On April 3rd, the Deep River Land Trust held an osprey and marsh bird viewing event at the Evelyn and Hawthorne Smyth Sanctuary, led by board member John Cunningham. Participants were treated to bird watching and an opportunity to learn about freshwater tidal marshes as critical habitat, the biology of osprey, and the story of its decline and ultimate conservation success. As a Connecticut Audubon Osprey Steward, Cunningham has monitored these nesting sites for many years to gauge the health of this once declining bird species. Reflecting on his passion for this project Cunningham said, “we hear a lot of doom and gloom about the environment and it’s nice to have a story, a story that I’ve experienced in my lifetime, of the osprey really returning and thriving..."

"This year we saw COVID masks added to the usual debris, but limited mylar balloons," reflected Groton Open Space Association (GOSA) President Joan Smith after a cleanup along the road frontage of the Merritt Family Forest. In celebration of Earth Month, with support from The Last Green Valley, GOSA is organizing a series of roadside cleanups throughout their community. At the second cleanup at Candlewood Ridge and the Candlewood Hill Wildlife Management Area, one volunteer notably used a grappling hook to retrieve three tires from the quarry, while others collected the tires, rims and over two truckloads of trash. Up next is a cleanup at Haley Farm State Park along with Dog Scout Troop 219, a local geocaching group, and outreach support from Covanta. Follow more of GOSA's Earth Month endeavors on their Instagram page...

When Covid-19 hit, Dr. Doug Tallamy filmed a series of short teachable moments just for Aspetuck Land Trust (ALT). With help from ALT staff, the idea for "Tallamy Tidbits" was born! Dr. Tallamy has filmed his own property to show viewers what to look for in their backyards as the world wakes up in spring. ALT Landowner Engagement Director Mary Ellen Lemay notes, "These little clips are such a fun way to learn from Doug what we can see when we bring nature back to our own homes. We decided to call them 'Tallamy Tidbits' because they are just the right size for some quick brain food." Shared weekly, the Tidbits will continue into the summer and fall filled with timely information. Check out the first video on spring ephemerals...

#LoveYourCTLandTrust — on this Earth Day and every day!

Photo Credits Photo from Osprey and Marsh Bird Viewing Event courtesy of Deep River Land Trust ; Photo of Earth Month Cleanup Volunteers courtesy of Groton Open Space Association ; Screenshot of Tallamy Tidbit: Episode One shared by Aspetuck Land Trust.