His legacy stands tall
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
POMFRET — “He had my back for 30 years. For that I am forever grateful,” said Sara Heminway, director of the northeast region of the Connecticut Audubon Society.
Benjamin D. Williams III, longtime steward and champion of the natural world, died March 7, leaving a legacy in organizations across the northeast corner and beyond.
Heminway added, “I’m kinda flattened” that he’s gone.
Heminway and others will be reminded of his legacy every time they pass by the “Ed Shed.” The structure was a surprise gift from his younger brother in California. Heminway said originally a lean-to type structure was considered; then a potting shed design was expanded and retrofitted. It was placed on the crest of a hill so it would look out into what could be the middle of Vermont or New Hampshire. They managed to get it into place without Williams seeing it.
In the four years Mr. Ben’s Education Shed, Williams and staff have hosted innumerable children on the spring and fall field trips to the Connecticut Audubon Society on Day Road. In fact, field trips start up next week, Heminway said. At least 3,000 kids a year come to learn. “Ben introduced thousands to the creepy crawlers from the Connecticut Audubon,” she said.
The Wyndham Land Trust said: “Few others can match Ben’s legacy, who led the Wyndham Land Trust for decades with passion, good humor and steadfast dedication. His years of commitment to land protection are readily apparent in the quiet woodland trails and unspoiled landscapes that are so beloved by our community today and which will delight and nurture generations to come. To recognize his incredible contribution to conservation work in Windham County, we have established the Ben Williams Legacy Conservation Fund, which will be used to protect space for people and wildlife to grow and thrive—the places that mattered so much to Ben. It is our intent to honor Ben’s vision for years to come through proactive land protection work in northeastern Connecticut.”  https://www.wyndhamlandtrust.org/ben/


Mr. Ben's Education Shed sits quietly at the Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center.  Linda Lemmon photo.

captions, page 4:

Above: Williams is holding the "just for fun" sign. Right: Mr. Ben's Education Shed. Courtesy photos.

Above: He was famous for inviting kids into his kitchen to learn. Right: A Middle School BioBlizt. Courtesy photos.