2023 SUMMER CELEBRATION scheduled for AUGUST 26

Mark your calendar!

This year’s Summer Celebration will be Saturday, August 26 from roughly 4pm - 7pm at Karraker Field, at the intersection of Cross Highway and Black Rock Turnpike. 

Consisting of land donated to Redding Land Trust by the Karraker family, the field was used as a training ground by Continental troops in the Revolutionary War and is now maintained as a meadow habitat.

This event is always a highlight, and we’re proud to be hosting it in this iconic Redding location - buy your tickets or become a sponsor today!

You're invited to our 2023 Annual Meeting

Please join the Redding Land Trust for our Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 2 at 3:00 pm at the Redding Community Center.

Our featured speaker will be Andrew Fisk, Ph.D. and Bureau Chief of the Natural Resources, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

We welcome everyone to come and learn more about what your land trust is doing to preserve Redding’s natural beauty. Refreshments will be provided. If you are unable to attend in person, we encourage you to attend virtually by way of Zoom.

The Zoom link will be posted to here on the website prior to the meeting, or email us at info@reddingctlandtrust.org.

Holiday Hikes Return

In 2018, the Land Trust launched its first series of holiday hikes, inviting neighbors and supporters to join in on family-friendly hikes on properties throughout town. On hiatus during the pandemic, the series will begin anew this year, with the first hike, the “Turkey Waddle” to be held on Friday, November 25 at 11. The next will be the “Boxing Day Hike” at 11 on December 26 and the New Year’s Day hike on January 1 at 11 am. Here’s what to expect:

The Turkey Waddle, November 25, 11 am: Putnam Park and the Plishner Preserve. Meet in the Putnam Park parking lot off Putnam Park Road before noon for a walk through Putnam Park and the Plishner Preserve. About 2 miles, it starts with a gentle uphill climb through the park’s signature guard towers, past the memorial obelisk honoring the soldiers who wintered there and into a wooded loop trail. The trail features beautiful moss-covered rocks, some wetlands and a lot of peace and quiet. To learn more, visit the November 1 issue of the Redding Sentinel. Well-controlled dogs on leashes are welcome.

Boxing Day Hike, December 26, 11 am: Saugatuck Trail. Meet near 56 Deer Hill Road (don’t park on the grass, please.) This lesser-known trail starts with a short connector trail from Deer Hill Road, connecting to the Saugatuck trail in the Centennial Watershed. The trail makes a slow and mostly downhill decline toward Newtown Turnpike and the Reservoir. Be sure to conserve your energy because the return trip features an equally steady incline. The 2-mile round trip can be extended by crossing Newtown Turnpike and meandering along the shores of the reservoir, which looks very different after this summer’s drought. Since most of the hike is on Centennial Watershed land, no dogs are allowed.

New Year’s Day Hike, January 1, 11 am: Rock Lot/Scott Preserve. Meet on Peaceable Street near the power station. Limited off-street parking is available. Featured in the September 26 issue of the Redding Sentinel, The Rock Lot/Scott Preserve offers the most challenging hike of the three, but it is still a family-friendly outing that features abundant rocky terrain, including the beautiful whaleback rock formation. Well-controlled dogs on leash are welcome.

Summer Celebration Scheduled for August 27, 4-7 PM

The Redding Land Trust will hold its Summer Celebration on Saturday, August 27 at 4 pm a the Do Ngak Kunphen Ling (DNKL) Buddhist center, behind its monastery at 30 Putnam Park Road.

Food will be served by Taproot and the event will feature live Bluegrass music.

Tickets are $75 per person. You can purchase tickets and become an event sponsor or Land Trust member at our Eventbrite registration site. Kids under 12 free; donations welcome.

The event will take place in the meadows behind DNKL’s monastery, where there should be ample shade and beautiful vistas, and if we’re lucky, a stunning sunset.

In 1998, the DNKL property was permanently preserved through a conservation easement held by the Redding Land Trust. “

Today, the DNKL Buddhist Center for Universal Peace is qualified as a monastery with Tibetan Buddhist monks in residence. The Center provides classes on Buddhist thought and meditation and hosts festivals, dialogues and events for families and community organizations to promote more compassion in daily living.

Attendees will be able to take the short dirt drive (next to the DNKL main entrance) up to the party site, where there will be ample parking. As always, sturdy, closed-toe shoes are recommended due to the uneven terrain and possible poison ivy.

Calling All Volunteers!

Ever wondered how you can be a part of the Redding Land Trust? As we advance our Stewardship efforts, there will be a range of opportunities for you to bring your talents, skills and passion to our work.

Whether you have an hour a month or several hours a week, we most likely can benefit from your time and support. To get started as a volunteer, fill out this short questionnaire and we will reach out when the time comes.

Annual Meeting 2022 – Plans, Trees, and Connections

Nearly 50 people attended the Redding Land Trust Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 3. It was our first hybrid meeting, with about half the attendees joining the zoom broadcast. In addition to a review of our financials, election and re-election of trustees, and approval of proposed bylaw changes, the Board reviewed its draft Stewardship Master Plan.

The business segment of the meeting was followed by a presentation by Keith Ainsworth: 5 Things you Probably Don’t Know About Easements, Land Use and Tree Law in Connecticut. Keith shared insights from a career focused on property law in Connecticut, including who has responsibility for fallen trees, the importance of monitoring land trust properties, and how to avoid liability on public lands.

The following Trustees were elected or re-elected at the meeting

• Pamela Elkow (second term)

• Wendy Lee (second term)

• Susan Lockwood (second term)

• Kevin Roth (second term)

• Richard Wenning (first term)

The annual 990 filing and new bylaws are available by request. Email info@reddinglandtrust.org.

Land Trust to Share Stewardship Plan at Annual Meeting

Our small town of Redding is indeed blessed with a Big Outdoors. Though there are many players contributing to open space in Redding, Redding Land Trust by itself proudly protects more than 2,000 acres. Thanks to the support of our membership, the generosity of donors, and the efforts of board members and community partners, we have been doggedly growing our open space since we were founded more than 55 years ago.

These Increased holdings naturally lead to increased responsibilities. As 2019 drew to a close, the Board of Trustees decided that the 2020s would be a Decade of Stewardship, and this document lays out our goals for that decade.

Read a draft of the Decade of Stewardship Master Plan

Thank you to our 2021 Event Sponsors

While we had to cancel our 2021 Summer Celebration, our amazing sponsors decided to support us anyway. Please join us in extending a heartfelt thank you.

Oak Tree Sponsors ($500)

• The Be Foundation

• April Wilson & Daniel Giddings

• Your Redding Realtors: Coldwell Banker, Redding/Ridgefield Office

• Peri Bartro

• Donna DiBartolo

• Margi Esten

• Liz Furrer

• Sharon Hoverman

• Marilyn Sloper

• Joe Poricelli - Manager

Maple Tree Sponsors ($250)

• Peter & Holly Hill

• Devore Associates

• Maria & Rick Vanoni

• Bruce Given

• Stuart & Susan Green

• David Heald

• Brian Sharlach

12/26 and 1/1 Hikes Cancelled

Due to the rise in Covid-19 cases in the area, the Board of the Redding Land Trust has decided to cancel the remaining hikes for this holiday season. We encourage you to explore these beautiful spaces on your own.

Turkey Waddle: November 26 Plishner Preserve

Meet at the Putnam Park visitors center lot. We will hike through the Joan Plishner Wildlife Preserve, a well kept Redding Secret.

CANCELLED:

Boxing Day Hike: December 26: Stephenson Preserve

Meet at the parking lot across from 73 Putnam Park Road - just into Bethel. This is a lovely 2-mile hike past a pond and through the woods.

CANCELLED:

New Year’s Day Hike: January 1 - Rock Lot/Scott Preserve

We’ll start the walk on the Town of Redding’s Rock Lot and explore into the Scott Preserve. Park along Mine Hill Road off 70 Acres Road. The trailhead is across the street.

Summer Celebration Update: Redding Roadhouse Event Canceled

Unfortunately, due to the rising Covid caseload in our area and new indoor mask mandates, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the portion of our Summer Celebration planned for the Redding Roadhouse.

The hike will take place as planned on August 28 at 1:00 pm at John Read Middle School. There’s no need to RSVP for the hike.

Thank you to all who purchased tickets and declined refunds. Your support is greatly appreciate.

If you have any questions please email info@reddingctlandtrust.org.

Summer Celebration to Be Held on August 28, 2021

Redding Land Trust supporters enjoy 2019’s Soiree by the Stream.

The Redding Land Trust will host its annual Summer Celebration on August 28, 2021. Join us to celebrate the beauty of Redding’s open spaces and to reconnect with friends and fellow RLT supporters.

The event will take place in two parts:

• A 1 pm family-friendly hike through the Reeve Biggers and Dan Beard Trails behind John Read Middle School

• Cocktails and snacks at The Redding Road House at 3:00 pm

Live acoustic bluegrass music will be provided by Dick Neal and Friends.

Details

• Tickets: $50 per person. Additional donations welcome.

• RSVP required for hike. Due to the large turnout expected, we ask that dogs stay at home for the event.

• Rain cancels the hike. Cocktails will be on, rain or shine.

The hike will leave promptly at 1:00 pm from John Read Middle school. The Roadhouse event will run from 3-6 pm featuring a taco bar, a slider bar and vegetarian options . An open wine and beer bar will be available from 3-5.

Donations and Sponsorships

Additional donations and sponsorships are welcome and available at checkout.

Individual membership is available for a $25 additional donation. Family memberships are $50.

We are also offering $250 event sponsorships, which qualify for two event tickets and a listing at the event. Individual sponsors also qualify for family membership.

Explore McCormack Preserve on April 24 @10 am

Join the Redding Land Trust for a hike exploring the McCormack Preserve on Saturday, April 24 at 10:00 am. Members of the Redding Land Trust Board will be on hand to lead socially-distanced hikes of varied levels of difficulty. Families are encouraged to attend. Heavy rain will postpone the hike to Sunday, April 25 at 10:00 a.m. There is ample parking at the corner of Picketts Ridge Road and George Hull Hill Road.

In 2019, the McCormack family donated 238 Acres to the Redding Land Trust to form the Colonel Alfred P. McCormack Conservation Preserve. Since then, members of the Redding Land Trust board and the Redding Trail Tenders have been clearing and marking a series of trails throughout the property.

The property is open to all from February 15-October 1 each year until February 2024, when it will be open year round. Come explore the beautiful vistas and varied terrain. Sturdy footwear encouraged.

We hope to see you then.