News

On Wednesday, July 8th, Bethany Land Trust and Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven partnered to host a Pathways to Nature: Bird and Hike event at Edgewood Park—a meaningful step in building lasting connections with underserved communities. Thanks to a grant from the Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund, CLCC was able to provide transportation, removing key barriers that often prevent urban youth from experiencing local greenspace.

The event brought together 25 summer campers and 5 counselors, joined by Vanessa Daye from CLCC, Bob Harrison and Christin Arnini from Bethany Land Trust, and Elisa Grus and Michelle Keefe from the New Haven Bird Club. Together, they explored Edgewood Park’s one-mile paved path, sharing the excitement of discovering Red-winged Blackbirds, robins, wood ducks, and the highlight—a striking egret. One camper’s enthusiastic reaction captured the spirit of the day: “That bird’s an egret? Wow, that’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen here. I come to Edgewood Park all the time, and I’ve never seen a bird like that!”

This was the second Bird and Hike collaboration between the Boys and Girls Club and Bethany Land Trust. While the first hike introduced campers to the Mendell’s Folly property which was unfamiliar to them, this event invited Bethany Land Trust volunteers into the heart of New Haven, meeting youth in a space familiar to them. This approach demonstrates Bethany Land Trust’s commitment to meeting communities where they are—prioritizing relationship-building and mutual trust over one-time programming.

By engaging directly with urban communities in urban greenspaces, Bethany Land Trust is fostering ongoing relationships and helping youth feel comfortable in nature—not just in their local parks, but eventually at suburban land trust properties as well. Experiences like these create two-way connections, empowering youth to discover the biodiversity of their communities while enabling Bethany Land Trust to listen, learn, and grow as partners in stewardship and inclusion.