Preserved, Protected, and Conserved Forever
Rowland Conservation Easement: Preserving 13 Acres Of Farmland
2005: The Year In Review

Preserved, Protected, and Conserved Forever

2007 was a very fortunate year for the Southbury Land Trust. The four conservation easements pictured above represent our town’s past, present and future. Through federal and state grants, Southbury town funds, bargain sales and outright donations, another 126 acres of stunning views, rolling meadows, fertile farmland, and tranquil ponds will remain as they are for now and for generations to come. From the Purchase to Kettletown, these easements span the town’s far northwest corner to the southwest quadrant on the Housatonic, and southeast toward Oxford. Each owner as unique as their land parcels: the Mitchell family who owns the longest continuously operating farm in Southbury; Marie Ludorf who carries on a legacy of working the land with Yankee independence; Mike and Lauren Lyons, the generous young couple fuelled by their strong commitment to environmental stewardship; and the Siegles, the newest of newcomers fresh from California who wish to preserve parts of a town they’ve only just begun to call home. The vision of these landowners is applauded by all caring residents.

Mitchell's Easement
(click for larger view)

Lyon's Easement
(click for larger view)

Ludorf Easement
(click for larger view)

Siegle's Easement
(click for larger view)

 

August 18th, 2006:
Donation Preserves 13 Acres Of Farmland
Rowland Conservation Easement - Kettletown Rd., Southbury, CT

An agricultural conservation restriction on 13 acres of farmland has been donated to The Southbury Land Trust by Alice C. Rowland.

The property, located on the corner of Burr Rd. and Kettletown Rd., was once part of Happy Hollow Farm, a Holstein dairy farm owned by the Coer Family, who purchased the land in the early 1920s. Mrs. Rowland grew up on the farm and says, “I have many wonderful memories of this land and ’m very pleased to be able to preserve this piece of my family’s farm.”

Under the terms of the restriction, the land will remain free of residential or commercial development and can only be used for agricultural purposes. As the holder of the restriction, the Land Trust will monitor the property to ensure that future owners are aware of and continue to observe the prohibition against development.

Mrs. Rowland said she hopes her donation will encourage others to preserve their land by making similar donations to the Southbury Land Trust.

Tom Crider, president of the Land Trust said, “The Land Trust is very grateful to Mrs. Rowland for her donation. Her commitment to preserving this scenic property offers an example to others interested in preserving their land and being smart about taxes at the same time.” The value of conservation restriction donations can often be used as a charitable deduction on income tax returns. He noted that a bill signed Thursday by President Bush allows these deductions to be used for up to sixteen years.

2005 In Review

In 2005, the Southbury Land Trust preserved four land parcels encompassing 107 acres and raised $1,533,625.00 of funds. In April SLT worked with a developer to take ownership of important wetland habitat in northeastern Southbury. Refused by the town as an open space set aside, preservation of these 14 acres proved beneficial to wildlife and the neighborhood in general.

Next in June, SLT purchased a conservation easement of 34 acres of valuable Tappe pastureland and watershed property in western Southbury. Then in August, SLT purchased the 50-acre Lovdal Farm. This historical family farm of pastoral meadows, panoramic ridgeline views, deep forests with glacial rock formations, large pond with a pristine brook is listed on the State Register of Historic Places. Located on the southernmost border of Southbury, portions are leased to a local farmer for hay and corn production and it connects with SLT’s 105-acre Phillips Farm.

At year’s end in December, SLT initiated a transaction with The Nature Conservancy to take ownership of a 9 acre parcel on the eastern Southbury border at Eight Mile Brook. Lying vulnerable and overwhelmed with invasive plants, this waterfront property’s owner organization had dissolved years ago. This site of considerable beaver and heron habitat exhibits good potential for observation from the opposite shore of the river. In April of 2006 SLT’s proactive conservation efforts were recognized at the annual Connecticut Land Trust Convocation with an award for substantial preservation and fundraising.