The Chester Land Trust’s Constance Baker Motley Preserve, a Heritage Site, is located on the former property of the legendary civil rights leader and offers opportunities for picnicking, hiking, and learning. "The Little Rock Nine” Loop Trail was recently created on the property to commemorate the landmark event in American history and is now open to the public. Constance Baker Motley was a pioneering civil rights lawyer for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund who helped dismantle segregation throughout the South. She later became a distinguished federal judge and the first African American woman to hold this position. Since 2016, the Chester Land Trust has been improving this Preserve to honor the late Judge and share this piece of history with the public, including the property's designation on the Connecticut Freedom Trail...

Pomfret’s wildlife habitat just got a helping hand thanks to the acquisition of a 9.5-acre property by the Wyndham Land Trust, which sits adjacent to their existing Aicher and Holzer Preserves. Local residents were alarmed when "For Sale" signs appeared in May and they acted quickly as they realized that the fragile habitat could quickly become fragmented. “It was heartening to see the community pull together in a short period of time to protect this valuable land,” said Wyndham Land Trust President, Mike St Lawrence. “It was an example of how a group of people with a common vision can make a difference." The three parcels combined protect a total of 220 acres of valuable forest and farmland in the heart of Pomfret...

In honor of the East Haddam Land Trust's 40th anniversary, the Land Trust and the East Haddam Historical Society joined forces to develop a series of mini-documentaries and a museum display entitled, Saving Land, Saving History. The project illustrates the intersection of conservation and history, noting how land preservation often preserves local history.

Ken Simon, a local award-winning producer and director, developed the mini-documentaries with the help of local historians and conservationists. The series currently features the history of East Haddam Land Trust and shares stories about some of the Land Trust's preserves with more videos to come...

This summer, the Canton Land Conservation Trust is encouraging people of all ages to get outside and hike local with their Canton Land Trust Challenge. Challengers will take on 23 miles of trails and a total of elevation gain of 4,167 feet, spanning across eight of the Land Trust's trails. Those looking for more inspiration should be sure to check out their video showcasing the many diverse habitats and locations featured in the challenge...

Small and mighty! Volunteer land trusts show us the true heart of their communities - from neighbors pitching in to protect vital habitat, to honoring the legacies of hometown heroes, retelling the history of our shared lands, creating videos that showcase local gems, and much, much more.

We're inspired by your persistence, dedication, and love for local conservation and all that surrounds it.

#LoveYourCTLandTrust—for showing us what it means to honor these lands and share pride in our hometowns.

Sincerely,

Constance Baker Motley Kiosk Photo by Patrik Norrby via Chester Land Trust, Cole Property Photo courtesy of Wyndham Land Trust, Screenshot of East Haddam Land Trust History Video, Screenshot of Canton Land Trust Challenge Video