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This month, we pause to honor the life and legacy of our Director Emeritus Kirsten Peckerman, whose leadership, generosity, and belief in the power of partnership shaped NCLC's mission for more than a decade.
Kirsten was a champion for conservation who served on NCLC's board with distinction, grace, and good humor from 2009 to 2022, and as Vice President, from 2013 to 2022. Her deep commitment to improving the lives of people and communities inspired all those who had the privilege of working alongside her. We share our deepest condolences with Kirsten's family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.
Even as we reflect, this season also brings renewal and momentum. Our newly released 2025 Impact Report celebrates what your support made possible over the past year, from protected farmland and new public preserves to climate-smart agriculture and regional partnerships. That same spirit lives on in Ellery Sinclair’s family story, where generations of stewardship have now become permanent protection for treasured Falls Village farmland, and in the warm welcome of Monica Roberto, our new director of philanthropy.
This month also gives us much to celebrate together. We are honored to share recognition from the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) for our participation in the Cooper Hill Conservation Alliance, a partnership effort that protected more than 1,200 acres of farmland, forest, and habitat. Looking ahead, we are preparing to open four new public preserves across the region, creating even more opportunities for people to experience and care for the landscapes that define Northwest Connecticut.
As Give Local on April 21–22 approaches, your support will help bring these new preserves to life while sustaining trails, habitat, and public access across the lands people love. With every gift doubled by a generous $25,000 match, and with spring events bringing our community together outdoors, this is a wonderful season to celebrate what we can accomplish together. Thank you for making this work possible.
With gratitude,
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Catherine M. Rawson
Executive Director
| | Honoring a Cherished Leader and Friend | | |
From left to right, 2016 NCLC board members Kirsten Peckerman, Margery Feldberg, and
Christine Flynn assisting with the banding of American kestrel nestlings.
| | Northwest Connecticut and the world experienced a great loss this month with the passing of Director Emeritus Kirsten Peckerman on April 2, 2026. Kirsten served on NCLC's board from 2009 to 2022. Throughout her tenure, she was a strong proponent of NCLC's regional conservation and partnership mission and a dedicated volunteer, actively assisting with public events and joining in our partnership work with fellow conservation organizations. Kirsten was also an inspiring philanthropic leader for many community organizations and generously directed her giving to improve the communities and the lives of the people she knew best and loved most. She will be deeply missed. We invite you to stop by the Cobble Brook Vista preserve in Kent and take in the beauty of the vista from Kirsten's bench. Her enduring care and legacy live on. | | | |
Your Impact—Hot off the Press!
The results of your commitment to nature are in. NCLC's annual Impact Report is now available. Explore a year of meaningful conservation milestones, from new public preserves and protected farmland to regional partnerships, climate-smart agriculture, and community stewardship. Together, we are building a more resilient future for Northwest Connecticut’s lands, waters, and wildlife. Read the report to see what your support made possible.
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A Family’s Promise to the Land
For Ellery Sinclair, conserving land was about honoring nearly a century of family stewardship and ensuring the next generation could continue farming it. His newly protected 6-acre easement now links working pastures, strengthens a larger conserved landscape, and helps keep Canaan farmland forever farmland. Read Ellery’s story.
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Welcome Monica Roberto
We are delighted to welcome Monica Roberto as NCLC’s new director of philanthropy. Her experience in conservation fundraising and community connection will help strengthen the relationships and efforts that make lasting land protection possible. We are excited for the vision, partnership, and momentum she brings to this important work. Meet Monica.
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Celebrating a Conservation Win
NCLC is honored to stand with the Cooper Hill Conservation Alliance in receiving the CLCC's Special Award for Excellence in Conservation Collaboration. This recognition celebrates the partnership that protected more than 1,200 acres of important farmland, forest, and habitat, spanning Salisbury, Connecticut, and Sheffield, Massachusetts. Read more about this shared achievement.
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Give Local is April 21 and 22, and the land you love needs your support. NCLC is preparing to open four new public preserves in Litchfield-Torrington, North Canaan, Sharon, and Sherman, creating more opportunities for people to experience the forests, fields, and waterways that make this region so special. And, for this year's Give Local, 100% of all gifts will be used to support NCLC's public lands program.
Thanks to a generous $25,000 match donation, your gift during this year's Give Local 36-hour online giving event will be doubled and help to open these four new public lands and sustain existing trails, access, and habitat stewardship across the region.
Save the date, double your impact, and expand access to the outdoors!
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Stewardship Webinar Series
Keeping the Promise: Core Skills for Effective Land Stewardship is a six-part webinar series from CLCC and NCLC designed to equip land trusts with the practical skills, tools, and insights needed to uphold that commitment with confidence. The series kicks off with the first session on April 21. Learn more and register.
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Volunteer Trail Crew Day
Thursday, June 4, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Finn’s Land and Demento Preserves, New Fairfield
Trails of Sherman
Thursday, June 4, 6 - 7 p.m.
The Sherman Library, Sherman
CT Trails Day at Birch Rocks Preserve
Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Birch Rocks Preserve, Brookfield
Meet Your Greens
Wednesday, May 27, 5 - 7 p.m.
Housatonic River Brewing, New Milford
Meet Your Greens
Thursday, June 25, 5 - 7 p.m.
Brewery Legitimus, New Hartford
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Midsummer Party for Conservation
Saturday, July 25
Because of your support, we are protecting Northwest Connecticut’s farms, forests, and waters—now and for the future. The Midsummer Party for Conservation helps
make this possible, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to conservation that strengthens our communities.
Please save the date and join us for a delightful evening with friends at the Midsummer Party for Conservation, hosted by Leni and Peter May at Maywood in Bridgewater.
We look forward to celebrating what you make possible!
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Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy is a nonprofit regional land trust.
As a guardian of natural and working lands, public recreation areas, and drinking water resources,
NCLC permanently protects 14,400 acres (and growing) of vast, connected natural areas in
Litchfield and northern Fairfield Counties.
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