David Brown, the longtime Executive Director of the Middlesex Land Trust, has been honored with a 2024 Tom ODell Distinguished Service Award from the Rockfall Foundation. This award recognizes David’s outstanding contributions to land conservation, environmental education, and promoting public access to natural spaces.

Bob has served as President, Vice President, Development Chair, Membership Co-Lead, Database Manager, and Steward. He is a key member of many of our committees, including Executive, Finance, Land Acquisition, Stewardship Steering, Membership, and our Social Media Committee. Bob co-led our initial application to the Land Trust Alliance for accreditation and was just as involved with our recent successful reaccreditation effort in 2024. Bob’s influence extends much further than his formal roles. He is our liaison with Town Hall, the Land Trust Alliance, our outside counsel, other land trusts, and several nonprofit organizations. He has served as a mentor both to new Board members and to student interns from Valley Regional High School.  He researches grant opportunities and co-authors the proposals submitted. On the ground, Bob is a committed trail volunteer and has been intimately involved in some of our more challenging stewardship projects such as the construction of bridges and trails.

Another of Bob’s contributions, critical to the growth and success of ELT, has been his role as the key mover in our most innovative projects, embracing the use of science and technology in many forms. These include the expansion of an osprey platform and the addition of a webcam on Thatchbed Island in 2010, ELT’s supporting role in the construction of fishways along the Falls River, and our transition to secure digital recordkeeping. Bob has also been a leader in ELT’s focus on improving habitats including removal of phragmites and more recently, as our early ELT lead on our collaboration with the Connecticut Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation to establish a 50-tree American Chestnut germ plasm orchard at our Cross Lots Preserve.

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During his entire tenure, Bob has been deeply involved in our proactive land acquisition work, most recently with our acquisition of the 96-acre Turtle Creek Preserve in Essex and Old Saybrook. Since Bob joined the Board, the ELT has preserved over 400 acres covering 12 different transactions. Bob continues to be involved in all aspects of evaluating open space opportunities, exploring funding options and contract negotiations. Once a potential deal is
identified, Bob has been the principal coordinator of all aspects with surveyors, appraisers, lawyers, and various town officials.

From the beginning, Bob has been vital to the land trust’s strategic direction, land acquisition and stewardship, operational efficiency, financial stability, and overall success. There is no doubt that no other individual has had more impact on the ELT and its mission over the last 18 years than Bob Nussbaum. But his influence is not limited to the twelve square miles of Essex. The following quotes from leaders of the CLCC, The Preserve Ad Hoc Committee of Old
Saybrook and the Deep River Land Trust demonstrate his influence beyond our town.

 

Amy Paterson, Executive Director of Connecticut Land Conservation Commission provided this:

“Bob Nussbaum's invaluable contributions to the Essex Land Trust make him a standout nominee for the Melvin Woody Lower Connecticut River Conservation Award. Through his many
roles, including now as Vice-President, Bob has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth of the Essex Land Trust and advancing land conservation initiatives within the town. His impact
transcends local borders, with significant contributions to regional and statewide land conservation efforts, particularly in supporting the Connecticut Land Conservation Council's advocacy, technical assistance, and community conservation programs. From submitting written testimony to support legislation to sharing policy templates with other land trusts, Bob’s willingness to share insights and experiences to strengthen statewide land conservation is above and beyond, making him a deserving candidate for recognition.” 

Chris Cryder, member of The Preserve Ad Hoc Committee of Old Saybrook offered this:

 

“Bob was a crucial partner in protecting the 1,000-acre forest, known as The Preserve, and he adeptly
led the procurement of the Essex portion. For the past 10 years Bob has been a member of The Preserve Ad Hoc Committee and has always supplied his vast conservation knowledge for the
betterment of the tri-town forest. Thank You Bob!”

Laurie Giannotti, Deep River Land Trust President offered this:

 

“Bob Nussbaum has provided guidance to the Deep River Land Trust on many occasions which has been invaluable to our
small land trust. Topics have included financial management, property acquisition strategies and making property more accessible. He is always very responsive when we reach out. We
consider Bob and ELT our partner.”

For all these reasons, we believe Bob is an extremely deserving recipient of the 2024 Melvin Woody Lower Connecticut River Conservations Award.

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