OUR HISTORY
40+ YEARS OF CONSERVATION EXCELLENCE
After more than forty years of dedicated effort and continuing strong support from the community, Greenwich Land Trust has evolved into one of the most respected and active conservation organizations in the region. The vision of the founders has gained strength as more and more generous citizens have left legacies of land to protect our future.
Title 1
The Greenwich Land Trust Inc. (GLT) is established as an independent entity, separate from the Greenwich Audubon Society. Paul van der Stricht is founder and president and GLT begins its mission with nearly 20 landowners and a total of 100+ acres under its care..
Title 2
The Clyne family donated a beautiful 10.6 acre parcel on the Stamford-Greenwich border.
Title 3
GLT formally adopts the standards and practices of the Land Trust Alliance, created in 1981 as a result of the conservation movement an environmental sensitivity growing across the U.S.
Title 4
Highly regarded marine biologist Daniel Barrett is hired as the Land Trust's first executive director.
Title 5
The single largest land donation is made by the Baker family, creating the 51-acre Westfall Preserve. Today, GLT continues to host educational events on this magnificent property.
Title 6
Julius Silver donates 5.2-acre Shell Island, including its distinctive stone tower, located in Long Island Sound between Byram and Belle Haven.
Title 7
Founding land donor Lewis Lapham completes his multi-year gift amounting to nearly 40 acres, forming a beautiful greenway along John Street.
Title 8
GLT begins a major stewardship project to restore its heirloom apple orchards.
Title 9
The Nature Conservancy donates another of its land holdings, 12.3 acres called Duck Pond Hill, to GLT to ensure local stewardship.
Title 10
When Fisher field at Sabine farm was threatened by development, neighbors and friends rally to purchase it and give it to GLT.
Title 11
Mariette Badger conceives Go Wild! as a millennial celebration for families. Jane Dunn and Leslie Lee are the first co-chairs. It quickly grows to be one of Greenwich’s most popular community events.
Title 12
When GLT founding member Kitty Starr passes away, her neighbors purchase a 2.5-acre parcel and donate it to GLT as a gift in her memory. The land is restored to a beautiful meadow and named the Starr Wildflower Meadow.
Title 13
A grassroots campaign is organized to save Treetops from a proposed massive residential development. GLT is selected to be one of four holders of the Tree Top Conservation Easement, a magnificent 94-acre property on the Stamford/Greenwich boarder and an extension of the Mianus River park, forever protected.
Title 14
The Greenwich Rotary Club Award presents its top honor, Citizen of the Year Award, to GLT for its outstanding contributions to the Greenwich community.
Title 15
After being designated by the state of Connecticut to the register of historic places Shell Island Tower is professionally restored.
Title 16
GLT establishes the Volunteer Stewardship Program to educate team leaders about best stewardship methods for caring for GLT properties.
Title 17
Riverside resident Louise Mueller donates to the Land Trust a prominent 4-acre historic property at the corner of Old Mill and Round Hill Roads.
Title 18
GLT receives accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission after a lengthy self-assessment and rigorous external review of all business and land management operations.
Title 19
Land donor Louisa Stone is honored with GLT’s first Lifetime Achievement Award for her long-term commitment and service in furtherance of GLT’s mission.
Title 20
GLT launches summer teen job program which emphasizes conservation, horticulture and team-building skills.
Title 21
A decision is made to renovate the farmhouse at the Mueller Preserve for staff offices, restore the greenhouse for horticulture need, and revive the barns and grounds for stewardship purposes.
Title 22
GLT establishes the first American Chestnut orchard in Fairfield County at Duck Pond Hill Preserve in partnership with American Chestnut Foundation.
Title 23
With renovations to the farmhouse completed, GLT relocates its offices and operations to the Mueller Preserve and calls it home. Restoration of the greenhouse is underway.
Title 24
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, GLT opens the historic barns at the Mueller Preserve to its members for the first annual “An Evening at the Farmstead.”
Title 25
GLT initiates a community trail system at the 51-acre Westfall Preserve on North Street and the Minguez Preserve on Sterling Road.
Title 26
The Valley Drive preserve was acquired through the generosity of more than 50 neighbors and donors working together to support community conservation.
Title 27
Sacred Heart Greenwich donated 8 acres helping to connect an extensive conservation corridor in the Byram River Gorge.
Title 28
Seed-to-Seed initiative is launched, dedicated to restoring native plants to the local landscape through plant propagation, education and outreach, and habitat restoration.
Title 29
The Virginia Gwynn Trail, a universally accessible pathway that connects microhabitats represented in GLT’s 80+ preserves, opens at the Mueller Preserve.
Title 30
Reaccreditation is awarded to GLT by the Land Trust Alliance, an important and honored recognition that strengthens the Land Trust and its ability to hold land in perpetuity.
Title 31
More than a dozen bearing-age trees of heirloom apple varieties (Russet, Northern Spy, and Melrose) were planted at the Malkin Preserve through a partnership with Greenwich Tree Conservancy.
Title 32
GLT hosts the 20th annual Go Wild! family field day fundraiser at the Greenwich Polo Field at Conyers Farm.
