Spring Outdoors in Josias Byles’ Footsteps!

The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) is teaming with Joshua’s Trust to offer history in conjunction with land preservation on Saturday, April 16^th at the Joshua’s Trust Byles Sanctuary in Ashford. This property was part of the original 226-acre Byles Farm bought by Josias Byles in 1726. His son Ebenezer’s house still stands near the southeast corner of the Sanctuary.

The Byles Sanctuary Walk starts at 9:30 a.m. at 125 Ashford Center Rd., Ashford, CT. Park at the trailhead just across from North Vet Clinic on Rte. 44 (3/4 miles east of Rte. 89 intersection.) There is a rain date for this one on Sunday, April 17^th, at 1:30 p.m.

One you start moving, connect past to present through the Byles Sanctuary Trail walk and a short Open House at the historic Byles Homestead (now Henrietta House Bed and Breakfast), just off the trail.  Enjoy the almost-2-mile, easy-to-moderate loop trail as you pass a meadowland,  descend down a short steep section next to a stream, and then travel through a bio-diverse climax forest.  You may be able to observe a beaver dam on the Mt. Hope River since the leaves are still off the trees.  After the hike, enjoy snacks, drinks, and few stories as you tour Henrietta House Bed and Breakfast. You will step back in time as you think about all that has happened here!

Get your boots ready, because there are more Spring Outdoors happening next week! See what is springing up next in the web-based brochure (that can be downloaded and printed) listing all of the walks at www.thelastgreenvalley.org! Spring Outdoors events are listed on TLGV’s Facebook page and website’s event calendar, too. Walks may still be added, so be sure to check in often!

The Last Green Valley is a National Heritage Corridor – the last stretch of dark night sky in the coastal sprawl between Boston and Washington, D.C.  The Last Green Valley works for you in the National Heritage Corridor. We help you to care for it, enjoy it and pass it on!