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The Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) has always been at the forefront of fostering connections and collaboration within Connecticut’s land conservation community. Earlier this year, we proudly played a pivotal role in the relaunch of the South Central Regional Land Conservation Alliance (SCRLCA), a Regional Conservation Partnership (RCP) in the Greater New Haven area. This event was a testament to the spirit of collaboration that thrives within Connecticut’s conservation community. As I wrote in the recap of that event, “Magical things happen in those moments when we consider our place in a larger landscape.” The relaunch aimed to leverage collective knowledge and resources to achieve even greater conservation outcomes. Partners identified several possible priorities for the RCP, including establishing pollinator pathways, promoting equitable access to nature, and engaging the next generation of conservationists.

Building on the momentum of that relaunch event, the SCRLCA steering committee recently hosted another program for RCP partners. The evening began with a presentation by Kathleen L. Housley, author of “Stone Breaker: The Poet James Percival and the Beginning of Geology in New England.” Ms. Housley’s enlightening presentation delved into the life and pioneering work of James Percival, Connecticut’s first state geologist. His revolutionary 1842 report not only challenged prevailing theories but also reshaped our understanding of trap rock origins and the very age of our planet.

With a deeper understanding of Connecticut’s Traprock Ridges, the SCRLCA steering committee proposed a potential project for the RCP to coalesce around – the establishment of a National Heritage Corridor. Such a designation would elevate these ridges’ immense cultural, historical, and biological significance, and provide special recognition for this iconic landscape. Such a designation would be akin to the Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor that already graces our state. Achieving this monumental goal will necessitate the collective effort of numerous land conservation groups, and has the potential to align with the objectives of a Regional Conservation Partnership, and its partner organizations.

CLCC remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing connections and collaborations across Connecticut’s land conservation community. It is inspiriting to see what ideas can emerge when land trusts look at opportunities that span town boundaries, and we are here to support these collective efforts to bring about positive impacts to the conservation landscape of Connecticut.