Friends of American Legion & Peoples State Forests - FALPS

06/01/2026

05/24/2026

Come get out of the rain and learn about Nature, our forests and the history of our area.

The purpose of the museum is to educate visitors about local flora, fauna, and history. The area surrounding the Museum is rife with natural treasures and interesting tales from the early settlers. All this and more is reflected in the Nature Museum's displays, and through interpretive programs.

FALPS’ President Erik Landgraf will be there to show you around.

Just up Greenwoods Road near 106 East River Road, Barkhamsted.

05/17/2026

Thanks to birder extraordinare John Weeks for leading us on another extraordinary outing into Peoples State Forest. It is an annual event and we are so grateful for John's expertise.

04/25/2026

The Town and the Friends of American Legion State Forests (FALPS), and the Farmington River Coordinating Committee, which provides financial support each year, are just so excited to host the 11th Annual Barkhamsted Earth Day Nature Festival (FALPS joined as co-hosts in 2015).

So, over the next hours leading up to tomorrow's event, we will continue to share the happenings.

Sometimes cliches are spot on and this is true when it comes to Barkhamsted's Volunteer Fire Departments--Barkhamsted East, Riverton and Pleasant Valley. Each year they come out and support the Barkhamsted Earth Day Nature Festival and add so much to the day! We are eternally grateful as we are so blessed to have these amazing professionals protecting our town!

This year the Pleasant Valley Vol. Fire Department is going to do a water rescue demonstration on the West Branch of the Farmington River and we couldn't be more excited to let you have a glimpse of how this is done.

We also are privileged to have the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Fires Suppression Unit on hand to talk about wildfires and other threats and give a little info on Smokey Bear, too!

The demo is set to begin around 1:30 p.m.

04/25/2026

So excited to have trail warriors Kristen Gardella, Lynn Swezey, Mat Jobin and Adam Lippman join us for the 11th Annual Barkhamsted Earth Day Nature Festival this Sunday, April 26th at Matthies Grove in Peoples State Forest, beginning at 12:30.
Lynn, Kristen, Mat and Adam will demonstrate how to set up camp, give suggestions on equipment and other hiking-related info during the Festival.
Lynn and Kristen are "beasts" when it comes to their hiking and backpacking abilities, while Mat has his own guide service, "Reach Your Summit," and Adam is a dedicated AMC trail leader and maintainer and, also, an accomplished musician.
We're so fortunate they all are joining us at the Festival to share their knowledge about hiking, camping and backpacking.
Please come out and greet them at the Festival!! Their demonstration will begin around 1:50 in the Meadow, but feel free to stop and talk with them earlier.
Come early and take a hike yourselves!!
Festival is free to everyone.

04/25/2026

A nationally known archaeologist and author, an accomplished reptile and amphibian biologist, an enemy of and educator about invasive plants and a celebrated naturalist all will be speaking tomorrow at the 11th Annual Barkhamsted Earth Day Nature Festival!

1:15-1:55--Jay Kaplan, Director Emeritus of Roaring Brook Nature Center who has led the Center for 50 years and is an esteemed naturalist. Known for his binoculars and extensive bird knowledge, Jay has inspired countless nature enthusiasts through his patient teaching and rich storytelling. Whether leading bird walks, maintaining sighting records, or mentoring new naturalists, his commitment to environmental education has made our center a treasured community resource.

2-2:40--Ken Feder, who will talk on a 3,000-year-old Quarry in Peoples State Forest Barkhamsted, is an emeritus professor of archaeology at Central Connecticut State University and the author of several books on archaeology and criticism of pseudoarchaeology. He is the founder and director of the Farmington River Archaeological Project.

2:45-3:15--Michelle Hanson Winkler, an Advanced Master Gardener, who worked as coordinator for the UConn Extension Master Gardener program for over 7 years. She is President of the Cherry Brook Garden Club in Canton.

3:20-4 p.m.--Mike Ravesi, a DEEP Wildlife Division Biologist with the Wildlife Diversity Program, who is responsible for overseeing research, management and monitoring of the amphibians and reptiles found in our state.

04/25/2026

The spring ephemerals are blooming! Join FALPS President Erik Landgraf and Helen Ann Landgraf on our annual Wildflower Walk/Hike on the Henry Buck Trail in American Legion State Forest.

04/23/2026

Don't forget, Sunday April 26th 11th Annual Barkhamsted Earth Day Nature Festival! Awesome video by hiking/camping great, Lynn Swezer.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ECBG69kbp/

04/04/2026

One of the reasons FALPS has been so successful as an organization is because of the many volunteers who step up and help us with trail maintenance, among other things.

A group went out the last weekend in March to repair both bridges on the Henry Buck Trail in American Legion State Forest.

Thanks to all who came and we hope you'll enjoy your next hike there.

Thanks to Jon Sweeton, Jean Miller and Faith Antion for photos.