Each summer, Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) welcomes a team of Summer Trail Stewards who help care for our public nature preserves and support partner initiatives while gaining valuable hands-on experience in conservation and land stewardship. Working alongside NCLC staff, these field-based interns maintain trails, assist with habitat stewardship projects, learn land management techniques, and build skills that will help shape their future careers in conservation.

Continuing education is a fundamental part of the Summer Trail Steward experience. Throughout the season, stewards participate in training opportunities, collaborate with partner organizations, and gain exposure to a wide range of conservation careers and practices.

This year, we are excited to welcome McKenzie Kleppin, Aidan Weik, and Will Pollitt to the NCLC team.

McKenzie Kleppin

Hi! My name is McKenzie Kleppin. I graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2024 with a B.S. in Wildlife & Conservation Biology. My interests include environmental outreach and education, wildlife and marine biology, natural resource policy, and nonprofit work. I am looking forward to the opportunity this internship provides to explore different areas and professions within land conservation and gain insight into what direction I want to take in my future career.

During my first two weeks, with the help and guidance of NCLC’s Public Lands Manager Tara Spears, we cleared and cleaned up several recreation trails in Kent, Sherman, New Fairfield, and Brookfield; began creating new trails and paths; met with other summer interns from neighboring organizations; practiced native and invasive plant species identification and management; and completed a two-day Wilderness First Aid certification course.

I have enjoyed meeting and working with staff members from NCLC, Housatonic Valley Association, The Kent Land Trust, and Steep Rock Association, and I am excited to build connections, continue my education, and grow as a conservation professional throughout the summer.

Aidan Weik

Hello. my name is Aidan Weik. I am an avid year-round outdoor sports and recreation enthusiast. I enjoy climbing both ice and rock, mountaineering, and backcountry trekking. Because of these passions, I have always been an active proponent of conservation and land management.

I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to work with NCLC to explore the many avenues of conservation and refine my skills as a naturalist. My goal is to turn my enthusiasm for the outdoors into practical skills that can support a career in conservation. Growing up, I admired my nature camp counselors and natural science teachers above all others, and using NCLC as a stepping stone into the field is a great privilege.

During my first two weeks, we practiced plant identification, worked on trails, and completed Wilderness First Aid training. NCLC’s conserved lands are diverse and expansive, allowing us to have a wide variety of experiences, from weed whacking and invasive species management to bridge building and trail construction. I have also had the opportunity to meet other conservation professionals and learn about the many career paths available in the field. I am excited to continue working on trail projects and learning more about the outdoors alongside my fellow summer interns.

Will Pollitt

Hello. My name is Will Pollitt, and I am a rising senior at Siena University, majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Management. I switched my major from Health Studies to Environmental Studies following my experience in the Kelly Alisha Tobin Internship Program with The Kent Land Trust during the summer after my freshman year.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to continue gaining experience in the field to help guide me toward graduate school or full-time work. My favorite activities include skiing, fishing, camping, and hiking. With the help of the team at NCLC, I hope to learn more about preserving and monitoring natural lands and educating the community about the places that allow me and others to enjoy these activities.

I am excited for a fantastic summer with NCLC because I believe this internship will help me make important decisions about my future by providing a wide variety of experiences both in the field and in the office.

During my first two weeks, I was introduced to the wonderful staff at NCLC and to my fellow interns, McKenzie Kleppin and Aidan Weik. With the guidance of Public Lands Manager Tara Spears, we surveyed and completed stewardship work at Cobble Brook Vista, Wimisink, Finn’s Land, Birch Rocks, Wildwoods, Alice McCallister, Hahlawah, and Komlo preserves. Our work included vegetation management, building a new bridge, and trail blazing.

We also joined interns from other conservation organizations for a hike at Skiff Mountain South and completed Wilderness First Aid and CPR training at White Memorial. So far, I have learned a great deal about land conservation, land trust partnerships, and how conserved lands fit into long-term planning efforts. The staff here have been extremely friendly, helpful, and supportive. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer has to offer.

Stewarding the Lands We All Enjoy

Over the coming months, McKenzie, Aidan, and Will will help maintain trails, improve visitor experiences at public preserves, assist with habitat management projects, and support stewardship efforts across the region. Their work helps ensure that these special places remain healthy, accessible, and welcoming for everyone.

NCLC is grateful to have them on the team and looks forward to sharing updates from their summer of conservation, learning, and stewardship.

Biodiversity is more than a scientific concept and environmental buzzword—it is the foundation of healthy forests, clean water, and resilient landscapes. Protecting biodiversity begins with protecting the landscapes that sustain it. Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) safeguards a network of conserved lands and public preserves, totaling 14,400 acres (and growing). These lands protect habitats that support approximately 55 species of Greatest Conservation Need and 14 State Assessment Priority Species identified by Connecticut’s Wildlife Action Plan.

Rare species can serve as bioindicators, signaling the health of an ecosystem. Changes in hydrology, topography, land management, climate, or invasive species encroachment can alter ecosystem diversity and overall function.

In one area in particular, NCLC-protected land within a 300+ acre wetland system in Northwest Connecticut is supporting 16 of Connecticut’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including one federally threatened species. Among these is state-endangered Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea), once widespread across New England but now found in only a few locations in the Northeast and one known location in Connecticut.

Indian paintbrush is a hemiparasitic biennial plant and needs a host plant to complete its life cycle. Host plants can include a wide variety of species, including grasses and wildflowers. It grows well in early successional habitats with full sun and disturbance, such as hayed meadows and powerline cuts. Sometimes confused with hawkweed (Hieracium spp.) and cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), similarly eye-catching wildflowers that grow in similar conditions, Indian paintbrush grows 9 to 24 inches tall and produces small greenish flowers with showy scarlet bracts, typically in May in Connecticut.

Historically, Indian paintbrush covered acres of a wet meadow landscape in Connecticut. The population dwindled over time until a single flowering stem was observed in 2023. Although flowering plants were not observed for the following two years, seeds from Indian paintbrush were believed to still be viable in the soil’s seed bank. To test this theory, in 2025, NCLC partnered with Heather Liljengren of Local Land Consulting to develop experimental germination plots that mimic disturbances that may have historically influenced the plant’s life cycle. In the fall, dethatching and low-intensity burn applications were applied to 10 experimental plots, with surveys scheduled to observe the results the following year.

Initial monitoring has shown promising results. On April 29, 2026, a single flowering stem was observed in one of the experimental plots, offering hope for the restoration of this population and valuable insights into potential future management practices. NCLC will continue to work with partners to develop stewardship practices that support the long-term survival of this critical population.

Protecting biodiversity requires more than protecting land alone—it requires long-term habitat stewardship, scientific collaboration, and a shared commitment to caring for the landscapes that sustain life. By supporting NCLC, you help protect critical habitats and safeguard rare species for future generations. Together, we can ensure that the forests, wetlands, rivers, and working lands of Northwest Connecticut continue to support the extraordinary diversity of life that makes this region unique.

To learn more about Indian paintbrush and its restoration, check out the frequently asked questions below.

FAQs

Question: There seem to be yellow- and red-flowering varieties of Indian paintbrush. Are they the same or different species?

Answer: The Indian paintbrush native to New England, Castilleja coccinea, is primarily red and rarely yellow. There are different species of Castilleja that exhibit flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and white.

Question: Should I be planting Indian paintbrush? Where can I get seeds?

Answer: The restoration of this species in Connecticut and areas where it has disappeared and is endangered is best done with professional assistance. Indian paintbrush is a rare and highly specialized hemiparasitic plant, and it depends on host plants, specific habitat conditions, and environmental regimes to survive. Because many commercially available seeds originate from genetically different western populations, Northeast restoration efforts prioritize protecting and encouraging locally adapted New England genetics whenever possible. Longer-term survival depends not only on planting seeds or plants, but also on active habitat stewardship.

When purchasing seeds, caution should be exercised to ensure they are from the local ecotype where they will be planted. There is currently not a Northeastern ecotype of Castilleja coccinea available on the market. It is also important to note that collecting seeds and plants of state-listed species is prohibited on state and private property without a proper state permit.

Question: Do you have more information on where Indian paintbrush naturally grows and the methods and plot treatments used to get seed to germinate where it had previously been extirpated?

Answer: Indian paintbrush primarily grows in early successional habitats with open, sunny, and mesic environments. It is often found growing in calcareous fens, damp meadows, prairies, and fields. Historically, Indian paintbrush responded well to several types of disturbances, including but not limited to haying, burning, and grazing. Local Land Consulting developed the restoration management plan for this site, guiding NCLC through targeted dethatching and low-intensity burn applications in the areas where Indian paintbrush was once known to thrive. NCLC is monitoring the plots to assess the seed bank’s response.

Question: If I have Indian paintbrush or a rare species in my yard, is there someone to report them to?

Answer: Flora and fauna species of all kinds can be reported on iNaturalist, an online community science database. However, protection of rare and endangered species varies by state, and specific state guidelines for reporting should be followed. Contact your state Department of Environmental Protection for guidance. In Connecticut, state-listed species can be reported by citizens to the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s Natural Diversity Data Base.

Behind every resilient farm is a deep commitment to stewardship, innovation, partnership, and community. This month, we celebrate farm partner and Building Resiliency grant recipient Kalenauskas Farm.

Founded in 1914, Watertown-based Kalenauskas Farm has been a cornerstone of agriculture for more than a century. What began as a dairy farm has evolved into a diversified family operation producing livestock, hay, corn silage, wool products, maple syrup, honey, and more. In 2020, the family opened Kalenauskas Farm Market, offering products grown and made entirely by members of the farm family. Today, the farm is operated on more than 400 acres by the third and fourth generations of the family, with the assistance of four little boys who make up the fifth generation.

With support from NCLC’s Building Resiliency on Northwest Connecticut Farmland grant program, Kalenauskas Farm received funding for a vertical beater multi-product spreader. The equipment allows the farm to apply manure, compost, lime, and other soil amendments more precisely and efficiently—improving nutrient management, reducing runoff, and building healthier soils. The spreader also supports the farm’s transition toward more climate-smart farming practices, including no-till planting methods that help protect soil health and reduce erosion.

We asked farm co-owner Michael Jedd what difference the new equipment has made for the farm, and here is what he said: “With limited equipment rental options available, owning this spreader is probably the best thing going as far as being able to apply amendments to improve soil health and productivity. It gets the right product out there at the right rate. And by owning it, I can do it at the right time. I’m not at someone else’s mercy for when we can get access to the equipment.”

The new spreader has already helped the farm more effectively manage compost, manure, and lime applications while improving field conditions for planting. By breaking down and evenly distributing dense organic material, the equipment enabled the farm to plant nearly 90% of its corn crop in 2025 using no-till methods—an important step toward building long-term resilience in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather.

At Kalenauskas Farm, innovation and stewardship go hand in hand with tradition. While new ventures and new generations continue to shape the farm’s future, the family’s commitment to the land remains unchanged.

NCLC’s 31 public nature preserves offer trails that connect people to the natural beauty of our region. However, to remain accessible, these trails need care and attention throughout the year.

Do you have time and interest in giving back to nature and your community? Join our team of volunteers. We are looking for volunteer Trail Stewards to help us maintain and keep our preserve trails welcoming.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Our goal is to have dedicated “frequent flyers” who regularly walk our trails and contribute to their upkeep. Having frequent eyes on the trails extends our ability to keep up with maintenance. Even just walking the trail to leave fresh tracks in the snow is helpful to indicate to visitors that they are on the right path. Additionally, NCLC’s trail stewards often help with:

• reporting trail hazards
• recording plant and wildlife sightings
• keeping the trail clear of debris and overgrown brush
• collecting trash from parking areas
• interacting with other trail users

HOW TO JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM

We are grateful for our current stewards and hope you will consider joining our team. If you are interested in adopting a trail or learning more, please contact us at volunteer@ctland.org or 860-927-1927 ext. 1509.

Some conservation stories begin with hundreds of acres. Others begin with something smaller—a field, a stream crossing, a familiar pasture path walked across generations.

For Ellery Sinclair, it began with his home, which he calls Millstream.

Millstream has been part of the Sinclair family since 1934. Nestled in Falls Village (Canaan), this home sits on a nature-rich parcel with open fields, mountain views, cool streams, and a surrounding forest that shaped Ellery’s childhood and remained a constant throughout his life. What he loved most as a boy in the 1950s was the pastoral beauty, the abundant wildlife, and the sense of connection to the land, which still defines the property today.

That continuity did not happen by chance. It happened because each generation chose stewardship.

Ellery’s mother first established the family’s conservation legacy by protecting 84 acres of forestland with a conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy. In 2025, Ellery and his wife, Mary Lu, continued that legacy by donating to Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) a permanent easement on six acres of agricultural land that links pastures of two farmland parcels.

On paper, six acres may seem modest. But on the land, it is a vital connection—one that keeps working fields intact, supports livestock management, and strengthens the future of farming in Falls Village.

“This was about more than one parcel,” Ellery says. “It was about securing the future for agriculture, wildlife, and our family.”

Today, his grandson Kneeland Munson, the fourth generation of the family to care for this land, is raising cattle on the property through his growing enterprise, KM Cattle, and has installed new fencing to manage livestock across the protected pastures. The newly conserved acreage supports continued agricultural use while creating opportunities to lease and utilize neighboring protected farmland and expand the business, which includes producing local food for area schools.

The six-acre easement on the Sinclair family property also played a pivotal conservation role beyond the parcel boundaries. Ellery’s gift helped make possible the conservation of the neighboring property his conservation easement links to—a scenic, highly productive 63-acre working landscape (referred to as Poconnuck) where nearly all the soils are classified as prime farmland. Together, these conserved lands now contribute to a 147-acre protected landscape near Housatonic State Forest, linking farmland, forest, and stream habitat in an important wildlife corridor.

The result is bigger than any one family: permanently protected farmland, stronger habitat for wildlife, and a more resilient agricultural future for the region.

For NCLC, this is what conservation at work looks like. Each easement reflects a deeply personal decision—one rooted in care, family legacy, and a long view of the land’s future. Across 232 conservation easements protecting more than 7,000 acres, NCLC partners with landowners like Ellery for the long term, helping ensure that fields remain in production, forests remain standing, ownership remains a family legacy, and stewardship endures.

In the Sinclair family’s case, one generation began the work, another carried it forward, and a fourth is already shaping what comes next. Their story is a powerful reminder that when land is loved across generations, protecting it becomes more than preservation. It becomes a promise that safeguards the future.

To learn how you can safeguard your land to protect the habitats and wildlife you hold dear, contact NCLC. Our expert staff can help you navigate your options. Email us at info@ctland.org with questions or to learn more.

December 31, 2025 (Warren, CT) – The Warren Land Trust (WLT) has completed the acquisition of the 198-acre Tanner Farm Preserve on Route 341, securing one of the most iconic agricultural landscapes in Warren and the surrounding region. The acquisition and permanent protection of the land was completed in partnership with the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC), which will hold an agricultural conservation easement on the farmland portion of the property.

It has been a multi-year effort to conserve this significant property, and furthers a 30-year effort by the Lake Waramaug Conservancy (LWC) and the Tanner family to improve and protect the health of the water resources on the farm. The transaction was also facilitated by Yale University, which conveyed a long-held interest in a portion of the farm to ensure its permanent protection.

Owned and operated by one of Warren’s oldest farming families for nearly 250 years, the land will continue to be farmed while securing prime agricultural soils, extensive forestland, critical wildlife habitat, and high-quality water resources. Flowing through the farm, Sucker Brook is the largest feeder to Lake Waramaug—one of only two Connecticut Heritage Lakes; protecting the riparian corridors of this cold-water stream helps sustain the lake’s clean water and sensitive ecosystem.

In addition to conservation benefits, the Tanner Farm Preserve will provide public access to a trail network that skirts the perimeter of the farm fields, features long vistas of the Warren Valley, and winds through upland forest. The trail network also allows for future connections to other Warren Land Trust preserves, the Wyantenock State Forest, and the Connecticut Blue-Blazed Mattatuck Trail.

As the project advanced the goals of numerous State of Connecticut and federal agricultural, environmental, and public recreation programs, generous funding was provided through a combination of state and federal grants. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Farmland Preservation Program, together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, supported the protection of 128 acres of farmland. Together with this transaction, nearly 400 acres of farmland in Warren have now been protected permanently for agricultural purposes by the Farmland Preservation Program.

The preservation of the remaining 70 acres of forest in the northern portion of the property was funded by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program. Together with adjacent properties, the conserved 70 acres supports the Housatonic Valley Association’s Greenprint Collaborative “Follow the Forest” initiative, which focuses on conserving connected forest habitat while addressing climate resilience and habitat fragmentation.

The Warren Land Trust and Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy extend sincere thanks to the many people and organizations—for their multi-year collaboration and commitment—that made it possible to preserve this extraordinary property and landscape: Terry and Tara Tanner and Elwyn and Ruth Tanner for their generosity, commitment, and vision to protect these critical farmland and natural resources for the benefit of generations to come, and our conservation partners the Lake Waramaug Conservancy, the Housatonic Valley Association’s Greenprint Collaborative and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Wild East Action Fund. We also thank Yale University, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

About the Warren Land Trust

The Warren Land Trust is a nationally-accredited conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and responsible stewardship of open space, watershed, and natural resources in and around Warren, Connecticut for the benefit of current and future generations. These protected resources include meadows, forests, lakes, ponds, streams, wetlands, wildlife habitats and corridors, farmland, and scenic vistas. Committed to connecting the community to nature, the Warren Land Trust creates opportunities to enjoy, learn about, and care for land and the environment.

About Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy

Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) is a nonprofit, regional conservation organization working with the communities of Litchfield and northern Fairfield Counties to safeguard natural and working lands, public recreation areas, and drinking water resources forever. Founded in 1965, NCLC is the largest land trust in Connecticut, protecting 14,200 acres (and growing). To strengthen the region’s capacity to conserve high-quality conservation lands and ensure the permanence of those conserved lands for the future, NCLC merged with Brookfield Open Space Legacy in 2019, Naromi Land Trust in 2020, and Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust in 2025. NCLC’s conserved lands include 31 public hiking preserves, 49 working farms, 57 miles of rivers and streams, and over 3,000 acres of habitat for rare and endangered species.

December 18, 2025 (Kent, CT) – Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) is pleased to announce that it is applying for renewal of its land trust accreditation. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. First accredited in 2015, this application represents NCLC’s second renewal and reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to meeting the highest national standards for land conservation, governance, and stewardship. A public comment period is now open.

During the accreditation process, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. Catherine Rawson, Executive Director, emphasized: “For NCLC, accreditation reflects our commitment to transparent leadership, rigorous governance, and the adoption of best practices to ensure we can fulfill our commitment of conservation in perpetuity.”

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how NCLC complies with national quality standards. To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Comments on NCLC’s application will be most useful by March 22, 2026.

October 10, 2025 (Kent, CT) – Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) is proud to announce it has received funding approval for up to $725,000 from the Connecticut State Bond Commission to support the Colebrook Reservoir Easement acquisition—a land protection project that will collectively protect 5,200 acres that safeguard CT’s largest untapped drinking water reservoir and vital wildlife habitat (in Colebrook and Hartland, Connecticut, and Sandisfield and Tolland, Massachusetts).

Since 2023, NCLC has been collaborating with The Metropolitan District (MDC) landowners and partners, Save the Sound, Rivers Alliance of Connecticut, Farmington River Watershed Association, Connecticut Land Conservation Council, and The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, to secure this significant stretch of land. With this final funding in place, NCLC can proceed with the $1 million purchase of this conservation easement, which is expected to close by the end of the year.

“This is one of the largest land protection projects in our state’s history and safeguards our state’s clean water, environmental health, and continued public access to nature,” said NCLC Executive Director Catherine Rawson. “Thanks to the shared vision and support of MDC, partner organizations, and state leaders, these vital natural lands and waters will be permanently protected for everyone, including the generations yet to come.”

MDC CEO Scott Jellison noted, “This important next step in the process sets the stage to move forward with the agreement for the long-term protection of this invaluable, regional asset. The MDC’s history of responsible environmental stewardship of over 31,000 acres of watershed land demonstrates that we are well prepared to continue those efforts into the future with this historic partnership.”

“In Connecticut we’re proud of our natural landscapes and resources,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “The Colebrook Reservoir Conservation Project is another step forward in helping to protect our state’s natural beauty for generations to come.”

“This funding represents a tremendous step forward for Connecticut. By permanently protecting more than 3,800 acres around the Colebrook Reservoir, we are safeguarding clean drinking water, preserving an ecologically rich and climate-resilient landscape, and ensuring public access to open space at a time when protecting our environment has never been more important,” remarked Representative Maria Horn. “This is an investment in our communities, our health, and our future. I am very proud to have secured these funds alongside the Speaker and Governor.”

“We only get one shot to preserve our natural resources, and this project seizes that opportunity,” Senator Paul Honig said. “I’m happy to support the NCLC’s work to protect the natural beauty of northwestern Connecticut, and I’m thrilled the State Bond Commission provided the funding to make it happen. This effort ensures that future generations will have access to these irreplaceable outdoor spaces and the clean drinking water they provide.“

“The conservation efforts of the Colebrook Reservoir lands represent a significant and forward-looking investment in Connecticut’s environmental and public health,” stated Representative Jay Case. I applaud the State Bond Commission for recognizing the importance of this project and providing the funding necessary to make it a reality. This initiative will safeguard clean drinking water and preserve critical habitats. I commend the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) for its leadership in advancing this transformative effort for the benefit of generations to come.”

Read more about this Colebrook Reservoir conservation project here.

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About Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC)

Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy is a nonprofit, regional conservation organization working with the communities of Litchfield and northern Fairfield Counties to safeguard natural and working lands, public recreation areas, and drinking water resources forever. Founded in 1965, NCLC is the largest land trust in Connecticut, protecting 14,200 acres (and growing). To strengthen the region’s capacity to conserve high-quality conservation lands and ensure the permanence of those conserved lands for the future, NCLC merged with Brookfield Open Space Legacy in 2019, Naromi Land Trust in 2020, and Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust in 2025. NCLC’s conserved lands include 31 public hiking preserves, 49 working farms, 57 miles of rivers and streams, and over 3,000 acres of habitat for rare and endangered species.

For more information about NCLC and how you can support conservation efforts in our region, please visit ctland.org.

August 22, 2025 (Kent, CT) – Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) is proud to announce the grand opening of The Ledges, a new 45-acre public nature preserve in Brookfield. The Ledges provides the Brookfield community with a new opportunity to experience the outdoors, while safeguarding vital habitat that connects wildlife across the region.

Adjacent to the beloved 116-acre Burr Farm protected by the Town of Brookfield, The Ledges expands access to nature with an initial one-mile trail, where residents and visitors can enjoy time in nature, hiking, bird watching, and more. A future trail connection to Burr Farm is planned for 2026. Conservation of The Ledges was made possible through generous funding from the State of Connecticut’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) Grant Program, the Highlands Conservation Act, the Town of Brookfield, Connecticut Land Conservation Council’s Transaction Assistance Grant (TAG) Program, and Iroquois Gas Transmission System.

“Protecting outdoor recreation areas like The Ledges is one of the most meaningful investments we can make for the future of our community,” said Town of Brookfield First Selectman Stephen Dunn. “We’re proud to partner with NCLC to provide our residents with more opportunities to connect with nature—right in their own backyard.”

Explore The Ledges
Visitors to The Ledges can enjoy a scenic one-mile white-blazed loop trail that begins at the parking area at 5 Banquo Brae Road. The trail leads hikers up a short incline to rocky outcrops, passes a seasonal vernal pool where peepers and wood frogs can be heard in the spring, and winds through forests of Eastern hemlock, black birch, and yellow birch.

This landscape is home to a variety of wildlife, including black bear, bobcat, coyote, and white-tailed deer. Bird enthusiasts may catch a glimpse—or the song—of species such as the black-capped chickadee, wood thrush, black-throated green warbler, and great blue heron, wood thrush, and black throated green warbler.

“The Ledges is not just a trail—it’s a nature sanctuary and place of discovery and connection to nature for families, in a community with only 9 percent conserved land,” said NCLC Executive Director Catherine Rawson. “Its protection demonstrates what’s possible when land trusts and local communities work together for the benefit of both people and nature.”

A Growing Conservation Corridor
The Ledges strengthens an active wildlife corridor in the Brookfield area and is part of a broader effort to ensure long-term ecological connectivity that stretches from the Hudson Valley through western Connecticut and north into Canada. With its proximity to Burr Farm, this new preserve offers expanded access to nature and enhances the region’s outdoor recreation opportunities and environmental stewardship.
The community is invited to explore The Ledges year-round and enjoy its beauty every season.

For more information about NCLC’s 23 public preserves and trail maps, visit: ctland.org/our_trails

About Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC)

Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy is a nonprofit, regional conservation organization working with the communities of Litchfield and northern Fairfield Counties to safeguard natural and working lands, public recreation areas, and drinking water resources forever. Founded in 1965, NCLC is the largest land trust in Connecticut, protecting 13,400 acres (and growing). To strengthen the region’s capacity to conserve high-quality conservation lands and ensure the permanence of those conserved lands for the future, NCLC merged with Brookfield Open Space Legacy in 2019 and Naromi Land Trust in 2020. NCLC’s conserved lands include 23 public hiking preserves, 49 working farms, 57 miles of rivers and streams, and over 3,000 acres of habitat for rare and endangered species.

For more information about NCLC and how you can support conservation efforts in our region, please visit ctland.org.