News
The new year has seen a surge in land conservation efforts across Connecticut, with several land trusts already successfully protecting hundreds of acres of vital habitat. These wins represent a significant step forward in preserving the state’s natural heritage for generations to come.
Cornwall Conservation Trust Expands Forever-Wild Holdings
| In partnership with the Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT), the Cornwall Conservation Trust (CCT) has added two new forever-wild conservation easements to its portfolio, totaling over 400 acres. These easements, covering the Cathedral Pines, Quarry Hill, and Trinity Forest Preserves, bring CCT’s total forever-wild holdings to over 800 acres.
The easements were made possible through NEWT’s Wildlands Partnership, a program that provides financial and technical assistance to local land trusts to designate land as forever wild. This approach prioritizes natural processes and minimizes human intervention in land management. The Cathedral Pines Preserve, a 74-acre tract of old-growth forest, showcases the resilience of nature after a 1989 tornado. Rather than clearing the fallen trees, The Nature Conservancy, the previous owner, allowed the forest to recover naturally, resulting in a unique and valuable habitat. The Trinity Forest Preserve encompasses a diverse landscape of forests, wetlands, and waterways, providing habitat for a variety of species, including the Northern Saw-whet Owl, a species of special concern in Connecticut. Read more via NEWT. |
 Beaver pond by Cornwall Conservation Trust |
 Male Northern Saw-whet Owl by Wikipedia |
|
|
Norfolk Land Trust and Northeast Wilderness Trust Protect 600 AcresThe Norfolk Land Trust (NLT) and NEWT have partnered to permanently protect a 600-acre forest block in Norfolk through a forever-wild conservation easement. This easement, known as the South Norfolk Wildlands, safeguards habitat for rare species and expands Litchfield County’s forever-wild acreage. The South Norfolk Wildlands features mature upland forests, including key habitats designated by the state, as well as wetlands and streams that feed into the Naugatuck River. The property’s proximity to Dennis Hill State Park and the Great Mountain Forest creates a vital corridor of conserved lands, promoting landscape connectivity and species movement. Read more via NEWT. |
 South Norfolk Wildlands by Eric Bailey |
Haddam Land Trust Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Major Conservation Easement
The Haddam Land Trust (HLT) marked its 60th anniversary with the acquisition of a conservation easement on over 425 acres of forested land. This “keystone” property, known as the Gilkinson Easement, connects sections of Cockaponset State Forest and other conserved lands, creating a crucial unfragmented forest block. This type of habitat is essential for supporting biodiversity and providing a haven for wildlife.
The easement was donated to HLT, and the donor also provided a stipend for ongoing management. This generous contribution will be used to establish the HLT Stewardship Fund, a self-sustaining endowment that will ensure the permanent protection of this and other HLT properties.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone for HLT, effectively doubling their protected lands since 2016. The Gilkinson Easement will be managed as “Wilderness” under the guidelines of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Please note that HLT does not own this land, and it is not open to the public.
The Importance of Forever-Wild Conservation
These conservation efforts demonstrate a growing commitment to forever-wild conservation, an approach that allows natural processes to shape the land. This benefits biodiversity, provides climate resilience, and offers opportunities for research and education.
By partnering with organizations like NEWT, local land trusts can leverage resources and expertise to protect more land with minimal intervention. This approach recognizes the inherent value of wild places and their importance in a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
The recent successes of Connecticut land trusts in securing forever-wild easements serve as an inspiration for continued conservation efforts across the state and beyond.
Interested in forever wild conservation? Check out our Model Forever Wild Easement.