Protecting the lands so that
future http://www.remindernews.com/node/7/&town=vernon&url=VERN-2008-10-14-8-Ar00800
About Us
Protecting the lands so that
future
generations may enjoy them.
In February of 2000, a group of individuals was “summoned” by their concern at what they saw happening in town, the rapid disappearance of Tolland’s rural character in a period of unprecedented growth.
Since that time, Conserving Tolland has been crucial in the conservation of over 1,000 acres by helping to raise $6 million through referenda that enabled the town to purchase land or development rights. We’ve also helped garner over $1.5 million worth of State and Federal grants in the process.
In 2006, Conserving Tolland was chosen by Joshua’s Trust as their “Group Conservation” award winner and is now regularly contacted by other groups state wide who want to know more about conserving land in their own towns. We have visited 10 CT towns to give advice about ways to encourage land conservation using grassroots efforts.. People in other towns see the importance of groups like ours as most towns have town appointed Conservation Commissions, who are not put in place to be advocacy groups. It is important to have a free standing group like Conserving Tolland which has a single focus purpose of advocacy.
Protecting natural resources
Most of us who have been with Conserving Tolland since it began have been privileged to work with people on a cause that has widespread, bipartisan support from its citizens who recognize land conservation as a win/win situation. The first of the three referenda sponsored by Conserving Tolland requested $2 million in bonding authority to raise money to preserve open space passed by 65%, in 2000, the second by 72% in 2003 and the third by 73% in 2006.
But while we celebrate these successes, there is more that needs to be done.
Landowners like the Campbells, the Shaffrans, the Kings, the Bahlers, the Schindlers , the Schmidts and the Tobiassons and Palmers are the new names added to people, like the Crandall’s, as individuals who have changed the face of Tolland for the better. They’ve made it possible for future generations to know what it’s like to walk in the woods, see deer or turkey, or look across an open field. Conserving Tolland requested the town to allow the Conservation Commission to oversee the maintenance of the conserved lands. We asked that the Conservation Corps, a steward group be created to work under the direction of the Commission, so that the lands would be looked after by volunteer labor.
The Conservation Commission has identified more land to be acquired and owners have come forward who wish their land to be conserved. New purchases are waiting to be made. It is important to protect the key pieces in town because one day all of the land will be developed. The people of Tolland chose to put balance in the future planning of this town.
Protecting wildlife
Conserving Tolland hosts community events to educate residents about conservation and wildlife. We also host recreational events to encourage people to enjoy the trails. All of our work is done with volunteer hours and all donations go toward materials to promote our cause. In December of 2007, we became a 501C3, non-profit. Donations are now tax deductible.
With Gratitude and Respect.
The Board of Directors, Conserving Tolland, Inc.
Gisela Broderick, Roseann K. Gottier, Barbara Greenbaum, Lisa Pizzi,
Randa Nesman, Gael Stapleton, Cherie Trice, Pat Urban, Mary Voghel
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Conserving Tolland
Over 1,000 acres protected since 2000
The purpose of Conserving Tolland is to proactively encourage action
to preserve and conserve land in Tolland, Connecticut
~ History of our Group~
2000
-Founded, a non-partisan, grassroots citizens organization
~ Gained the support of the residents of Tolland by representing something they
Strongly believe in, the permanent protection of land~
-Became a (PAC) political action committee in order to get a measure on the local ballot to allow bonding authority to purchase land to be protected in perpetuity.
-The group manned a two week long phone survey. Phone survey results in favor of funding conservation land showed 64-66%.
*-Sponsored first referendum., gathering 800 signatures to force referendum by petition for a single ballot issue in October of 2000, winning 65% of voter approval. Many new voters registered to support the referendum. Voter turnout comparable to that of municipal elections.
2000 to present
*- Request to Town Council to place two more referenda for $2,000,000 on ballot, in 2003, winning by 72% and in 2006, winning by 73%.
-Held monthly meetings for three years, then as needed.
-Fundraising to pay for town-wide mailings to ensure success of referenda.
-Meetings with land owners to discuss conservation process.
-Assisted with DEP grant writing.
-Sent town wide mailing prior to each referendum to get out the vote.
-Held numerous hikes and educational events.
--Working with Trust for Public Land, Joshua’s Trust, Willimantic River Alliance, (NRCS) Natural Resource Conservation Service, CT Farmland Trust, Tolland Conservation Commission, SOS Coventry, CT Farmland Trust, DEP.
-Holding fundraisers to promote educational, recreational and public awareness.
-Fundraising using original oil paintings of conserved lands or Heritage Land Family homesteads.
-Meetings with many land owners to discuss conservation techniques.
2003 Created a website. www.conservingtollandct.org Website contains downloadable hiking maps.
2001 Created gift cards for people to donate to the Tolland Open Space Fund in memory or celebration.
2002 Created brochure, “Saving Land Through Private Ownership”
*2004 Applied for public hearing with Tolland Planning and Commission to request changes to subdivision regulations. Conserving Tolland promoted the hearing and 175 persons attended. Regulations were changed by the PZC Commission .
2004
The draft copy of the 2000 Plan of Conservation and Development shows a build out analysis stating that the acquisition of permanently protected lands as well as the changes in zoning regulations has lessened our potential future new housing units to 1,616. If land was not preserved and regulations not changed the amount of new units could have been 3,750 to 4,470.
2005 to present:
Invited by 10 area towns to offer advice on conservation and grass roots organization to residents, municipal officials including; town managers, PZC officials, Conservation Commissions and others.
Asked Town Council to approve creation of Conservation Corps to steward lands with volunteer labor
2006
-Held large fundraiser Wine-tasting/Auction, 100+ participants to promote land conservation.
-Gained support of Tolland business community
-Audubon live owl presentation at the Lodge
2006 to present:
Holding "Heritage Land Family Legacy Award" events to honor landowners who chose conservation. Plaques awarded during dessert/coffee social.
2007
-Dropped political action committee designation
-Became a 501C3 non-profit organization
-Co-sponsored " Come Ride With Me" with Tolland Businesses.
-Co-sponsored a multi-town land owner information night, held in Mansfield. DVD of the event was created, and is available now in Tolland Public Library
-Became member of Land Trust Alliance/
-Sponsored Tolland land owner event with attorney specializing in land conservation and tax incentives. Invitations sent to all Tolland land owners with 25 acres or more.
-Worked with Trust for Public Land in Ellington to help plan initiative for Ellington’s farmland preservation referendum. It won by 90%.
2008
-Co-hosted Tolland Trail Days with Tolland Junior Women. 605 hikers registered. 300-400 completed event. 30 prizes given to those who completed all 4 trails over a month’s time. Gifts donated by Tolland businesses. Planning to make this an annual event.
2009
Tolland Trail Days , May through October
AWARDS
2001 Conservation Fund and Kodak Corporation
-2006 Joshua's Trust: Conservation Group of the Year Award
AWARD NOMINATIONS:
-2008 Nominated by State Representative Bryan Hurlburt for Farmland Preservation pathfinder Outstanding Group Award.
With gratitude and respect to the residents of Tolland, and the Town Council Teams who have worked to approve these purchases
A personal note from Roseann K. Gottier
I began having concerns about Tolland’s explosive residential growth during the mid 1990’s. In 1999 I began to explore options to find balance as our town experienced one of the top growth rates in the state. My home town was changing way too quickly, and the memories of the childhood in this humble little town were haunting me.
During the 1960’s I would drive out to Weigold Road on Sunday mornings with my mom to buy fresh vegetables from Chris Weigold. It seemed like the other side of the world. Other than the town center, or driving toward Vernon, there was no reason to go out to the outer reaches of town. We also frequented a vegetable stand on Gehring road, the remains which are still standing. Rockville was the center of the universe for those of us in Tolland and Ellington. There, you could find every type of small retail store or service, in a downtown setting. Ellington had its farms and Tolland had forest land.
For many of us born during or before the 1950’s, our childhood entertainment was found outdoors, sometimes spending the entire day in the woods without causing any concern to our parents. We would climb to the tops of the highest white pines trees near my grandparent’s house on Hurlbut Road near Shenipsit Lake. One of our few material possessions during those times was a bicycle that carried us to more areas of forest, streams or ponds. The memories of the cool, clean scent of the woods in early spring stick with me today. Today, a springtime visit to one of Tolland’s protected lands is a reminder of the cool fresh air and the simpler times of childhood.
Thanks to the efforts of Tolland residents, the children of today and tomorrow may venture out to experience some playtime in the woods. As I worked toward conserving land, I came to find that one of the best rewards was meeting so many people who have come to call Tolland home. Many of the new people to town were attracted here because of the town’s physical beauty. It is a pleasure to work hand in hand with them to help save some very special places.
The pressure of development will remain with us for quite some time. Just
because we’ve been able to conserve some of the land in Tolland doesn't mean our
effort will ever be over. We will continue to try to balance how land is used
and to encourage this newer
generation to enjoy the woods, the fields and the streams as much as we did.
It has been my privilege in making Conserving Tolland a very important part of my life. When I began working on this in 1998, I never dreamed that this would still be going strong years later. I am grateful to the original founding members of 30 or so people who donated time from their busy schedules to help make this all happen.
Special gratitude to Mr. Phil Morneault who gave an abundance of his time working with me on a weekly basis for the first three years. I asked him to be my Co-Chair to help ease my jitters of being out there alone. He was a great mentor, and one of the finest men I have known. He gave of himself for the love of the cause, and is a true gentleman. Phil retired due to health problems and is greatly missed in Conserving Tolland.