Great Mountain Forest

Great Mountain Forest Welcome, all who love the woods! Great Mountain Forest is 6000 acres of working conservation land, in the towns of Norfolk and Canaan, Connecticut.

GMF is dedicated to the stewardship of our lands to create opportunities to carry out sustainable forestry, forest research, environmental education, and recreational activities. Founded in 1909, GMF was run as a private conservation effort for nearly a century. During that time the forest was used for both research and working forestry. In 2003, the forest was permanently protected under a Forest

Legacy conservation easement, funded by the State of Connecticut and the US Forest Service. In 2009, the land was put under the control of our non-profit. Our mission is to carry on the conservation and research, done in the previous hundred years, and to educate the public in issues of conservation, land management, and forest health.

Fun fact: the bald eagle isn’t actually bald—its name comes from an old English word meaning “white-headed.” By age 4 o...
09/02/2026

Fun fact: the bald eagle isn’t actually bald—its name comes from an old English word meaning “white-headed.” By age 4 or 5, these icons sport their famous white heads and tails, plus razor-sharp vision and talons built for fish-snatching. After once being endangered, bald eagles made a spectacular comeback thanks to conservation, habitat protection, and a nationwide ban on the pesticide DDT. Join Master Wildlife Conservationist Ginny Apple on Saturday, September 12, at 1:30 p.m. at the Norfolk United Church of Christ for an engaging talk on the bald eagles' comeback story. Enjoy stunning photos, fascinating facts, and the inspiring history of these amazing birds in Connecticut.

If you love wildlife, birding, or an inspiring comeback story, don’t miss it. Register for the wildlife talk today at
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/haqwhyb

Photo Credit: David A. Mitchell (1), Penn Waggener (2), U.S Fish and Wildlife (3)

This summer’s Forester Assistant Will Watkins and interns Finn Harris, Serenity Zullo, and Tim Ostap didn’t just gain ex...
08/26/2026

This summer’s Forester Assistant Will Watkins and interns Finn Harris, Serenity Zullo, and Tim Ostap didn’t just gain experience — they helped carry our work forward. From marking harvests and improving timber stands to operating the sawmill, rebuilding the Tobey Bog boardwalk, and stacking 8.2 cords of firewood, they took on a wide range of projects with skill and dedication. They also completed Game of Logging training, installed deer fencing alongside the Xerces Society for their pollinator research, monitored game cameras, invasive species, and more than 350 acres of forest, and even helped build three Leopold benches. Along the way, they visited forests, mills, bird observatories, and wildlife refuges across the region — and yes, they carved their own axe handles and hung the heads. We’re grateful for all they contributed this summer. The future of forestry is looking very strong. 🌿🪓

Ensure a forest-friendly future with a reusable bag from the Canaan Stop & Shop. For every $2.50 reusable Community Bag ...
08/24/2026

Ensure a forest-friendly future with a reusable bag from the Canaan Stop & Shop. For every $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold through August 31, Great Mountain Forest receives $1. Your generosity makes a difference, helping us grow our community programs, expand forest education opportunities for students and professionals, advance stewardship initiatives, and more!

Meet the purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea). At first glance, it’s an elegant, deep-hued plant—but look a little...
08/19/2026

Meet the purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea). At first glance, it’s an elegant, deep-hued plant—but look a little closer, and you’ll find a remarkable carnivorous species with a fascinating survival strategy. Unlike typical plants that depend solely on soil nutrients, purple pitcher plants thrive in nutrient-poor bogs, like Tobey Bog, by trapping and digesting insects. Their pitcher-shaped leaves collect rainwater, creating a natural pool that lures unsuspecting prey. Once inside, insects are unable to escape and are eventually broken down into nutrients the plant can absorb.

What makes pitcher plants even more fascinating?
🌱Their pitchers support bacteria and microorganisms that help break down prey.
🌱Sarracenia purpurea can survive and even thrive in our cold northern climate.
🌱Their rich purple coloring and nectar is beautifully deceptive, attracting insects and causing them to fall into the base of the pitcher.

To learn more about biodiversity and the many plants within Great Mountain Forest, visit https://greatmountainforest.org/biodiversity-at-great-mountain-forest/

Photos: Tom Blagden

🌲 Forest management matters—for wildlife and for the future of New England’s forests. Join us for the Forest Management...
08/12/2026

🌲 Forest management matters—for wildlife and for the future of New England’s forests. Join us for the Forest Management for Wildlife workshop at the historic Yale Camp on August 27, from 9 AM to 4 PM, to explore how forestry practices can be used to create, maintain, and enhance habitat for a wide range of species—from songbirds and mammals to pollinators. In this workshop, you’ll learn how forest age, structure, and composition influence wildlife use; how practices like thinning, regeneration cuts, and habitat diversification can support conservation goals; and how to integrate wildlife habitat goals into broader forest management plans

🌲The course includes both classroom learning and field visits, offering real-world examples of wildlife-focused forest management in action.

Presented by:
Peter Picone, Wildlife Biologist, Connecticut DEEP
Eileen Fielding, Former Center Director, Sharon Audubon Center

✅ Approved for 2 CT Forest Practitioner continuing education credits

Register at https://greatmountainforest.org/forest-management-for-wildlife

Photo Credit: Tom Blagden

At Great Mountain Forest, our boardwalk has a scenic mission: helping you explore Tobey Bog without becoming part of it!...
08/05/2026

At Great Mountain Forest, our boardwalk has a scenic mission: helping you explore Tobey Bog without becoming part of it! Built from hemlock and larch harvested right here by Jody Bronson and Intern Finn Harris, the new boardwalk and viewing platform offer a front-row seat to one of nature’s most fascinating ecosystems. A bog is basically a glacier’s old ice scar—a kettle-shaped depression with no outlet, where water turns acidic as plants break down. Unusual plants have evolved, and right now the bog is showing off highbush blueberries, mountain holly, and otherworldly-looking purple pitcher plants. The boardwalk rests on a thick bed of sphagnum moss, which means it slowly sinks as the bog grows around it—so, yes, it’s a structure with an expiration date! Come take a walk, stay dry, and enjoy the bog while it’s in full summer glory. 🍃💜 To sign up for our newsletter, visit https://greatmountainforest.org/

🌲Whether you have a few wooded acres, manage a larger forest, or are interested in the environment, your land plays a vi...
07/29/2026

🌲Whether you have a few wooded acres, manage a larger forest, or are interested in the environment, your land plays a vital role in shaping the future of our region. Curious about how forests work—or what it really means to care for them? Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking talk with Ethan Tapper—internationally recognized forester, bestselling author, and powerful voice in ecosystem stewardship.

📅 August 14, 2026
🕓 4:30 – 5:30 PM
📍 United Church of Christ, Norfolk, CT

Ethan will explore the resilience of forests and the bittersweet, often complex work of caring for land in a changing world. His acclaimed book, How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World (2024), earned the 2025 New England Book Award for Nonfiction and has resonated with readers around the globe. This is more than a talk—it’s a chance to rethink your relationship with the land and gain insight into what true stewardship looks like today. 👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in modern forestry. Registration is free at https://greatmountainforest.org/events

07/24/2026

Come along with Great Mountain Forest intern Sophia and campers from the Summer Mountaineer Experience as they explore the forest, hike the trails, and enjoy the scenic views.

Don't miss out on the chance to join Great Mountain Forest for our first Nature Writing Retreat! Registration closes in ...
07/24/2026

Don't miss out on the chance to join Great Mountain Forest for our first Nature Writing Retreat!

Registration closes in just 6 days, and we're nearly at capacity. Reserve your spot today and spend a weekend exploring the forest, sharpening your writing, and connecting with fellow nature writers.

Register at https://greatmountainforest.org/writing-retreat-2026/

Photo Courtesy of Tom Blagden

Address

Admin Office: 10 Station Place
Norfolk, CT
06058

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 1pm
Tuesday 8am - 1pm
Wednesday 8am - 1pm
Thursday 8am - 1pm

Telephone

(860) 824-8188

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