Obtaining this property would not have been possible without the cooperation of its previous landowners, Richard and Debbie Sutton, and the generous financial contributions of Peter & Karen Valenti, William Valenti, Bob & Cal Manfreda, Michael Valenti, and Don & Roberta Warfield. Special thanks are also due Peter Olson, Land Use & Conservation Counsel, for his always excellent legal expertise.
Have you visited Wolfpit Preserve? It offers diverse habitat for local wildlife and plant life, and a wonderful marked trail system (part of Enchanted Trail) for public enjoyment. Come for a walk in the woods to enjoy the sights and sounds of the wetland area with spring peepers, two trail portions with steep climbs that lead to overlooks, overgrown wet meadow, and a beaver swamp visible from the trail. You’ll encounter old stone walls and a granite quarry (the wolfpit). Wolfpit Preserve is rich with clues about the history and ecology of the area. For directions and more information, visit bethellandtrust.org 

Contribute to support our efforts to protect more of Bethel’s natural heritage!

Volunteer: bethellandtrust.org/volunteer

Donate: bethellandtrust.org/donate

The BLT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to preserving our natural environment. We currently own or manage over 400 acres of land.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and here on our website for more news about what we’re doing to protect Bethel’s green places and to learn how you can help.
​
Thanks for all of your contributions to help Bethel Land Trust to preserve open spaces!

Bethel Land Trust, devoted to increasing pollinator plants at the preserves, has been busy partnering with Bethel schools and the community to raise seedlings over the winter for spring planting at Franc Preserve. A simple method of planting seeds in a recycled jug and leaving it outdoors over the winter was used. Called simply “winter sowing”, it enables wildflower seeds to sprout at the same time as those in nature in a somewhat protected environment, while also providing the right environment for seeds that need cold moist winter conditions to germinate.

Bethel Land Trust coordinated with partners and provided supplies to plant over 150 jugs around town – and distributed additional seed packets – throughout January and into February. Seedlings will be planted at Franc Preserve in the spring.

Third Grade: The elementary school students did a wonderful job planting sixty jugs in January! Bethel Land Trust partnered with Kit Nielsen, K-8 STEM Instructional Coach, and Justin Mack, lead teacher for this project, to make this project a success. BLT contributed supplies, and Kit and Justin developed the plan around winter sowing for the entire third grade to participate during class time. The students formed groups and did a wonderful job planting sixty jugs in the classroom with the help of high school volunteers. The seed jugs are overwintering next to the elementary school pollinator garden which will be expanded with these seedlings in the spring. The children enjoyed lessons about local ecosystems and our very own Bethel Land Trust preserves. Justin shared “The kids are really enjoying the planting and the idea that they’re helping to save the world a little bit! They were pleasantly surprised to learn that some of their favorite places to hike or explore are part of Bethel Land Trust.” Seedlings will be planted in the spring at the school, and some will join us at Franc Preserve for planting, as well.