Our Mission
The Mission of the Darien Land Trust is to preserve and
protect open space in Darien. Preservation of open space
benefits our community by adding to quality of life values
for the residents of our town, preserving precious natural
habitats and the rural character of Darien for future generations.
Property Holdings
The Darien Land Trust now owns or has conservation
easements over 191 acres in Darien. We have
permanently protected diverse natural environments such as
wetlands along
the Five Mile River, tidal salt marshes at Holly Pond
and Scott's Cove, and upland forests in Dunlap Woods.
Our acquisition
of the 9-acre Mather Meadows property allows the preservation
of meadow habitat with historical significance.
Recent land donations on Brookside Road,
Valley Forge and Molly Lane have greatly expanded the open space under
preservation.
Although the majority of our properties are
too wet or fragile for pedestrian access, we own three large parcels with hiking trails open to the public:
Dunlap Woods, Cherry Lawn and Olson Woods. For a large-scale
map of Darien Land Trust properties, click on the map image
to the right.
Best Standards and Practices
Through the adoption of and
adherence to The Land Trust Alliance’s Best
Standards and Practices, our organization has reached a high level
of professionalism. This is essential for the responsible
operation
of a Land Trust and ensures
that a land trust operates legally, ethically and in the public interest.
It also
establishes a sound program of land transactions and stewardship.
Governance
The Darien Land Trust was founded in 1960. It
is governed by a highly involved Board of Trustees and
enjoys enthusiastic support from the community.
The day-to day operations of the Land Trust are overseen
by Shirley R. Nichols, our Executive Director. AWARDS and GRANTS
Darien Nature Center Egret Award 1991
For extraordinary leadership as advocate, protector and
educator for the environment
State of Connecticut Department
of Environmental Protection April 2002
$950,000 for funding under the State of Connecticut
Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program
State of
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
November 2002
$500,500 for funding under the State of Connecticut
Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program
Member:
Darien Green Team
Land Trust Alliance lta.org
CT Land Conservation Council
Trust for Public Land www.tpl.org
CT Fund for the Environment cfenv.org
The Darien Land Trust
is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization,
and all dues and contributions
are tax deductible |
