Big Turnout Expected For GOSA Annual Meeting

GROTON — A strong turnout is expected for the Oct. 21, 2010 annual meeting of the Groton Open Space Association, where renowned geoscientist Jelle Zeilinga de Boer will speak.

“We’re looking forward to a full house,” said GOSA President Joan Smith. Site of the meeting is Noank’s Latham Chester store, 108 Main St., next to the Town Beach. The building has a seating capacity of about 150. The meeting, open to the public, will take place against the background of GOSA’s drive to make a second major land acquisition in somewhat over 2 ½ years.

Prof. Zeilinga de Boer's Latest Book

Mr. Zeilinga de Boer, retired as Professor of Earth and Environmental Science at Wesleyan University, is author of several books, most recently Stories in Stone: How Geology Influenced Connecticut History and Culture. The book, published last year, is described by a Wesleyan University Press release as a “series of entertaining essays on how Connecticut’s land shapes the way we live.”

The meeting, which starts at 7 p.m., takes place as GOSA’s effort to acquire the 63-acre Sheep Farm on Hazelnut Hill Road in Groton nears a climax. GOSA’s option to buy the beautiful tract expires Dec. 31, and GOSA is working to close on the property well ahead of that date.

Prof. Zeilinga de Boer’s essays deal, among other things, with the mysterious Moodus Noises; the vein of lead cast into bullets during the Revolutionary War; and Samarskite, a radioactive mineral that once was used to make jewelry.

“Stories in Stone describes the marvel of Connecticut’s geologic diversity and also recounts the impact of past climates, earthquakes, and meteorites on the lives of the people who made Connecticut their home,” the release said.

Prof. Zeilinga de Boer will present a slide show talk and sign books both before and after the meeting. Prof. Zeilinga de Boer’s work – mainly his research at Delphi in Greece, has been cited by the Discovery Channel, History Channel, Terra X in Germany and Noorderlicht in the Netherlands. He has worked as a consultant for foreign governments and the UN in Benin, Costa Rica, Greece, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama and the Philippines.

Prof. Zeilinga de Boer in the Field. Photo: Bill Burkhart

Information on the Sheep Farm will be on display at the meeting. In order to come up with the Sheep Farm price of $878,500, GOSA has applied for substantial grant money from the state, and it is raising matching funds from foundations and individual donors.

GOSA also is seeking money to create a maintenance endowment. The land, once a colonial farm, is rich in documented history; plants and wildlife. Its varied landscape embraces meadow, swamp, ledge, cliff and forest. Fort Hill Brook wanders through the farm, where it spills over Groton’s highest waterfall en route to Mumford Cove.

GOSA first signed papers in October, 2008 to buy the land, which was being used for sheep farming when agricultural operations were shut down around 2000. The site is close to schools and Groton’s senior Center.

A second display at the store will highlight GOSA’s project to create an open grassland at The Merritt Family Forest in a former World War II Victory Garden space that had been overrun by invasive plants. The new habitat will be friendlier to wildlife. GOSA bought the The Merritt Family Forest in May, 2008.

Preceding Professor Zeilinga de Boer’s talk will be a brief business meeting, including nomination and election of directors and officers, special awards and annual reports. Refreshments and conversation will follow the meeting.

(Click on thumbnail pictures below to enlarge.)