The buildings on the Pigeon Hill Sanctuary adjacent to the Barnes Nature Center, protected by ELCCT and the City of Bristol, have been removed. This brings us one step further in the process of restoring natural habitats at this newly acquired open space, and creating a safe place for people to hike and learn about nature. A draft management plan, developed by a committee made up of ELCCT staff, City of Bristol personnel, and Bristol residents, has been submitted to the City of Bristol for review. The property, both in Bristol and Burlington, will be managed jointly by ELCCT and the City of Bristol, with ELCCT taking the lead. A 1.1 mile-long trail has been laid out on the property to strategically take people through a wide variety of habitats without disturbing the habitats themselves. Work will begin on the trail by the end of August and we are hoping to open the property to the public, at least partially, by late fall.
Scott E. Heth
Executive Director
Indian Rock's 5th Annual Music on the Farm Event a Success!
Music on the Farm was held July 31st at Indian Rock Nature Preserve. Attendees had beautiful views of the farm and perfect weather. The event featured four musical acts including Matt Sperzel, Portrait Party, Radio Waves and Bonnie Marie with the Scott Heth Quartet. Beer was donated by Firefly Hollow Brewing and Counterweight Brewing and wine was provided by the Thirsty Owl Winery and Worldwide Wine and Spirits. The farm area was filled with lawn chairs and people enjoying the music and location. Music on the Farm is always the last Sunday in July. Mark your 2023 calendars now so you can enjoy the fun. Our farm animals appreciate the support and so do we!
View Music on the Farm coverage:
Bristol Press here!
The Bristol Edition here!
City of Bristol Plans Sidewalks in Front of Barnes Nature Center
On July 14th, the City of Bristol held an informational meeting at the Barnes Nature Center regarding a sidewalk that will be installed along Shrub Road. A large portion of the sidewalk will be along ELCCT property.
The city engineers, and Mayor Caggiano, went through current plans and answered questions from the approximately 60 residents that were in attendance. The subjects of questions included the width of the sidewalks, the sidewalk route, what trees will need to be removed, the impact of the sidewalk to the existing traffic speed problem, the nature of the pedestrian bridge to be installed over Freeman Hill Brook, and the timetable for the project, among other things. The plan is still in draft form and Raymond Rogozinski, Director of Public Works, encouraged comments from the public. Future informational meetings will also be held at the Barnes Nature Center.
Scott E. Heth
Executive Director
Indian Rock's Summer Camp
Indian Rock Summer Day Camp Winding Down
As of week 7, camp is coming to an end. We are looking forward to 2 more weeks of fun to be had at Indian Rock Summer Camp! The campers have been enjoying the opportunity to spend time outside while exploring the preserve with friends new and old. This summer, we have had our highest camp attendance ever with over 1200 camper weeks and the majority of our camp sessions at capacity!
Click here for more Summer Camp Information or contact Kirsten Tomlinson at ktomlinson@elcct.orgor 860.583.1234.
Indian Rock's Sustainable Garden
Paige, ELCCT’s sustainable garden intern, has been busy growing a variety of produce in the Garden for Good at the Indian Rock Nature Preserve. We have been able to donate over 100lbs so far! Items include tons of cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, beets, radish, and arugula. Potatoes and squash are well on their way.
If you are interested in volunteering in Indian Rock's Sustainable Garden, please contact Leila Agoora at lagoora@elcct.org or 860.583.1234.
ELCCT in Pictures
Farm fresh eggs from our Indian Rock Farm are now for sale at Barnes Nature Center, 175 Shrub Road! $4.00/dz.
Barnes Nature Center is open weekends: Saturday, 10am-4pm & Sunday, 12pm-4pm.
Congratulations Brandi for winning two tickets to our Music on the Farm event! Brandi won these tickets in a drawing recently at a Bristol Blues baseball game.
Congratulations Jennifer for winning two tickets to our Music on the Farm event! Jennifer won these tickets in a drawing recently at the Bristol Farmers Market.
A recent photo of Keira, our Screech Owl, who resides at Barnes Nature Center! Learn more about the Eastern Screech Owl here.
Features
Banded Wooly Bear Caterpillar
Q: What is the name of the black and red/orange banded caterpillar, do they bite and can it really predict how bad winters will be?
A: The slow moving, very bristly Banded Wooly Bear Caterpillar allows observers plenty of time to look, but don’t touch! It is covered entirely in stiff hairs. Banded Wooly Bear caterpillars do not bite and lack stingers, but the hairs can easily break off into skin when touched, which can cause pain and irritation in some people.
Its caterpillar form is hairy and black at both ends with a red/burnt orange band in at the waist. It used to be believed that the amount of black coloration foretold how bad the winter would be, but it is actually related to the caterpillar's maturity, not the weather forecast.
This insect gets its descriptive name from the appearance of the immature caterpillar, not the adult moth. The Isabella Tiger Moth is the adult form and has a mustard-yellow coloring on its forewings with a few black dots on each. The caterpillar feeds on many kinds of low-growing plants, but is not considered a pest either on the farm or in the garden. It is not uncommon to see them on sidewalks, curbs and roads.
Learn more about the Banded Wooly Caterpillar here
THANK YOU...
Volunteers & Staff With Re-building of First American Wigwam
In July, dedicated volunteers and staff embarked on a project to re-build one of the educational First American Wigwams on the Indian Rock Nature Preserve. The new wigwam, now complete, will serve to educate young learners about day-to-day life as a First American. This includes exploring stone tools, food from the earth, and story-telling.
The wigwam was constructed from tree saplings, bent over each other to make a structural frame. Tulip Tree bark was then affixed to the saplings, a traditional covering used by the First Americans.
Upcoming Events
3rd Annual Fall Family Festival
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Raindate: Sunday, October 23, 2022 price and hours to be determined
Location:
Indian Rock Nature Preserve
501 Wolcott Rd., Bristol
Great for the entire family! The Festival, which has a colonial theme, will feature lawn games, apple cider making, hay rides, pumpkin patch and much more!
Our teaching farm will be open to visitors so families can visit with our farm animals (sheep, cow, chickens, turkeys, and our popular pig, Maybell)!
Visit our Native American wigwams and shop craft vendors! Food and drink for sale.
For more event information, please contact Fern Vaughn at fvaughn@elcct.org or 860.583.1234.
Farm Animal Caretakers
Weekday mornings
Location:
Indian Rock Nature Preserve
501 Wolcott Rd., Bristol
For more information, please contact Leila Agoora at lagoora@elcct.orgor 860.583.1234, ext. 103.
Renting Our Facilities
You Can Rent Our Facilities at Indian Rock Nature Preserve & the Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center?
At Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut, our Mission is "to inspire the appreciation and enjoyment of nature through education and conservation, fostering a healthy environment and an improved quality of life".
ELCCT's Core Culture Values: 1) Educate - We are committed to providing opportunities for all to learn about and experience the environment thus inspiring appreciation and enjoyment by present and future generations. 2) Protect - We are committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment through sustainable practices and promoting a culture that heightens awareness of conservation and preservation. 3) Respect - We are committed to respect for the environment and to teach respect for all. 4) Collaborate - We are committed to engaging the power of an open and inclusive community to ignite creative thinking and solve problems to nurture a healthy environment and improve the quality of life.
