“We are thrilled to be the first land trust to enroll in the program. There are cases where land trusts have been given land that may not be fully protected, and we hope that this may pave the way for others to do the same." - Ed Franklin, Bridgewater Land Trust President

As a result of the hard work and strong partnership of Bridgewater Land Trust (BWLT), the Connecticut State Department of Agriculture, and the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy, 104 acres of land is forever preserved as a working farm for the benefit of the Bridgewater community. Jane Pratt Farm Preserve was protected with a permanent agriculture restriction from future development as part of the state’s Farmland Preservation Program. BWLT received the value of development rights of the property at $4,500 per acre which will be used to advance its conservation mission and provide funding for needed maintenance, repairs and upgrades…

“Seeing all of these stewards together and at work gives me hope to keep trying,” recounted college senior Cat Dickman, in her op-ed about her experience with the Middlesex Land Trust (MxLT). In this piece, Cat shines a light on the dedicated people behind MxLT and how their exemplary stewardship and passion for the land has and will continue to inspire her. Cat will carry her experience with MxLT into her life and community to encourage others to deepen their connection with nature and protect land for future generations. Learn more in Cat’s op-ed printed in the Hartford Courant (digital edition)…

“The hope is that the community will embrace the spot and use it as it’s meant to be used, as a gathering spot”- Michael Traum, 2021 Greater Fairfield Board President

In a collaborative partnership with the Greater Fairfield Board of Realtors, CT Audubon Society, and Mill River Wetland Committee, two Pollinator Pathway Pocket Parks projects were upgraded and completed with native plantings to enhance the Fairfield community. Several volunteers gathered to clear overgrown areas, dig holes, spread mulch and install benches at the triangle at Rockland and Wilson Roads and Burroughs Road just off Black Rock Turnpike. These plots emphasized native plantings, including a generous donation from Audubon of 60 great perennial transplants from the Smith Richardson Preserve for Rockland Road Park...

Thanks to a generous donation from Indus Realty Trust, the East Granby Land Trust conserved 38.7 acres of crucial land bordering Salmon Brook, a federally-designated Wild and Scenic waterway. The parcels are adjacent to Granbrook Park and R.D Seymour School, the local elementary school. This gift will help grant the school kids safe access to the park during their hands-on outdoor educational programs and build their connection with the land…

When I sat down to write this message, I was hit by a wave of nostalgia.

For those of you who joined us for our 2018 CT Land Conservation Conference, you may recall that it was also St. Patrick's Day.

It was a "green" event in all respects! (View the photos)

While we haven't had a traditional in-person conference at Wesleyan U. in three years, thanks to the energy, dedication, and camaraderie of Connecticut's land trusts, every day brings an opportunity to celebrate projects that support greener, more sustainable communities.

#LoveYourCTLandTrust — for keeping Connecticut green!