Joshua's Trust (JT) hosted a Nature Writer's Workshop on September 15th. Led by JT blog writer George Jacobi, the group visited Knowlton Hill Preserve in Ashford. Emely Ricci, CLCC Sandy Breslin Fellow, attended the event as a fellow creative writer. This casual writing exercise had participants walk the trails of this preserve with pen and paper, sit and observe their surroundings for 45-minutes, and take in nature and their creative writing journey. The group came together at the end and shared their insights and writings with one another in an open reading and a future feature on the JT blog in November. Meanwhile, here's some inspiration from the May workshop...

Artist Micheal DeAngelo painted another spectacular mural. The Rail Trail Mural Project started in 2015 in Vernon, is annually updated with a fresh new look from two alternating artists. The Vernon Greenways Volunteers (VGV) maintains and coordinates updates to the mural. When asked by VGV Lead Person, Donald Bellingham, where his inspiration came from, DeAngelo shared that his family used to own a pet pig back in his rural hometown for 11 years...

With fall weather comes peak hiking season in the fall season. On October 16th, Norwalk Land Trust (NLT) will be hosting a guided hiking trip in Farm Creek Preserve with Former NLT President and Chi Gong Master, Bill Wrenn. This guided hike is one of five guided trips in the Walk Your Land Trust series created by a partnership of lower Fairfield County land trusts. Just last week, Darien Land Trust hosted a hike in Mather Meadows. New Canaan Land Trust and Wilton Land Trust will be hosting their own hikes throughout October, so be sure to mark your calendars for these opportunities to explore a new land trust preserve...

Roxbury Land Trust hosted its first By the River family event on Sept. 18th at the River Road Preserve. The fine weather let families explore the many tables and nature-themed activities at the event. There was live music from the Willie and Jan Bank, arts and crafts, guided walks, a wildlife talk by White Memorial Conservation Center, and more! The community events were attended by multiple environmental and conservation groups, as well as local farms and vendors. There was energy, nature, and excitement in the air...

This past Sunday, the Avalonia Land Conservancy (ALC) invited American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter Joy Valenti to provide interpretation at a guided nature walk at Knox Preserve. Bruce Fellman, a naturalist, guided participants through the preserve, visiting the shoreline of Quiambaug Cove, viewing the fall wildflowers, and seeing a field of goldenrods. This is ALC's first accessible walk for Deaf people. It was an exciting event to expand people's views and place in nature...

Connecticut land trusts offered so many events, news, and celebrations since our last newsletter, it was hard to pick and choose which to feature in this newsletter. But fear not, keep the stories coming and the activities flowing and share them with us so we can tell everyone about your amazing work

Visiting local land trust properties is not only an opportunity to take a quick walk, but it also can be a space for nurturing other interests and connecting with others. They provide a setting for creativity like art and writing, accessibility to groups who may not have gone otherwise, and opportunities to gather around and enjoy the bounty nature offers with others who care.

Take a look around you and see where you can expand the experience of nature. You don't have to organize a trip of 30 people; it can be as small as taking your busy friend out for a hike, standing in the middle of the trail and listening for birds, or just opening your Notes app and jotting down what you've seen.

As we settle into the full swing of autumn and dropping temperatures, let's enjoy what the season uniquely brings. Keep your eyes open for local events and #LoveYourCTLandTrust!