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Every year at the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) annual conference, awards are given to land trusts who have achieved particular success in the following four categories: excellence in stewardship, successful collaboration, exemplary fundraising or outreach project, and outstanding land acquisition effort.
Land trusts who feel their accomplishments over the past year merit an award send in nominations and supporting materials to CLCC staff. The best example of each category is chosen and awardees are given a certificate and small gift at the conference.
This year, as there were more award nominations than ever before (more nominations than available awards) an additional award was added in each category. This was an effort to give more recognition where recognition is due - not to compare and rank projects and accomplishments. Please join us in congratulating this year’s recipients and we hope these stories inspire your work and encourage your land trust to send in a nomination next year.
I. Outstanding Land Acquisition Effort
This awards a completed conservation effort that protects unique habitat, unfragmented landscape or culturally significant lands.
Runner-up 2008 Outstanding Land Acquisition Effort
AWARD OF SPECIAL MERIT TO THE LAND TRUST OF WEST HAVEN
After more than forty years of public debate and controversy about the fate of that part of its shoreline formerly occupied by the Savin Rock Amusement Park, the land trust completed a Conservation Easement Agreement with the City of West Haven, covering more than thirty-nine acres of pristine open space in an urban area bordering Long Island Sound. This includes the historical remains of the original Savin Rock itself (landing place of the occupying British forces during the Revolutionary War) and the adjacent, iconic Bradley Point peninsula. The Land Trust of West Haven, Inc will preserve the open shoreline area for the general public's passive use and for the protection of its scenic, conservation value for all time.
Winner 2008 Outstanding Land Acquisition Effort
To the NORWALK LAND TRUST
For its recent acquisitions which complete a contiguous open space of over 16 acres, all bordering Farm Creek, an estuary of Long Island Sound, near the center of the Rowayton district of Norwalk. The Farm Creek site is a critical piece of open land and supports plants and wildlife that have been displaced by residential development. It is a nursery and food source for many waterfowl and animal life. The marsh serves to filter water and contributes to the health of the Connecticut coastline of Long Island Sound. This was truly a final chance to save an important tidal estuary.
II. Exemplary Fundraising or Outreach Project
This awards a successful fundraising or outreach effort that employs a creative or unique approach to new or expanded audiences.
Runner-up 2008 Exemplary Fundraising or Outreach Project
AWARD OF SPECIAL MERIT TO THE GRANBY LAND TRUST
For its regular, high quality communications including:
- Periodic hikes, lectures and "Preserve our Properties" events;
- Periodic e-mail bulletins of upcoming activities or other pertinent information;
- Monthly articles in The Granby Drummer, a newspaper published by Citizens for a Better Granby, Inc., which goes to all residents;
- The Granby Land Trust web page, www.GranbyLandTrust.org;
- The annual Granby Land Trust Newsletter.
The land trust is widely considered in Granby to be an organization on the move. To date, it has preserved about 2,000 acres, with 1,200 acres owned outright and about 800 acres protected by conservation easements.
Winner of the 2008 Exemplary Fundraising or Outreach Project
To the ESSEX LAND TRUST
For a major public outreach campaign to raise the visibility of the land trust in Essex and clarify its mission and value to the community by;
- Simplifying the name of the organization to “Essex Land Trust.”;
- Designing a new logo and tag line and using the logo on ELT items for members and volunteers;
- Creating colorful posters for each ELT event;
- Designing and putting up new, uniform signs at every ELT property, and designing a new trail guide;
- Designing a new membership brochure which clarifies the benefits of membership and contains restructured membership levels, and mailing a new color newsletter 3-4 times a year;
The dues restructuring and outreach campaign have resulted, in the first full year, in a doubling of dues income and a 15% increase in membership.
III. Successful Collaboration
This awards a significant, collaborative effort to protect land through acquisition, policy or outreach.
Runner Up 2008 Successful Collaboration
AWARD OF SPECIAL MERIT TO THE CONNECTICUT FARMLAND TRUST
For working, in 2007, in collaboration with the CT Farm Bureau on a mailing to approximately 3,000 farmers to provide information about the federal tax incentive for donated agricultural conservation easements. The information was also distributed via CFT’s newsletter and website, in person at public forums and meetings with landowners, and to landowners seeking technical assistance.
In total, the information was distributed to more than 7,000 people. As a result, three of the farms the Connecticut Farmland Trust protected in 2007 took advantage of the federal tax incentive.
Winner of the 2008 Successful Collaboration
To the WEANTINOGE HERITAGE LAND TRUST
After five-and-a-half years of countless hours of research, writing, work and negotiations, 124 acres of farm and forest land in New Milford, CT are permanently conserved thanks to the successful collaboration of many, including the Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust, the Town of New Milford, the CT Farmland Trust, the CT Department of Environmental Protection, the Trust for Public Land, the Hunt Hill Farm Trust, and Ruth Henderson.
The 132-acre Hunt Hill farm, owned by Ruth Henderson and the late Skitch Henderson, is located in town’s Northville section and has been farmed since the 1700’s.
IV. Excellence in Stewardship
This awards continuing or expanded stewardship efforts.
Runner up 2008 Excellence in Stewardship
AWARD OF SPECIAL MERIT TO THE SOUTHBURY LAND TRUST
For completing the second year of a program which matches its stewardship needs with local Eagle Scout candidates’ requirements. The land trust’s Stewardship committee has coordinated seven eagle projects (more than 1,100 volunteer hours) in the past year yielding a footbridge, an apple orchard rehabilitation, boundary determination, sign posting, renovation of preserve parking and two new trails.
These outreach projects educate a brand new audience about land trusts. It draws in many levels and ages of scouts as well as their leaders, parents, siblings and friends – many families have become members, make donations and volunteer their time. As always, with kids’ achievements, publicity opportunities abound and the conservation message is spread even further.
Winner of the 2008 Excellence in Stewardship
To the AVALONIA LAND CONSERVANCY
For their significant, collaborative, stewardship campaign The Phragmites Control Project, at Poquetanuck Cove, a two mile long tidal cove located between the towns of Ledyard and Preston. Part of the Long Island Sound estuary, the Cove is the largest and highest quality brackish meadow and cattail marsh on the Thames River and is home to multiple species of plants and animals listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern in Connecticut.
ALC was the applicant for funding from multiple sources for a multi-season floristic survey of the Cove and a multi-year herbicide/mulching project to eliminate the Phragmites.
Nature picture credits: All Photos © Hunter Brawley.
