The creation of the Pigeon Hill Preserve has been a slow and steady process throughout the year. ELCCT and a small number of volunteers have cleaned up debris, prepared the fields for future management activities, and have nearly completed over a mile of hiking trails!
One of our priorities has been to create a trail in an environmentally conscious manner. This involves picking a route that showcases the entire preserve while protecting areas for wildlife, recycling materials found on the land, and ensuring that human activities will not erode the soils or affect habitat.
There is still work to be done so we are planning on opening the preserve on Earth Day, 2023. We hope to see you there soon!
Below are photos of some of our trail projects. Enjoy this sneak peak and the fall colors of Pigeon Hill.
A special thanks to Erik Madsen, Peter Desmarias, Chad Belanger, Amry Shelby, Carol Noble, Alan Perrie, Jim Quick, Bill Pastyrnak, and Dave Zomick for their help (and occasionally herculean efforts) to make the trail a reality.
ELCCT Hiring Per Diem Educators
Do you enjoy spending time outside and teaching youth? We are currently seeking per diem educators to help teach our environmental education programs. Per diem educators contribute to the planning and delivery of our many education programs including field trips, out-to-school programs, after school programs, and scout programs.
For more information on Per Diem Educators,
please contact Kirsten Tomlinson at ELCCT: ktomlinson@elcct.orgor 860.583.1234
Book Your School's Education Program Today!
First American Experiences: We offer several different program options that teachers can select from during which students visit our wigwams, sample native foods, design tools for hunting, fishing, and gathering, and visit Indian Rock to learn how it was used by the Tunxis Indians.
Turkey Time: During Turkey Time, your students will haave the opportunity for an up close and personal meet and greet with our resident tome and hen turkeys! Students will also discuss the observable differences between male and female turkeys all while learning what makes a turkey a bird. Listen and watch Tom strut and drum in the classroom, doing his best to show off for Henrietta!
Click here for additional education program options and descriptions.
For more information or to schedule a school program,
please contact Kirsten Tomlinson at ELCCT: ktomlinson@elcct.org or 860.583.1234.
Features
Indian Rock's Fall Festival a Success!
The weather couldn't have been more perfect for our Fall Family Festival held on October 22nd, which brought in a record total of 830 visitors! Families from all over the state filled the farm's every corner enjoying lawn games, crafts, live music, face painting, pumpkin patch, and cider making.
This year, we added a pumpkin painting contest that proved popular, with first place winners taking home a real trophy! Also, with Fall Fest having a Colonial theme, we added true Colonial games located on the farm green like the "Game of Graces" and the "Hoop and Stick".
Hayrides were given around the lake, with a stop at our "Colonial Corner". A small hike through the pine tree forest, and visitors found themselves back in time near our replica Native American Wigwams where children could make a corn husk doll and learn about the First Americans that lived in this area.
Another short walk away, and visitors were welcomed by "Colonists" on the back porch of Pebble House where they were encouraged to watch a smithing demo and go inside the tiny Pebble House and see how colonists went about their daily lives back in the day!
Smells of cookies and fresh bread made over the fire was a sure way to bring smiles to everyone's faces!
We are looking forward to next year's Fall Family Festival and even more great ideas to make this Festival memorable and unique for visitors!
A group on a recent field trip to Indian Rock had a surprise visitor! This large snapping turtle was headed away from the lake and moving further into the woods. What a great moment to teach kids about appreciating nature while keeping a respectable distance.
Upcoming Events
For more event information, please contact Fern Vaughn at ELCCT: fvaughn@elcct.orgor 860.583.1234.
Volunteer Opportunity:
Holiday Decorating Days in Preparation for
Santa's Walking Wonderland
Saturday, November 5, 2022
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Saturday, November 19 2022
10am-1pm
Location:
Indian Rock Nature Preserve
501 Wolcott Rd., Bristol
Looking for volunteers! Light snacks provided!
For more information, please contact Lauren Prior at ELCCT: lprior@elcct.org or 860.583.1234.
Looking to get involved in your community? We have many opportunities where you can meet new friends, put your unique skills to work, and expand upon your interests.
Training is provided!
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.
