None The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut Press Releases Search All Press Releases John Matthiessen 860/344-0716 ext. 332 E-mail: jmatthiessen@tnc.org

Lost Pond Preserve Grows in Union

Union, CT—12 January 2004—Ralph and Cecilia Otto of Union have added another 28 acres to the land they have protected through donations to The Nature Conservancy.  The couple have agreed to convey a total of 150 acres in parcels over a number of years, completing the donations in 2009.

This is important land to the Conservancy, lying at the heart of the Quinebaug Highlands project area, which centers on a 34,000-acre forest block stretching across four towns in Connecticut (Ashford, Eastford, Union and Woodstock) and two in Massachusetts (Southbridge and Sturbridge).

The Otto land is located on both sides of Route 171 and Rindge Road and contains significant forested lands, extensive wetlands, half of Lost Pond and eight acres of fields maintained by annual mowing for species that prefer fields as habitat, such as butterflies and grassland birds.  It is adjacent to the 7,800-acre Yale-Myers Forest.  This year's donation is 28 acres of forest and wetland on the west side of 171 north of Lost Pond.

"The preservation of our forest lands is extremely important, not just for ourselves but for posterity," said Ralph Otto.  "Open land provides psychological and social benefits to everyone.  When people consider selling their land, there are other alternatives to selling it to a developer.  I hope my donation will make people think, and step back and consider that they can do the same thing."

"Working with the Ottos has been a pleasure, and I am impressed with how they have chosen to translate their genuine concern for the land into tangible conservation in their town of Union, Connecticut," said Quinebaug Highlands Program Director Bill Toomey.

-0-