On Saturday May 7, Newtown Forest Association (NFA) members and the public gathered to formally dedicate the newly replanted Nettleton Memorial Orchard, located at the Nettleton Preserve at 13 Castle Hill Road. The orchard is a living memorial to provide visitors a place of quiet contemplation, beauty, and reflection.guy.peterson@newtownforestassociation.org or leave a voicemail at 203-270-3650.newtownforestassociation.org.

Project planning to restore the orchard - overgrown with invasives and vines - started in 2014.

In the fall of 2015 members worked to remove invasive species, clear blight-stricken and storm-damaged trees, and save many of the legacy apple trees, and plant 26 new orchard trees and 2,000 daffodil bulbs.

NFA President Bob Eckenrode on Saturday thanked the 50-plus visitors for attending. The project was made possible through the Sandy Hook Memorial Tree Fund, The Newtown Tree Fund, the Tree Lady, and the Iroquois Gas Pipeline Community Grant Program. Eighth graders Lindsay Dievert and Kayla Verga sang the national anthem and "America the Beautiful." NFA Vice President Bart Smith spoke briefly and thanked the preserve donors, Art Nettleton and Dorthea LaBelle, and those who have cared for the preserve on the NFA's behalf, especially the now-deceased Howard Bowles and now more recently neighbor Charles Zukowski.

Board Member Harvey Pessin led children in planting a native sourwood tree, and meadow and wildflower seeds.

NFA has future plans to continue to restore and improve the property, and seeks additional donations to help fund future projects. Those interested in donating or volunteering or contemplating an Eagle Scout project can contact the NFA via e-mail at

Newtown Forest Association is the state's oldest private nonprofit land trust.

NFA is not part of the town and is funded entirely by private donors and supporters. NFA is all volunteer and uses part-time interns and a part-time caretaker to maintain its preserves. Learn more about contributions to the land acquisition fund or our general fund used to maintain all properties at