Colchester Land Trust

06/27/2026

06/27/2026

The fairies have appeared! Come to Bulkeley Hill Preserve until 4 and meet Queen Aurora and see the fairy houses along the trail!
Fairy House Summer Solstice Event

06/21/2026

Thank you, Land Trust Accreditation Commission for including us in this elite group and high standards. Our board members and volunteers work hard in all seasons to be sure we adhere to that standard and we appreciate them more than they know. And a big shout our to the volunteers who do the paperwork every cycle to keep our accreditation maintained!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Juadc3W9M/

Congratulations to the 31 land trusts that successfully achieved first, second, and THIRD time accreditation renewals along with our one first-time accreditation! 🎉 Join in on congratulating these land trusts that have shown that they are ready to meet the promise of perpetuity! 🥳

First-Time
Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SC)

Renewals
* denotes first renewal
**denotes second renewal
***denotes third renewal

Ashby Land Trust (MA)**
Athens Land Trust (GA) ***
Bangor Land Trust (ME)**
Catawba Lands Conservancy (NC) ***
Coastal Mountains Land Trust (ME) ***
Colchester Land Trust (CT)**
Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust (CO) ***
Colorado West Land Trust (CO) ***
Forest Society of Maine (ME) ***
Freshwater Land Trust (AL) ***
Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (MI) ***
Hawaii Land Trust (HI) ***
Jefferson Land Trust (WA) ***
Lake Champlain Land Trust (VT) ***
Lake Forest Open Lands Association and its affiliate, Lake Forest Land Foundation (IL)***
Land Trust for Santa Barbara County (CA)***
Land Trust for Tennessee (TN) ***
Legacy Land Conservancy (MI) ***
Lyme Land Conservation Trust (CT)**
Minnesota Land Trust (MN) ***
Peninsula Open Space Trust (CA) ***
Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (ME)
Salem Land Trust (CT) ***
Saratoga P.L.A.N. (NY)**
Skagit Land Trust (WA) ***
Tall Pines Conservancy (WI)**
Thousand Islands Land Trust (NY) ***
Three Rivers Land Trust (NC)**
Utah Open Lands (UT)**
Westchester Land Trust (NY) ***
Wilderness Land Trust (MT) ***

06/20/2026

June Trail Crew Day!
Moved to JUNE 28TH
COME HELP MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE OUR POLLINATOR MEADOW!

Volunteer meet up at Bulkeley Hill Preserve Meadow this month. Led by board member and Stewardship Chair Kevin Byrne.

03/03/2026

calls Salmon River Forest a "hidden gem" but we locals know all about it! A fantastic place to hike and an important forest and river for our ecological system.

Discover a natural gem in Connecticut when you explore Salmon River State Forest, a picture-perfect destination for adventurers of all ages.

02/10/2026

NO TRAIL CREW THIS MONTH
The Colchester Land Trust Trail Crew will NOT meet for February since we still have 20” on snow on our land. (But if you’re a snowshoer? Have I got some great places for you!)

Kevin will plan for March, so please watch for the email or on our website events. Questions? Contact Kevin Byrne at 860-319-7012.

See you next month!

02/10/2026

In Connecticut, the breeding season for the eastern coyote is from January to March. During this time, you are more likely to hear and see coyotes. Contrary to popular belief, coyotes do not call to announce a kill. Instead, coyotes use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with family members, warn non-family members to stay out of their territory, and to advertise for a mate.

Although some coyotes may exhibit bold behavior near people, coyotes seldom attack humans. However, this risk can increase if coyotes are intentionally fed and then learn to associate people with food, or if a person is walking with a dog, especially one that is not leashed, near a coyote den or territory during the denning and pup rearing seasons.

Here are a few important tips on how to prevent conflicts with coyotes:

✅ DO NOT allow pets to run free! Keep cats indoors, particularly at night, and dogs on a leash or under close supervision at all times.

✅ NEVER feed coyotes! It is illegal to intentionally feed coyotes and other potentially dangerous wildlife (P.A. 23-77). Clean up bird seed below feeders, pet foods, and fallen fruit. Secure garbage and compost in animal-proof containers.

✅ ALWAYS walk dogs on a leash. If approached by a coyote while walking your dog, keep the dog under control and calmly leave the area. DO NOT run or turn your back. Coyotes are territorial and many reports of bold coyotes visiting yards, howling, or threatening larger dogs can often be attributed to this territorial behavior.

More information is at https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/nuisance-wildlife/living-with-coyotes
Coyote photo courtesy of John Clery.