Greetings! As we start to see some days with 40+ temperatures in the forecast, it is time to think about Spring. We expect to be very busy in the next few months and I hope this preview of events/projects will help keep you in the loop.
Land Acquisition and Property Planning and Management: The long-awaited survey of our Center Groton Preserve (CGP) is complete! Our surveyor, Steve Marien, has been hard at work for months trying to put together boundaries from very old deeds and other documents. He has spent time in municipal and State vaults looking at records that back up his work and establish accurate property lines. In some cases, the results will help the Town and our neighbors by providing reliable boundaries. During his research, Steve determined the survey of our Candlewood Ridge property may have some errors. He will help us to correct the boundaries. Steve has done an amazing job, and we are fortunate to have him working for us.
Stewardship: With the CGP survey complete, we can get to work making the property open for the community. This includes establishing marked trails, signage, maps, bog bridges, and parking areas. We have been planning these projects and will start working in the next few weeks. Our properties have a reputation of being safe, well-marked, and maintained and we will work hard to create that standard on this great property.
Other projects coming up include:
- Planting 150 trees at Sheep Farm South as part of our effort to control the invasive Knotweed plants
- Repairing / replacing bog bridges where needed
- Hosting annual work party at Haley Farm (April 26th)
- Brush hog fields and along trails where needed
- Adding asphalt millings to our parking areas (thank you to Groton Public Works!)
These projects are in addition to other ongoing tasks such as maintenance of our equipment and regular trail side work. Thanks so much to our volunteers who make all this happen and our members/donors who support us.
Community Outreach: We continue to provide access to nature on our properties for our community. Our successful partnership with Groton Public Schools has benefited hundreds of students, teachers, and families. This spring we expect to host 9 hikes (~ 500 students). Thanks to a generous grant from the Kitchings Foundation, GOSA will fund busses for these events. FYI – Groton Public Schools nominated us for the Community Engagement award presented by the Connecticut Land Conservation Council. The winner will announced next month at their annual conference.
We will assist the GoGroton Team in supporting an event at Branford Manor on April 5th. Hundreds of children and families are expected at this opportunity to learn about the benefits of being outdoors in nature.
We will commence offering monthly guided Community hikes through our properties starting on March 2nd at 1:00PM at Candlewood Ridge (park at the end of Lambtown Road on Groton side). Join us on an upcoming hike to enjoy our beautiful spaces while spending time with others who value nature and the many benefits it brings.
Communications: Production is wrapping up on a series of short GOSA videos highlighting Sidney Van Zandt’s contributions to our community and organizations, past achievements, and a look at present and future efforts. First cuts look great, and we plan to invite you to a special showing when the series is finished.
Finance: Our amazing committee has been working hard to produce the reports required of us as a non-profit land trust. Their diligence and efforts to maximize our security and efficiency is very much appreciated.
We thank you, our members and donors, for your support. Without you we would not be able to do so much for our community. Be proud of what we have accomplished together. Hope to see you at our events!
See you out there,
Dan O’Connell, GOSA Stewardship Chair & Director
