Greetings and happy February! This month’s #LoveYourCTLandTrust features inspiring stories about land trusts establishing goals for land conservation and engaging future generations of conservationists. The importance of approaching land conservation from a generational perspective is showcased, both through a land donation in honor of parents and through educational and stewardship programs for kids. We also see the way that land trusts set goals of all scales, from local advocacy for open space to taking on national conservation goals.

P.S. Please keep those #LoveYourCTLandTrust stories and photos coming. Drop them here and we'll take it from there!

Earlier this month, Bridgewater Land Trust announced its adoption of 30 x 30, a conservation goal of preserving 30% of land and water in the United States by 2030. The initiative is implementable on a national, state, and local level. Environmental issues such as the loss of farmlands, ecosystems, species, and pollinators highlight the urgency of adopting this initiative. The land trust plans to outline strategies for achieving their goal in an upcoming newsletter...

Land trusts interested in adopting a 30 x 30 goal in their service area may want to review the new report "Conserving Northwest Connecticut", prepared by the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy and Save the Sound, in partnership with CLCC and other organizations. The report details progress towards and strategies for achieving this national conservation goal. The report will also be the topic of a workshops at CLCC's Conference in March.

Last month, Aspetuck Land Trust (ALT) organized a Conservation Library at the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club in Bridgeport. Providing books about conservation topics and collaborating with organizations in urban areas are both part of ALT’s Building Bridges effort. This initiative connects Bridgeport residents with the land and expands the presence of nature in highly-developed environments through pollinator pathways, Miyawaki forests, and other approaches…

John Katz has donated the Beth Rogers and Jeffrey Katz Preserve, a 26-acre property along Route 199, to the Roxbury Land Trust (RLT). The preserve was named in honor of John’s parents, both of whom are conservation advocates. The land includes part of the Battle Swamp Brook watershed and a fragile wetland habitat. Annette Bosley-Boyce, executive director of RLT, also notes that the preserve will help to support the land trust’s regional goals of combatting climate change and biodiversity loss…

Residents of East Haddam voted in favor of funds for open space and the purchase of the Kronberg property in a January referendum. The approvals are a success story for East Haddam Land Trust (EHLT), which advocates for open space and had urged residents to support the conservation investments. Some of EHLT’s outreach efforts included mailing letters and postcards, using email and social media, and publishing in the local paper. EHLT had two article series published in East Haddam News about local-level climate change effects and the value of land. Their efforts have promoted open space preservation in East Haddam, which protects farmlands, biodiversity, culturally-significant lands, and opportunities for community recreation...

For land trusts looking to take action on issues in their service area, CLCC has a collection of resources on our website about advocacy and lobbying, including the guides "Can My Land Trust Lobby?" and "Lobbying 101".

The Tree Collective is a program that allows young conservationists to help maintain trails in the Town of Lyme while learning about nature and biodiversity through hands-on activities. Members of the program assist local land trusts with handling projects and managing their preserves. Lyme Land Trust (LLT) sponsors the Tree Collective, which is led by Regan Stacey. Previous projects that the Tree Collective has worked on include partnering with CFPA to construct a bridge within the Nehantic State Forest, restoring historic sites and monitoring the bluebird boxes at Hartman Park, and clearing invasive plants from the stone wall in Grassy Hill Preserve…

In late December of last year, News12 Connecticut featured Litchfield Land Trust (LLT) in one of their weekly “Road Trip: Close To Home” segments. The segment showcased the benefits of hiking in winter and the importance of engaging with nature. It also highlighted the impact that LLT’s conservation efforts have on the environment, the community, and future generations…

Aspetuck Land Trust Staff with Wakeman Boys and Girls Club courtesy of Reginald Saint Fortcolin