Join Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition on Saturday May 13 for an easy 1.2 mile walk on the Transylvania Pond Loop Trail at Janie Pierce Park in Southbury. Take a walk around a small lake on dirt trails and partial boardwalks and marvel at the spring growth with native plant expert, Lisa Turoczi of Earth Tones Native Plant Nursery.​

Lisa Turoczi is a landscape designer and owner of Earth Tones Native Plant Nursery in Woodbury with her husband, Kyle. She has a degree in Landscape Architecture from SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry with hands-on experience in propagation and landscape design build from SUNY Cobleskill. Lisa serves as a PRWC Board Member, was a member of Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group, and has won numerous horticultural awards.

The Janie Pierce Park Guided Nature Walk launches PRWC's 2023 “River Ramblers” series. Each hike in the “River Ramblers” series invites people to explore a variety of public lands along the river to observe habitat and wildlife, to see river processes in action, and to learn how to be good river stewards. Programs are rain or shine (thunderstorms will cancel). Please dress for outside, wear sturdy shoes, bring water and snacks, and be prepared for nuisance bugs.

Transylvania Pond is the headwater of Hesseky Brook, which flows north into a lush wetland that hosts numerous bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species and an abundance of wildflowers. This park has approximately 60 acres of scenic woodland surrounding Transylvania Pond. The park is named for Janie Grey Pierce who taught school for many years in a one room schoolhouse in South Britain. At her request, the land has been kept in its natural state. Nature trails, benches and picnic areas overlook the pond. Dogs are allowed in this park but they must be on a leash.