"The Morse House in the Yale-Myers Forest in Eastford was the site of a land legacy workshop on April 18." 

On April 27^th ten NCLT volunteers spent the morning removing old barbed wire, putting up fence markers to improve barbed wire visibility for wildlife and installing five new bluebird houses at McCann Farm and Whitaker Woods in Somers. These improvements will make the areas safer for wildlife as well as keeping our feathered friends happy. Photos

This property abuts the Northern Connecticut Land Trust's Swann Farm Property.

This naturalist-led walk explored various habitats in order to find signs of wildlife and maybe wildlife itself. The walk took place on Whitaker Woods and McCann Family Farm, owned and maintained by Northern Ct Land Trust located near the town’s center.  These properties consist of open fields, wetlands, and forest and have a vast trail system that allow visitors access to the many unique features on these preserved lands. The hike was followed by homemade treats and beverage in observance of Earth Day.  Photos

Exploring Bald Mountain on Saturday, March 16th was a great way to welcome [almost] spring.  This family hike explored Bald Mountain Preserve in Somers and was 2.5 miles to the summit of Bald Mountain and back. Bald Mountain is the highest point in Somers.  Hike leader Richard Bailey explained the history of Bald Mountain and the contiguous pieces of property that make this one of the best greenway, hiking areas in northeast Connecticut.   Photos (G. Faherty)

A panaromic shot by Riley M.

Patrice Carson of Somers, CT has been elected President by the Board of Directors.  Patrice fills this position after the passing of Culver Modisette in December. 

Culver Modisette, President of the Northern Connecticut Land Trust, passed away on December 25, 2012. Culver will be remembered for his passion and dedication to conservation and preservation of natural resources and his years of faithful service to the communities in which he lived and worked. Culver was a member of the NCLT since it's inception as the Four Town Land Trust in 1987. He will be missed.

On December 5, 2012, Ken Anderson spread, graded and packed approx. 65 yards of gravel and hard-pack on the Wells Road parking area to create a smooth mud-free parking area for up to eight cars. The area is 70 feet long and 45 feet deep. This is a tremendous improvement over the very rough surface that previously existed after stump removal. The photos show progress over a month and one-half

The NCLT Annual Meeting/Pot Luck Supper was held on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at the Congregational Church, 22 Maple Street, Somersville, CT.   The bountiful pot-luck buffet contained home made dishes and desserts.  Culver Modisette thanked everyone for attending and gave a synopsis of the year.  He also thanked Rex Joffray for planning the night's festivities and Ingrid Aarrestad for her efforts in organizing the 25th Anniversary Party.  He reminded everyone to pickup a copy of the 2011-2012 Annual Report.  Culver then introduced George Grant, Don Smith, Jerry Stage and Arend-Jan Knuttel to say a few words about the historical beginning of the Trust.  See photos.

Photos of Boardwalk: Fundraising Complete! Thank you to all who contributed.

Many thanks to Richard Bailey and Wes Smith who headed up this buildout of a boardwalk south of Gulf Stream.  This looks easy but many resources go into building a boardwalk like this and NCLT is always seeking ways to improve trails.  If you are interested in assisting in a stewardship capacity, please contact NCTLT@sbcglobal.net.  For more photos, check the McCann Family Farm page. 

Recently, the NCLT acquired the 30 acre Stevenson Property, now know as the "Stevenson Woodlands"  for the sum of $152,000.00.  The property is located on Mountain Road in Somers.  The purchase was a collaboration of creative fundraising.  Culver Modisette, president of the NCLT worked with and received funding from the State of Connecticut, the town of Somers, the Fields Pond Foundation, The Bafflin Foundation and the Boston Foundation.  This acquisition brings the total acreage of the NCLT to 1334 which is something to celebrate along with the Trust's 25th anniversary!

On June 3, 2012, members celebrated the NCLT 25th Anniversary!  What an accomplishment and one that the Board of Directors is very proud to relay.  Thank you to all the members, volunteers, sponsors and others who have made the NCLT a vital part of the northern Connecticut community.  The 25 year mark is also a milestone as the NCLT now holds 1334 acres of farmland, woodlands and open space.   

Board member and volunteer extraordinare Jerry Stage (above) was conferred a placque in recognition for his years of chairing the Stewardship Committee and being an active member of the Board.  The Board of Directors named the trail at McCann Farm the "Jerry Stage Trail".  The event was held at Worthington Pond Farm and Garden (http://www.worthingtonpondfarm.com) in Somers, Ct.  This beautiful venue is owned by Dan Roullier and many thanks to his gracious donation of the  facility.  The band Juniper Hill Jumpers Jazz Band, played Dixieland jazz, blues and some country/western.  Other sponsors who deserve a big round of applause and appreciation include:  Big Y, Geisslers (Somers), Price Chopper (Vernon), Dunkin Donuts (Somers), The Country Butcher (Tolland), La Brioche Bakery (Vernon), Randazzos Package Store (Stafford), Webbs Package Store (Ellington), Tolland Cordials (Tolland), Village Spirit (Tolland) and Chestnut Hill Nursery (Stafford). 

Many thanks to Ingrid Aarrestad who organized the event and the "crew":  Catherine Duffield of Guilford and Bev Kurtz, Mary Mitta and Nancy Parizek of Stafford. 

Photos of Anniversary Party on Facebook (Photo Credits:  Gaymarie Lehrer)

Photos of Anniversary Party in Gallery:  New Photos added (Photo Credits:  Steve Glad & Karl Hasel) 

A small group celebrated National Trails Day (http://www.americanhiking.org/NTD.aspx) with a hike to Bald Mountain by way of Soapstone Mountain.  The hike followed some blue-blaze trails.  The three mile section was easier than the last stretches on Soapstone and Bald Mountains,.  The hike totalled 10 miles. 

The "Tour de Land Trust"  for 2011 began with a hike on the Rail Trail between Valley Falls Park in Vernon to Talcottville.  40 hikers enjoyed the morning hike, taking photos and learning a bit about the history of the Valley Falls Area.  For wonderful photos of the event, check out the photo album on the Northern Connecticut Land Trust Facebook page, ("read more" will take you there).  Photos were taken by Al Sheridan. 

On February 14, 2011 the Northern Connecticut Land Trust held an event to thank the donors and contributors who collaborated and donated funds for the acquisition of the Talcott Ravine.  The event was held at the Talcottville Congregational Church.  Bill McGurk, President of Rockville Bank and William "Bill" Crawford, incoming President of Rockville Bank donated $2,000.00 to the Talcott Ravine closing costs fund completing the $10,000.00 closing cost drive required by the donor agreement.  Coffee and baked goods were donated by Dunkin Donuts (Route 83). 

 John G. Talcott Jr. has donated a 20 acre parcel in the Talcottville Gorge area to the Northern Connecticut Land Trust. The trust paid $5,000 to help cover closing costs and other expenses with financial help from local organizations, including the Friends of Valley Falls, Vernon Citizens for Responsible Development, and Friends of the Hockanum River Linear Park. The Town of Vernon also contributed $5,000 for the purchase with money from the open space fund. This collaborative effort of various groups as well as the commitment from the Town of Vernon make this acquisition very special indeed.   For more of this article: