Freedom Gerardo

Man standing in front of a wall with writing

Freedom is a Bronx-native community organizer turned farmer, co-owning the Liberated Land Cooperative, which runs Connecticut’s first statewide CSA. As Co-Director of the Venture Farming Institute and co-founder of his…

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Lisa Shanahan

Lisa outside in nature

Lisa’s work reflects a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable community development, which is highlighted by her longstanding service on the Norwalk Land Trust since 2012, her appointment to…

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Lou Memoli

Lou outside standing in front of a bush

Lou Memoli is the former President of Brookfield Open Space Legacy, Inc (BOSLI), a private land trust founded in 1965. Lou joined BOSLI as Vice President in 2011 and was…

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Colin Bennett

Colin outside in the woods wearing a red bandana and a cap

Colin is a tireless advocate for the natural world, blending his experience as a master naturalist with his role as a dedicated forest manager. With a profound love for nature…

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Mike Zarfos

Mike with a child on his shoulders

Mike grew up in the woods of southern Connecticut in the town of Deep River and served on the board of his hometown land trust for 10 years. Mike has…

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John Landon

John outside in nature

Committee Chair, Salisbury Association Land Trust and Trustee of the Salisbury Association. John has been involved in land conservation for 18 years after retiring from a career in banking and…

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Lilian Ruiz

Lilian standing outside under umbrella with CT Council Soil and Water Conservation banner

Executive Director of the CT Connecticut Council on Soil and Water Conservation since 2019. In this role, she oversees the Council’s administration and manages state and federal grants to support…

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Robert Chang

Silhouette portrait

Robert operates Echo Farm Woodstock CT where he grows vegetables and cut flowers. He is a founding member of the New CT Farmer Alliance and a co-director for UConn Extension’s…

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