Bethany Land Trust, Inc.

06/16/2026

Hi Everyone,

Last week we worked at Mendell's Folly, clearing trails ahead of the Bird Walk on Sunday. We also cleared the beaver flow device and 2 new dams being constructed under each of our 2 bridges. Plus several other dams in early stages of construction were also identified. This is the first time we have faced this and we are calling on our beaver consultant from the Beaver Institute to develop a more long term plan. However, in the meantime the new dam construction is threatening to flood a nearby field and prevent water from flowing through the culvert that passes under Beacon Road.

So this week, we are going to return and attempt to continue to open up the areas that are blocked. Calling all volunteers with waders! We will need folks both in the water and on the shore to remove debris. Plus, there is a downed tree requiring a chain saw and its always good to push back on the invasives.

We will meet at the Van Epps parking area, 380 Beacon Road, Wednesday at 9 AM.

Hope you can make it!

06/11/2026

REMINDER: Two Hikes for This Sunday June 14

Birding Hike:

The New Haven Bird Club is sponsoring a vigorous birding hike 8-11 AM on June 14th at Mendell’s Folly. Space is limited.
For details and to register: see link below OR contact NHBC Co-leaders: John Triana, 203-758-7203 or [email protected]
and Christin Arnini, 203-671-5567 or [email protected].
https://newhavenbirdclub.org/event/field-trip-mendells-folly-and-van-epps-preserve-bethany-john-triana-and-christin-arnini/

History Hike:

As part of Bethany Celebrates America, the Land Trust is sponsoring a history hike on Sunday June 14th 10 AM – 12 Noon in the Three Sisters Preserve. Join us as we highlight the connections between Bethany’s history and the Three Sisters Preserve. In addition, we’ll learn about the importance of the white oak in both Connecticut and America’s history as well as the Preserve’s geologic past.

For information/registration, visit https://bethanyct.gov/america250/threesisters

06/09/2026

Trail Crew News:

Last week at Three Sisters the stone steps were finished; knotw**d and Japanese barberry were dug up; and trails were cleared. Across town the Trex bench was installed at Whispering Pines on the ridge overlooking the wetland area. The Land Trust received the bench as part of a plastic bag recycling program -1000 pounds of plastics were delivered from the recycling center (thanks to Brenda Caldwell and Marie Pulito) so that we could receive the bench.

This week we are going to work at Mendell's Folly. The beavers have been hard at it. We need to clear one of the trees they took down, which is lying across the trail. We also need to clear the beaver flow device, widen the trails, and pull up invasives from the interior.

Useful tools or clothing include a chainsaw, hedge trimmers, loppers, root slayers, and waders or waterproof high boots.

We will meet at the Van Epps Parking Area, 380 Beacon Road at 9 on Wednesday.

06/02/2026

Trails Day 2026 Hike This Sunday June 7th, 9 AM - 12 Noon

Thanks to Ali and Jack Nork, the Land Trust will be participating in our sixth CT Trails Day hike! CT Trails Day, held on the first full weekend in June every year, is the largest celebration of trails in the nation. Coordinated by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, CT Trails Day features over 200 free events throughout the state.

We will be doing the 4.2-mile Northern Green Loop Trail, which connects trails in Mendell’s Folly, Grobe, Van Epps and Woodward Nature Preserves as well as the Town’s Simpson Preserve and Veterans Park. This loop trail also brings hikers through a portion of the Naugatuck State Forest. Meet in Van Epps Preserve Parking Area 390 Beacon Road, Bethany, CT.

Complete this hike and you’ve halfway to the Loop Trail Hall of Fame.

To register and obtain further information including parking, visit the CT Trails Day website here:

Celebrate Connecticut Trails Day 2026 with a guided hike on Bethany’s Northern Green Loop! This 4.2‑mile circuit connects the Bethany Land Trust trails through Mendell’s Folly, the Grove, Van Epps, and Woodward Nature Preserves, the Town’s Simpson Preserve and Veterans Park, and a scenic por...

06/02/2026

Join Us for a Trail Crew Activity - Wednesday 6/3 - 9 AM

Last week we worked at the 101 Russell Rd parking area and Hidden Brook Preserve. A waiting pile of wood chips was distributed, and a second delivery arrived and was spread while we were there. The Japanese Knotw**d at Hidden Brook was pulled up. And the driveway entrance area was addressed. We removed the poison ivy and debris. The stone wall was cleaned up and finished with squared off stonework at the edge of the driveway.

This week we are going to Three Sisters Preserve, where a hike is scheduled for June 14 as part of the Bethany 250th celebration. Projects include: picking up the trash alongside the road where everyone will park; w**d whacking and leafblowing the trails where needed; finishing the stone steps, and pushing back on the invasives.

Useful tools and items will include w**d whackers, leaf blowers, garbage bags; root slayers and other tools for pulling up invasives, and tools for stone work.

We will meet at 1154 Amity Road at 9 AM on Wednesday.

Hope to see you then!

05/24/2026

Save the Dates - Land Trust Hikes on June 7th and June 14th

Sunday, June 7th, 9am-Noon - Hike the Northern Green Loop Trail

Thanks to Ali and Jack Nork, the Land Trust will be participating in our sixth CT Trails Day hike! We will be doing the 4.2-mile Northern Green Loop Trail, which connects trails in Mendell’s Folly, Grobe, Van Epps and Woodward Nature Preserves as well as the Town’s Simpson Preserve and Veterans Park. This loop trail also brings hikers through a portion of the Naugatuck State Forest

To register and obtain further information including parking, visit the CT Trails Day website here: https://trailsday.org/events/bethanys-northern-green-loop-trail/

Bethany Celebrates America - Three Sisters Preserve History Hike
Sunday, June 14th, 10am-Noon Three Sisters Preserve
1154 Amity Rd, Bethany

As part of the Bethany Celebrates America activities for the country’s 250th anniversary, the Land Trust is sponsoring a history hike in the Three Sisters Preserve. Join us as Will Brinton, Bethany Town Historian, highlights the connections between Bethany’s history and the Three Sisters Preserve. In addition, we’ll learn about the importance of the white oak in Connecticut and America’s history as well as the Preserve’s geologic past.

For information and to register, visit https://bethanyct.gov/america250/threesisters

05/14/2026

05/13/2026

HIKING THE LAND TRUST PROPERTIES – WHISPERING PINES

The Land Trust received a donation of 47.4 acres of woodlands, streams and historic features that has become Whispering Pines from the late Irene Stahl that had been lovingly tended to by Irene and her late husband, Carlton.

Located in the southern part of Bethany, Whispering Pines can be accessed using trails that start from roadside parking available at the end of the Village Lane cul-de-sac as well as on Briar Road. Several trails in Whispering Pines course through many of the natural features in the Preserve and connect with adjacent open space parcels that include the Land Trust’s Hidden Brook Preserve and Bethany Farms as well as the town of Bethany’s Carrington Preserve.

Visit our website for more details including trail maps and locations for parking: https://bethanylandtrust.org/preserves/bethany-farms-complex/whispering-pines/

05/10/2026

Great Give 2026: Over $5,600 Raised - Thank you!!

Thanks to the generosity of 46 donors, the Land Trust is happy to announce that we’ve raised over $5,665 through the Great Give® 2026 held last week. We are very grateful to those who supported us during this campaign.

With funds raised with our Great Give campaigns and other sources, we plan to complete the acquisition of a parcel for which we have been negotiating for almost two years and will continue to identify and explore the possibility of preserving other open space in the region. When an opportunity arises, we want to be ready to act swiftly with access to the funds needed for an acquisition. The generous support of our members and donors helps make this possible.

05/06/2026

Great Give 2026: Help Preserve Precious Forest Land

The Bethany Land Trust is participating in the Great Give® 2025, a community-wide giving event benefiting Greater New Haven's nonprofits. It runs over two days from Wednesday, May 6 at 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 7

Donate to the Land Trust clicking on the logo.

https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/bethany-land-trust-inc

Why your Support Matters
In 2025, our collaboration with the Town of Bethany resulted in the creation of the Simpson Preserve, a 50.88 parcel owned by the town.

This year, we plan to complete the acquisition of a parcel for which we have been negotiating for almost two years and will continue to identify and explore the possibility of preserving other open space in the region. When an opportunity arises, we want to be ready to act swiftly with access to the funds needed for an acquisition. The generous support of our members and donors helps make this possible

In addition, we continue our stewardship activities, trail maintenance, monthly trail hikes and community outreach with our educational programs.

How You Can Help
Your dollars will be crucial in the effort to preserve open space.

I’m ready to support Bethany Land Trust, Inc. on May 6, 2026 during The Great Give. Learn more about Bethany Land Trust, Inc. and all the other organizations participating in The Great Give.