As part of the land trust’s overall mission, we seek to highlight initiatives and notable documents with the purpose of informing and educating our community. We welcome the opportunity to feature other items that support this aspect of our mission. If interested, please send an email to: info@essexlandtrust.org

Board Members Jeff Croyle and Leif Owens participated in the Feeling Good Friday show on ICRV radio. Invited by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, they provided an update on Essex Land Trust preserve management challenges, upcoming events, and celebrated the launch of the new kayak launch on Ivoryton’s Mill Pond.

To listen to their chat with CFMC’s Thayer Talbott, check out the link HERE

The Essex Land Trust held its Annual Meeting at Essex Meadows with attendance of approximately 100 participants. In addition to reviewing the past year’s activities and plans for 2023, President Jeff Croyle highlighted the 5000 hours of volunteer work, asking volunteers present to stand up for recognition. In addition, three new board members were elected: Peter Holland, Kathryn Ryan, and Tom Gezo. A copy of the business presentation can be accessed by clicking on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwi9AEgJG94

Last week’s Essex Land Trust’s annual meeting gave special recognition to two retiring stewards, Stuart Warner and Roger Field. These individuals have each been engaged with the land trust for 25 years. That’s 50 years of combined dedication and volunteering!

For more pictures of the reception and meeting check out the following link: https://essexlandtrust.org/gallery-2/

The Lower Connecticut River Land Trust, in partnership with local land trusts and towns, challenges you to hike as many trails as you can in the Lower Connecticut River Region that are in or pass through our towns and preserves from November 1, 2022 to December 31st 2023.

It’s easy to join the challenge:

1. Take as many hikes as you can, but we challenge you to take at least one hike in each community. Save or Print out the List of Towns and Land Trusts and check them off as you complete each hike.

2. Visit the web links in the list for each land trust and town to get information and maps for their trails. When on your adventure we encourage you to take a picture of the large maps posted at most trailheads with your cell phone before you hike.

3. When you have completed your adventure return here and fill out our on-line form. Everyone who registers will be placed on the Wall of Champions. Participants can choose to receive challenge themed apparel depending on their level of donation. (See images below)

Below is a link to a very well done 17-minute video on the Flood of 1982 prepared by Valley Shore Community Television featuring interviews and voiceovers from a number of local residents including our very own Millrace Steward Scott McCoid. Scott’s voice overs were taken from his Millrace hike back on June 4th. http://reflect-vsctv.cablecast.tv/CablecastPublicSite/show/2714?channel=1

Enjoy unique views of the Essex Community taken by Valley Regional High School Senior Jason Swerling as part of his Senior Capstone Project and edited by PJ Brocket. Over 3.5 hours of footage were shot in December 2021 and have been edited down to 12 minutes featuring highlights of several Essex Land Trust preserves. The land trust will use the video material to establish a baseline to evaluate impact of shoreline erosion, invasives, dumping, and other natural phenomena in the future. To see the video access this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiyUfOlD1vUUUxBm3VdAvOw

Students (ages 8-13) from upstate New York have been researching the importance of being eco-friendly and sent us a link about the importance of being more eco-friendly when you’re gardening. A humble home garden may not seem like much in the big scheme of all things environmental, but making just a few small changes to your private green space can have an impact far wider than you’d imagine. From providing precious wildlife habitats to improving air quality, here are 10 ways to be more eco-friendly when you’re gardening. We are sharing this link for any who may be interested. https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/resource/10-tips-eco-friendly-gardening/

Follow the Falls is an initiative spearheaded by the Essex Historical Society in partnership with the Essex Land Trust. The operating vision is to tell the history of the Falls River, which binds the villages of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton. As the town’s watershed, it has played a fundamental role in its history and development from prehistoric times to the present. Besides its historic significance, the Falls River is home to a rich natural history with several land trust preserves along its winding shores.

As part of the Essex Land Trust’s mission to promote knowledge and awareness on important environmental issues, we are sharing three documents that may be of interest to land trust members. Following are links to:

Please feel free to share these attachments with family, friends, and colleagues.