Naromi Land Trust
October, 2010 - Vol 1, Issue 8
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Join us on November 7 to hike the trail at Towner Hill. Meet at the parking area at White Silo on Route 37 at 9 am. See further details below.
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Volunteer!
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| Dear Friend of Naromi, | |
This October has been a particularly busy month for Naromi. Four Naromi Board members (Marge Josephson, Stephanie Warren, Chris Jellen and Dan Leary) and two Naromi staff (Amanda Branson and Hunter Brawley) attended the Land Trust Alliance Rally in Hartford. Over 1,800 people from across the country attended the conference. It was a wonderful opportunity to commune with other conservationists and learn about the current issues in the national land trust community and how it translates to conservation work in our local communities. The next weekend Naromi celebrated Fall with our Annual Picnic at Hadlow Field, dedicated as Kemp's Meadow at the Event. We have also included announcements of a volunteer workday and a hike and included some info on an unfamiliar pest.
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| Lessons from Rally | |
Perpetuity was the buzz word of the 2010 Rally. Land in conservation, whether by conservation easement or owned outright by a land trust, is to be protected in perpetuity by that organization. It goes without saying that perpetuity is a long time. Organizations who hold conservation land must be robust and sustainable in order to make good on this promise.
Naromi is working hard to fulfill its duties as a Sherman institution, a public charity and a steward of our holdings. Protecting the conservation values of the properties entrusted to us is our chief responsibility and everything else we do, from field work, to education, to fundraising, to awareness is in service of that responsibility.
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Picnic was a spectacular day!
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 Many pieces came together to give Naromi another wonderful and successful picnic: perfect weather with enough breeze for good kite flying, good food, and about 150 folks of all ages. There were many kites in the sky, and the view towards the Massachusetts hills was spectacular with the fall colors.
We officially dedicated Hadlow field as "Kemp's Meadow" (special thanks to Chris Jellen for the beautiful sign) after beloved and longtime Board member Kemp  Mandeville. Like many people in Sherman, Hadlow field was one of Kemp's favorite places.
A group of about 20 people hiked through the high meadow and to a grove of old white oaks.
Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped make it such a great day: Bill McGoldrick, Phyllis McGoldrick, Helen Garrison, Hunter Brawley, Amanda, Dave Schneiderbeck, Ian  Gribble, John Allen, Chris Allen, Chris Jellen, Philip Korsant, Donald Heald, Jeff Lescynski, Catherine Heald, Stephanie Warren, Dan Leary, Chris Jellen, Bill Garrison, Linda Jellen, Catharine Cooke, and the Lake Mauweehoo Club was generous in allowing Naromi to borrow tables and chairs for the picnic, and finally for holding their Clubhouse open in case we had had inclement weather.
 
 | Julie & Charlie Reppenhagen and Sally Spence
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 | | Colette Schulman, Bill Garison, Philip Korsant, Josh DeWind |
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| Beech Blight Aphid |  A somewhat uncommon pest has become common this fall. It is a woolly aphid species known as the Beech Blight Aphid. Even though its range is from Maine to Florida but it is seldom seen here. When it does appear it is in dramatic fashion. The aphid amasses by the thousands on the twigs, small branches, and the undersides of foliage primarily of the American beech. Infested beech trees can appear to have their smaller branches and twigs covered with snow. These pictures were taken locally in September.
Another characteristic of this aphid is that it will raise the posterior end of its body and sway when it is disturbed. This action produces a dance-like effect that occurs throughout the colony. This phenomenon has led some to refer to this species as the Boogie-Woogie Aphid. It is a unique experience to see hundreds of these perform this defensive behavior. Here is a video that attempts to capture it.
 There is a lack of consensus as to the overall importance of this insect and its short or long-term effects on the health of the host plant. It has been speculated that heavy populations may kill smaller limbs of beech trees. Others suggest that smaller and/or distorted foliage may result from the feeding pressure imposed by this insect. Ultimately, there is no indication that this aphid causes any real serious harm.
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| Things to do with Naromi | |
Join Board Members Ian Gribble, Chris Jellen, Dave Schneiderbeck, Land Manager Hunter Brawley, and volunteer Robin Zitter on Saturday, October 30 from 1-3 pm at Babbling Brook Farm to help with landscaping along the stream. Bring a shovel and/or hard rake if you have them, work gloves, and water. Let us know if you are coming, call 860-354-0260 or email naromi@sbcglobal.net.
Join NLT President Marge Josephson to hike the trail on Towner Hill on Sunday, November 7 at 9 am. NLT Board member Chris Jellen has finished cutting the trail starting at the future parking area off Route 37. Come enjoy the remaining yellow-orange foliage of the beech trees on this invigorating hike. Wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing (you'll be much warmer after the climb than you will be at the start!) and bring plenty of water. Let us know if you are coming, call 860-354-0260 or email naromi@sbcglobal.net.
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Please share this Naromi newsletter with your friends by using the forward button below. We welcome comments from you about what you would like to see discussed here and what you think we are doing right, or wrong! We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
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