ANNUALREPORT 2013-2014

Avalonia’s Mission Statement

We preserve natural habitats in southeastern Connecticut

by acquiring and protecting lands, and communicating the value

of these irreplaceable resources.

2014-2015

Board of DirectorsPresidentMicheleFitzpatrickVice–PresidentDennisMain SecretaryGrania“Binti”AckleyTreasurerDoriCharnetski

Directors At LargeDickConantScottDawleyClaudePellegrino MikePernal GerryStefon

2013-2014

Board of Directors

PresidentMicheleFitzpatrickVice–President/SecretaryMaureenDewireTreasurerDoriCharnetski

Town Chairs

GriswoldScottDawleyGrotonJoellenAnderson LedyardMichaelGoodwinNorthStoningtonMacTurnerPreston BobChapin StoningtonBintiAckleySprague,VoluntownVacant

Standing Chair CommitteesAcquisitionGerryStefonDevelopment&PRDickConantFinance ClaudePelligrino PersonnelMargaretGibson StewardshipMichaelGoodwin

Directors At LargeDennisMain GreggMatis AnneNalwalk

Message from the PresidentGreetings, everyone. First of all, I’d like to sincerely thank all our members, donors, sponsors, and volunteers. Your efforts and contributions enable Avalonia to make a difference in the world. I’d also like to thank the state and federal organizations that partner with us by providing funding and valuable time to help with our stewardship and acquisition efforts.

A large part of our effort this year involved fundraising for the acquisition of the Babcock Ridge property, which was imminent as the fiscal year ended on May 31st. Focus areas for the Board of Directors this year were development and membership. It takes a significant amount of time and money to run the organization and provide the services and programs necessary to fulfill our mission. We continue to expand our membership as well as give current members additional opportunities to serve the organization according to their time and skills. We held a “friend-raising” event in September to assist with these efforts.

We welcomed a new Executive Director this year – Heather Milardo. She comes to us with an impressive background in not-for-profit organizational work, including administration, volunteer and staff resource management, donor relations and gift processing, event planning, and data management.

Heather is bringing her valuable experience into play, which you will see as expanded member services and events, as well as fundraising and outreach programs. Please take advantage of as many of these as you can, and share the information with your friends and family.

Thank you again for a successful year. I am looking forward to more wonderful things in the future.

Sincerely yours,

Michele FitzpatrickPresidentAvalonia’s Mission Statement

We preserve natural habitats in southeastern Connecticut

by acquiring and protecting lands, and communicating the value

of these irreplaceable resources.

Cedar tree at Bell Cedar Swamp, North Stonington

THIS YEARS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

AcquisitionsLedyard• Eightsmallparcelstransferredfromthetown.

NorthStonington• Seventy-fouracrespurchasedon

BabcockRidgeonJune10.

Stonington• MistuxetHillPreservewhich

createsabiggergreenwaynearDennisonPequotseposNatureCenter.

• AsmallscenicpieceonWolfneckRoadwhichwillbededicatedastheDeaneAveryPreserve.

• AlargeparceladdedtotheHoffmanPreserve.

StewardshipWroteandhadapprovednewpoliciesontooluseandpropertyencroachments.CreatedanaccountonDropbox.comwhichplacesallkeystewardshipdocumentsinacentralrepository.Createdandhadapprovedachainsawusepolicystatement.Participatedinthenation-wideNationalConservationEasmentDatabase.ConductedtwoGIS/GPSclasses.

TOWN COMMITTEE REPORTS

Groton Activities GrotoncontinuestomeetmonthlyonthesecondMondayofeachmonthfromSeptemberthroughJuneandasneededduringthesummermonths.Thecommittee’smainstewardshipprojectsincluded:

Annualonsitepropertyreviewsofbothfeeownedandconservationeasementproperties(annualorbi-annualpropertyreviewsidentifyfuturestewardshipneeds.)

MaintenanceofpublichikingtrailsonboththeMooreWoodlandandTown’sEnd-particularlyafterstormevents.

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Executive Directors ReportThe accomplishments of the past 45 years are shaping our vision of the future. Avalonia, its volunteers, and its members have worked diligently to shape the landscape of southeastern Connecticut and to preserve it for future generations. We look to continue that tradition; to develop it and strengthen it so that we may stay relevant in the evolving world of conservation.

In the last year, Avalonia has experienced many changes. We saw adjustments to the organizational structure, new land acquisitions, and expanded stewardship efforts. These changes all had one thing in common: a collaborative spirit and desire for positive growth.

Avalonia has been working in partnership with national, state, and local agencies to protect and advocate for our lands and the environment. In the coming year we intend to further our relationships with other land trusts in Connecticut and Rhode Island as we all work together toward our mutual goals. We will also focus on a more active fundraising approach that will allow greater effectiveness and efficiency in anticipating and responding to the needs of our organization.

In this report, you will read about the work that has been happening in each of our towns. These accomplishments are a direct reflection of our dedication to protecting local environments and their natural resources. Our town committees and volunteers are making huge strides in strategic conservation and we are proud to see the results.

Residents and visitors alike have been given an amazing gift in the beautiful and varied landscape of southeastern Connecticut. Avalonia is committed to protecting that legacy, and to the growth of our organization so that we may ensure that it remains so for future generations.

Sincerely yours,

Heather MilardoExecutive Director

Clean up and heavy lifting is always needed at Paffard Woods, Stonington

Continuedeffortstoeradicateinvasivespeciesfromourproperties.InstallationofapublicawarenessdisplayaboutinvasivespeciesontheMooreWoodlandsandparticipationinaCTInvasivePlantWorkshopproject.

Preparationofa“DrivearoundGroton”documenttoacquaintpeoplewiththelocationofAvaloniapropertiesinGroton.

Ledyard ActivitiesAvery PreserveThisyearbeganwithreceiptofthefinal Forest Management Plan for theAveryPreserve.Theplancallsforsomeminorworktofreeupthecedartreesneartheentranceandcontrolinvasiveplants.IntheEastTracttheplanrecommendsconstructionofanew750-footboardwalktoallowviewingoftheRhododendronstand.Thisisbeingconsideredasafutureproject.Otherwisetheforestwasfoundtobehealthy.Aworkpartywasheldthisspringtowidenthetrailsandbeginremovalofinvasiveplants.

Barrett PreserveThemajorfocusofourworkthisyearwastheBarrettPreserve.MuchworkwasdoneunderaNaturalResourcesConservationServicegranttoimprovetheconditionoftheforest.Workincludedclearinginvasiveplantsfromunderthedogwoodtreesinthefield, clearing three one-acre tracts in the forest behind the field, and clearingblackbirchfromathree-acretractintheareawhereaforestfire occurred around 1988. The area underthedogwoodswasclearedbyvolunteerslastfall.Volunteershavecutnearlyalltheblackbirchtreesinthethree-acretractandhaveconstructedoneofthreerequiredbrushpiles.Workcontinuesonthistract.Thesmallerone-acretractswereloggedthisspringbyHullForestProducts.Theentrancetothe

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propertywaswidenedandgravelwasaddedtoallowtruckentry.Weplantoinstallachainacrosstheentryandprovidenewoff-the-roadparkingfortwocars.Alltrailsareopensocomeandwatchthenewforestgrowoverthecomingyears.

Pine Swamp Wildlife CorridorThepowercompanycompletedseveralmajorprojectsonthehightensionlinesthroughPineSwampWildlifeCorridorincludingbuildinggravelroadstoinstallhigherpoles.Asaresultwerelocatedsometrailsandbuiltashorttrailloopunderthe

powerlines.Morecedartreeswerecutbythepowercompanytoobtainnecessarylinetogroundclearance.

N. Stonington ActivitiesBabcock RidgeWepurchasedthispropertyattheend of fiscal year 2014. Its 74 acres willhelpformacontinuoustractof220 acres from Reutemann Road andtheErismanWoodlandsthroughtoSurreyLaneoffProvidence-NewLondonTurnpikeandtheDonaldHenneMemorialPreserve.Severalguidednaturewalksalongthetrailthathaveallowedforinvestigationofvernalpools.

Bell Cedar SwampWehadclosedonthelargestportionof the property in April 2013. We heldaformaldedicationonMay4, 2014, an exciting culmination to hardwork,especiallyfromDuncanSchweitzerforpursuinggrantsandfromGerryStefonfortitlesearchesandsurveying.WehopemanywillenjoythisrareandendangeredhabitatofanAtlanticwhitecedarswamp.

Erisman WoodlandsMacTurnerhasmarkedanewlooptrailwhichwillalsoaccessBabcockRidgefromthenorth.

Tefftweald at BirchenturnThelocalBoyScoutshavetakenchargeofmowingthemeadowandothersmalltasks.

Preston ActivitiesThefocusthisyearhasremainedonthePrestonNaturePreserve,whichreceivedathreeyearEnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram(EQIP)grantfromtheNationalResourcesConservation Service in 2008. Our localbrushbrigade,ledbyCharlieBoosofAvalonia’sStewardshipCommittee,hassucceededindrasticallyreducingtheinvasiveplantsthroughoutthepreserve,includingafeistyanddeterminedthrustata

Hiking on Babcock Ridge trails, North Stonington

The varied birding habitats of Preston Nature Preserve

hillsideofbarberry.Intheplaceoftheseweeds,wehaveintroducedtheseedsoflocalplants,whichwehopewillnowthrive.“Natureabhorsavacuum,”asCharlielikestoremindus,andsoasweripouttheweeds,wereplaceand reseed. Removal of the reed canary grass in the first large field was meant to lead to re-seeding, and many forbshavebeenseededthere.Wearethisspringintheprocess of reseeding the field with warm and cool season grasses, having had to wait and wait for the field to dry out afteroursnowywinterandwetspring.Inthelatefall,weconstructedtwoofthethreebrushpilesrequiredinourgrant.

WearegratefultoDickConantandhissonandtoJoellenAndersonfortheadditionoftwogreatnewbenchesfromwhichwalkersmaynowrestandenjoytheviewfromthebigoakatthecrestofBigDumplinghillandalsoattheicepond.Meanwhile,regularstewardshipandmonitoringtakesmostofourtime.

Stonington ActivitiesPeck/Callahan PreservesStoningtonhashadanextremelybusyyear.OurbiggestaccomplishmentwasthecompletionoftheNewEnglandCottontail(NEC)HabitatRestorationProjectonourEinnaPeck/FrankCallahanPreserves.Theprojectwasjust an idea in early 2012, developed intoasolidplanbytheendoftheyear,andwasactivelyaccomplishedthrough the summer of 2013. The USFishandWildlifeService(USFWS)worked on the creative financing necessarytocarryoutourgoals.WealsohadguidanceandmajorfundingfromNaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS)andagrantfromtheLongIslandSoundFuturesFundadministeredbyNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation.Thatisalotofpartnering!WecouldnothaveaccomplishedallofthiswithoutthehelpoftheCTDepartmentofEnergyandEnvironmentalProtection(DEEP)teamsupportingtheNECprojectsthroughouttheState.Intheendwecreated 28 acres of future “young forest”tosupportnearly50speciesthatareindeclineandinneedofthishabitat.Thetotalmonetaryvalueoftheprojectwasover$100,000andincluded over $38,000 of matched

fundswhichwasachievedduetotheeffortsofourvolunteersandorganizationalconnections.

Dodge Paddock/Beal PreserveAnother significant project involving various groups is inStoningtonBorough.HurricaneSandycreatedsuchadisasteronDodgePaddockthattheefforttorepairandrestoretheareaandplanforfuturemaintenancewillbeanongoingeffort.Wehavesomegreathelp.TheDEEPmarsh

Janice Parker, Pat Turner, Mac Turner, Frank Eppigner, Heather Milardo and Michele Fitzpatrick at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Bell Cedar Swamp, North Stonington

Wood frog on sphagnum moss in Bell Cedar Swamp, North Stonington

managementteamwasessentialtogettingtheemergencyworkdonetodrainthemarshwhichwasbecomingarealhealthissue.Theycontinuetoworkwithustodevelopaplantoworkthisprojectintoalargergrantthatwillrestoreabetter drainage flow throughout both the Dodge Paddock and Beal Preserves through a new design that will help drain out flood waters into the Sound.

Knox PreserveOver the last year, volunteers have succeeded in clearing and restoring the magnificent stone walls. DEEP is helping as well,workingwitharesearchteamfromTrinityCollegetostudyvariousinvasives,testtechniquestoeradicatethoseinvasivespecies,andmeasurethesuccessorfailureofthosetechniquesovertime.AsecondAudubonImportantBirdArea grant was received late in 2013 and we have a second Purple Martin Nesting system on the property. The first systemwasagreatsuccess.DEEPbirdbandersputFederalbandsandcolorbandsonournestlingslastJuly.Thecolonywillbemonitoredandstudiedforyearstocome.

Sandy Point IslandSandyPointIslandcontinuestoprovideuswithopportunitiestopartnerwithUSFWSandtheStoningtonCommunityCenter(COMO) to protect, steward and preserve this important habitat. It is designated as a very significant breeding and nursery areaforHorseshoecrabsinthispartofthestate.ItcontinuestosupportPipingPloversandOystercatchersandLeastTernsas Endangered bird species. New England Science and Sailing Institute (NESS) will aid in the oversight this year (2014) as well as teachthenextgenerationofconservationistswhataspecialplaceitis.

AteamfromSacredHeartUniversityProjectLimulushasvisitedtheislandandcontinuestocollectthedatawesupplyfromtaggingHorseshoeCrabsconductedeachSpringandSummer.PinePointSchoolusestheislandtostudyHorseshoeCrabsandhabitatchangesovertimeandprovidesuswiththeirdata.

Education and Scientific StudyOne aim of Avalonia is to increase education and scientific study and here in Stonington we have honored that. Teams from SacredHeartUniversity,TrinityCollegeandPinePointarestudyingelevationsonSandyPoint.OrnithologistsfromtheUniversityofConnecticutwereonthesaltmarshes,EntomologistswereonPerryNaturalArea,andAcademicsfromLongIslandSoundStudyandDEEPwerestudyingcoastalresiliencyonseveralofourmarshesandpreserves.

WeareinoursecondyearofcollaborationwithConnecticutCollegestudentsfromtheGoodwin-NieringCenterfortheEnvironment.TheteamsareworkingonbothKnoxandDodgePaddockpreservesstudyingvariousaspectsofenvironmental management issues. One team focused on the issue of finding volunteers and managed to get us 50 studentsfromtheConnecticutCollegetrackteamtoclearwallsalongNorthMainStreet,PaffardWoods,andDodgePaddock.Onceagain,thevolunteersmadeallthedifference!Thestudentshavebroughtnewenthusiasmtooureffortsandtheyhavetakenawayagreaterappreciationoftheeffortrequiredtostewardtrustlands.

Checking mist nets while banding birds at Knox Preserve, Stonington

2013–2014 Financials

Operating Reserve May 31, 2013 $73,617.70 Income Membership $7,188.30 Donations $53,919.42 Other $4,706.68 Expenses $(64,630.29) Current $74,801.81

Stewardship Reserve May 31, 2013 $70,338.56 Income Grants $75,863.10 Donations $2,219.92 Other $3,814.95 Expenses $(60,632.44) Current $91,604.09

Acquisition Reserve May 31, 2013 $58,042.05 Income Grants $20,400.00 Donations $80,452.92 Expenses $(13,246.97) Current $145,648.00

Land Acres Value May 31, 2013 $15,418,606.00 New 19.58 $140,700.00 May 31, 2014 $15,559,306.00

Breakdown of Income

3%

55%

39%

3%

Membership Donations Grants Other

A glimpse of the unique flora and fauna inside Bell Cedar Swamp, North Stonington

John Ackley and Binti Ackley Ben and Lynda AndersonJudith AndersonJean M. AndersonJoellen AndersonGary and Stephanie AnninoLeo AntoninoPaul A. Armond, Jr.Bob and Karen AskinsGenevieve AtwoodLisa C. Wahle and Peter J. AusterDeane C. AveryNancy P. AveryNick BacopoulosVictor and Christie BairdBarbara and Doug Barrett Richard M. BarryAnne Bartholet Deborah L. BealShirley C. BealCeleste Bellinghieri Clare B. BillingThomas and Kathy BishopGary R. BlessingTheo M. BluhmMary T. BoatwrightThomas BordnerTimothy BowlesJames BoylanElizabeth Tobin BrownMeredith BrownMary Browning Jeffrey and Evelyn CallahanLinda and Tom CarruthersEllie CaseyBob and Diane Chapin Larry R. ChappellTim and Jonna Chokas

Jack ClabbyCharles T. ClarkWilliam P. ClarkElsa H. ColeAnne CollierRobert S. CollierDavid CollinsVicky ConnorRosemary Contin & John MalmosStephen S. CookPeter M. CoopeDick and Mary CooperSylvia G. CorreiaVirginia Cottrell-ColassanoJohn CrosskeyJohn CurleyMystic Cycle CenterPaul and Lora DaukMichael Davis Edward W. Day, Jr.Michael and Dudley Del BalsoBonnie and Richard DentonChristopher and Barbara DixonSteven J. Dodd Norman A. Dudziak, Jr.Francis DumontEdith DunfordAllan DunningJudith DupontJames EnglishPaul C. EstesEdith R. FairgrieveFirefly FarmsBernard Ferguson, IVJoseph W. Ferrigno and Clare SheridanMrs. George FinnStephen C. Finnigan

Thank you to all Avalonia Members and Donors...

...you are the heart and soul of this community!Land stewardship by volunteers and students from the Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment at Knox Preserve

Michele FitzpatrickWilliam and Ellen FossumHelios FoundationLedyard Rotary FoundationAnderson-Paffard Foundation, Inc.Fields Pond Foundation, Inc.Martha FraenkelJoanna G. FrankPeter G. FreemanColin Revill and Margaret Frisch RevillSandy and Howard FromsonAdolf O. FuchsCharles and Susan Anderson Neal R. GanzLedyard Garden ClubMystic Garden ClubNorth Stonington Garden ClubStonington Garden ClubThames River Garden ClubGary and Phyllis GersteinMargaret Gibson and David McKainJoseph Gilbert and Nancy FolliniMarion M. GilbertRobert GilbertiSarah B. GilchristBarbara GildersleeveRichard O. GildersleeveVincent GodinoHenry Sage GoodwinMichael J. GoodwinGloria GorbyMary and Robert GrahamAshbel GreenWilliam J. Griffin, IVSteven E. GroverMark and Betty Guadliana Charles GuntherThomas E. Harris Eleanor HarveyHilary HeminwayJennifer L. HerbstPeter G. HewittMuriel HinkleLedyard Historical SocietyJoyce M. HollandChristopher M. HoulihanAlice HoustonCharles and Beth Harding Walter JohnsenPenny F. JonesR.B. JonesWilliam and Sue JonesJohn and Barbara Washburn Dick and Catherine Conant

Thomas KawabataJane R. KeenerNita and Gary KincaidPatricia C. KitchingsCharles L. KrollRobert D. LangmannDavid L. LarsonKatherine R. LearsLions Club LedyardFrederic and Barbara LeonardArchie and Diana Leslie Hope F. and Robert C. LeubaWarren LiepoldAmanda LindbergBruce and Catherine LittmanHenry D. LordWilliam T. LoveDixie LufberyJames A. MacGregorNancy MacMillanDennis MainClifford D. MalloryLandine L. ManigaultWilliam MartleyPeter MatthewsBrian and Darlene McCuneBrian and Heather McGregorAndrew and Amy Hallberg Mary Ann MelgeyFrank and Sandra MennitiHiking Club MeshomasicPearl and Robert MicheliEleanor J. MillerJohn MitchellRobert and Virginia Montgomery Philip A. MoodyBeth Moore and Ronald VoekelDion W. MooreDorothea B. MoorePeter F. MooreThomas F. MoorePoor MorganRusty and Alisa MorrisonClaire R. Morse & FamilyRoberta Lewis MortonMr. and Mrs. David J. MuehlbauerMr. and Mrs. B. MuldoonDennis A. MurphyGay MyersAnne H. NalwalkRebecca Nash and Doug ThompsonRobert B. NelsonRick NewtonDiane A. Norman

Dennis O’BrienMr. and Mrs. Alfred T OgdenArtie OliveiraCormac O’MalleyTim O’NeilNorman Lee OwsleyA. Wright PalmerDorothy PappJanice Parker and Duncan SchweitzerJoyce A. ParkerLen and Ingrid Parker .Nathan Pearson, Sr.Peter B. PerryMr. and Mrs. William N. PetersonBrian PistoleseRichard H. PollakRick L. RarogiewiczGlenn and Vicky ReidColin and Margaret RevillBetty RichardsMr. and Mrs. R. Quincy RobeAnne Roberts-Pierson and Raymond PiersonKate RobinsonDonald and Angenette RobinsonMr. O. Pomeroy RobinsonMark RobinsonMaurice and Helen RocheleauHelen R. RushMr.and Mrs. Jeffrey F. RuzickaBill and Sheila SandersPaul J. SchafferAnne ScheibnerJack and Chris SchmidtCharles SchwabRobert and Jean ScialabbaRichard and Nancy SeagerJohn B. SebastianRobert and Charlotte ShepardAnn ShipleyChester SicardRob and Heidi SimmonsDoug and Joan SmithMichael Smyle and Roseanne SimborskiJoan H. SoonsMr. and Mrs. John E. Burdick and Sr.Bruce and Paula StaufferRowlie and Carla Stebbins Gerry and Linda StefonJim and Beth SullivanSusan Surova

Robert and CatherineTaborKenneth and Grace TatePeter S. ThacherHarry and Marie TobiassenJon TobiassenMac and Pat TurnerBetty S. TylaskaConstance Kilgore and Robert UtterRoger and Sally Van DykeRichard and Lois Tefft Van DeusenSandy and Sidney Van ZandtBeth WalkerEmily N. WhartonJonathon and Ruth WhiteC. Lawson and Ruth WillardDebra and Rich WillnerHugo J. Wilms, Jr.James and Karen Wittliff Ledyard Women’s ClubMr. and Mrs. Charles WormserWick and Georgia YorkJohn P. Zappe

This list includes all donors and members with gifts over $100 during our last fiscal year. If we have inadvertently missed your name, please accept our sincerest apologies and contact our office at your convenience so that we may make the necessary corrections.

Volunteers at Knox Preserve, Stonington

MAILING ADDRESSAvaloniaLandConservancyP.O. Box 49Old Mystic, CT 06732

OFFICE LOCATION (please, no mail)6HatchStreetMystic,CT

860.884.3500avalonialc@yahoo.com

avalonialandconservancy.org

Front Cover: Black-eyed susans in bloom at Knox Preserve, StoningtonBack Cover: Donald R. Henne Memorial, North Stonington