News

Middletown, CT, August 12, 2024 – The Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) proudly announced the publication of the 2023-2024 Connecticut Land Trust Census report. This comprehensive census, the first of its kind in Connecticut, provides invaluable insights into the state’s land conservation efforts, capturing the scale, pace, and priorities of Connecticut’s land trusts.

For over a century, Connecticut’s land trusts have been at the forefront of conserving the natural and working landscapes that define the state. As the only statewide land trust service provider, CLCC conducted this census to better understand and support these vital organizations. The census aimed to quantify land conservation efforts, understand current and future priorities, and identify ways to enhance support for land trusts in achieving their goals.

“Our land trusts are the backbone of Connecticut’s conservation efforts,” said Amy Blaymore Paterson, Executive Director of CLCC. “The results of this census provide a clear and detailed picture of their incredible work – we are thrilled to share these findings and use them to further strengthen and elevate land conservation in Connecticut.”

The census revealed that Connecticut is home to 117 land trusts, the third highest number per capita in the United States. These organizations collectively safeguard 190,550 acres of land, with future conservation goals identifying approximately 128,000 additional acres. If realized, this would total nearly 320,000 acres, aligning closely with the state’s statutory goals.

The census also highlighted the significant challenges many land trusts face as small, community-based organizations. The majority have single-town services areas and operate without paid staff, meaning their membership and budgets fall well below regional and national averages. Despite these challenges, land trusts responded with a positive outlook, expressing optimism about their future abilities to conserve new properties and sustain community support.

“This census not only documents the incredible achievements of our land trusts but also shines a light on the areas where we, as a community, need to focus our efforts,” said Aaron Lefland, Deputy Director of CLCC. “We are committed to using these insights to drive our advocacy, grantmaking, and capacity-building programs to ensure a vibrant future for land conservation in our state.”

Looking ahead, traditional goals such as conserving wildlife habitat and building contiguous networks of land remain top priorities for Connecticut’s land trusts. However, the field of conservation is dynamic, and new priorities are emerging. Engaging diverse audiences, enhancing climate resilience, and furthering food security have become increasingly important, reflecting the evolving needs and challenges faced by land trusts and the communities they serve. The emphasis on these emerging priorities demonstrates the adaptability and forward-thinking nature of Connecticut’s conservation community.

CLCC extends its deepest gratitude to all the land trusts that participated in this census. Their contributions are instrumental in shaping a stronger, more enduring land conservation community in Connecticut. The full report is available on the Publications page of CLCC’s website.

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For more information, please contact: Aaron Lefland, Deputy Director, Connecticut Land Conservation Council. Phone: 860-852-5512. Email: alefland@ctconservation.org

About CLCC: The Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) is the only statewide service provider and advocate for all Connecticut land trusts. Since its formation in 2006, CLCC has grown into one of the most effective land trust service associations in the country, offering a wide range of programming and services to empower land trusts and ensure the long-term viability of land conservation efforts in Connecticut.