Members List:

President:
Dr. Todd Mervosh
Vice President:
John Fisher
Treasurer:
Art Sikes
Secretary:
Robert Stewart
Board of Directors:
Chris Childs
Art Christian
Muriel Coati
Dr. Edward Ewald
Marie Gauthier
Peggy Robards
Michael Stanley
Joellen Woodworth

Links Section

TOWN OF SUFFIELD

...to preserve Suffield's environment through the acquisition and maintenance of ecologically significant underdeveloped land located in Suffield and West Suffield

...to keep the natural beauty of our farmlands, woodlands for future generations.

Bird Walk

Sunday May 13 at 8:00 am

SLC Director, Art Sikes, will lead a birding expedition at the Suffield Wildlife Management Area off Babbs Road in West Suffield. The birds are starting to migrate north and you have an opportunity to spot unusual species. Last year the group saw over 37 different birds such as Praire Warblers, Kestrals and Savannah Sparrows. Be sure to bring binoculars and if you have a bird guide book that would be helpful but not necessary. This is "Free" and open to the public. We'll meet at the parking area at 8:00 am.

Connecticut Trails Day

Saturday June 2nd 2:00pm

The 20th annul Trails Day, sponsered by Connecticut Forest and Parks Association, will be celebrated Saturday, June 2nd, with a two mile nature walk along the Metacomet Trail. The walk will start at 2:00 pm with an easy pace over hilly terrain. Hikers will meet on Mountain Road at the Alcorn Preserves near the intersection of Phelps Road and should bring water. Rain will cancel the hike. This is "Free" and open to the public. For further information, contact hike leader, Mike Stanley, at 860-668-5304 or HikeLikeMike@aol.com.

IN LOVING MEMORY Thea Dutcher Coburn

We were saddened by the passing of Thea Coburn who died unexpectedly but peacefully at her home in Suffield on May 24, 2009, as the result of an accident.

Thea, a resident of town for 53 years, was a founding member of the SLC and served as the group’s president and a member of its board for many years. From the beginning she was an active participant in local government, being one of the prime movers in establishing a local chapter of the League of Woman Voters. She became the Suffield correspondent for the Hartford Times, writing a daily column on town news for 19 years. She was the first correspondent to cover Board of Education meetings, and then was elected to serve on that board for 10 years. In 1994 she received the Paul Harris Award, the Suffield Rotary’s highest award for “Service Above Self” within the community. In 2002 she was presented the Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Circle Award for promoting conservation and preservation of critical plant and animal habitats.

The owner of a summer home in Maine, Thea was a member of the Kennebunk Land Trust and Maine Audubon Society. An avid gardener, she was also a member of the Suffield Garden Club and The Hatheway House Committee for many years. The interests of Thea were broad and included art, music, nature, architecture, the theatre and travel. Her love of life, great mentoring skills and way of challenging us to do more and better, as well as her up-beat attitude, in general, will be sorely missed by the SLC board and membership, as well as by many others. We shall also miss her hospitality through the years while hosting SLC meetings at her home on North Main St. up to the time of her death.

Thea’s last contribution to the SLC, and an idea about which she was most excited, was to have an invasive plant display at the Garden Club’s flower show held at the Hatheway House June 5-6. This display was such a success, showing appropriate native plant replacements as well, that it was set up again for our booth at Suffield-on-the-Green.

Here’s to a grand lady who was an inspiration to us all!

Overlook Ridge Signage Team

Posting team for the newly acquired Overlook Ridge property.

SLC recently took ownership of this 42 +/- ac property located off of Spruce Street. Posting began in mid - November. Pictured deep in the woods are SLC President Mike Stanley and his wife Liz, along with newly appointed Land Steward, Victoria Spellman. This property is easily accessible. SLC property signs are posted on the street and entrance is through steel gate which leads into a large open field, currently used for agricultural purposes. There is a trail located at the back of the field that extends to the end of the property and would be excellent for hiking or cross country skiing.

2006 Bird Walk

The 2006 Bird Walk was held on Saturday, May 6 at the Silver Creek Preserve. This preserve is a newly acquired open space associated with the subdivision being built between Longview and Hickory Streets. The walk was led by led by Art Sikes who conducts the Suffield portion of the annual Hartford Audubon Society Spring Bird Census. The above image is of some of the partisipantes from this years event.

Under a watchful eye, SLC Director Bob Stewart taking a turn on the saw.

Breaking free a block of ice.

2006 Wild Flower walk held at Sunrise Park

SLC Director, Marie Gauthier, with some of her 5th Grade students, Jack, Devon and Natalie, during the Wildflower Walk held at Sunrise Park on April 29th.

On Saturday, February 4, after 5 unsuccessful years, ice was cut the old fashioned way from White's Pond at Sunrise Park. Dennis Picard presented an interesting history on ice harvesting in New England and demonstrated some of the many techniques used in harvesting ice.

Master Ice-cutter Dennis Picard oversees a cut.

To become a SLC member send in your tax-deductable fee to P.O. Box 421, Suffield, CT 06078

Types of SLC Memberships are as follows: $25 Family Membership $15 Individual Membership $10 Senior Citizen Membership

Contributions and dedicated gifts of any size are welcome.

The Suffield Land Conservancy is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, nontaxable corporation. Donations and gifts are tax deductible as charitable contributions. Checks can be mailed to:

Suffield Land Conservancy

P.O. Box 421

Suffield, CT 06078