Southbury Land Trust

06/20/2026

Take notice.

The latest USGS drought monitor released yesterday did expand D1 (Moderate Drought) across a wide portion of CT. The problem this time of year is a lot of our rain chances come from thunderstorms, which can be hit or miss. The trend for this spring has been more in the "miss" category, and that is part of the reason we are falling further behind on rainfall.

The good news is the Monday system will likely feature a large rain shield, making it more of an ideal steady and soaking rain.

Thank you Wild Birds Unlimited for sponsoring our drought monitor. During dry periods your backyard birds could use your help. A little food and fresh water can do wonders for our feathered friends. Stop by your local WBU for great service and advice.

Wild Birds Unlimited
Wild Birds Unlimited
Wild Birds Unlimited

06/19/2026

The Southbury Land Trust presented the Gerald A. Ivers Scholarship to Southbury resident Flint Erickson, a graduate of Pomperaug High School, on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Flint will be attending Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, where he will pursue Environmental Studies in the area of Environmental Policy.

The Gerry Ivers Scholarship was initiated after the death of SLT charter trustee Gerry Ivers in 2005, by fellow SLT member and friend, Justine Sedergren. Gerry Ivers was a math teacher, high school principal, hiker, naturalist and strong advocate for education and the environment. To honor Justine’s contributions to the scholarship over the years, her name was added to the scholarship upon her death in 2019. The gift is now known as the Ivers/Sedergren Scholarship. The $1000 donation is gifted to a qualifying Southbury resident attending Pomperaug or Nonnewaug High Schools.

Pictured: Flint Erickson, Ivers Sedergren Scholarship Award Winner.

06/18/2026

Wildlife detective time! Here's two pictures at entrance to the fen at Phillips Farm Preserve.

Here are the clues:

1/ A depression (hard to see in this photo). It's roughly seven feet long. The vegetation on the edges of the depression is bent back at the base of the plants.

2/ S**t on the entrance rocks to mark territory. The s**t is chunky, with a tapered end and lots of fur.

So either there was a bear taking a nap, while a coyote pooped, or the animal is one and the same.

What's your call? :D

06/12/2026

Happy to see Mama and her brood!

06/09/2026

Farm fields and path to the Pomperaug at Platt Farm Preserve.

06/08/2026

The Southbury Pollinator Pathway Garden at Southbury Town Hall is waking up with early summer blooms of Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis).

This Pollinator Pathway project was created via a partnership project with the Southbury Garden Club, Sustainable Southbury and the Southbury Land Trust, to heighten community awareness of the environmental benefits of native plants for pollinators, wildlife and biodiversity.

Penstemon digitalis attracts hummingbirds, long-tongued bees, and Hummingbird Clearwing moths. Butterflies, bees and other insects use Yarrow. Bees, butterflies, and birds visit Coreopsis, which is a heavy pollen provider, as well as nectar source.

06/06/2026

Southbury Land Trust hosting the Southbury Rochambeau Traverse with the Southbury America 250th Commission today for the 2026 CT Trails Day Hike.

Our thanks to Town Historian John Dwyer and SLT President Joe Ruggiero and to our volunteers and hikers!