News
What’s your level of Will Power?
A few years ago, we learned one of our members felt so passionately about conservation here in Roxbury that she gifted RLT a bequest for land acquisition. RLT has since purchased three properties with that generous legacy gift from Joan M. McMahan.
These conservation lands further protect the integrity of Roxbury’s vital Shepaug River watershed.
Other members felt similarly and enthusiastically shared that they wanted to donate funds to see more Roxbury land protected. However, they did not take the formal step of adding their honorable intentions to their will. As a result, those funds were not gifted for conservation purposes.
RLT was discussing this conundrum at a recent meeting and one of our donors created this little poem as a reminder for our “to do” lists. We enjoyed its light-hearted spirit and hope you will too:
“If our preserves have provided some rest,
If being with nature has made you less stressed,
Consider a move that we humbly suggest:
And honor us with a most welcome bequest.”
We’re never too young or old to add a legacy gift to our favorite land trust. We just need to formalize it through a legal process. If you feel the same, please take the steps today. Thank you for your support.
If you would like to learn more about how to add RLT to your will, see RLTWillPower (roxburylandtrust.org), contact execdirector@roxburylandtrust.org, or call 860-350-4148.
Take a Wonder Walk
Take a wonder walk, just 20 minutes in nature improves cognitive function and memory. And you will feel better too. Listen to the birdsong, the rushing water, breathe in the natural scents from the woodlands and meadows and enjoy the calming effects. There is a trail near you, Roxbury Land Trust has over 30 miles of trails. I wonder where you will go?
Women’s History Month
Meet Anna Botsford Comstock (1854 – 1930)
March is Women’s History Month and a good time to celebrate the vital role of women in shaping conservation and ecology. Anna Botsford Comstock grew up on her parents’ farm in New York and developed an appreciation for the wonder and beauty of the natural world. As an adult Anna turned her observant eye to illustrating the insects that she and her husband studied, drawing thousands of detailed pictures, for books they wrote together. After completing a degree in natural history in 1885, she started writing her own books, including The Handbook of Nature Study which is still considered a standard textbook today.
Comstock also broke new ground in the academic world, becoming the first female professor at Cornell University. She is also famous for designing the first outdoor nature studies program for children, taking science out of the classroom and into the natural world. Her method became the model for nature studies programs around the globe, helping to foster a new appreciation for the importance of conservation in the next generation.
Roxbury Land Trust Receives 26-Acre Gift to Ring in the New Year
(ROXBURY, Connecticut) – The Roxbury Land Trust has received a donation of 26 acres of land at 203 North Street (Route 199) in Roxbury, it was announced here today. The donor, John Katz, gifted the parcel of land, naming it the Beth Rogers and Jeffrey Katz Preserve in honor of his parents, who are nature and conservation advocates.
The property, initially sold for development, was formerly part of the 132-acre Mundy property, which was subdivided into multiple parcels on both the west and east side of Route 199. The RLT Board of Directors unanimously voted in favor of this generous gift due to its strategic location and its significant conservation value.
“Preserving this property helps to protect a critical portion of the Battle Swamp Brook watershed, which is one of the most pristine water sources in the state,” said RLT President John Smoliga. Jamie Curren, RLT’s Land Manager, added, “The permanent protection of the property also helps protect a fragile wetland habitat.”
The new Beth Rogers and Jeffrey Katz Preserve offers important wetland, flora and wildlife habitats. A natural pond sits on the far northern and eastern portion of the parcel—home to several fish species. Vernal pools, essential for amphibian breeding, have been spotted in bedrock depressions on the property, and a healthy hemlock forest void of understory shrubs and invasives is in the Northwest corner of the property.
“This generous land donation was the perfect gift to ring in 2024 as the RLT gears up for a New Year of conserving open space, protecting our waterways, and offering recreation access for all,” noted Annette Bosley-Boyce, RLT’s Executive Director. “It was also an important “win” for Mother Nature in our regional efforts to provide a wilderness corridor, help combat climate change and reverse habitat and species loss.”
Established in 1970, the Roxbury Land Trust preserves roughly 3,800 acres of farmland, woodlands, watercourses, wetlands and open space in Roxbury and neighboring communities. The Roxbury Land Trust maintains 33 preserves with more than 30 miles of hiking trails and three active farms, while offering a wide range of educational programs. RLT, a 501(c)3 organization, relies on donations, grants, member support, and gifts of land to pursue its mission.
Cabin Fever Coffee House – Friday, February 2nd @ 9:00am
Do you have a case of cabin fever? Join us for some conversation about our plans for 2024. Learn about volunteer opportunities and our new Trail Monitor Program. We will have some warm beverages and treats and some neighborly conversations. Hope to see you soon!
The Roxbury Land Trust Revisits its Quartz Mining History
On Saturday, November 25th, Dr. John Smoliga, President of the Roxbury Land Trust, led a group of 30+ hikers to examine an old quart mining site at its historic Mine Hill Preserve. The annual post-Thanksgiving walk is held in memory of Dave Beglan, a former historian and director of the Roxbury Land Trust who was instrumental in preserving this property.
Dr. Smoliga, a geologist by trade, started the walk by showing several maps of the area illustrating Connecticut’s long and complex geological history. He explained that mineral deposits were formed in the area when tectonic plates under the earth’s surface collided. These collisions produced volcanic activity, which resulted in the formation of the various mineral deposits found today at Mine Hill.
It is unknown as to when quartz mining started at Mine Hill. However, during the late 1880’s, quartz obtained from Mine Hill was transported via the Shepaug railroad to a kiln at Roxbury Falls where it was processed into a fine powder to be used in glass making, abrasives, and as an additive in paints.
During the hike, John brought the group to a previous quartz mining site, explaining the difference between clear quartz, milky quartz, and smokey quartz. He then entertained questions about the furnace complex at the Mine Hill Preserve that still attracts visitors from all over to learn about the 19th century iron mining industry, which to this day, is noted for its critical role in the Industrial Revolution.
Mother Nature is a gift..
Mother Nature is a gift. This gift often goes unnoticed until we’re reminded of its subtle yet alluring presence—from a golden sunset that blankets a nearby pasture—to a resident Great Blue Heron that dips into the Shepaug River—to the bounty of colorful and delicious farm produce that graces our Thanksgiving table. These simple splendors are easy to forget in our fast-paced lives, but they exist in Roxbury all because our friends and neighbors, for the last 50+ years, shared a common vision—to preserve our forest, farmland and waterways (nearly 4,000 acres) in perpetuity for the purpose of promoting passive recreation, education and sustaining our cultural heritage and biodiversity.
This year at the Roxbury Land Trust, we held our second annual RiverFest event; offered, hiking, gardening, birding and other educational events (such as our popular owl banding demonstrations); and secured a notable Two for the Road grant to help us build another parking lot, which will connect several of our popular hiking trails along River Road.
Still, our work is far from over. While we continue to explore ways that we can protect more of Roxbury’s pristine forest and wetlands, we also need to focus on the sustainability and maintenance of our current preserved lands. This year, in particular, our town saw more erosion from severe rainstorms than it’s seen in the last 100 years, requiring our Trust to spend thousands of dollars to fix parking areas, hiking trails and drainage due to this unprecedented rainfall. Our treasured Orzech and Mine Hill Preserve trails were some of the worst to be hit, and yet, because of supporters like you, we were able to make the improvements necessary to keep our trails safe and secure.
During this Thanksgiving season, we want to extend our gratitude to the hundreds of friends and neighbors, just like you, who have made the preservation of land in Roxbury possible. By donating to the Roxbury Land Trust and becoming a member, you are committing to a legacy of land and wildlife conservation that can be enjoyed by all generations, and you ensure we do our part to support a ‘forever wild’ corridor in the Northeast as well as educational programming for learners of all ages.
Mother Nature, truly, is our most precious gift. In a world where so many often discard her, we are grateful that you choose to make her and her sustainability a priority. Thank you in advance for your support. Please consider making a donation today.
Moth Walk and Talk
At Good Hill Farm Preserve located on the Roxbury-Woodbury border, on Route 317.
August 24th 8:00pm – 10:00pm
When flowering plants evolved 130 million years ago, moths were the original pollinators. Today they continue to be important pollinators for flowers and forest trees. Join Larry Fischer as he attracts moths with lights and bait, identifies them and talks about their natural history. RSVP development@roxburylandtrust.org
New Trail Opening at Horrigan Family Preserve
Start your weekend outdoors and join RLT for a guided new trail opening at the Horrigan Family Preserve off Rocky Mountain Road on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 10 a.m.
Park at the River Road parking areas and follow signs to the meeting place. Please also register so we know how many to expect and who to contact if there are any changes: execdirector@roxburylandtrust.org
The walk will be moderate with some inclines/declines so bring your walking stick as needed. If the weather does not cooperate on the 15th, the walk will be rescheduled to April 29, 2023 at 10 a.m.
On March 8, 2006, Richard, Robert and William Horrigan and family donated 5.77 acres to RLT in memory of William Horrigan Jr. and Richard Tyler Horrigan. The young men loved the outdoors and spending time with their families so the family wanted to honor that and share a beautiful, peaceful setting where other families could hike and enjoy each other’s company outdoors.
RLT hopes the new trail will encourage families to do just that.
Founded in 1970, RLT is a private, non-profit land trust which offers public access to families and individuals who wish to enjoy Roxbury’s open spaces in passive recreation (e.g., hiking, birding, photography). Leashed dogs are welcome. No motorized vehicles are allowed. Note that this trail was not created for mountain bike use.
RLT relies on donations, grants, member support, and gifts of land to pursue its mission. For more information about the land trust, please contact us at 860-350-4148 or email execdirector@roxburylandtrust.org.