February Newsletter

This year marks NCLC's 60th anniversary—six decades of dedicated work to protect our region's vibrant communities, natural and working lands, plants and animals, and clean rivers, lakes, and streams. It is a time to reflect on the remarkable progress we have made together and to look forward to even bolder visions for the future.

In 2024, NCLC tripled its pace of conservation, protecting extraordinary places like the 670-acre Milde Farm in Litchfield and Torrington. We continued our strong investments in the region's conservation capacity by providing 1,900 hours of direct staff support to partner land trusts and conservation organizations and launching our first acquisition grant program for Northwest Connecticut's land trusts to help them close conservation projects more quickly and easily. We also launched our Building Resiliency program, which will provide $517,500 in grant funding to agricultural producers for investments essential to their continued operation. This funding was made possible through a generous grant from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) program.

For me, conservation is the legacy I choose to leave for the future. It is a legacy of wild landscapes, local farms, cool and clean waters, and healthy people.

As a member of NCLC, this, too, is your legacy. It is a legacy you leave long beyond your time. This year, to celebrate our 60th Anniversary, we hope to inspire 60 new members to join us in this effort. If you have made it this far in the newsletter, could you be our first new member?

Thank you for 60 years of conservation success and many more to come.

Sincerely,

Catherine M. Rawson

Executive Director

It's NCLC's 60th anniversary! Let's celebrate the conservation successes you have helped to achieve and strengthen bold conservation for the future. Our work is only as strong as our membership. Every member plays an important role in protecting the beauty of Northwest Connecticut.

Joining NCLC online is fast and easy (can be done in 60 seconds), and a donation of any amount makes you a member of NCLC!

Will you help us reach our goal of 60 new members in our 60th year? Donate now, give the gift of membership, and invite others to join our community today.

NCLC and the Town of Sherman began the year by partnering to expand public recreation in nature. On January 11, the Town of Sherman voted to contribute $50,000 from its Land Acquisition Fund to support NCLC's purchase of the 117-acre Glen Brook property on Route 39 North. This conservation acquisition will expand upon NCLC’s adjacent 142-acre Strauss Morrissey Preserve and provide new and improved recreational opportunities to the residents of Sherman and beyond.

In advance of the vote, Sherman’s First Selectman, Don Lowe, remarked, “The Town of Sherman has long prided itself on its natural beauty and commitment to ensuring our town’s environmental health as well as its rural, scenic character. The opportunity to preserve the Glen Brook property offers an invaluable chance to protect this character while enhancing the quality of life for residents and the broader community without adding ongoing costs to the town budget.”

NCLC's mission is to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all, and with that we focus on providing equitable access to nature across our region. NCLC is currently working to open four new public nature preserves in the towns of Brookfield, Litchfield, Torrington, Sherman, and Sharon, and investing in the infrastructure (parking, bridges, and trails, including ADA-trails) to share the benefits of nature broadly. These conservation projects will not only increase access to nature for Northwest Connecticut communities, but also safeguard the healthy ecosystems our communities depend on. The new nature preserves are expected to be open to the public by 2027.

We're Hiring!

Join the NCLC Team and

Save the Land You Love

NCLC is growing, and we are seeking to fill one full-time and two part-time positions: Senior Land Protection Specialist and two Summer Trail Stewards.

NCLC fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment that promotes and inspires professional growth. As an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer, we welcome individuals from all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs to join us in advancing our mission to protect the lands and waters of Northwest Connecticut for generations to come. We are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive culture rooted in mutual respect, equitable treatment, and opportunities for success.

To apply for an open position, please visit our Job Opportunities page.

NCLC’s 22 public nature preserves offer trails that connect people to the natural beauty of our region. However, to remain accessible, these trails need care and attention throughout the year.



Do you have time and interest in giving back to nature and your community? Join our team of volunteers. We’re looking for volunteer Trail Stewards to help us keep our preserve trails maintained and welcoming.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Our goal is to have dedicated “frequent flyers” who regularly walk our trails and contribute to their upkeep. Having frequent eyes on the trails extends our ability to keep up with maintenance. Even just walking the trail to leave fresh tracks in snow is helpful to indicate to visitors that they’re on the right path. Additionally, NCLC’s trail stewards often help with:

• reporting trail hazards
• recording plant and wildlife sightings
• keeping the trail clear of debris and overgrown brush
• collecting trash from parking areas
• interacting with other trail users

HOW TO JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM

We are grateful for our current stewards and hope you'll consider joining our team. If you're interested in adopting a trail or learning more, please contact us at volunteer@ctland.org or 860-927-1927.

Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy is a nonprofit regional land trust.

As a guardian of natural and working lands, public recreation areas, and drinking water resources, NCLC permanently protects 13,400 acres (and growing) of vast, connected natural areas in Litchfield and northern Fairfield Counties.