Dear Friends:
With springtime in the air (Yes, it is April, and this spring feels extra special!), I am reminded of the all the wonderful groups, organizations, and volunteers that bring such vibrancy and life to the Land Trust. Even during these strangest of times, it is inspiring to see strong partnerships thrive.
Maybe it is just the change of season and everyone coming out of hibernation, or the proverbial post-spring break awakening, but during this time of year there is an extra emphasis on celebrating the work we do as a community.
Last week, there was a great article in the Greenwich Time that highlighted the collaborative work we so highly value. CLICK HERE to check it out.
When I stop and think about all the groups we work with and all that we can and continue to accomplish together, it is truly remarkable. Our dedicated and hardworking volunteers each bring great energy and unique skills to our organization.
Besides the promise of warmer weather and greener landscapes, spring marks the start of a new year of community conservation. We are excited for the return of our weekly garden volunteers, to welcome new high school interns, begin our summer Youth Corps recruitment, and host a variety of Earth Week volunteer activities. We hope you can join us!
Stay well.
All the best,
Will Kies
Executive Director
In the News…
Garden Clubs Partner to Support Converse Brook Preserve
Greenwich Land Trust (GLT) is founded on partnerships. Since its inception, GLT has worked with many local organizations and groups to accomplish its core objective: conserving open space, connecting the community to the natural world, and inspiring the next generation of conservationists.
In the late 1960s, members of Greenwich Garden Club led the charge to coordinate discussions with the Town of Greenwich and Greenwich Audubon Society to establish a local land holding organization. In 1971, the Land Trust Division of Greenwich Audubon Society was formed, and Greenwich Garden Club donated $5,000 as a start-up contribution. After much success and enthusiasm, Greenwich Land Trust became its own entity in 1976.
Green Fingers Garden Club and Hortulus were also early champions of GLT. All three garden clubs have been engaged through annual giving and special projects over the years.
In 2015, GLT was in the midst of a capital campaign to restore the buildings on the newly donated 4-acre Mueller Preserve, which would become the hub of the organization with offices, a greenhouse, and barns for storing equipment and hosting educational programs and events. Each of the three garden clubs made generous contributions toward the Kitty Starr native garden, the wetlands garden, and the habitat fountain on the preserve creating the ideal environment for pollinators.
Last year, the three clubs came together again so that GLT could complete one of its most important acquisitions. In September 2020, GLT acquired the 72.27-acre Converse Brook Preserve, at the corner of Lake Avenue and Old Mill Road from Aquarion Water Company. The vital piece of land remained untouched, yet unprotected, for generations, but is now GLT’s largest preserve protected in perpetuity.
The acquisition was accomplished through a partnership between GLT and the Town of Greenwich with each equally contributing to the $2 million sale price. For GLT, the task of raising $1 million for the acquisition was a welcome challenge because of the enduring support from partners such as Green Fingers Garden Club, Greenwich Garden Club, and Hortulus.
The garden clubs are longstanding organizations. Greenwich Garden Club was founded in 1914, Hortulus in 1930, and Green Fingers Garden Club in 1935. Their members have been indispensable role models, advisors, and confidants for GLT. They have been vital partners in caring for the natural resources that contribute to the historic character and scenic beauty of Greenwich
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Growing Strong in the Greenhouse
GLT’s Seed-to-Seed program is in full swing as April brings stronger sun and warmer temperatures. Native wildflower seeds that were brought into the greenhouse at the end of February have germinated and are growing rapidly. Perennials that were overwintered in our hoop house are coming alive and putting out their first growth.
Throughout April, GLT staff and dedicated volunteers will transplant seedlings from their starter trays into plug trays where they will grow for the next few months before being planted out onto the landscape.
The greenhouse is also home to vegetable seedlings started in late winter to give them a head start on the growing season. Hardier leafy greens, like kale and some lettuces, have already been in the soil for several weeks while the warmer season crops, like tomatoes and peppers, will wait until May when the chance of frost has passed.
Take a tour of the greenhouse in the video below!
Get Your Tickets for An Evening at the Farmstead
Friday, September 17, 2021 @ 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are selling quickly and you don’t want to miss out!
Co-chairs Courtney Evans, Sacha Janke, Kerrith Mackay, and Caralyn Stevens invite you to An Evening at the Farmstead! Please join us for a fun, relaxed party with delicious food and cocktails.
Casual attire. Space is limited.
Greenwich Tree Conservancy’s Awesome Tree Contest
GLT is excited to be a co-sponsor of Greenwich Tree Conservancy’s 2021 Awesome Tree Contest. Below are the categories you can enter.
SPRING FLAIR: Photograph or work of art celebrating the joy of spring trees
A WALK AMONGST TREES: Photograph or work of art capturing the sense of wonder of a walk in the woods
ALL IN THE DETAILS: Close-up photograph or work of art highlighting a special tree detail such as bark, leaves, knots, etc.
ODE TO A TREE: A poem that shares your affection for a tree
Property Spotlight…
Sargent Gildersleeve Stone Preserve
The three Greenwich Land Trust properties that make up the Sargent Gildersleeve Stone Preserve form a greenway connected with a National Audubon Society property. The parcels were given to the Land Trust at different times (1971, 1980, and 1998), and in different ways (purchase, subdivision set aside, and donation), demonstrating the avenues by which open space can be protected forever.
The 5.2-acre Sargent woodland was bought from a willing seller by a group of Greenwich residents and given to The Nature Conservancy in 1971, before Greenwich Land Trust existed. Members of the Sargent family matched the funds raised by a committee headed by Louisa and Emerson Stone to purchase the property and name it in memory of John Sargent who instilled a love of nature in his descendants. It has two wetlands, one on each side of a rocky ridge. The wetlands are filled with local vegetation and wildlife and provide water for two branches of the Byram River.
The 8.7-acre Gildersleeve property was added to the Sargent woodland when the Gildersleeve family subdivided its farm into building lots. It includes woodland along Riversville Road, wetlands, meadows filled with native wildflowers, and a large pond. The Nature Conservancy deeded the Sargent and Gildersleeve preserves to Greenwich Land Trust in 1981.
The 4.5-acre Stone Preserve is part of Louisa and the late Emerson Stone’s 8.5 acres. They kept the four acres required by zoning for their home and donated the rest to Greenwich Land Trust. Most of the Stone Preserve borders Sterling Road and includes the branch of the Byram River that springs from Gildersleeve pond. Steep stone outcroppings host a variety of ephemerals that burst into bloom each spring, safe from the grazing white-tailed deer.
All three parcels were once part of larger residential estates that were left mostly natural because of their steep slopes and wetlands. Some areas were used for animal grazing and cultivation as evidenced by the stonewalls throughout. The Stone Preserve also has remnants of the original Sterling Road roadbed and of a railroad that was started, but never finished, before the Civil War
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Stewardship…
Early Invasive Identification & Management
Spring is here and soon our woodlands will be green and full of life. Unfortunately, the first things to turn green by leafing out are often invasive or noxious plants. These plants are not native and damaging to our local ecosystem as they out-compete our native vegetation if left uncurbed. This strategy of leafing out first is thought to be one factor that gives these invasive plants a competitive advantage over much of our native flora.
Luckily, this strategy of leafing out first can also be used to our advantage! Early spring is an excellent time to monitor for many of our more prevalent and damaging invasive plants. Species that are particularly apparent are Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), and European privet (Ligustrum vulgare). At GLT, we use this time of year to monitor these plants and prioritize areas for control. We encourage everyone to work on their own backyard to control these invasive plants and whenever possible, plant native!
Nesting Boxes for Bluebirds
The color blue is noticeably uncommon in nature. Maybe because of this, we tend to be particularly attracted to plants and animals with a blue hue. The Eastern Bluebird (Salia sialis) stands out with its plumage that matches the color of a cloudless blue sky.
Bluebirds tend to dwell within habitat edges like the space between woodlands and fields or meadows and orchards. GLT maintains over 20 preserves with field, meadow, and orchard habitats. Without the grazing livestock of yesteryear, we mow our fields to prevent the succession of woody shrubs and trees.
As cavity nesters, bluebirds traditionally used hollow fence posts, holes in trees, and various openings in farm structures to build their nests. Nowadays, GLT places bluebird nesting boxes on preserves with appropriate habitat throughout Greenwich
Tips for a Spring Harvest
Most people think of Mothers Day as the time to start their vegetable garden, but by picking the right crops and incorporating cold frames and row covers, you can actually have a delicious spring harvest by the beginning of May.
Lettuce, kale, spinach, and cabbage are all good choices. Seeds should be started inside. Then seedlings can be taken outside to “harden off”. A cold frame (a protective box with a clear glass or plastic cover) can help with the transition to colder outdoor temperatures.
After transplanting into garden beds, a row cover (a thin gauze like material) can protect your tender seedlings when nighttime temperatures fall below freezing. Direct seeding or planting seeds in the garden, rather than starting seeds indoors and transplanting them outside is ideal for carrots, radishes, and beets. They can be planted in early April and all taste better when grown in cooler weather.
What’s Coming Up…
Spring Walk at Lapham
Tuesday, April 13 @ 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Join GLT staff for a medium-intensity guided walk at our Lapham Preserve. We will explore how the preserve’s varied habitats and wildlife are welcoming spring. Sturdy, waterproof footwear and weather appropriate clothing is recommended.
Please bring a mask, as all current distancing rules will be utilized for everyone’s safety.
Space is limited to 12 people and pre-registration is required. Learn more and sign-up here.
Earth Week Volunteer Activities
Multiple Dates & Times
GLT is excited to offer a variety of Earth Week activities for small groups at various preserves. Please bring a mask, as all current distancing rules will be utilized for everyone’s safety.
-Monday, April 19 @ 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Duck Pond Hill Preserve: Native planting, invasive plant removal, and general clean up
*Moderate work, adults only
-Tuesday, April 20 @ 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lapham Preserve: Native planting and invasive plant removal
*Light to moderate work, adults only
-Wednesday, April 21 @ 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Mueller Preserve: Habitat garden planting
*Moderate work, adults only
-Thursday, April 22 @ 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Mueller Preserve: Vegetable garden planting
*Light work, good for families with children
