30 TRAILS in 30 DAYS CHALLENGE

Join Joshua’s Trust as we celebrate Spring and the great outdoors by getting out onto the trails. During the month of April, visit 30 JT properties – go for a hike, take some pictures, or just enjoy some high quality nature time and let us know about your adventures alo......More

Join Joshua’s Trust as we celebrate Spring and the great outdoors by getting out onto the trails. During the month of April, visit 30 JT properties – go for a hike, take some pictures, or just enjoy some high quality nature time and let us know about your adventures along the way. You can tag us in your social media or send your stories and photos to [email protected] and we’ll share them (or not – your call). The rules are simple. Choose 30 JT properties and walk as much of the trails as you can. If you can only walk half the distance of a trail, that’s okay. Hopefully by the end of the month, you’ll be able to walk a little further. This isn’t a competition but rather an opportunity to dust off the winter cobwebs and get moving. You may also join us at any of our April events and add that property to your list as well. You may use the map provided and circle or highlight a property when you visit it or keep a list on your phone or a pad of paper. Send us the map or list when you’re finished and earn a 30 Trails in 30 Days sticker or other swag TBD. A map of the trails can be found HERE or, for a property list and driving directions, visit our website at https://joshuastrust.org/property-list/. Deadline for submitting your walks is May 12. Please don’t hesitate to email me (Michelle) or call us at 860-429-9023 with any questions. Have fun!  

Water in Earthly Processes at the Gurleyville Grist Mill

For this Fourth Annual Earth Day Walk, Robert Thorson (https://robertthorson.clas.uconn.edu/) will combine a stream-side view of the Gurleyville Gristmill with a northerly hike along the crest of a glacial esker to help bring the power of flowing water in your head and ......More

For this Fourth Annual Earth Day Walk, Robert Thorson (https://robertthorson.clas.uconn.edu/) will combine a stream-side view of the Gurleyville Gristmill with a northerly hike along the crest of a glacial esker to help bring the power of flowing water in your head and heart. Stepping back in time: the river gurgles, the millstone turns, the ice sheet drains, and the valley appears, all thanks to the flow of this indispensable liquid. We will post on Instagram and Facebook as well as this page if we decide to cancel the walk due to weather or other, unforeseeable circumstances. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Michelle Poudrette, the Development and Communications Manager, at (860) 429-9023, or email me at [email protected]. Registration is not required.

Gurleyville Grist Mill, Stone Mill Road, Mansfield, CT

Mosses and Lichens of Northeast CT

Join UConn professor, Bernard Goffinet, as he explores the mosses and lichens that inhabit Tolland’s Tobiassen Forest. Click HERE for a trail map and directions to the preserve. *There is plenty of parking at the quiet cul-de-sac on Noah Lane. The guided walk begins at ......More

Join UConn professor, Bernard Goffinet, as he explores the mosses and lichens that inhabit Tolland’s Tobiassen Forest. Click HERE for a trail map and directions to the preserve. *There is plenty of parking at the quiet cul-de-sac on Noah Lane. The guided walk begins at 10:00 a.m. and will be cancelled in the event of rain.  There are some gentle hills and rocks to traverse here. Bring water and appropriate hiking gear as needed. We will post on Instagram and Facebook as well as this page if we decide to cancel the walk due to weather or other, unforeseeable circumstances. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me, Michelle Poudrette, the Development and Communications Manager, at (860) 429-9023, or email me at [email protected]. Registration is not required. We look forward to seeing you in Tolland.

Tobiassen Forest, 198 Noah Lane, Tolland, CT

Wednesday Walk at Allanach-Wolf Woodlands

Join us at Allanach-Wolf Woodlands for a relaxed ramble around Lake Marie and into the woods (and back). Allanach-Wolf Woodlands should be teeming with life by early May. We’ll stop to view the pollinator garden before heading out to the bird blind on Lake Marie. The le......More

Join us at Allanach-Wolf Woodlands for a relaxed ramble around Lake Marie and into the woods (and back). Allanach-Wolf Woodlands should be teeming with life by early May. We’ll stop to view the pollinator garden before heading out to the bird blind on Lake Marie. The length of this walk will be determined by the water levels over the yellow trail but will not exceed three miles. This section is fairly flat but does require us to walk through some tall grass and ferns. Please be tick-safe and either bring propellant or long socks to tuck in your pants. Click HERE for a trail map and directions to the preserve. The walk begins at 9:00 a.m. and will be cancelled in the event of rain. Bring water and appropriate hiking gear as needed. We will post on Instagram and Facebook as well as this page if we decide to cancel the walk due to weather or other, unforeseeable circumstances. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Michelle Poudrette, the Development and Communications Manager, at (860) 429-9023, or email me at [email protected]. Registration is not required. We look forward to seeing you on the trails.  

Allanach-Wolf Woodlands, 164 Back Road, Windham, CT

Maypole Celebration at Atwood Farm

Come welcome spring while we dance around the May Pole accompanied by the Mansfield Middle School String Players. We will post on Instagram and Facebook as well as this page if we decide to cancel the walk due to weather or other, unforeseeable circumstances. If you hav......More

Come welcome spring while we dance around the May Pole accompanied by the Mansfield Middle School String Players. We will post on Instagram and Facebook as well as this page if we decide to cancel the walk due to weather or other, unforeseeable circumstances. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Michelle Poudrette, the Development and Communications Manager, at (860) 429-9023, or email me at [email protected]. Registration is not required.

Atwood Farm, 624 Wormwood Hill Road, Mansfield Center, CT, 060250

Wednesday Walk at Tinkerville Brook Preserve

Join us at Tinkerville Brook Preserve in Ashford for a gorgeous walk through mountain laurel thickets and down into a mixed wetland habitat. The loop through Tinkerville Brook is approximately two miles and will take between 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. The terrain is va......More

Join us at Tinkerville Brook Preserve in Ashford for a gorgeous walk through mountain laurel thickets and down into a mixed wetland habitat. The loop through Tinkerville Brook is approximately two miles and will take between 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. The terrain is varied here with some small rocks and roots to navigate. Narrow in spots, we may come in direct contact with many of the native shrubs and tall grasses growing along the trail. The hills here are fairly steep but we will stop as needed for everyone to catch their breath or to take in the scenery. No one will be left behind. Click HERE for a trail map and directions to the preserve. *Parking is limited and will include parking along Armitage Road, a fairly wide, straight and quiet road. The walk begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. and will be cancelled in the event of rain. Bring water, bug spray or net, and appropriate hiking gear as needed. We will post on Instagram and Facebook as well as this page if we decide to cancel the walk due to weather or other, unforeseeable circumstances. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Michelle Poudrette, the Development and Communications Manager, at (860) 429-9023, or email me at [email protected]. Registration is not required. We look forward to seeing you in Ashford.

Tinkerville Brook, 135 Armitage Road, Ashford, CT

Tree Identification Walk at Iron Mine Valley Preserve

UConn Ecology and Evolutionary Biology PhD candidate, Michael Lascaleia, will help us learn to identify common New England trees and discuss their importance to our native ecosystems as we hike the trail through Iron Mine Valley Preserve. The trail includes a mix of swa......More

UConn Ecology and Evolutionary Biology PhD candidate, Michael Lascaleia, will help us learn to identify common New England trees and discuss their importance to our native ecosystems as we hike the trail through Iron Mine Valley Preserve. The trail includes a mix of swamp, marsh and upland forest and includes rolling hills and some wet areas. Please bring appropriate hiking gear and bug spray as needed. Please note that we will begin at the trail head near 31 Sand Hill Rd, Ashford, CT (41.89910° -72.16769° ). Look for our EVENT signs. We will post on Instagram and Facebook as well as this page if we decide to cancel or postpone the walk due to weather or other, unforeseeable circumstances. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Michelle Poudrette, the Development and Communications Manager, at (860) 429-9023, or email me at [email protected]. Registration is not required.

Iron Mine Valley, 31 Sand Hill Road, Ashford, CT

Wednesday Walk at Wolf Rock Preserve

Join us at Wolf Rock Nature Preserve in Mansfield Center for a breathtaking walk with an amazing view. Wolf Rock is one of Mansfield’s most spectacular landmarks, consisting of a great glacial boulder. We’ll start and end our hike at the boulder for beautiful Spring vie......More

Join us at Wolf Rock Nature Preserve in Mansfield Center for a breathtaking walk with an amazing view. Wolf Rock is one of Mansfield’s most spectacular landmarks, consisting of a great glacial boulder. We’ll start and end our hike at the boulder for beautiful Spring views of Mansfield. The trail steeply descends into multiple habitats with varied terrain. For directions and a trail map, visit our website HERE. The walk begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. and will be cancelled in the event of rain. Bring water, bug spray, and appropriate hiking gear as needed. We will post on Instagram and Facebook as well as this page if we decide to cancel the walk due to weather or other, unforeseeable circumstances. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me, Michelle Poudrette, the Development and Communications Manager, at (860) 429-9023, or email me at [email protected]. Registration is not required. Parking is available along Crane Hill Rd. We will have a sign posted. We look forward to seeing you at Wolf Rock.

Wolf Rock Nature Preserve, *Near 62 Crane Hill Rd, Mansfield Center, CT