April Hike: Walking the Poetry in the Woods Trail
Join us on Sunday, April 13th from 1 – 3 PM for a walk in the woods as we celebrate National Poetry Month. The hike in Mendell’s Folly will be highlighted by stops at locations along the way where we will hear readings by members of the Connecticut Poetry Society.
Those attending the hike are in for a special treat: attending the official opening of the Bethany Land Trust’s Poetry in the Woods poetry trail, the first of its kind in Connecticut! The initial section of the poetry trail in Mendell’s Folly consists of three permanent plaques installed on wooden posts allowing hikers to enjoy poems at any time – simply scan the plaque’s QR code with a phone’s camera to hear an audio recording of the poem, read by the author themselves! The poems chosen for this section of the poetry trail include “Eagle Poem” by Jo Harjo, “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver and “Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry.
In time, as we continue the initiative, more of these Poetry in the Woods treasures will be found throughout the Land Trust’s many preserves. Look for more details posted to our website, Facebook page and here in the Bethany Bulletincolumn.
For the April hike, we will meet at the roadside parking area at the Van Epps Preserve at 390 Beacon Road (Route 42) in Bethany at 1:00 PM. Look for the green Land Trust banner. Off-road parking is also available. All are welcome but space for the hike will be limited to 25 registered participants. Please leave your pets at home and inclement weather will cancel.
To register: contact Bob Harrison by Friday, April 11 via cell at 203-506-5888 or bjh51box@gmail.comA Fresh
A Fresh New Design for the Land Trust Website
The Land Trust is thrilled to announce that we’ve completely redesigned our website: its structure, layout, content, and functionality have all been significantly improved. This redesign offers a user-friendly experience with improved navigation, making it easier for visitors to find information about our conservation efforts, preserves, and upcoming events.
Some highlights include:
- an interactive, townwide map of Bethany with links to preserve trail maps
- updated trail maps and descriptions of the trails
- updated preserve description and history
- an array of striking photos of our preserves and the people who hike them and those who help keep them maintained
- listings of volunteer opportunities, upcoming events and a wealth of educational resources to better serve our community and supporters
With this redesign, we aim to provide an engaging platform that reflects our commitment to preserving natural landscapes. We invite you to explore our website bethanylandtrust.org by clicking on the QR code here and join us in our mission to preserve and cherish the beauty of our environment.
Save the Dates
Sunday April 26th, 1-3PM: Bethany Airport tour and trail walk sponsored by the Historical Society and Land Trust
Wednesday May 7th: Great Give, a 36-hour online giving event to support local nonprofits
Thursday, May 8th, 7PM: Land Trust spring educational program with Frank Gallo, author and Connecticut birding expert
Bob Harrison
Bethany Land Trust Trails Chair