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The
Branford Land Trust
The Branford Land Trust is the official
steward of our town's very valuable assets-its open
space lands. The Trust, a non-profit tax-exempt organization,
was founded in 1967 by a group of far-sighted citizens
concerned about the then rapid development of land in
Branford. A need was seen to establish a private organization
for the sole purpose of acquiring land for conservation--an
organization that could move rapidly to save threatened
property.
The first donation to the Trust included two small parcels
of land, one at the intersection of Damascus and Pine
Orchard roads; the other on Riverside Drive, given by
Charles Sturgess, then President of the Sturgess Company.
Since that time the Trust has acquired 700 acres ranging
in size from small pocket parcels in developed areas
to large open space acres. The Trust currently has an
easement on another 85 acres.
The Branford Land Trust has a large dedicated membership,
many of whom are active and very involved-all of whom
are volunteers giving freely of their time and effort.
To those involved with the founding 34 years ago, those
involved since then, and those involved with its efforts
today, the Branford Community Foundation extends its
sincere thanks and wishes for continued success to an
organization that has served an exceptional stewardship,
insuring the protection and conservation of Branford's
open spaces in perpetuity.
We are extremely pleased to dedicate this report to
the Branford Land Trust, which has benefited our town
in immeasurable ways for many years and will continue,
we are certain, to serve its stewardship of these ecologically
and geologically significant lands in the years ahead.
Photo: Tidal marsh and uplands at Sybil Creek Preserve,
one of the many properties now owned by the Branford
Land Trust. |
