News

Last month, I joined the Steep Rock Association (SRA) in Washington, CT, to celebrate the grand opening of a new trail at the Macricostas Preserve. It was a picture perfect, crisp fall day, with about fifty participants joining the land trust for a hike on this sustainably built ridgetop trail.

Among our group was CLCC’s first Sandy Breslin Conservation Fellow, Katharine Lange, now the Policy Specialist for MA Rivers Alliance, and Paul Mailhot-Singer, Follow the Forest Outreach Specialist at the Housatonic Valley Association, and a leader in planning and participating in CLCC’s 2022 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference.

As much as I enjoyed the hike – impressive new bridge crossings, enthusiastic supporters of SRA, magnificent views of the Northwest Hills — it was my conversations with Katharine and Paul that stuck with me the most.

As emerging conservation leaders, Katharine and Paul share a passion – and sense of urgency – in fighting inequities, righting the wrongs inflicted on our environment, and making the world a cleaner, healthier, better place for us all.

Talking with these extraordinary young people underscored my resolve to do whatever I can NOW to protect the environment for their generation, and those that follow.

For CLCC that means ensuring Connecticut land trusts have the tools, resources, and leadership they need – from direct financial assistance to capacity building and community engagement programs to strong advocacy –to conserve vital lands and waters, mitigate the impacts of climate change, protect wildlife habitat, and connect more people to the land, and each other.

With a new five-year strategic plan to guide us, we look forward to working alongside you in 2023 and beyond to make sure that happens.

We are grateful for your partnership and wish you a joyous holiday season.

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