As we bid farewell to this year and look ahead to the next, with the solstice behind us and the lengthening days ahead, our gratitude is spilling over we consider the blessings of the community and the nature around us in Westport. With the days getting longer–but the nights getting colder–one thing I find myself grateful for is the warmth and cheer brought by the sunlight during a midday winter walk.
These chilly days may not seem the most conducive to outdoor adventures, but with a little layering, some weather-appropriate gear and the right mindset, winter walks are perhaps the most exciting and enriching of the entire year. For birders, we have the benefit of little to no foliage on the trees, allowing us the extravagance of identifying perching birds who otherwise might be totally obscured by a cloak of greenery. A little walking in the snow might reveal, also, the prints of rabbits and squirrels, and certainly
more for the astute observer. And for those of us willing to strap on a pair of blades, nothing is more exhilarating than a skate on the frozen pond not far from your door!
We’ve prepared a few January walks for a variety of ages. We hope to see you out on the trails!
New Year’s Day Walk at the Let (Wednesday January 1st 9:45 am, park at Sylvan Nursery): The annual tradition returns! This public-facing property is typically accessible only by water. On New Year’s Day, Westport Land Conservation Trust partners with the community to welcome the public across protected and conserved lands to this beautiful conservation area. The $10 fee helps fund our many other free programs that we run throughout the year. Children are free!
Bear Snores On Story Hour (Tuesday January 7th, 10am, Westport Woods): Join us in the learning center for a cozy winter story hour, featuring Bear Snores On. Afterwards, we’ll follow the storywalk through Westport Woods and bring this wintertime tale to life!
Full Wolf Moon Walk (Monday January 13th, 5pm, Westport Woods): Another wonderful tradition, we will take advantage of the clear skies of winter to do some stargazing (where the sky is not filled with the sumptuous glow of moon shine), and to bask in the ambience of the full moon. Things can be pretty quiet this time of year, but you never know who will be “hoot”-ing from just beyond the treeline. Join us as we explore the world of nocturnal nature.
Woods in Wintertime Walk (Tuesday, January 28th, 4 pm, Mill Pond Conservation Area): We cap off the month with an exploration of this beautiful brookside property to investigate what animals might be existing more quickly during the cold of winter, and how plants and animals survive these chilly days and prepare for the warmer months ahead.
The trails on our public access properties are always open! From Headwaters on Blossom Road to the Wildlife Refuge on Old Harbor Road, there is a trail and a property for every walker. Find a map of all of our properties here.