The Gellert and Valentine Preserves form part of a large forest block in Pomfret that is important for forest nesting birds. The two preserves protect 168 acres of woodland and farmland and abut both the state’s Air Line State Park Trail and the 167-acre New England Forestry Foundation’s Kimball preserve.
The trail starts in the parking area on Ayers Road through the Gellert Preserve down to the Air Line Trail. The trail continues along the Air Line Trail for 300 yards before cutting back up the hill and back to the parking area. (Ayers Road is just south of We-Li-Kit Ice Cream on Route 97.)
The properties were logged in 2019 to remove dead and diseased trees, and the resulting open canopy and brushy understory provide attractive habitat for migrating and nesting birds, such as the Indigo Bunting, Prairie Warbler, and Eastern Towhee.
Theodore Gellert donated his 125-acre property to the land trust in December 2007, and the land trust acquired the 43-acre Valentine property from siblings Robert Valentine and Mary Feathers in 2015.
The Wyndham Land Trust aims to conserve nature in Windham County.
Take I-91 North towards Hartford/Middletown/CT-66. Take exit 29 towards US-5 North/1-84 East towards Hartford/Boston. Stay on I-84 East. Take exit 69 for CT-74 towards US-44/Putnam/Willington. Turn right on CT-74 East. Turn left onto US-44 East. Turn right on CT-97 South. Turn left onto Ayers Road, destination on the left.
Follow I-95 North and I-395 North to CT-97 North/Taftville-Occum Road in Norwich. Take exit 18 from I-395 North. Follow CT-97 North to Ayers Road in Pomfret.
Park on the left side of the road in front of the gate. Walk through the gate and continue on the trail.
Success! A new password has been emailed to you.
