A Short History of EcoTravel
Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) first offered organized field trips in the 1950s. CAS board member Ulie Hellman and his wife Hildegard were both very active in CAS after World War II and led all the field trips in the 1950’s until 1975, when their health began to fail. The Hellmans led no international trips, however, and only got as far as Block Island. They always traveled with their dachshunds and wouldn’t go anywhere that wouldn’t allow the dogs in their rooms. As the Hellmans got older, staff member Milan Bull began leading trips for CAS with Dennis Varza, who planned and led trips to Chincoteague and Hawk Mountain in the 1970s. Volunteer Carl Trichka also began leading trips as well. In 1981, Milan began international trips, first to East Africa and the Galapagos, but then (late 80’s) to Borneo, Australia/New Zealand, and many others.
It was mainly a one person operation with volunteers helping with day and weekend trips. Milan raised separate dedicated funds to produce a yearly Field Trip Program. Duties at CAS changed, however, and CAS hired Lauren Brown who then took over Birdcraft Museum and the Field Trip Program on a part-time basis. Lauren ran the field trips until it was decided that it needed to be more than a part-time operation. That is when president Sherman Kent hired current EcoTravel Director Andy Griswold to run the program full-time starting in November of 1996.
At that time, the name of the Field Trip Program was changed to “EcoTravel.” The newly titled branch of CAS found a home in Centerbrook and then in the village of Essex at the Connecticut River Museum, where it stayed for eight years. The need for space forced EcoTravel out of the museum and into the Kleinschmidt Building, also in Essex, where EcoTravel resided for eight years. The need for space again, in the Spring of 2012, moved the office across town to 30 Plains Road in Essex.
Andy has been running the EcoTravel program since 1996. With the help of the first EcoTravel Assistant Mary Dowdell (hired in 1998), EcoTravel expanded its offerings to more than ten international destinations and more than fifteen domestic overnight trips per year. EcoTravel now runs over 75 day trips to interesting places in and around Connecticut. Day trips concentrate mainly in Connecticut but also reach to neighboring states and visit sanctuaries and museums of special interest. Overnight travel from two days to two weeks has included most US states, several countries, and all seven continents. Places visited are among the most environmentally significant and interesting habitats in the world and tour leaders are experienced, personable, and enthusiastic about sharing these special experiences with travelers. Connecticut Audubon Society EcoTravel is one of the few licensed organizations allowed to travel to Cuba as part of an on-going bird survey.
Currently, there are two full-time staff members who work at EcoTravel in the office and leading trips: Andrew Griswold, Director; and Matt Bell, Travel Specialist. Other CAS staff members lend their time to lead trips, including Miley Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation. In addition, EcoTravel is grateful to its many volunteers who help with both day trips, overnight trips, and other projects, with special thanks to Jim Sherwonit who gives us many volunteered hours leading tours, Jim Denham for his tireless efforts in managing budget spreadsheets, and Sandy Sanstrom and Jan Sherwonit for their help with Osprey platforms and martin houses. Above, you can find biographies of EcoTravel’s trip leaders. Thanks for all who contribute to this great team effort.
