
Awards
Photo: Margot Burns
Melvin Woody Lower Connecticut River Conservation Award
As the most ardent supporter of the Land Trust Exchange (LTE) since its inception and the guiding voice to the transformation and growth of the LCRLT from a conservation tool of the Lower Connecticut River Gateway Conservation Zone to a broader geography that encompasses the 17 communities of the RiverCOG region the annual award is named in Melvin Woody’s honor. Melvin has been a member of the Connecticut River Gateway Commission since 1973 and served as its Chair for many years. The Commission is responsible for protecting over 1,ooo acres within the Gateway Conservation Zone and supported many environmental studies and restoration projects.
2022 Recipient | John Hall
Executive Director and Volunteers of the Jonah Center for Earth and Art
John's commitment to the continued management of the invasive water chestnut (Trapa natans) in the Connecticut River and her wetlands. We would like to recognize John’s, and the Centers volunteers’ efforts in the fight to combat invasive aquatic species in the floating meadows wetland located between Middletown and Cromwell but in particular for his effort to coordinate needed volunteer efforts in the 2022 collection of water chestnut from the main stem, coves and tributaries of the River following the devastating release of the very invasive plant from a retention pond in Hartford in 2021. His coordination of many volunteers over the summer has contributed greatly to saving the lower Connecticut River from being overwhelmed by this most invasive aquatic plant.
We are inspired by John’s broad conservation commitment to our region. As the Center’s website declares, “The Jonah Center for Earth and Art inspires and organizes the wider “environmental community” in the greater Middletown, Connecticut area to improve the quality of life for all residents – human and non-human.”
We would like to whole heartedly thank John and all the volunteers of the Jonah Center for their commitment to improving the lives of both the citizens and the wildlife of the lower Connecticut River region through their conservation efforts and in particular their efforts regarding elimination of water chestnut from the Connecticut River and her estuary.
Lower Connecticut River Land Trust Small Stewardship Grant (2023)
The Lower Connecticut River Land Trust, due to the generosity of GSB (Guilford Savings Bank), is offering a small grant opportunity to help fund stewardship related projects on our member and Land Trust Exchange member land trusts’ and community properties that are protected in perpetuity, accessible to the public, and have an existing management plan.