Join us for a Valentine’s Day weekday hike on the 2+/- mile trail at Simsbury Land Trust’s Tulmeadow Farm and Woodlot. 
There are some inclines during the first half of the hike. Boots with some grip or microspikes will be helpful if there is packed snow on the ground. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water.
Park at Town Forest Park and we will hike out and back. If you want a longer hike, Ethel Walker Woods can also be accessed from the parking area.
This hike is co-sponsored by Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy and Simsbury Land Trust.
Bloomfield’s Golf Course as a Public Asset
By Bradley Klein & Dennis Petruzzelli, CGCS
This PowerPoint presentation shows how the 200 acres of the town’s golf course are an ecologically sustainable natural asset in terms of open space, habitat and plant diversity. Widespread benefits accrue to all town residents, regardless of whether they play golf.
Bradley S. Klein is a longtime town resident and nationally recognized golf course journalist and consultant who has written a dozen books on golf design. He is also chair of the town’s Golf Committee.
Dennis Petruzzelli is a veteran golf superintendent and director of maintenance for Wintonbury Hills GC.
Co-sponsored by: Bloomfield Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services
Join us for a weekday hike with Zoe Duesing. Zoe is a graduate student at CCSU in wildlife and conservation biology. She also has an intimate knowledge of Hawk Hill Farm since her family has farmed the property for the last 5 years.
We will start our hike at Hawk Hill Farm where Zoe will give us a brief introduction on the farm’s plans for the upcoming year. We will then head southeast to the 1834 Filley House at LaSalette Park, taking in the view of Hartford if it is a clear day. Next we will head northeast to complete the loop trail past the pond toward Anthony’s Way before heading back. This trail is approximately 3.5 miles with one short hill and some minor inclines and declines. 
Zoe will help point out wildlife habitat and tracks from local animals and talk about what you can see in other seasons on the property. Bring water and dress properly for the weather – hiking boots and a wind layer are suggested because we will walk through portions of open farmland.
This hike, and future weekday hikes, are co-sponsored by Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy and Simsbury Land Trust.
By Dr. Carole Cheah, Research Entomologist at CT Agricultural Experiment Station
Dr. Cheah will give an overview of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) and Connecticut’s use of the biocontrol agent Sasajiscymnus tsugae to help manage HWA to preserve and protect our hemlocks.
Co-sponsored by: Bloomfield Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services
Ring in the new year outdoors with friends and neighbors! Our fourth annual First Day hike at Wintonbury Hills Golf Course, co-sponsored with Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services, will explore the Town of Bloomfield’s picturesque golf course abutting the Land Conservancy’s Beacon Hill Preserve. Some of the property along Duncaster Road was once a part of A. C. Peterson Farms and nicely illustrates the rural character of western Bloomfield. As a result of continuing thoughtful management, it is certified as a Cooperative Bird Sanctuary by Audubon International.
This guided walk will follow approximately 2.5 miles of cart paths over the rolling hills. Leashed dogs are welcome. Please use the online RSVP form to help our volunteer event leaders plan ahead. Thank you!
Wintonbury Hills is closed for the season for golfers. During this hiatus, walkers are welcome to use the grounds as long as they stay on the cart paths. Snowshoeing also is allowed once there is snow. Take advantage of this opportunity to explore one of Bloomfield’s nicest walks and wonderful views. Once Spring arrives, it will belong again to the golfers!
(Photos: Paula Jones)
We will continue to clear around the foundation along the northwest corner of the field. Park at end of Stone Hill Road.
RSVP to our Conservation Chairs at conservation@trlandconservancy.org if you are interested in attending so that you can be contacted in case of changes or cancellations.
Join us to get hands-on experience clearing invasive plants. You will learn what plants are invasive to our area and how to treat them to hinder further growth.
We will be cutting and painting common buckthorn. Park along the road near 64 Orchard.
RSVP to our Conservation Chairs at conservation@trlandconservancy.org if you are interested in attending so that you can be contacted in case of changes or cancellations.
It’s a good idea to wear long pants, long sleeves, socks, sturdy shoes and work gloves. Bring loppers and water to drink.
We will start to clear the foundations along the western boundary of the south field. We will be able to clear the fencing, dumping and other debris that hides some interesting historical features. Park at end of Stone Hill Road.
RSVP to our Conservation Chairs at conservation@trlandconservancy.org if you are interested in attending so that you can be contacted in case of changes or cancellations.
Join us to get hands-on experience clearing invasive plants. You will learn what plants are invasive to our area and how to treat them to hinder further growth.
We will be identifying and spray-painting common buckthorn in anticipation of cutting it later. Park along the road near 64 Orchard.
RSVP to our Conservation Chairs at conservation@trlandconservancy.org if you are interested in attending so that you can be contacted in case of changes or cancellations.
It’s a good idea to wear long pants, long sleeves, socks, sturdy shoes and work gloves. Bring water to drink, and loppers and a shovel if you have them.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about invasive plant species, their impact on wildlife habitats and how to manage invasive plant species. Registration is $85. The Land Conservation Committee has enough in its budget to sponsor two attendees. Please email Cathy at conservation@trlandconservancy.org if interested.