Darienite (https://darienite.com/tag/tree-conservancy-of-darien-2016)
Ho! Ho! Ho! What a lovely gift for Darien just in time for Christmas! Tree Conservancy of Darien was able to swiftly coordinate the delivery of 30 trees generously given by Planters Choice Nursery for planting in town.
One of the goals of local nonprofit, Tree Conservancy of Darien, is to educate the community about the value of trees. It was with that goal in mind, that some TCD board members recently participated in a Shinrin-yoku walk hosted by Jeffrey and Donna Wyant, Certified Forest Therapy Guide Candidates with the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs.
Shinrin-yoku, developed in the 1980’s in Japan, is translated into English as “forest bathing” and is a guided sensory immersion in a forest, or in the other-than-human world of nature. Scientific studies have shown that Shinrin-yoku walks can lower blood pressure, reduce stress levels, and increase a sense of well-being among participants. It has recently been called “the latest fitness trend to hit the U.S.” by the Washington Post.
Tree Conservancy’s forest bathing walk was a safe and unhurried two-hour engagement with nature that began with the forest guides inviting them to leave any worries behind at the beginning of the trail.
Tilley Pond Park is looking particularly lush this summer, thanks to contributions from Tree Conservancy of Darien. The local non-profit recently planted 30 trees in the well-utilized park, which included a memorial to Keith Barker, former owner of the Gardener’s Center of Darien. Other Tree Conservancy plantings include the Center Street South parking lot (in back of CVS) and Ledge Road. TCD is planning another planting project this fall. For more information about Tree Conservancy, email info@treeconservancy.org.
Darien artist Elizabeth Higgins, known locally as Betsy Higgins, has donated artwork for a silent auction on behalf of the Tree Conservancy of Darien at a complimentary cocktail reception for its photo contest. The organization’s its fourth annual photo contest, ‘Celebration of Trees’, will be held March 4 at the Darien Nature Center from 6 to 8 p.m.
Higgins has donated her 48-inch wide by 24-inch high oil painting on canvas, “Spring Landscape” for bidding in the silent auction. Higgins was born in Toronto, Ontario and has an MFA degree in painting from the Parson’s School of Design in Manhattan. She has shown her artwork previously at the Prince Street Gallery in SoHo, New York, where she will again exhibit her work this spring. Palmers Market has generously sponsored the reception, which is open to all.
Tree Conservancy of Darien is holding its fourth annual photo contest, “Celebration of Trees”, with an opening reception sponsored by Palmer’s Market, on March 4 at the Darien Nature Center from 6 to 8 p.m.
TCD hopes to raise awareness of the value of trees in the community and inspire contestants of all ages to capture the beauty of majestic, historic, attractive and unusual trees while supporting their mission. All proceeds of the contest go directly to caring for and planting trees in Darien. All who live, work or volunteer in Darien are encouraged to participate in the fundraising contest. Photos should be taken within the past two years and can be black and white or color. ______________
— an announcement from the Tree Conservancy of Darien
______________
Tree Conservancy is expanding the scope of this year’s contest by allowing photos of trees outside of Darien to be submitted for entry and including a Fairfield County professional category.
Naturalist Michael Wojtech will share his knowledge about local tree identification and bark at his lecture, “Bark: Get to Know Your Trees,” at the Darien Library on Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m.
The talk is free and is co-sponsored by Tree Conservancy of Darien, Darien Land Trust, Darien Nature Center and the Darien Library. Wojtech will provide an exploration of bark, the one tree characteristic visible in every season. Traits most often used to describe tree species – leaves, buds and twigs, are high and out of site on most trees, or in the case of leaves, absent for half of the year. In addition to teaching about species identification in local woods, Wojtech will explain why the large variety of bark characteristics exist, including why some species have smooth bark, thick and broken bark, or bark that peels away in curly strips. He will also be available to sign copies of his book, Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast.