NFA: Every Day Is Earth Day (Including May 7)

In honor of Earth Day, Newtown Forest Association (NFA) will hold its annual Nettleton Preserve Restoration on May 7.

All ages are invited to join NFA members for their Every Day Is Earth Day event at the property on Old Castle Drive, off Castle Hill Road, at 10 am. The NFA is inviting “everyone willing and able” to help with a trail cleanup and property restoration, noting the project is a continuation of past Earth Day projects of the site overlooking the flagpole and church steeples on Main Street.

The work day will include pruning, repairing wet trail areas, invasive plant removal, mulching, etc. NFA will supply bottled water for volunteers, and a limited supply of garden hand tools. Members ask that participants bring their own clippers, shears, bow saws, rakes, and wheelbarrows. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Groups larger than four people and scouts leaders should register in advance by either leaving a voicemail at 203-270-3650 or via e-mail at nfagoodneighbor@newtownforestassociation.org.

NFA’s Nettleton Preserve spans a mostly wooded area that begins behind the Congregational Church up Castle Hill Road, named “Castle Hill” in 1888 for the castle built on the site by world traveler and millionaire Peter Lorrillard Ronald. The deteriorating building was demolished in 1947 and the property donated to the Newtown Forest Association by Howard T. Nettleton (1973) and D. Labelle (1996).

The Newtown Forest Association, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the oldest private land trust in Connecticut. NFA is dedicated to accumulating and preserving open space and natural resources in Newtown for the benefit of the community and all nature lovers. Currently, more than 1,100 acres are preserved through NFA stewardship, thanks to the support of membership dues and donations. The NFA cooperates with, but operates independently from, the Town of Newtown and receives no town funding.