“It is so important to save our vanishing natural areas before it’s too late.” - Linda Francois, President, Bethany Land Trust

Irene Stahl donated 49 acres of woodland, streams, and historic features to the Bethany Land Trust. The land abuts two land trust parcels along Briar Road in the Bethany Farms section and the town’s Carrington Preserve. As this is in an area of rich history, both colonial and indigenous, it means that any historic features will be protected from development. The land trust field crew will mark the boundaries, establish trails, and hopes to open up a trail for the public to enjoy by late spring...

The Litchfield Land Trust (LLT) will be moving its headquarters to the newly renovated 150-year-old Shepaug Station. The station was historically used as a train station to transport natural resources in and out of the town and was active from 1872 to 1948 before shutting down. Now, with the new purpose to create a safer space for people to hike, bike, and watch wildlife alongside the Litchfield Community Greenway, more people will be able to enjoy the natural environment in meaningful ways while taking in the history of the land. News 12 Connecticut covered the story, interviewing LLT members on the location change...

The Salisbury Association Land Trust rang in the New Year with the addition of 125-acres of protected land. Donated by Owen and Jennifer Thomas, the 43-acre Sugar Hill Road property -- named Inka's Woods after the family's beloved dog -- connects with the land trust’s 205-acre Prospect Mountain Preserve and the Appalachian Trail. John and Betsy Sprague's grant of a Forever Wild Conservation Easement on 82-acres expands connections to previously conserved forever wild open space and protects 1,716 feet of road frontage, much of it directly along the Housatonic River. SALT received a CLCC Transaction Assistance Grant to help with Sprague closing costs...

Branford Land Trust (BLT) hosted its January Film Series presenting a series of short films focused on Native American bonds to the land, including nations in the northeast like the Narragansett, Penobscot, and Shinnecock. The films were followed by discussions led by Golden Hill Paugussett Clan Mother Shoran Waupatukuay Piper, author of the book Red Road: Traditional Voice of Afro-Indigenous Americans. The BLT created a video sharing highlights of the discussions following the films...

Connecticut land trusts hit the New Year running -- closing deals that honor family wishes, create enduring legacies, explore history, and offer an opportunity to strengthen bonds between people and the land. These success stories are happening all over the state, driven by the passion and dedication of local volunteers.

Inspired by this community spirit, CLCC is calling for volunteers to join us at the 2023 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference scheduled for March 25 at Wesleyan University. From taking photographs and assisting with registration, to helping people get to where they need to go, we welcome -- and need -- your support and participation.

Interested? Please contact me anytime. You'll get lunch, a tee-shirt, and most importantly, the awesome feeling of being part of something really special!

Whether you participate as a volunteer, a presenter, or attendee, the conference is a statewide opportunity to #LoveYourCTLandTrust

Irene Stahl and Linda Francois, Bethany Land Trust President courtesy of Carol Lambiase