The Aspetuck Land Trust Blog: Why 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.

Reason #1
You believe in land conservation and open space. Last year, we saved 73 acres in Easton and Westport. The Newman Poses preserve in Westport and Randall's Farm preserve in Easton are great additions to our 42 other trailed nature preserves on over 1,700 acres of land in the 4 local towns we serve.

34 Acre Randall's Farm Preserve, Easton.

Reason #2
You think it's important to preserve local plants and animal species for future generations. We are working with CT Audubon to conduct a flora and fauna survey in the 1,009 acre Trout Brook Valley 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, click here

Eastern Newt in Trout Brook Valley Vernal Pool

Reason #3
You think it's important that children have a connection with nature. We created a Natural Playground for children at our Leonard Schine Preserve in Westport, launched a hike series for kids called Short Hikes for Short People, and are educating the public about the joys and benefits of getting children outside by screening the inspiring movie, Mother Nature's Child. 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!

Tower at Natural Playground

Yummy Reason #4
You love blueberries. We maintain 800 blueberry bushes in the southern tip of the orchard in our Trout Brook Valley preserve 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.

Land Trust member and volunteer pruner from Weston

If you want to pick blueberries, I recommend you park at the Elm Drive entrance to the Trout Brook Valley Preserve 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 dbrant@aspetucklandtrust.org. 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.

Land Trust Family

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, CLICK HERE. 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!