Follow the Forest and partnering connectivity initiatives throughout the state (Pollinator Pathway, Aspetuck Land Trust’s Green Corridor Project, and others) are issuing a collective call for your land trust's habitat restoration project stories. This initiative hopes to learn from the work you’ve done, build upon networks, and spotlight your stories on their websites, social media pages, and promotional materials. Please email your stories to Paul Mailhot-Singer...

In a collaborative effort with generous donors, Wyndham Land Trust recently dedicated and installed a memorial stone commemorating enslaved African Americans believed to be buried at the Higginbotham Cemetery in unmarked graves. Located in WLT’s Nightingale Forest Preserve, this discovery was made in partnership with the Pomfret Historical Society, through ongoing research with original documents, African American genealogy, and gravestone restoration. The Connecticut Land Conservation Council, in partnership with The Last Green Valley and with funding from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, is pleased to have supported this project through an Advancement Initiative to help shed light on the history and honor the individuals buried on this land…

“The idea of the sculptures being there really helped to elevate the awareness within the community and the surrounding communities about what the Land Trust had to offer." - Nancy Bemis, NCLT Board Secretary

New Canaan Land Trust, in partnership with the Carriage Barn Arts Center, launched its 2022 Sculpture Trail featuring ten art pieces spread out in downtown New Canaan and on land trust preserves and offering a fun and creative way to make open space more accessible. The exhibition is free to the public and highlights themes of inclusion and equity to explore environmental justice through art and open space. The Sculpture Trail is available for all to enjoy until October…

Sandy Point Island, located in Stonington, CT and Westerly, RI, is managed as a National Wildlife Refuge by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through a lease with Avalonia Land Conservancy. The island is an important nesting habitat for several shorebirds, including federally threatened Piping Plovers and the largest nesting population of American Oystercatchers. USFWS’s primary goal will be to ensure a balance for the public to enjoy the island in a wildlife-friendly manner so the birds can successfully nest…

“Connecticut Water is pleased to continue our longstanding practice of partnering with municipalities and local land trusts to permanently preserve water company lands that are no longer needed for public water supply purposes.” - Maureen Westbrook, President of Connecticut Water

Save the Sound recently announced that the Connecticut Water Company transferred six parcels totaling 82 acres covering the Borough of Naugatuck, the Town of Prospect, the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust, and the Bethany Land Trust to be permanently preserved as open space. Preserving this land is intended to provide the community with public recreation activities for all seasons including hiking, running, snowshoeing, and birding depending on the location…

Connecticut is a small but mighty state for land trusts. We are the third smallest state yet home to the third most land trusts in the country!

This month we highlighted land conservation projects and programs from all corners and regions of Connecticut. From history to art to wildlife connectivity to passive recreation, there is something for everyone when you #LoveYourCTLandTrust.