Monthly Review | July 25, 2023
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Greetings!
Throughout the past month, I have been reminded that, irrespective of where we call home, we all yearn for the same fundamental things for ourselves and future generations. Clean water and air, a stable climate, affordable housing, fresh local food, along with equitable access to outdoor spaces for recreation and relaxation are universal desires. Equally, we know the importance of abundant and connected natural places where wildlife thrives.
At CLCC, we understand that all of these necessities are interconnected and dependent on the preservation and thoughtful stewardship of our land, and that land trusts play a critical role as community partners in all facets of this work.
For this monthly eNews, I am delighted to highlight three of the exceptional events in which CLCC participated that reinforce the utmost importance of land conservation. Each of these gatherings demonstrated in a different way how land serves as a unifier of people, places, and ideas, underscoring a shared vision for a healthy and sustainable future.
As the executive director of CLCC, I take great pride and carry an immense sense of responsibility in elevating the voice of land conservation and emphasizing its significance when addressing community needs. Whether it is through financial and technical support, opportunities for learning and networking, or advocating at every level, CLCC is there for you and your land trust to ensure that land conservation is a priority in Connecticut.
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As I complete my 13th year at the helm of CLCC, I am immensely grateful for your unwavering support and dedication on this journey to make a profound impact in communities everywhere.
Sincerely,
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Amy Blaymore Paterson
Executive Director
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Exploring Community Partnerships in Eastern CT
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The working group, centered on Advocacy and Narrative Change, explored a multitude of challenges to establishing housing that is truly affordable. Notably, there was unanimous agreement on the significance of access to nature as an equally essential community necessity.
I shared insights from CLCC’s Housing and Conservation Summit, stressing the value of equitable partnerships between traditional land trusts and housing organizations, including community land trusts, and emphasizing the need to avoid pitting housing and land conservation against each other in order to foster collaborative efforts.
I look forward to continuing to participate in future CHEO working group meetings, listening and learning from housing advocates and, as a result, offering more CLCC opportunities for your land trust to be a part of the solution.
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Land Trusts and Food Security |
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Steep Rock Association Hosts Roundtable
“How can we help?”
That is the question that Steep Rock Association (SRA) executive director Brian Haghenbuch posed to a group of ~30 participants at a roundtable to understand the complex issues surrounding hunger and food insecurity in Litchfield Hills, and how land trusts can be part of the solution.
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Hosted by SRA at its Judea Garden, participants--including State Representative Maria Horn, regional food insecurity professionals and volunteers--shared stories and insights. Kent Land Trust executive director, Connie Manes, emphasized the crucial role of land conservation in addressing food insecurity, stating: "Without farmland soils, we are all food insecure in Northwest Connecticut."
The event left CLCC Sr. Project Specialist Yaw Owusu Darko and I inspired to offer financial and technical assistance to land trusts in their efforts to preserve valuable working lands, expand opportunities for farmers to access those lands, and connect with community groups to ensure that locally grown food is available to all.
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Land Trusts and Watershed Lands |
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Historic Partnership to Protect 5,500 acres in Northwest Connecticut
CLCC was honored to participate as a supporter in the announcement of the momentous agreement between Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC), Save the Sound, and The Metropolitan District (MDC) to conserve approximately 5,500 acres of land located on the watershed tributary to the Colebrook Reservoir/West Branch Reservoir system, including 4,300 acres of pristine, unfragmented forest land surrounding the Colebrook River Reservoir.
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Through this partnership, and with the requisite approval of the Department of Public Health now in place, NCLC is poised to hold a conservation easement to protect this unique area, ensuring water quality, providing climate mitigation, protecting wildlife and biodiversity, and offering a myriad of other public benefits to not only the region but our entire state.
Efforts like this one are critical to Connecticut's efforts in meeting its land conservation goals, and serve as a model for other strategic land conservation partnerships across the state.
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Together, We Can Do So Much... |
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Your Support Makes It All Possible... |
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With a gift to CLCC, you empower and support land trusts by...
- Providing direct, financial assistance to support land acquisition projects.
- Building capacity and providing technical assistance, networking, training and education opportunities.
- Advancing new and lasting collaborative partnerships.
- Advocating for conservation funding, policies to address climate change, and other critical conservation issues at the local, state, and federal level.
- Ensuring inclusive conservation and fostering relationships between land trusts and their communities to address local needs.
CLCC is Connecticut’s only statewide land trust service organization. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to support our work.
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What Will Your Conservation Legacy Be? |
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Planned gifts are one of the best, most effective ways to ensure Connecticut’s natural and working lands are conserved in perpetuity. There is no minimum age or gift amount required to create a conservation legacy, just a desire to create a greener, healthier Connecticut for future generations.
By remembering CLCC in your estate plans, you join others who share a passion for conserving the places that make Connecticut special.
CLCC is committed to partnering with you to help Connecticut’s land trusts conserve more land and ensure it remains protected forever.
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Don't Forget to Keep An Eye On... |
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Photo Credits - CLCC except as follows:
Carrots - Steep Rock Association (stock image)
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Connecticut Land Conservation Council
deKoven House
27 Washington Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-852-5512
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The Connecticut Land Conservation Council advocates for land conservation, stewardship and funding, and works to ensure the long term strength and viability of the land conservation community.
©2023 Connecticut Land Conservation Council. All rights reserved.
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