Aspetuck Land Trust Executive Director David Brant reports that the Land Trust had a great year in 2019 thanks generous financial support from Aspetuck Land Trust’s 1,024 members who generously gave their support in 2019. And 2020 has started with a bang with a $625,000 grant from the state of CT towards the purchase an 85-acre property in the Weston Wilton Forest Block.
Program highlights from 2019:
42 properties identified for protection totaling 805-acres in the Green Corridor. This includes 294 acres in Weston Wilton Forest Block.
Finalized contract to protect a farm in Easton. To be announced.
Protected a 2.3 acre property adjacent to our Singing Oaks Preserve in Weston.
Protecting a 2 acre property on Silver Spring Road in Fairfield.
Protecting the 85 acre Fromson Strassler property in Weston and received a $625,000 grant towards this project from the CT DEEP.
Partnered with Earthplace in Westport to build a model native landscape with 2,000 native plants, grasses and shrubs with generous grant support from the Westport Woman’s Club. These model native landscapes will showcase native plant options for homeowners.
Designed second model native landscape at Aspetuck Land Trust’s Wildflower Preserve across from Pequot Library in Southport to be planted in Spring 2019
Organized Green Corridor Native Pairings lectures at Earthplace. See our events page for upcoming Native Pairing events.
Partnering with Glengate to design and build a model native landscape at the Caryl and Edna Haskins Preserve in Westport. Planting is scheduled for Fall 2020.
Created Green Corridor Partner Pledge program and mailbox sign to promote Green Corridor in the community. Our goal in 2020 is for 500 homeowners to take the Green Corridor Pledge. Take the pledge here!
Hosted Haskins lecture for 300 people featuring Doug Tallamy, the guru of backyard biodiversity.
Organized 24 Green Corridor educational programs.
Established partnerships with local businesses and community groups to promote the Green Corridor.
Created new Green Corridor section on website and educational materials.
Launched partnership with the Northeast Organic Farming Association to create stronger native plant supply in the state of CT.
Financial highlights from 2019:
We raised $178,539 in matching funds in December from Land Trust member donations through the Patagonia Action Works Program. Thank you to all of you who made a donation!
We received at total of $202,000 in funds for the Belknap property purchase from the following sources: State of CT Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition program, Army Corps of Engineers In Lieu Fee program, William C. Bullitt Foundation.
We received a $79,000 grant from the In Lieu Fee program to purchase an 85-acre property in the Weston Wilton forest block.
We received $200,000 as a Legacy Gift from the David Storrs estate. David was a good friend of conservation and former Board Member of Aspetuck Land Trust.
We received $50,000 from the Andrew J. Knuth Charitable Gift Fund.
We received $30,000 from The Newman’s Own Foundation.
We received $11,000 from the Bullitt Foundation.
We received $10,000 from the Westport Woman’s Club Ruegg Grant.
Aspetuck Land Trust has laid out a big vision for our region in the Green Corridor Initiative. We will achieve our goals with support from our member supporters. We can all be proud of our efforts and results and sincerely thank every person who made a gift in 2019 for their generous support.