Stewardship Sundays

The WLT restores biodiversity and maintains its trails with the Wilton Community. Stewardship Sundays is a free, hands-on educational program designed to empower individuals of all ages to make a tangible difference in their communities. For five Sundays in the Spring and Fall, participants devote just 1.5 hours on a Sunday to contribute towards the well-being of their environment by enhancing trails, restoring biodiversity, and maintaining our cherished natural spaces Our Stewardship Sunday program is for all ages and is open to everyone in the community who want to help improve our local environment. 

Turtle Time

A favorite amongst our programs, the WLT and TheTurtleRoom offer a once-a-year educational program about the hidden lives of turtles and tortoises. These species are one of two of the most endangered groups of vertebrates and are often misunderstood. Participants meet turtles up close, learn more about their lives, and how they can help these fascinating creatures. be sure to look for this program in the Spring.  

Birds of Prey

 A live raptor event showcasing New England’s birds of prey in partnership with the Sharon Audubon Center. This once-a-year program features live hawks, owls, falcons, and other species found in North America. Participants learn about their lifestyles and unique traits up close and personal. All are welcome, though pets are discouraged as they could interfere with the event proceedings.

Books & a Blanket

One of our flagship programs, Books & a Blanket is a free community program designed to get young ones out into open spaces and learning about nature. A WLT original program now features a partnership with the Wilton Library and Wilton Go Green. Only an hour long, it's hosted several times in the spring and fall and offers participants an opportunity to create an upcycled craft, participate in interactive storytime, and take a short meadow walk across one of the Wilton Land Trust’s preserves. Get some fresh air and enjoy storytime with your little one, maybe even bring a small picnic!

Birds & Binoculars

 If you’re a fan of our feathered friends, you’ll love our guided bird-watching hike, Birds and Binoculars. Scheduled during migrating seasons, follow resident bird expert and naturalist Joe Bear, and WLT’s executive director David McCarthy as they guide and identify birds passing through. All ages and birding experiences are welcome, bring a friend, and come enjoy the outdoors.   

Wellness Walk

The benefits of conservation go beyond the environment. Being in nature has been linked to various benefits that include lower stress, improved attention, a better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders, and even upticks in empathy. Spending time outdoors, in nature, can work as a balm for our busy brains. 

The Wilton Land Trust’s Wellness Walk is meant to get you outside, breathing the fresh air. In partnership with Stay at Home in Wilton, we walk Schenck’s Island and spend some time in the beautiful outdoors. 

Trekking Together

 Trekking Together is all about exploring the spring and fall seasons on a WLT trail. In partnership with the Woodcock Nature Center, we explore seasonal sights, migrating birds, or the beauty of our natural landscape across Wilton. Locations vary to get a full picture of our surrounding landscape. All are welcome, though pets should be left at home to not scare wildlife. 

Sunset Lantern Walk

A WLT original program, once a year we invite the Wilton community on a guided sunset lantern walk on daylight savings time. Participants meet around a small open fire, traverse the Eugenia Slaughter Wildflower Meadow, and trek the Nick Parisot Memorial Trail. Bring a lantern for this unique experience of traversing a meadow at dusk. All are welcome on this walk. 

Poetry in the Preserve

In partnership with the Wilton Library and the Connecticut Poetry Society, this program is for poetry and literature fans. Participants join the Wilton chapter of the Connecticut Poetry Society for live poetry readings. Attendees are welcome to listen, comment, and share a poem of their own in one of WLT's beautiful meadows. All are welcome and attendees are welcome.

Create & Connect

 The Wilton Land Trust is partnered with the Friends of Weir Farm to bring you a community plein air painting workshop. Participants receive instruction and paint outside with a featured artist. If you enjoy painting or the outdoors, this is for you, no experience is necessary, though participants are required to be 18+.

Internships

 Interested in working closely with the Wilton Land Trust? We offer high school and college level internships to those interested, providing opportunities to assist in workshops, conservation, land management, and stewardship. Internships with the WLT are a great way to connect with your community and get experience in the environmental field. Those interested should reach out to our inquiry email at inquiry@wiltonlandtrust.org. 

Wildlife Releases

In partnership with Wildlife in Crisis, the Wilton Land Trust is proud to aid in the rehabilitation and release of wild animals back to where they belong, on WLT-preserved open space. These are special annual member events, with limited attendance. Videos of these experiences are available on our website.

Annual Meetings

The Wilton Land Trust holds its Annual Meeting during the third week of February. At this event, we conduct annual business, recap the year's activities, and our members vote in Trustees, with Officers elected bi-annually. The meeting also features a keynote speaker. All WLT members are welcome to join and participate.