Past Programs and Events

 

 

GMCT Programs and Events--Spring 2007

International Migratory Bird Day - Saturday, May 12
Nature Walk. 8:00 am to about 11:00 am. Connecticut River Floodplain, Great Meadows Conservation Area, sponsored by Elenor Buck Wolf Nature Center and Great Meadows Conservation Trust. Easy 3.0-mile walk over flat terrain. Join Ken Etheridge, GMCT naturalist, for an exploration of the meadow, marsh, and wooded habitats of the floodplain where as many as 50 bird species can often be spotted. We will record our bird observations as part of the Hartford Audubon Society Spring Bird Count and the Great Meadows Important Bird Area data gathering project. Meet 8:00 am next to ferry landing at Ferry Park on Route 160, Rocky Hill. Bring beverage, snack, and bug spray; dress for the weather and ground conditions (long sleeves, long pants recommended). Conditions may revise or cancel. Visit www.gmct.org or call CT Audubon Center, 860-633-8402, for up-to-date information. Leader Ken Etheridge, kee134@aol.com, 860-635-6751.

CT Trails Day - Join Ken Etheridge - Saturday, June 2
Nature Walk. 8:00 am to about 11:00 am. Connecticut River Floodplain, Great Meadows Conservation Area, sponsored by Connecticut Audubon Center Glastonbury and Great Meadows Conservation Trust. Easy 3.0-mile walk over flat terrain. Join Ken Etheridge, GMCT naturalist, for an exploration of the meadow, marsh, and wooded habitats of the floodplain where as many as 50 bird species can often be spotted. Meet 8:00 am next to ferry landing at Ferry Park on Route 160, Rocky Hill. Bring beverage, snack, and bug spray; dress for the weather and ground conditions (long sleeves, long pants recommended). Conditions may revise or cancel. Visit www.gmct.org or call CT Audubon Center, 860-633-8402, for up-to-date information. Leader Ken Etheridge, kee134@aol.com, 860-635-6751.
See All Hikes -
CT Forest and Parks Association - CT Trails Day Brochure

GMCT Programs and Events--Winter 2007

Nature Walks in the Connecticut River Flood Plain

A special series of five walks are led by Jim Woodworth, president of the Great Meadows Conservation Trust, and Larry Lunden, GMCT’s Land Management chair (and a CAS Glastonbury board member). Please dress for weather and ground conditions, which may revise or cancel the walk. These Nature Walks are again co-sponsored by Connecticut Audubon Society Glastonbury and the Great Meadows Conservation Trust, joined for the first time by the Wethersfield Nature Center—and all are free.  Check www.gmct.org, or call the CAS Glastonbury Center at 860-633-8402 or the E.B.Wolf Nature Center at 860-529-3075 for the latest information.

Nature Walk in the Connecticut River Flood Plain #1
Sunday, January 7, 2 p.m.

Meet Larry Lunden behind Glastonbury Town Hall (2155 Main Street) for a short walk to GMCT’s Preissner property.

Nature Walk in the Connecticut River Flood Plain #2
Saturday, January 13, 10 a.m.

Meet Jim Woodworth at the end of Goff Brook Lane (off Old Main Street in Rocky Hill) for a long walk to GMCT’s newly acquired Hayes parcels—farm fields where beans, vegetables and turf are grown. Join us in celebrating this important gift from the Hayes family in honor of the late Edward P. Hayes, Sr. and Ann Hayes of Rocky Hill.

Nature Walk in the Connecticut River Flood Plain #3
Saturday, January20, 10 a.m.

Meet Jim Woodworth at Hockanum Park (on High Street in East Hartford) for a long walk to the GMCT's properties in the Hockanum Meadows with our host from Goodwin College, Todd Andrews. Learn about the "hook" in the Connecticut River that left behind the Wethersfield Cove, Keeney Cove...and a triangle of Wethersfield "East."

Nature Walk in the Connecticut River Flood Plain #4
Sunday, January 28, 2 p.m.

Meet Jim Woodworth on Hartford Avenue (at the corner of Jordan Lane in Wethersfield) for a short walk to GMCT’s Wolf parcel and DeMille easement. See habitat improvements made with the help of a WHIP grant. Stay for a longer walk up Hartford Ave. and out along the Hartford dyke that divides the Folly Brook Nature area from the South Meadows Industrial Park.

Nature Walk in the Connecticut River Flood Plain #5
Saturday, February 3, 10 a.m.

Meet Larry Lunden at the end of Point Road (off Naubuc Avenue in Glastonbury, south of Route 3 overpass) for a long walk to GMCT’s Point Meadows properties. These are farming fields where corn and other crops are grown.

GMCT Programs and Events – Spring 2006

NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN

Saturday, June 3, 8:00 a.m.-c. 11:00 a.m. Join Ken Etheridge, Great Meadows Conservation Trust naturalist, for an exploration of the meadow, marsh, and wooded habitats of the floodplain where as many as 50 bird species can often be spotted. Meet at Ferry Park next to the ferry landing on Route 160 in Rocky Hill. Dress for the weather and ground conditions. Long sleeves, long pants recommended. Bring bug spray, water, snack. Est. distance: 3 miles. Conditions may revise or cancel. Visit www.gmct.org or call CT Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury for up-to-date information at 633-8402. Walk is co-sponsored by CAS/C and GMCT. Free.


Tuesday Evenings in May on the River with the GMCT
Led by Jim Woodworth
For further details call Jim Woodworth (529-0997)

Meet at 6:00 pm. Bring your own canoe or kayak, paddles, PDF. Plans are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or river conditions.

1. Tuesday, May 16 Keeney Cove.
Meet at the Point Road causeway (off Naubuc Avenue, just south of Glastonbury Avenue) at 6:00pm. Alternate A (less strenuous): Launch north of the Point Road causeway, paddle under Route 3 to explore the abandoned river bed, observe great blue heron and spawning alewives. Alternate B: Launch on the south side of the Point Road causeway, paddle out by the beaver lodge to the CT River, south to Crow Point Cove inlet, explore Crow Point Cove, and return. (sunset 7:50pm)

2. Tuesday, May 23 meet at the Wethersfield Cove at 6:00pm. We’ll paddle across the cove to explore Folly Brook, view the Eleanor Buck Wolf parcel from the water. From there we’ll skirt the North side of the cove, and then paddle out to the river. Wethersfield "East," the triangle of Wethersfield lies directly east of the Cove entrance, marooned by the meandering course of the river, south of East Hartford, North of Glastonbury. Continuing upstream, we’ll pass United Aircraft Wilgoos Test Facility, where jet engines were tested. Just north of Wilgoos is the site of a former tank farm, that will soon become the Goodwin College campus. Depending on our stamina and time, we’ll continue upstream to the Trinity College Boat House on the east bank and the trash to energy plant on the west before floating back downstream. (sunset 8:06pm)

3. Tuesday, May 30 meet at Rocky Hill Ferry Landing at
6:00pm. Rendezvous at the Ferry Landing Boat Launch at 6:00pm. Paddle upstream, passing the old coal dock protected by the Walker Parcel easement (G-3), passing the fishermen at the mouth of Roaring Brook, passing the mouth of Meadow Drain, with the ultimate goal of marker #122, opposite the Wethersfield/Rocky Hill border. Drift downstream, exploring the Meadow Drain and Roaring Brook "estuaries," returning to Ferry Landing as the last rays of the sun disappear behind the "rocky hill." (sunset 8:18pm)


Join the GMCT and the CT Audubon Society at Glastonbury for

Winter Nature Walks

in the Great Meadows of the Connecticut River

 This year GMCT is joining with CT Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury. Follow this link to download the Center at Glastonbury's Seasonal Program Guide

 
NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN #1
Rescheduled for Saturday, Feb 25, at 10 am!!!
Glastonbury Parcels
Sat., Jan. 14, 10 a.m.-noon Join Larry Lunden, Land Management Chair of the Great Meadows Conservation Trust, to inspect the Glastonbury Meadows parcels. Carpool from the CAS Center at Glastonbury. Dress for the weather and ground conditions. Conditions may revise or cancel. Call CAS Center at Glastonbury for up-to-date information at 633-8402. Walk is co-sponsored by CAS/G and GMCT. Free.


 
.........Strolly along Folly Brook in the Wolf Parcel

NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN #2
E. B. Wolf Parcel--Wethersfield

Sun., Jan. 22, 2-3 p.m.
The weather looks great for Sunday- sunny and 44°F!

Note: Due to high water - we'll look out on the Wolf parcel - kayaking anyone? - and talk about our habitat restoration project. Then we'll lead the longer walkers up Hartford Avenue, past the monument to "Pennywise," under Route 15, over the Folly Brook culvert, and scamble up on the Hartford dyke. From that vantage point, we can view the inundated Folly Brook Preserve on one side, and the MDC plant and airport on the other - where nature meets civilization! During the high water will be a good time to ponder the wisdom of the planned renovation of the dyke after 10 years of neglect and the MDC plan to end CSO forever - coming to a referendum near you in November!

For information and a map of the Eleanor Buck Wolf Parcel

Sun., Jan. 22, 2-3 p.m. Join Jim Woodworth, President of the Great Meadows Conservation Trust, as we inspect the Eleanor B. Wolf parcel in Wethersfield. Meet on Hartford Avenue opposite Jordon Lane. Dress for the weather and ground conditions. Conditions may revise or cancel. Call CAS Center at Glastonbury for up-to-date information at 633-8402. Walk is co-sponsored by CAS/G and GMCT. Free.

 

NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN #3
Hockanum Meadows--East Hartford
Sat., Jan. 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join Jim Woodworth, President of Great Meadows Conservation Trust, as we inspect the Hockanum Meadows parcels in East Hartford. Meet at Hockanum Park on High Street. Dress for the weather and ground conditions. Conditions may revise or cancel. Call CAS Center at Glastonbury for up to date information at 633-8402. Walk is co-sponsored by CAS/C and GMCT. Free.  


............Otters at play along the brook


NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN #4
Methodist Church Parcel–Rocky Hill
Rescheduled for Sunday, March 5, at 2pm!!!


Sun., Feb. 5, 2-3 p.m. Join Larry Lunden, Land Management Chair of the Great Meadows Conservation Trust, as we inspect the Methodist Church parcel in Rocky Hill. Meet at Ferry Park next to the ferry landing on Route 160. Dress for the weather and ground conditions. Conditions may revise or cancel. Call CAS Center at Glastonbury for up-to-date information at 633-8402. Walk is co-sponsored by CAS/C and GMCT. Free.  

NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN #5
Wood Parcel--Wethersfield
Sat., Feb. 11, 10-11 a.m. Join Jim Woodworth, President of the Great Meadows Conservation Trust, at the Wood Parcel in Wethersfield. Meet on Middletown Ave. south of Maple St. Dress for the weather and ground conditions. Conditions may revise or cancel. Call CAS Center at Glastonbury for up-to- date information at 633- 8402. Walk is co-sponsored by CAS/C and GMCT. Free.  



Great Meadows Bike Ride to Ferry 350th Celebration
Saturday, June 11, 8:30 am (9am-10am)

Join the Great Meadows Conservation Trust on a guided bike ride from the Keeney Center at 200 Main Street in Old Wethersfield through the Great Meadows to the Ferry Landing in Rocky Hill where bicyclists can join the Ferry 350th Celebration and ride the Ferry across the River to Glastonbury. Riders should plan to meet at the Keeney Center Parking lot at 8:30 am, where maps will be handed out. The group will depart at 9 am for a leisurely ride along town dirt roads through the meadows to arrive at 10:00 am for the start of festivities at the Ferry Landing. The ride will link the historic homes in Wethersfield’s Historic District (the state’s largest historic district) with the Glastonbury – Rocky Hill Ferry Historic District…with a morning ride through the ancient fields, marshes, and forests of the Great Meadows of Wethersfield and Rocky Hill.

Map and Directions
(Click Map to see Large Map)

Bike Route from Keeney Center through Great Meadows
to Rocky Hill Ferry Landing

1. Depart Keeney Center take left on Main Street to Garden Street .1 mile
2. Turn left on Garden Street .2 mile
3. Turn left on Broad Street .3 mile
View Broad Street Green … Great Elm
Pass Anderson Farms on left…Corn and vegetables grown in Meadows
4. Turn right on Marsh Street .6 mile
5. Follow Marsh Street around corner…Turn right on Great Meadow Road .9 mile
6. Pass under I 91 … watch for cars! Turn right at T
…continue on Great Meadow Road 1.0 mile
7. Follow Great Meadow Road past Putnam Park, under Putnam Bridge
Note: former site of Wethersfield Town Dump
former site of Comstock, Ferre, & Co. tomato seed washing facility
Bear right toward gate, turn left through gate into Great Meadows 1.4 miles
8. Follow Great Meadow Road…bear left at corner…note gate at “First Lane”
Note: forested excavation site on right, lower field on left,
followed by bean field on right, turf on left.
9. Turn right on “Second Lane” at end of bean field 1.8 miles
Great Meadow Road continues straight toward “Wright’s Island”…now known
as Crow Point., still owned by White Oaks Const. … excavated fill for bridge
approach and I 91. 60 acre Comstock, Ferre farm on left…now Beaver Pond….
Anderson Farms corn on right; Hale’s Creek on left…. 2.0 miles
Farm road on right meets end of “First Lane” … wooded lot is Trust parcel,
with the Wolcott #1 parcel in “upper Swamp” 2.2 miles
10. Agricultural Drainage Ditch; junction with Elm Street on right
Meadow Road becomes Elm Street Extension 2.6 miles
Note views of Glastonbury, south side of Crow Point (the “island”)
from Old Wethersfield sewer overflow outfall….
11. Note beginning of turf field on right 2.8 miles
Jersey barrier…indicates cutting edge of river on
Wolcott parcel #3 (“The Nook”) and #2 in the “Lower Swamp” 3.1 miles
Wooded area Crilly parcel; note kestrel box and wood duck box
End of turf field…Jersey barriers 3.3 miles
“C Lane” Trust’s United Aircraft “Pole Lot” 3.4 miles
12. Turn right at gate to turf field (don’t go through gate) 3.8 miles
Elm Street Extension becomes Great Meadow Road, Rocky Hill
Note: Indian burial sites, living areas found on left.
13. Continue straight at junction with “Meadow Road” from
Golf Brook Lane joining right 4.0 miles
Note CT River Motocross Park up road on right….
14. Farm Road enters from left, bean fields; wooded area on right 4.2 miles
15. Turn right at gate (straight ahead goes to “sands” RH Game Club area) 4.6 miles
Turn left…follow “jog” to left (“C” Lane joins from right) 4.9 miles
Bear left… (“B” Lane joins from right) 5.2 miles
Cross Goff Brook bridge 5.4 miles
16. Exit Great Meadows through gate to Ferry Park 5.6 miles
17. Board Ferry for Glastonbury! 5.8 miles



Tuesday Evenings on the River with the GMCT
Led by Jim Woodworth
For further details call
Jim Woodworth (529-0997)

Meet at 6:00 pm. Bring your own canoe or kayak, paddles, PDF. Plans are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or river conditions.

1. Tuesday, May 3 Keeney Cove. Meet at the Point Road causeway (off Naubuc Avenue, just south of Glastonbury Avenue) at 6:00pm. Alternate A (less strenuous): Launch north of the Point Road causeway, paddle under Route 3 to explore the abandoned river bed, observe observe great blue heron and spawning alewives, check out the Dickau parcel (G-13) south of Route 3 and the Dickau (G-10) and Bidwel (G-4) parcels on the west bank of Keeney Cove north of Route 3. Alternate B: Launch on the south side of the Point Road causeway, paddle out by the beaver lodge to the CT River, south to Crow Point Cove inlet, explore Crow Point Cove, and return. The Preissner Parcel (G-6) is slightly downstream of the Crow Point Inlet. (sunset 7:50pm)

2. Tuesday, May 17 meet at the Wethersfield Cove at 6:00pm. We’ll paddle across the cove to explore Folly Brook, view the Eleanor Buck Wolf parcel (W-9) from the water. From there we’ll skirt the North side of the cove, and then paddle out to the river. Wethersfield "East," the triangle of Wethersfield lies directly east of the Cove entrance, marooned by the meandering course of the river, south of East Hartford, North of Glastonbury. We will pass Trust parcels Wilson-Carvalho (W-5) and Lot 14 Hockanum Meadow (W-14), both narrow lots that stretch inland from the river. Continuing upstream, we’ll pass United Aircraft Wilgoos Test Facility, where jet engines were tested. Just north of Wilgoos is the former tank farm, that will soon become the Goodwin College campus. Depending on our stamina and time, we’ll continue upstream past the Trinity College Boat House on the east bank and the trash to energy plant on the west before floating back downstream. (sunset 8:06pm)

3. Tuesday, May 31 meet at Rocky Hill Ferry Landing at 6:00pm. Rendezvous at the Ferry Landing Boat Launch at 6:00pm. Paddle upstream, passing the old coal dock protected by the Walker Parcel easement (G-3), passing the fishermen at the mouth of Roaring Brook, passing the mouth of Meadow Drain, marker #120, the Austin Parcel (G-2), with the ultimate goal of marker #122, located on the Matava parcel (G-14), opposite the Wethersfield/Rocky Hill border. Drift downstream, exploring the Roaring Brook "estuary," returning to Ferry Landing as the last rays of the sun disappear behind the "rocky hill." (sunset 8:18pm)

 

 

Members of the Public are Invited to
join the GMCT for a free speaker:
Date:   Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Time: 8:00 PM

Program:  "How can local and regional land conservation priorities be successfully integrated in the Great Meadows Speaker: Clem Clay, Connecticut River Program Director, Trust for Public Lands

Place: United Methodist Church Parish Hall, 
626 Old Main St, Rocky Hill at corner of
Church & Old Main Streets. Parking is off Church Street.

Mr. Clay is a graduate of the Center for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he completed a master’s degree in May of 2004. He completed coursework for a Professional MBA at the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, this fall, and also holds a bachelor’s degree in soil science from the University of California, Berkeley. He has farmed, managed farmers markets, and consulted on sustainable agriculture and farm policy topics, and also has experience in database management and nonprofit organization management. A Vermont native and resident of Amherst, MA, since 2001, Clay says, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work to protect all that is special about the Connecticut River and its watershed. I feel fortunate to have the support of funders and the strength of a high-performance national conservation organization behind me, and I look forward to partnering with those who have worked for years to make the watershed one of New England’s crown jewels.” Mr. Clay will work from an office space provided by American Farmland Trust’s New England office in Northampton, MA.

 

To learn more about the Trust for Public Lands Connecticut River Program go to the TPL website: http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=18118&folder_id=209

 

 

Great Meadows Conservation Trust
P.O. Box 171
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Send inquiries to:
info@gmct.org

   

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