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RLT is 40! Protecting Roxbury's Rural Character Since 1970
3,400 Acres Permanently Protected
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By the Honorable Barbara M. Henry, First Selectman
WHEREAS, to commemorate this milestone anniversary, and beginning today with a party called "Fields, Farms and Friends: Reflections on our First Forty Years," the RLT has filled our summer months with a series of festivities from June to September to celebrate the preservation of 3,400 acres of farmland, woodlands, wildlife habitats, watercourses, wetlands, and open space, a whopping 17% of the total acreage that makes up our community, a long way from its first gift of 56 acres of land received in 1974; and
WHEREAS, since its inception, the Roxbury Land Trust has been a good neighbor to our Town through the involvement, loyalty and generosity of its devoted volunteers and members. The Trust has remained committed to preserving our community's rural character for future generations to enjoy by conserving open space, preserving our rich heritage and saving our farms. It has become a model, focused, and sometimes envied, organization that boasts 32 preserves, 30 miles of hiking trails, three working farms, a granite quarry, an 18th century iron mine as well as countless rural vistas to enjoy; and
WHEREAS, the Roxbury Land Trust has continued to flourish with the loyal support from the townspeople, Town government, and its leadership, but more importantly from the "volunteer spirit" of the Directors who share a common commitment to improving the quality of life for all in our community. They share an unselfish devotion to work together and have a desire to expand their own personal horizons through service for the common good; and
THEREFORE, I, Barbara M. Henry, First Selectman, on behalf of the Town of Roxbury, and Board of Selectmen, take this opportunity to formally say thank you to the Roxbury Land Trust, its leadership and members, past and present, for your hard work and continuous focus on your common mission. I hereby proclaim and dedicate the Summer of 2010 in our community to the
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Dated: June 6, 2010 — Roxbury, Connecticut
 Lyle Nichols (and friends) repaired the bridge at Tierney Preserve in 2009. |
Land Trust Directors Joe Godfrey and Alison Lundie are orchestrating the June 6th and September 19th celebratory events. Director Mary Daniel has organized the June 19 - July28 Art Exhibition at the Minor Memorial Library. Land Trust member Mo Van Moffaert is coordinating the June 26 family road race with the Roxbury Road Race Series.
| June 6 Sunday 4:00 p.m. |
Fields, Farms and Friends — Reflections on Our First Forty Years. Annual Meeting at Roxbury Town Hall. Multi-media program, entertainment and refreshments. |
| June 19 Saturday 2 - 4 p.m. |
Opening reception for Images of the Roxbury Land Trust Art Exhibition Minor Memorial Library. 30% of proceeds to benefit RLT. Art Exhibition continues through July 28. |
| June 26 Saturday 8:30 a.m. |
Race for Open Space at River Road Preserve. Register/$5 per person; children under ten free. Fees benefit the Preserve. Open to all ages for walking or running. Co-sponsored by the Roxbury Road Race Series. |
| Sept. 19 Sunday 5 - 7 p.m. |
Sunset Celebration at Gavel Family Farm Preserve. Bring your own picnic. Dessert to be provided by RLT. Unusual instrumental music by Chris Merwin and Paul Mueller, members of Mecca Bodega. Rain location: Hurlburt Park, Apple Lane. |
The Spring 2010 reprint of the comprehensive Preserves Map, representing 30 miles of trails and 24 preserves, and its distribution to Roxbury residents was made possible by the generosity of The Ellen Knowles Harcourt Foundation. The updated map was illustrated by Billy Steers and designed by Carole Mackay.
RLT received an $11,000 WHIP grant for early successional habitat management of an 8.4 acre field on the Orzech Family Preserve, Botsford Hill. The grant is applied to the reclamation of an overgrown pasture to promote the growth of native grasses and plants and to enhance grassland bird habitat.
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"We saw that as we increased the amount of land we had, we increased the stewardship needs," said Julie Steers, executive director. We are "reclaiming and promoting farmland opportunities, opening up hiking trails, clearing out unwanted and sometimes ugly vegetation, protecting the natural resources, enhancing wildlife habitats, improving the existing trail system and bringing general beauty back to the area."
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With our Seniors in mind, the Land Trust has installed two easily accessible picnic tables — one at the Gavel Family Farm Preserve on Upper County Road with sweeping vistas to the west and one at the Battle Swamp Preserve on Judds Bridge Road next to the brook.
Every fall the Land Trust welcomes Region 12's sixth graders for a hike at the historic 19th century Mine Hill Preserve. Every spring the Land Trust hosts Booth Free Elementary School students on nature hikes. And every spring students from Crosby High School in Waterbury, are bused to one of the preserves for a day of hiking and scientific exploration.
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On Sunday October 24, the historic 19th century Good Hill Schoolhouse on the Widmark Preserve, donated by Richard and Jean Widmark in 1997, will be open to the public from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. The Schoolhouse is located on Tophet Road, near the intersection with Schoolhouse Road. In 2006 Roxbury resident Ryan Walsh researched its history, collected teaching materials and historic artifacts from the community, and refurbished the one-room building as his Shepaug Valley High School Senior Project.
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