Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy Inc

TO BENEFIT THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH EDUCATION AND THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL AREAS, FISH AND WILDLIFE, AND WORKING FARMLAND THROUGHOUT NORTHWEST CONNECTICUT.

STEWARDSHIP - THE LAND TRUST'S STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM ENSURES THE CONSERVED PROPERTIES ARE PROTECTED AND CARED FOR IN PERPETUITY. THE LAND TRUST'S STAFF PERFORM ANNUAL INSPECTIONS OF EACH CONSERVATION PROPERTY TO CONFIRM THERE ARE NO ENCROACHMENTS OR VIOLATIONS AND THE CONSERVATION VALUES ARE PROTECTED. THE LAND TRUST DEFENDS ITS CONSERVATION INTERESTS WHEN NECESSARY. IN ADDITION, THE LAND TRUST MAINTAINS 21 PUBLIC PRESERVES AND MANAGES, LEASES, OR PROTECTS THROUGH FEE OWNERSHIP AND EASEMENT 40 WORKING FARMS. STEWARDSHIP ALSO ENTAILS INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL, BUILDING MAINTENANCE, ACTIVE PROTECTION FOR RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES, LAND MAINTENANCE, SUCH AS MOWING AND HAZARD TREE REMOVAL, AND WATER QUALITY TESTING AND PROTECTION.

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH - THE LAND TRUST'S CONSERVED LANDS SERVE A RESIDENT POPULATION OF 200,000 PEOPLE. EACH YEAR, THE LAND TRUST PROVIDES FREE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE. THESE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO NATURE AND HELP DEMONSTRATE BENEFITS OF NATURAL AND WORKING LANDS. THE LAND TRUST'S PROGRAMS INCLUDE GUIDED HIKES, LECTURES, AND OTHER FREE PUBLIC EVENTS. IN ADDITION, THE LAND TRUST PROVIDES INTERNSHIP AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WHICH INCLUDE EDUCATION AS A LEADING COMPONENT. LASTLY, THE LAND TRUST ALSO WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, AND EDUCATION-BASED NON-PROFITS TO REACH FURTHER INTO THE COMMUNITIES SERVED AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCUSSIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS FOR ALL AGES AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES.

AQUISITIONS - AS CONNECTICUT'S LARGEST LAND TRUST AND THE 12TH LARGEST IN THE NATION, THE LAND TRUST PROTECTS 13,000 ACRES (AND GROWING) OF VAST, CONNECTED NATURAL AREAS IN LITCHFIELD AND NORTHERN FAIRFIELD COUNTIES. THE LAND TRUST'S CONSERVED LANDS INCLUDE 21 PUBLIC HIKING PRESERVES, 40 WORKING FARMS, OVER 3,000 ACRES OF HABITAT FOR RARE, THREATENED, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES, AND 45 MILES OF RIVERS, LAKES, AND STREAMS. THE LAND TRUST IS CONNECTICUT'S LAND ACQUISITION LEADER, PROTECTING MORE PROPERTIES FOR CONSERVATION EACH YEAR THAN ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION STATEWIDE. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAND TRUST'S HISTORY, IT HAS CONSERVED, ON AVERAGE, 9 PROPERTIES A YEAR.

THE LAND TRUST SAFEGUARDS NATURAL LANDS AND WATERS, CONSERVES WORKING FARMLAND, AND CREATES HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BY CONNECTING PEOPLE TO NATURE. IN WORKING TO ACHIEVE ITS MISSION, THE LAND TRUST INVESTS IN REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS THAT FOSTER CONSERVATION, SUPPORT THE WORK OF PARTNER LAND TRUSTS, TOWNS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND PROVIDE CONSERVATION BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITIES SERVED. ANNUALLY, THE LAND TRUST PROVIDES HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF STAFF SUPPORT TO ITS NONPROFIT AND GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS FOR ACQUISITIONS, ADVOCACY, EDUCATION AND TRAININGS, EVENTS, GRANT WRITING, AND STEWARDSHIP. THE LAND TRUST'S STAFF SERVE IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WITH THE CONNECTICUT LAND CONSERVATION COUNCIL, LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION, LAND TRUST ALLIANCE CONSERVATION DEFENSE ADVISORY COUNCIL, LITCHFIELD HILLS GREENPRINT COLLABORATIVE, AND WORKING LANDS ALLIANCE. THE LAND TRUST ALSO CONVENES MEET YOUR GREENS, LITCHFIELD COUNTY'S GREEN DRINKS, A MONTHLY GATHERING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS AND ENTHUSIASTS.