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This month, I had the opportunity to see weeks of planning come to fruition in the form of three Conservation Conversations cosponsored by land trusts across the state: Litchfield, Farmington, and Darien. Among colorful autumn landscapes elected officials, community members, and land trusts reflected on how their work at the capitol in Hartford, in the halls of municipal government, and on the land itself has worked to preserve, improve, and steward these natural properties for generations to come. 

At each event, I could feel the pride attendees felt in their communities and it was contagious. Getting to see the results of your work is not something I will take for granted, as it is truly the most rewarding part of a career in the nonprofit/public sector to be able to experience the direct impact you and your organization or government have made on your community. 

Above: Snapshots of the Conservation Conversation hosted by NCLC at Milde Farm.

Milde Farm in Litchfield with the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy

First, on October 16th I traveled to Litchfield and the border of Torrington to tour Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy’s (NCLC) Milde Farm property, which was conserved with funds from the State of Connecticut’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) Grant Program. NCLC Executive Director Catherine Rawson gave a thorough history of the property and its acquisition. Although it was a bit chilly, attendees including Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding and Representative Karen Reddington-Hughes, members of the City of Torrington’s Land Use Department, and members of NCLC’s Board of Directors stayed warm hiking through forest and farmland to view stunning highland vistas and learn about the plans for the property’s farm buildings.

Above: Snapshots of the Conservation Conversation hosted by FLT at the West District Nature Preserve.

West District Nature Preserve in Unionville with the Farmington Land Trust

The next week, on October 22nd I traveled to Farmington Land Trust’s (FLT) West District Nature Preserve and Wilcox-Bushley Homestead Environmental Education Center in Unionville. There, state legislators Senator Derek Slap, Representative Rebecca Martinez, and Representative Mike Demicco, Farmington Town Council Chair Joe Capodiferro, Assistant Superintendent of Farmington Public Schools Veronica Ruzek, the principals of West District and East Farms Elementary Schools, members of FLT’s Board of Directors, and other community members saw how a $250,000 bond from the State of Connecticut Bond Commission was put to use in renovating the Homestead. We learned more from FLT Executive Director Kristin Flyntz about the history of the property and its place in the community as a center for educating local children about conservation and nature. Then, kindergarteners from West District Elementary School arrived at the property to conduct research on how climate change may be affecting our growing season by tracking leaf coloration and drop as part of FLT’s partnership with Harvard Forest. The atmosphere was one of joy and community, as the children’s growing enthusiasm for science and nature spread to all the attendees.

Above: Snapshots of the Conservation Conversation hosted by Darien Land Trust at Olson Woods and Piacentini Preserve.

Olson Woods & Piacentini Preserve in Darien with the Darien Land Trust

The following day, October 23rd, I traveled all the way to the Connecticut Panhandle to hike Darien Land Trust’s Olson Woods and Piacentini Preserve. Joining me were Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and Representative Tracy Marra, Darien First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky, Craig Flaherty, President and Senior Engineer of Redniss & Mead, project forester Ian Branson, members of Darien Land Trust’s Board of Directors, CLCC’s very own Ricky Bentley, and others. We heard from Ricky and Ian about the new climate resilience initiatives and forest management plan being implemented on the property as a result of receiving a CLCC Climate Smart Land Stewardship Grant, funded by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, and learned about the unique features of the property as a former industrial site surrounded by dense residential subdivisions from Executive Director Elizabeth Mathus. It was such a great learning experience to be walking around a property with people so knowledgeable about the land’s flora and fauna able to answer any question you may have.

Overall, I’ve had a very busy month! It was worth every second spent on the land with the people who have put so much work into it. Each Conservation Conversation was uniquely different from the rest, providing a different perspective on land conservation and the various state and local programs used to fund each property’s stewardship. I’d say they were all a huge success!