"Today, we're making history by establishing an American chestnut tree orchard on the 183 Preserve to help save the tree from the brink of extinction,” said David McCarthy, Executive Director of the Wilton Land Conservation Trust (WLCT). On May 22, members of WLCT, the CT Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, and the Wilton Community convened to establish a Germplasm Conservation Orchard of American chestnut trees at the 183 Ridgefield Road Preserve. The group, ranging from 5 to 70+ years old, planted the first 10 of 100 American chestnuts and installed a deer enclosure around each tree. The orchard will function to cross-breed American chestnut trees and increase their resistance against the chestnut blight. The orchard will serve as a source of education for the greater Wilton community and inform science...

For her Girl Scouts Gold Award project, Rebecca Filiato of Troop 50293 wanted to encourage children to go out into nature and be creative. Originally, she wanted to hold a workshop where children could make fairy houses and display them as part of a fairy village at Cherry Grove Preserve in the Town of Newtown. Due to the pandemic, this was not possible. She instead created fairy house kits and made deliveries to the homes of children who requested them. With the support of the Newtown Forest Association, Ms. Filiato was able to honor these requests. On May 22, the children who created fairy houses were encouraged to bring them to Cherry Grove Preserve and display their work for members of the community to see. This event was met with enthusiasm, and it is Ms. Filiato’s hope that this project can be replicated across the state...

“Enjoying our lovely piece of the world has offered some solace during this last year,” said Holly Nelson, Hotchkiss Library’s Development and Event Coordinator. “We’re pleased to be able to help the library audience learn more about how easy it is to enjoy this landscape.” As part of Hotchkiss Library’s Virtual Community series, Sharon Land Trust’s Executive Director, Maria Grace, presented viewers with a guide to the public preserves and trail systems of the Sharon Land Trust (SLT). Since 1982, SLT has stewarded the rural character of the town of Sharon, creating 9 preserves and over 15 miles of trails. Maria Grace states, “By offering natural spaces to recreate, the Trust provides space to relax and reconnect with the natural world, a proven method of reducing stress and improving our health and well-being...”

The Northern Connecticut Land Trust (NCLT) has purchased a picturesque and strategic 118-acre parcel located on Webster Road in the Town of Ellington, bringing the total acreage owned by the land trust to 1850 acres. The parcel contains upland forest, brooks, wetlands, hayfields, and a watershed. The property abuts the Shenipsit State Forest and will serve as a trailhead and connection to a network of state forest trails. Purchased from John and Gloria Wraight through a bargain sale, funds for the $265,000 parcel were provided by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Town of Ellington, the Bafflin Foundation, the Fields Pond Foundation, and friends of NCLT. At the request of its former owners, the property will be named The Bird Field Conservation Area, reflecting the historical land use of John Wraight’s father...

As the state association devoted to supporting Connecticut's land trusts, sharing stories, like those featured above, brings all of us at CLCC a tremendous sense of joy and satisfaction.

Part of that is due to the very nature of land trust work -- acquisitions, stewardship, community engagement -- and knowing the important impacts these projects have on communities across the state.

The other part is seeing and feeling the sense of pride that land trusts and their partners have in fulfilling their missions to protect the environment and serve their communities.

#LoveYourCTLandTrust — for the joy they bring to all of us.

Screenshot of the Garrett Goodbody Preserve from Maria Grace's Presentation;

Stream on Wraight Property courtesy of Northern CT Land Trust (NCLT)