Land & Conservation

Dear Rebecca, Working Lands Alliance or the Nature Conservency may be better able to answer this. However, from my experience there are variables to consider before knowing what options there are. For instance, by "sustain" do you mean in its most recent natural state? Or is this part of a working farm or timber land? Leaving it in its most natural state in perpetuity would require conservation easements in the deed and to keep that easement when the land is passed down to a relative or sold requires the right kind of lawyer. Putting the land in some kind of protection for future generations of Monroe is fairly straight forward but we don't know what the next century will bring. Connecticut is dealing with the same kind of issue when it comes to state owned land. There is a bill in this year's legislature (SB70) that tries to deal with this kind of land preservation issue. Please contact the local Nature Conservancy as they do this kind of thing as their focus.

Hi Riva, Thanks for your e-mail. Can you tell me more about your project? Thanks!

Dear Anne There are regional meetings of Land Trusts in Connecticut. The internet is probably the best place to start for that information. Connecticut is having its annual conference of Inland Wetland and Conservation Committees November 17th at the Sheriden Four Points in Meriden. It's 9 to 4. Many Land Trust people are there. Check out: http://www.caciwc.org/pages/annualMtg/index.html This may be of some help.

There are details to be worked out but it certainly can be done. These details include (but are not limited to (just got to love that legalese): funding, who owns the land, what is it zoned for, is there remediation needed, who covers liability issues, taxes owed if any, etc. These details will be different state-to-state. As far as funding is concerned, you can start on the internet under grant funders like the TKF Foundation.(410 Severn Ave. Suite 216, Annapolis MD 21403, www.tkffdn.org) In many towns and cities, officials may be willing to work a deal on a space because a community garden will help with local appeal and property values. It may also get a blighted spot of their books because of the volunteer work needed to clean up a site. (the soil should be tested so you don't grow anything in tainted ground) Abandoned property can be a good place to make a deal with the city if the city wishes to pass on the clean up and liability issues to someone else willing to take them on.

Hi Avery Sounds like a great trip and a better way to see the world. There may be many Sierra members who would enjoy this kind of "vacation," however, I would have to check with our national office about the liability of advertising such a trip through our chapter. Call me when you get the chance: 860-236-4405 John C

Marina Marchese has a facebook page with a discussion board here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marina-Marchese/145898545466768 I hope this helps!

Dear David I'm sorry I don't have Marina's contact info. I know she lives in Weston (if that's the same Marina we're talking about) but that's all.