s200/DSC_0132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468377975104645986" border="0" /></a><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSFN1Zy2tWoidx81sG9ESTQzw2Cg6Wduj27JYpsCrpRJxsnFwIep0u7703VIJfUosQE0n59yO7OoJK6-BY2fubbYG1orZevGsIY6dqGsUxtjHPwKEKpQUFVc2VzOKwD05z7r3o-2GmDI/s200/DSC_0168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468377979606150018" border="0" />It was a beautiful May Day and a large group of volunteers, young and old, gathered at Schine to begin construction on the Natural Playground. We made a lot of progress on the Rock Pit, the Tower, and one of the 2 Entrances. We also did a lot of area cleanup. The kids had a lot of fun helping - they loved trying out the adult tools but also gathered rocks/sticks for the rock pit and planted some flowers. The kids also had fun exploring the area - we found worms, salamanders, and great places to climb. It is a lovely clearing - just the right size for little people with short legs and curious minds.<br /><br />The next group meets this Saturday, May 8. We will be finishing up the Tower and Rock Pit, and beginning construction on our other play areas (Bear's Den, Stick Stack, and 2nd Entrance). Let's hope for decent weather!<br /><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IkO18xmF2N5J_CbTqNjWam0kCcCf-Mbd4K1DzA8VcCINoS0Yl1v3VGCtdQ1wCM1yC1YraW-qU5o1R957Esso5VEqx8uKqsHuZPzUZeZCxBLS1haKTFaFRVZAK5H6gJ6AE9r1H_hyphenhyphen1tA/s200/DSC_0109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468377967643413506" border="0" /><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdQHuEBqZrqYDld8ZS9fUuWeWbh1OcY9OxGbP2bFfEG2pxqU2jd-tHt0Eb853dY2yxaKQz5v3jPA3o1BnvOiKYieRoYzmfSVtJLUY2SHC0PJVGn_Sp4DOY63O3WM6MASr547PkHqkR2s/s200/DSC_0084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468377955120832674" border="0" /><a href="http://localhost:51851/888eda16498cd67bf6894ce6238c6716/image/9c7f5cae9099fe58.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9dxSQ1V1o7K-IteqtRAeOYwUkRZBbaLGppR7dpawN8NlfRQ9XewJSWrZ-SJgNri8U0iDVI2Yf4sdf4_oEhyO9GVHPL0_sPndOADOTWwlQIfNn32InB4_2OCOjUlw5RF-20gkmRoAaUE/s200/DSC_0178.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468377988426853298" border="0" /></a>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14952805141657678377noreply@blogger.com0