Cooper Farm Agricultural Easement Expands
The Bethany Land Trust is pleased to announce that Peter Cooper and Diana Cooper have added the final additional four acres to the existing Cooper Farm agricultural easement along the Bethany – Woodbridge town line (total 51 acres). The addition to the Cooper Farm easement expands a fabulous greenway protecting habitat that starts with the Spykman Preserve through the RWA managed forest to these 51 acres.
Previously, the Coopers donated in 2012 an 18-acre agricultural easement on their Bethany land and in 2011, a 29-acre agricultural easement on abutting land in Woodbridge. This 4-acre easement on prime farmland protects the agricultural use of this former orchard and vineyard, important open field habitat and watershed, and a spectacular view across the remaining protected property.
“We are grateful to Peter and Diana for this 4-acre addition to the existing easement,” said Carol Lambiase, Land Trust president. “Although the property is not open to public access, the Land Trust hopes to host a supervised walk on the property in the spring.”
Monthly Hikes Planned for 2025
The Bethany Land Trust series of hikes for 2025 got off to a rousing start with close to 40 hikers joining us for our First Day Hike on New Year’s Day 2025. On an overcast afternoon, we hiked 2.5 miles through Whispering Pines and the Carrington Preserve to reach the Land Trust’s newest addition, the Hidden Brook Preserve. Upon our return, we snacked on cider, homemade treats, and chocolate-covered Oreos, departing for home just before the late afternoon showers began. Great way to start the New Year!
The following is the preliminary list of planned hikes for 2025; most of the hikes are planned for the afternoon of the first Sunday of every month with a couple of exceptions. We hope you can join us.
April – National Poetry Month hike in Mendell’s Folly with poetry readings
May – Early morning birding walk in Mendell’s to see birds returning from migration
June – Connecticut Trails Day on June 8: a loop hike in northwest Bethany preserves
July – BioBlitz in Whispering Pines
August – Geology hike in Three Sisters Preserve
September – Wild mushroom hike on Bethany Farms trails
October – Hike along trails in the Bethany’s Veteran’s Park and the Simpson Preserve, soon to be acquired by the Town of Bethany
November – Night hike in the Van Epps Preserve around that month’s super moon
Additional details to follow in this column as well as on our Facebook page and website: bethanylandtrust.org
Bob Harrison