How to grow a tiny forest of densely planted trees and shrubs of varying heights that can mature in 20-30 years instead of 100.

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Join Chris Teter, Board Certified Master Arborist, Accredited Organic Land Care Professional, and Connecticut Master Gardener, for an urban tree identification walk focused on recognizing and understanding trees in the built landscape.

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Luncheon & Panel Discussion for Local Gardeners, Farmers, & Eaters

Miyawaki Forests, developed by botanist Akira Miyawaki, are micro-forests densely planted with diverse native species. Some Miyawaki forests are less than 100 square feet but still provide resources for birds and other wildlife. Mary Ellen Lemay of Aspetuck Land Trust will discuss Miyawaki Forests in Connecticut: where they are, how they are planted, and where to begin if you want to plant your own Miyawaki Forest.

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Don't let the colder weather keep you inside! With miles of trails to explore, winter can be a wonderful time to connect with nature. We would love you to join us for the Winter Wilderness Skills session in Trout Brook Valley with Chris Varian. He will cover essential winter hiking skills such as map navigation, emergency priorities and skills, winter gear essentials, cold injury prevention, and more.

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This session introduces the fundamentals of seed collection and germination, connecting ecological knowledge with community-based food systems. Participants will learn practical techniques for identifying, collecting, and storing native and cultivated seeds, and gain insight into germination methods that support both home and community gardens. The workshop will explore the role of seed saving in resilience, and ecological restoration

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We'll discuss what a mini-forest is, what it can do for your neighborhood, what goes into planting one, and why people all over the world are organizing their communities to plant mini-forests in the spaces around where they live and work. 

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Please join us on Thursday October 10th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm as Tom Butler, author of Wildlands Philanthropy: The Great American Tradition shares the fascinating stories of people who used their time and treasure to conserve the landscapes they loved, across the continent and around the globe.

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Join naturalist and raptor researcher Larry Fischer in Trout Brook Valley for an evening presentation on the natural history of the saw-whet owl. Learn about their status and abundance during the different seasons in CT. Larry will also discuss their diet, habitat preferences during the different seasons, courtship behavior, and behavioral traits they share with other owls, as well as behavioral traits that make them unique among owls.

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Join naturalist and raptor researcher Larry Fischer in Trout Brook Valley for an evening presentation on the natural history of the saw-whet owl. Learn about their status and abundance during the different seasons in CT. Larry will also discuss their diet, habitat preferences during the different seasons, courtship behavior, and behavioral traits they share with other owls, as well as behavioral traits that make them unique among owls.

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Join hawk-bander and raptor specialist, Larry Fischer, for a hawk walk at Aspetuck Land Trust’s orchard and blueberry patch in Trout Brook Valley. The 100+ acre area of fields at the orchard is one of the last great open expanses on the New England Coast. Larry will, hopefully, catch one or more hawks to present up-close to the group and discuss fascinating details about these extraordinary creatures.

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Join hawk-bander and raptor specialist, Larry Fischer, for a hawk walk at Aspetuck Land Trust’s orchard and blueberry patch in Trout Brook Valley. The 100+ acre area of fields at the orchard is one of the last great open expanses on the New England Coast. Larry will, hopefully, catch one or more hawks to present up-close to the group and discuss fascinating details about these extraordinary creatures.

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Join restoration ecologist Meghan Noe Fellows to learn how to plant these mini-forests (she calls them Super-clumps) in your home landscape!

Mini forests are a dense planting of native plants, trees, and shrubs. These dense plantings increase local biodiversity, provide bird and insect habitat, and have been known to block out some unsightly neighbors. 

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Please join us for a walk and talk hosted by 2024's native landscape of the year awardees, Charlie and Annie Stebbins, as they share their spectacular property and garden bustling with biodiversity, featuring a plethora of native plants, shrubs, and trees.

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Step into the fascinating world of moths under the night sky at Randall’s Farm! Guided by naturalist Lukas Keras, this immersive program reveals the hidden beauty and ecological importance of moths—often overshadowed by their butterfly relatives.

Lukas will share preserved specimens from his personal collection and set up a light-and-sheet station to attract live moths, offering a rare opportunity to see these elusive insects up close as they emerge after dark.

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Join local lepidopterist Victor DeMasi, research associate at Peabody Museum of Natural History, on this walk through an outstanding open meadow to observe butterflies and learn about their ecology and conservation.

THIS EVENT IS FULL. To join waitlist, email Shaina Meyer.

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Join us at Randall’s Farm for a high-energy outdoor workout and an interactive session on fueling movement with plant-based nutrition—designed for all bodies and abilities.

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Join us for an inspiring introductory sketching class at Randall's Farm, where you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning summer scenery. Guided by an experienced instructor, we’ll explore techniques to capture the vibrant colors, textures, and charm of the farm’s picturesque landscapes.

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RSVP REQUIRED by June 16th - All current members of Aspetuck Land Trust are invited to join our yearly celebration, this time in Downtown Westport, on June 18th. Come for the 3rd Annual Aspetuck Land Trust Awards followed by pizza from Zuppardi’s Apizza and music by Dan Tressler in the courtyard. We want to say thank you to all our amazing members who make our work possible!

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Aspetuck Land Trust and Wild Ones present...

Creating Beautifully Designed Food Forests for Migrating Birds

Join us as we welcome Eva Monheim on Friday, May 30th for a Lunch & Learn zoom webinar.

A food forest, also known as an edible forest garden, is a system of intentionally created, self-sustaining ecosystems that provide food and other resources for humans and wildlife. In essence, it's a garden that mimics a natural forest, with different layers of plants, including trees, shrubs, ground cover, and vines, all working together to create a balanced and productive environment.

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Interested in the fascinating world of bees and beekeeping? Join Ranger Jim at Randall's Farm Preserve on Saturday, May 24th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM for "Honey Bees 101."

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Embark on a captivating journey through nature's symphony of flight and song with Anthony Zemba, a Certified Ecologist and Sr. Environmental Analyst for LandTech, as your guide.

Join us for a morning bird walk at Trout Brook Valley Preserve, meeting at 8:00 am at the Bradley Rd parking lot.

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Join Norwalk Land Trust and speaker Leslie Danoff, Co-Founder and Board Chair of Global Forest Generation, for a talk about Community Action On Climate.

Join CT vernal pool expert and professional wetland scientist Edward Pawlak for an eye-opening spring vernal pool walk at Aspetuck Land Trust’s Trout Brook Valley Jump Hill Preserve.

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Join CT vernal pool expert and professional wetland scientist Edward Pawlak for an eye-opening spring vernal pool walk at Aspetuck Land Trust’s Trout Brook Valley Jump Hill Preserve.

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Join us for an enchanting introductory sketching class at Randall's Farm, where we’ll capture the serene beauty of its winter landscapes. You’ll explore techniques to portray the soft hues, frosted textures, and peaceful charm of the season. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or new to sketching, this class provides a warm and welcoming space to create, learn, and connect with the quiet magic of winter.

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Since native plants are the KEY to survival for most species, how can we help plant species to move northward as temperatures rise?  The disruption of our heavily paved surfaces and man-made structures inhibits plant movement. In this talk, we will look at the role humans play in helping to move plants as well as helping animals to move more freely to aid in seed dispersal.

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Though their growth is slow to our eyes, forests are dynamic places. How did our woods develop over time? What is on the horizon for the future? Join forester Laura Green to learn about the processes that shape our forests, what we can anticipate going forward, and the opportunities for us to be active stewards of the future we wish for our woodlands.

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Join us for this fun afternoon and take home your own Milk Jug Greenhouse. All you will need to bring is a translucent 1 or 1/2 gallon milk jugs or clear plastic 1 or 2 liter bottles. We will have all of the other supplies needed for this activity, including locally sourced milkweed seeds. These mini greenhouses are also great for cool season plants like kale, broccoli, or peas so feel free to bring those seeds along too if you have them on hand.

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Don't let the colder weather keep you inside! With miles of trails to explore, winter can be a wonderful time to connect with nature. We would love you to join us for the Winter Wilderness Skills session in Trout Brook Valley with Chris Varian. He will cover essential winter hiking skills such as map navigation, emergency priorities and skills, winter gear essentials, cold injury prevention, and more.

Learn More…