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caption, page 2: Long Pond in Thompson.
Land trust
earns
national
recognition
POMFRET CENTER — The Wyndham Land Trust, saving open spaces in northeastern Connecticut since 1975, recently received national recognition.
The trust is joining a network of more than 400 accredited land trusts across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in their work.
“Accreditation demonstrates the Wyndham Land Trust’s commitment to permanent land conservation in the Quiet Corner, said Michael St. Lawrence, president. “We are a stronger organization for having gone through the rigorous accreditation program. Our strength means special places — such as Bull Hill in Thompson and the Duck Marsh in Pomfret — will be protected forever, making this an even greater place for us and our children.”
The Wyndham Land Trust provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation prior to achieving this distinction. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded accreditation, signifying its confidence that the Wyndham Land Trust’s lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts steward almost 20 million acres of land – the size of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.
The Wyndham Land Trust owns property in the 10 towns that make up northeastern Connecticut, but in just two years, the Wyndham Land Trust has expanded the Bull Hill Preserve in Thompson and Woodstock to 975 acres, a testament to the land trust’s commitment to protecting this expansive unbroken forest.
“The land trust has focused on the Bull Hill project since the end of 2016,” said St Lawrence. “A lot of volunteer time and energy have gone in to it, but it’s gratifying to know how much impact we are having. We’re excited to protect so much land in such a short period of time. We’re getting a lot of support from the community, which inspires us to keep pushing forward. Accreditation earns us national recognition for the work we’re doing and for the people that volunteer their time to make it all happen.”
“It is exciting to recognize the Wyndham Land Trust with this national mark of distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Commission. “Donors and partners can trust the more than 400 accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.”
The Wyndham Land Trust is one of 1,363 land trusts across the U.S. according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census. There are 120 land trusts in Connecticut, and 30 of them have been accredited by the Land Trust Alliance. A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
The Wyndham Land Trust now protects more than 4300 acres in 46 separate parcels in ten towns in Northeast Connecticut. More information on the land trust can be found on their site at www.wyndhamlandtrust.org. The land trust can be reached by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling (860) 963 2090. You can also find the land trust on Facebook and Instagram.
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