The United States Department of Agriculture awarded KNOX, Inc. an Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grant. The grant provides financial assistance to projects that focus on food production and access in economically distressed communities, job training and education, and allows partners to develop business plans and zoning proposals. KNOX manages 21 community gardens in Hartford; they hope to expand farming space through infrastructure improvements and offer an array of workshops and learning opportunities for adults and students...

"From the questions to the sparkles in their eyes, it was truly a great experience made better by great people." - Reggy Saint Fortcolin, Aspetuck Land Trust Conservation Outreach Manager

The Aspetuck Land Trust recently hosted an owling-banding program with #100 GirlsLeading,Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Bridgeport that provides access to mentoring programs for underserved girls ages 9-18. The participants learned about and observed the process of wrapping the colorful or metal bands around the legs of birds, which helps in tracking migration patterns, conservation efforts, scientific research, and much more. The program was guided by Larry Fischer, a federally licensed raptor bander, who has over 30 years of experience working with birds like eagles, owls, and hawks...

Baylee Drown and Ryan Quinn of Long Table Farm were selected by the Board of Directors and staff of the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District to receive the 2022 Cooperator Award. The award recognizes their efforts in sustainable growing practices enhancing biodiversity and soil health, their collaborative work with NRCS to implement conservation practices on natural resources, and their commitment to providing food for their local soup kitchen. The Lyme Land Trust is partners with the Long Table Farm, supporting their conservation project along with other farms on their preserves...

The Town of Chester, in a unanimous vote, approved the Chester Land Trust (CLT) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) application for $25,000 in funding. In collaboration with the Chester ARPA Committee, Board of Selectman, and Board of Finance, this fund will support enhanced maintenance capabilities on CLT's protected properties. It will also go to one of CLT's most important initiatives of controlling highly invasive species on its preserves like the non-native plant Japanese Knotweed at Carini Preserve...

On November 4th, the Heritage Land Preservation Trust, together with the Torrington Conservation Commission set out to plant a food forest at the Bowman Community Garden. In partnership with Brett Lehner and the North Central Conservation District, two peach trees, three hazelnut bushes, and four blueberry bushes were planted in the garden. These plants are another step in advancing the Bowman Community Garden's mission to provide local nutritious food for Torrington seniors...

Here we have a new selection of stories to share with everyone. Throughout our lives, we will receive from others and give to others. Be it gifts for special occasions or just because we are thinking about them, these gifts in whatever form they take, make an impact. These stories embody the notion of giving and receiving.

Our land trusts receive critical funding to advance their conservation efforts and projects in their respective communities. These projects don't only focus on the land, but the people that live and play on the land. We use the land to give back food to those who don't have access to it, we use it to teach the younger generations about our wildlife and preservation efforts, and we use it to find better ways to steward it. As we take from the land, we are teaching and giving back to it in different ways.

As nature readies itself for the long sleep of winter, let's be reflective on all the things we have done for our communities and land trusts. So, while inside and planning your visit to view the last colors of autumn, keep your local community in mind and to #LoveYourCTLandTrust!

Baylee Drown and Ryan Quinn photo courtesy of Baylee Drown