Follow the Trail with Bill Reid,
The Last Green Valley's Chief Ranger
Exploring The Last Green Valley: Land trusts are crucial to conservation
I spent March 23 at Wesleyan University in Middletown with more than 550 other people for the Connecticut Land Conservation Council’s annual conference. Gathered at the conference for training and workshops on the myriad issues facing conservationists were landowners, students, educators, municipal commission members, land…
Exploring The Last Green Valley: New life and promise awaken as nature does this spring
“On this chill uncertain spring morning, towards twilight, I have heard the first frog quaver from the marsh. It always seems to me that no sooner do I hear the first frog trill that I find the first cloud of frog’s eggs in a wayside…
Exploring The Last Green Valley: Don’t forget the guide book for exploring the region
“The truth of the matter is, the birds could very well live without us, but many – perhaps all – of us would find life incomplete, indeed almost intolerable without the birds.” – Roger Tory Peterson Last week, a reader called me looking for suggestions…
Exploring The Last Green Valley: Time to Spring Outdoors
“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” — Rachael Carson, “The Sense of Wonder” Winter waited until March 4 – more than 60 days after the winter solstice –…
Exploring The Last Green Valley: Exploring Old Furnace State Park worth the trip
Old Furnace State Park in Danielson is only 12 miles from my house, so we frequently visit on those spur-of-the-moment mornings when someone says, “hey let’s go for a hike somewhere.” Winter is a great time of year to hike in our state forests and…
Sights, sounds announce impending arrival of spring
Exploring The Last Green Valley, Sunday, March 3, 2019 “No winter lasts forever, so spring skips its turn.” — Hal Borland Welcome to March, when days are longer, the sun suddenly feels warm on your face, and spring will finally arrive in just a few…
Trout hatchery has much more than fish
The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor is rich with many locations perfect for outdoor recreation. Thousands of acres of parks and forests with hundreds of miles of trails await your exploratory spirit. There is one location in the Central Village section of Plainfield I…
Our region is defined by those who came before us
“With these thoughts I leave, asking you to give your hearts to wisdom, restraining yourself from selfishness, and living for the good of others.” – James L. Smith Every February since 1976 the United States has celebrated the achievements of African Americans during Black History Month.…
Tiny black-capped chickadee has big personality
To watch the antics of a black-capped chickadee is to witness a diminutive bird with the spirit and determination of a much larger animal. A frequent visitor to winter bird feeders, this tiny bird with beautiful black and white plumage is a favorite of many…
Feed songbirds in winter, not mammals
Old man winter rode the polar vortex across the country into New England – bringing single digits at dawn – twice these last two weeks. Despite the deep cold, so far this year The Last Green Valley has been spared major blizzards, Winter conditions create…
Spring approaches, but plenty to do in February
″Winter is a guest that stays beyond its welcome, and I am not complaining merely of cold and thaw, thaw and cold. I dislike the loneliness of winter, the flowerlessness of the ground. I miss the birds.” – Donald Culross Peattie, “An Almanac for Moderns”…
Pique young interest in astronomy with Sunday night’s lunar eclipse
Sunday is an interesting night in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. You will have a chance to witness a spectacular astrological event and it’s a great way for the whole family – especially children — to get interested in the night sky and…