Mission Statement
The Guilford Land Conservation Trust acquires and conserves natural places for future generations.
Board of Directors
Officers
Sarah Williams, President Rick Conrad, Vice President Jerry Turk, Secretary Albert G. Erda, TreasurerDirectors
Heather Allore William M. Bloss Nathan Frohling Ned Kreidel Theodore Mankovich Michael Sessine David Slade Rob Valley Susan Merkle-WardSub Committees
Land Acquisition
Albert G. Erda, ChairStewardship
Robert Valley, ChairWestwoods Trails
Paul Proulx, ChairValue of Open Space
- Ensures diversity of natural resources in our town
- Protects habitat for wildlife
- Serves as natural buffers around streams and drinking water supplies
- Reduces flood potential
- Provides a natural classroom for our children
- Provides areas for outdoor recreation such as hiking, skiing and birding
- Provides a natural retreat for contemplation
- Enhances property values
- Preserves the scenic quality of our town
History of GLCT
The Guilford Land Conservation Trust is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization devoted to conserving open space and natural resources in Guilford, Connecticut for public benefit.
Formed in 1965 by local conservationists, the land trust is one of the oldest in the state. With the support of 1,500 members, the trust owns 3,193 acres and protects another 121 with easements making it the largest town land trust in Connecticut.
A membership-elected board of 13 directors, serving without compensation, manages the land trust. Because the land trust is independent, it can respond quickly and effectively to purchase and preserve land. Most of the land owned and protected by the land trust has been acquired through the generosity of its membership, bequests and gifts. Additional funds have come from state grants and additional open space has been acquired through subdivision set-asides.
Because the land trust’s directors and members maintain its properties as volunteers, all resources received by the land trust are applied directly to land acquisition and preservation.
Open space is a shrinking resource. The land trust purchases the majority of its land with donated funds. It also receives gifts of land and easements as well as land set-asides resulting from the subdivision process.
The land trust can purchase land at fair market value or bargain sale (discounted) prices. In almost all cases, gifts of land, easements and bargain sales provide important tax advantages to the donors.
All donations go directly to land preservation and are tax deductible according to law.
