Our commitment to Conservation in the region!

“Northwest Connecticut is the first and only region in the state to track and prepare data on the pace of its collective conservation efforts.”
- Catherine Rawson, Executive Director of the Kent-based Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy
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The Conservation Movement in Connecticut and the Litchfield Hills has been a vital and ongoing effort to preserve the region’s natural beauty and ecological integrity. Over the past decade, local land trusts and organizations have worked together to increase the pace and scale of conservation efforts to protect the area’s unique and valuable resources for future generations.
The Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) played a vital role in this effort by conducting a research project to assess the pace and scale of conservation efforts in rural northwest Connecticut. The NCLC worked with 19 local land trusts to gather data on the amount of land conserved in the region and published these findings as a guide for future conservation efforts. This region is the first in the state to track and prepare data on the pace of its conservation efforts, making it a model for other areas to follow.
Collaboration among local land trusts has been a driving force behind the success of the conservation movement in the Litchfield Hills. Increased collaboration has resulted in more transaction expertise, increased funding opportunities, enhanced credibility, increased organizational capacity, shared resources, cooperation on easement stewardships, positive publicity, and increased land protection overall. Land trusts have also become more professional and credible through the use of shared resources and the emphasis on accreditation.
To meet the growing demands of conservation efforts, regional land trusts have formed regional conservation partnerships with organizations such as the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and the NCLC. These partnerships allow land trusts to expand their leverage and capabilities and work together to address issues such as forest fragmentation, climate change, and land development. These partnerships provide a valuable platform for collaboration and a unified voice in pursuing conservation goals.
The Litchfield Hills is a unique and valuable part of Connecticut, with a rich natural and cultural heritage. The conservation movement has been driven by a deep commitment to preserving this heritage and ensuring that future generations can enjoy and benefit from it. Through the efforts of the NCLC and local land trusts, the region has made significant progress in conserving land and addressing critical environmental issues.
As the pace and scale of conservation efforts continue to evolve, the future of the Litchfield Hills and Connecticut remains bright. The conservation movement will continue to play a critical role in protecting the state’s natural resources. The continued collaboration of local land trusts, organizations, and communities will be essential to ensuring the success of this vital effort. The Litchfield Hills is a beautiful and unique place, and the conservation movement will ensure that its natural and cultural resources are protected and preserved for future generations.