Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy, which includes property in Bloomfield, East Granby, West Hartford, and Windsor, will hold its fifth annual ‘First Day’ hike on Jan. 1, 2026, and will be hosting a lecture series.

Submitted

The public is invited to join the Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to ring in the new year outdoors with friends and neighbors!

Our fifth annual First Day hike at Wintonbury Hills Golf Course, co-sponsored with Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services, will explore the Town of Bloomfield’s picturesque golf course abutting the Land Conservancy’s Beacon Hill Preserve. Some of the property along Duncaster Road was once a part of A. C. Peterson Farms and nicely illustrates the rural character of western Bloomfield. As a result of continuing thoughtful management, it is certified as a Cooperative Bird Sanctuary by Audubon International.

This guided walk will follow approximately 2.5 miles of cart paths over the rolling hills. Leashed dogs are welcome. Please use the online RSVP form to help our volunteer event leaders plan ahead.

Wintonbury Hills is closed for the season for golfers. During this hiatus, walkers are welcome to use the grounds as long as they stay on the cart paths. Snowshoeing also is allowed once there is snow. Take advantage of this opportunity to explore one of Bloomfield’s nicest walks and wonderful views. Once Spring arrives, it will belong again to the golfers.

Courtesy of Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy

Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy’s Nature Lecture Series begins Jan. 7, 2026

Join us online on Wednesday, Jan. 7 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for “Here There Be Dragons: The Unseen World of Dragonflies,” a lecture by Dr. Kirsten Martin, Professor of Biology and Program Director for Environmental Science at the University of Saint Joseph.

Martin will talk about the life cycle of dragonflies, with special attention paid to the nymphal and emergence stages. She will also talk about her work with the Dragonfly Mercury Project, a project which uses dragonflies to track mercury deposition.

Martin is an environmental scientist whose research work focuses on nymphal dragonfly behavior. She earned her BS in Wildlife Management from the University of New Hampshire, an MS in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University, and her PhD in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England.

This lecture is co-sponsored by: Bloomfield Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services. You must register online for the Zoom link.

Visit trlandconservancy.org to register and get more information about these events.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.