Tour the Old Messenger Road Preserves virtually
Take a video tour of the Granby Land Trust’s Old Messenger Road Preserves in West Granby. Walk alongside wildlife photographer Todd DeWald as he narrates a virtual tour of the properties, starting at the Katan-Ensor Preserve and extending through the beautiful Schlicht Family and Richard P. Garmany Preserves.
You’ll learn more about the history of these GLT properties and see DeWald’s stunning photos of some of the flora and fauna that call this home. You’ll also see the view from Scarlet Tanager Lookout and the Mountain Brook waterfalls.
To enjoy this spectacular woodland hike, go to GranbyLandTrust.org and click on the YouTube link in the header. You’ll be taken to the GLT’s YouTube channel, where several videos are posted to bring Granby’s natural beauty directly to you, wherever you may be. While you’re there, you might want to subscribe to the channel, so you’ll be the first to see new releases. The GLT is working with DeWald to create more virtual tours.
The BIG PAINT, open to artists and visitors
On Sunday, Sept. 24, the Granby Land Trust, the Granby Artists Association, and the Friends of Holcomb Farm invite you to the Big Paint featuring artists working en plein air (in the open air).
This year’s event will showcase the beauty of Holcomb Farm in West Granby, where 277 acres of the historic farm are now permanently preserved, thanks to a conservation easement acquired in 2022, and held by the Granby Land Trust.
This 313-acre farm offers a variety of paint-worthy settings, including open fields with mowed paths, agricultural fields, old barns, a farm pond, an arboretum known as the Holcomb Tree Trail, beautiful woodlands, the West Branch of the Salmon Brook, and more. Artists, please arrive at 8 a.m. to find your subject matter.
The event will be held at the main campus, 113 Simsbury Road. Parking is available in either of the main campus lots. Visitors are invited from 9 to 11 a.m. to explore the property and chat with the artists as they work.
This event is a celebration of the permanently preserved acres of this property and of the 30th anniversary of the Friends of Holcomb Farm, the nonprofit organization that manages the town-owned farm. It also is a lead-up to the Granby Land Trust Art Show, Celebrating New England’s Natural Beauty that will run Oct. 26 through Nov. 26 at Lost Acres Vineyard. It is anticipated that many of the works created at the BIG PAINT will be entered in the show.
This beautiful property is the perfect place to spend a Sunday in September in New England. We hope you’ll join us. Any questions, please contact the Granby Land Trust at info@granbylandtrust.org
Wednesday Walk at Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve
Join Granby Land Trust board member Leslie Judge on Sept. 13 at 8:30 a.m. for a Wednesday Morning Walk at the GLT’s Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve. Explore a beautiful property, escape the hurriedness of modern life, experience the natural world around you and expect to connect with new and old friends alike.
Choose from a one-mile hike, that goes to Creamer Pond and Glazier Cabin and back, or a two-mile hike that encompasses more of this beautiful property. These trails do have some elevation gains. See attached map to better gauge distance and topography. Wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes, pack bug spray and bring a water bottle. No dogs, please.
No need to register, just join us. Please arrive early, as the walk will depart promptly at 8:30 a.m. The Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve is located at 253 Loomis Street in North Granby and has ample parking. Any questions, email Judge at leslie_judge@wbsoftware.com
