April 21, 2007 - Earth Day 2007 Volunteers Descend upon the Nettleton Preserve to Attack Invasive Species and
Replant Native Species
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Whispers in the Forest
Newtown Forest Association
Connecticut's Oldest Private Land Trust
As one of Newtown's most photographed, painted and visited scenic viewpoints, the
NFA's Nettleton Preserve was the focal point of the NFA's Earth Day project with the
help of over 50 volunteers. The invasives needed to be removed to give native plant
species a chance to flourish. In addition, 5 species of native plants (Highbush
Blueberry, Red and Black Chokeberry, Viburnum and Winterberry) were planted
throughout this 23+ acre Preserve. In addition, the younger cub scouts and their
parents from Packs 70 and 570 helped restore a wet section of one of the trails with a
technique called corduroying. The laying down of deadfall across the damper part of
the trail helps provide a dry platform on which to walk and will decompose in a manner
that permanently raises this trail bed. The NFA's Board could not be happier with the
outpouring of volunteers to help with these efforts. They really put a good dent in
jumpstarting the restoration of this Preserve. It will never be the intention of the NFA to
turn this Preserve into a Park, but restoring the natural species here to attract wildlife
right here in the center of Newtown is consistent with the donors wishes. A special
thanks to Dan Holmes of Holmes Fine Gardens who donated the use of his equipment.
