[…] must think strategically in defining our role in the world. In this newsletter as we announce the hiring of a new Regional Conservationist, outline our latest re search in woodland ecology, explore the activities of our undergraduate interns, and unveil a new web page the niche that we have defined for Highstead is taking […]
[…] of agricultural activity and timber harvesting. In addition to open meadows and managed horticultural collections, there are significant areas of natural vegetation, which primarily consist of secondary forests. Bedrock geology over most of the site is schist, with frequent boulders and outcrops. There is an area of granitic gneiss in the western part of […]
Wildlands & Woodlands (W&W) is a vision for the future of the New England landscape that has become an initiative of partners of many stripes and missions who value land conservation as an essential tool for improving the health and well-being of nature and society. The W&W vision has evolved to embrace a broader […]
[…] processes. Looking Forward 2007 Highstead ThisspringwewelcomedEdFaisonasForestEcologist,apositionestablishedto broadenourresearchandconservationeffortsonnaturallandscapes.Edandhis wifeBrookearefromnorthwesternConnecticutandhehasazoologydegreefrom ConnecticutCollegeandgraduatedegreesinnaturalhistoryandecologyfromthe UniversityofVermontandHarvardUniversity.ThissummerEdextendedourforest ecologystudytoincludethelandofourconservationneighbors–the Townof Redding,ReddingLand Trust,andTheNatureConservancy.Ashereportshere,this projectexpandsHighstead’smissionaswecollaboratewithotherorganizationsto addresstopicswithdirectrelevancetoconservationandlandmanagement. Whilelaunchingneweffortswehavemaintainedourstrongcommitmenttothe HighsteadArboretum.ThisSpringKathleenKitkabeganlong-termmanagement plansforallofournaturalandmanagedlandscapesandcollections.Kathleenhas completeddraftdocumentsfortheKalmia,Azalea,andClethracollectionsaswell astheNative TreeandShrub Walk.Bynextspringwehopetohaveacomprehensive draftoutliningthelong-termdirectionsforourentirelandscape. Lookingahead,wehavemuchtodoaswecontinuetoexpandinpersonnel, programsandcapacity.Ourfirststepistohireanewdirectorwhowillbring strengthsinconservation,education,andecologytohelp guideourgrowing activities.Oursuccesswiththeinternshipprogramhasconvincedustodevelop apermanentprogramofresearchandtrainingforundergraduates.Thiscoming summerweanticipatesupportingthreeormorestudentsinecology,conservation andcollections-basedactivities.Meanwhile,tobroadenourscopeandcomplement excitingdevelopmentsinforestconservationacrosssouthernNewEngland,weare developinganewstaffpositioninregionalconservation.Finally,weareframing planstoexpandourinfrastructure,webpage,andoutreachprogramstosupportthis newlevelofactivity.Ourstaffandnewdirectorwillhavemanyengagingprojectsto pursueasHighsteadlookstothefuture. IwouldliketoendwithawordofthankstoMargaretforguidingHighsteadthrough aprosperousperiodofexpandingprograms,outreachandresearch. Wewishherwell inhernewendeavors. Withmybestwishes, DavidR.Foster Chairman,HighsteadBoard To the Members and Friends of Highstead continued from […]
[…] to responsible land stewardship traces back to 1982, when Elisabeth and James Dudley purchased a parcel of land to build a house in Redding, Connecticut. Their love for this land and their desire to preserve its natural beauty was described in a letter written by Elisabeth Dudley: “…the land which surrounds it is so […]
Five years of a collective ef fort to sustainably harvest, propagate, and grow seeds from native plants is bearing fruit. Development, mining, overgrazing, climate-change-related extreme weather, and the spread of invasive species have led to rapid declines in native plant populations across the United States, reports the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Throughout the […]
[…] home construction and commercial development. With the land and its many natural ecosystems poised in the balance, local residents, landowners and poli- cymakers have an opportunity to guide the region’s future in directions that can retain the forests and their diverse organisms, maintain the local quality of life, and yield immense environmental benefits at […]
[…] how to make it financially viable. Fortunately, there are many NGOs, government agencies, consulting foresters, and other technical assistance providers throughout the northeast ready and able to guide landowners along their forest stewardship journey. In this webinar, learn from representatives from Maine and Mass Audubon, as well as Audubon NY, VT, CT, and Mid-Atlantic […]
[…] of recycled wood that they plan to sell to raise money for the program. Bird-Friendly New Haven is partnering with Sherwin Williams to buy stain at a discount, she says. Doreen Abubakar, founder and director of CPEN, left, works with Pollinator Pathway volunteers to lay out a site for growing native plants along the […]
[…] Spring 2001: Spring | Fall 2000: Spring | Fall 1999: Spring | Fall 1998: Spring | Fall 1997: Fall Pamphlets Roadside Trees Backyard Buffers Highstead Interpretative Trail Guide Native Tree & Shrub Walk The Azalea Collection The Clethra Collection The Kalmia Collection Woodland Project Posters Program Overview Regional Conservation Land Stewardship Ecology and Stewardship […]