Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration

by Beth Sullivan

Fifty years ago, Mashantucket Land Trust was formed ( learn more here), and to celebrate we threw ourselves a party at the Mystic Aquarium. Everyone was invited; so many wonderful people came.

“Hosted” by Chuck Toal, our Director of Programs and Development, his welcome set the tone for the evening. This event was, in part, a thank-you to honor those who gave shape to the organization over the last decades. A rolling montage of photos played on a screen, of faces from the past, some long gone. That drew many people who stood and watched and marveled at how young we all looked “ back then” . It brought back many memories of early work parties and hikes and pot luck dinners.

As videos rolled, visitors enjoyed drinks and appetizers and got to visit with old friends and make some new ones. Several of us staffed a members’ table, with brochures, newsletters and other information about the organization. Folks stopped to chat, introduce themselves, pick up name tags, and see what was new. I am not sure there were any people new to Avalonia at this event, but a lot of folks with renewed enthusiasm. On display at the members’ table was the beautiful commemorative platter created for the occasion by local artist Susan Scala highlighting the connection of habitats, wildlife, and people.

As people wandered and mingled they could enjoy enlarged members’ photos of several aspects of Avalonia preserves. A large screen computer played videos created by other members, one of which was a drone aerial tour of the Pequotsepos Brook Preserve adjoining the Stone Ridge Community. That was a hit for many. All of this was set against the backdrop of coral reefs and beautiful fishes. It was hard to take it all in.

At a member's table, people could stop, chat, and view our commemorative platter.

Beautiful photos taken on, or over, Avalonia preserves were on display for all to enjoy.

Old friends reunited.

Chuck Toal offered a welcome and introduction to all. 

Fifty years of conservancy

The event was also a recognition of where the organization is now, fifty years later. Many of our current Board of Directors were present to greet friends and members. Dennis Main, Avalonia President, explained the details of our mission and our challenge: to uphold the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices for excellence. It was no small task to gain accreditation, and it will be an equally big challenge to stick to the program and operate by these new guidelines for the next 5 years we have to get fully in line and prove we are worthy.

Representative Diana Urban is not a stranger to Avalonia, as she lives in and enjoys the open spaces of North Stonington. She presented Dennis with a citation, a State recognition of Avalonia Land Conservancy’s work over the years. Chuck also read a letter of special recognition from Stonington First Selectman, Rob Simmons, whose family has long been supporters of Avalonia as well.

The key speaker was Ct Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Rob Klee. He outlined some of the challenges the State, and even the Nation, has in trying to defend the environment from so many threats, including defunding of programs and climate change. It was especially pertinent considering our location in the Mystic Aquarium, in the coastal town of Stonington, where we are noticing the effects of sea level rise right in town. His speech gave hope for the future, that with guidance and new energy from the next generation, our work will continue to be successful.

In conclusion the event was a look to the future. As an organization we need to embrace and encourage that younger generation, many of whom were present at the event. Our mission is for perpetuity. We can look over our shoulders and be grateful for those that had the vision to get the environmental movement going, but we need to keep our collective eyes firmly on the future, to plan and protect for generations of people and wildlife to come.

This was a great way to celebrate both!

Commissioner Rob Klee toasted to the next fifty years of conservation efforts.

Diana Urban presents the State Citation to Dennis Main.

The Aquarium exhibits were a perfect backdrop to the evening.

The guests were enthusiastic about the glowing praise from the key speakers. 

Photographs by Bruce Fellman.

Happy Anniversary Dear Avalonia

By Beth Sullivan

Exactly fifty years ago , on Feb 21, a group of like-minded people formally established the Mashantucket Land Trust. The name Mashantucket is roughly translated to mean “well wooded land”, which perfectly describes a large portion of our area. Of course it didn’t happen overnight. The whole environmental movement was in its infancy as well. People were finally paying attention to the natural world around them and recognizing its fragility and impermanence. The momentum was building, and there was a recognized need for a local organization to protect and defend natural habitats and open space in southeastern Connecticut . The first property protected by the fledgling land trust was Ram Point in Stonington, off Masons Island.

As they say “the rest is history”. But I am not a historian, and I was not living in the area until the early 1980s, so I cannot relate the real personality of the organization back then. As one of the goals for the upcoming celebration year, we will be working toward connecting with those who were a part of the organization from the start and can help us with details and anecdotes. Sadly, many of our founders are already lost to us. We need to make a compilation of those memories soon. If you have photos or memories of Mashantucket/Avalonia from the early days, please share them with us.

In 1993, the Mashantucket Pequot tribe rose to prominence in the area and a decision was made to rename the organization for distinction, and Avalonia Land Conservancy was chosen as the new name. The term Avalonia represents a geological designation for the land mass in this portion of Connecticut.

The land protected by Avalonia Land Conservancy is spread over southeastern Connecticut

The Ram Point donation started us off in 1968.

There are still a few old Mashantucket Land Trust signs hiding deep in the woods.

Mission to preserve natural habitats

Over the years, the mission has always remained the same: to preserve natural habitats in southeastern Connecticut by acquiring and protecting lands and by communicating the value of these irreplaceable resources. Little by little, acre by acre, the land conservancy has grown. Donors came forward wanting their family lands preserved in perpetuity. Gradually the organization moved beyond Stonington and North Stonington where many of its founders were residents, and land was acquired in Preston, Ledyard, and Groton. In more recent decades, a need was recognized for conservation efforts that reached farther and deeper into New London county. Avalonia filled those needs and continues to do so today. There are still generous land donors out among us, but more recently the need has been to purchase land to protect it, so fundraising and collaboration with local, state, and even federal agencies has had to play a central role. Our most recent acquisitions have been as a result of such collaborations ( Click here to learn more) and the amazing generosity of so many donors who believe in our mission. Always we keep in our sights, the importance of protecting land, water, and wildlife by our acquisitions and stewardship, for present and future generations.

As the mission has remained steady, and our reach has expanded, the vision has grown as well. Conservation can be very complicated; there are legal aspects and, of course, financial needs to manage and protect our expanded holdings. Running the organization has been purely a voluntary effort, a labor of love for nearly all of the past 50 years. And all through those years, the governance and leadership of Avalonia has continued forward holding the course.

Last year, Avalonia Land Conservancy reached a huge milestone and became accredited by the Land Trust Alliance. What a great way to kick off our 50^th year celebration!

On February 21, Avalonia will host an Anniversary Party for itself, but really it is to celebrate all of those who have helped get us to this place, to those who are holding the course now, and to encourage and invite the next generation to step up and plan for the next fifty years.

Please join us at the Mystic Aquarium for an evening celebration of our 50^th Anniversary.

Click here to purchase tickets. 

Paffard Woods was one of the first properties purchased with private donations and State open space funding.

We preserve history as well as protecting land and wildlife.

Sandy Point is one of two islands in Long Island Sound protected by Avalonia.

Photographs by Beth Sullivan.

50th Anniversary Celebration

Avalonia Land Conservancy requests the pleasure of your company at a

50th Anniversary Celebration! 

Wednesday,  February 21, 5:30-7:30 PM

(Snow date, Wednesday, February 28)

Keynote speaker: Robert Klee

Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Mystic Aquarium Grand Hall

55 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT

$60 per person, including wine and hors d'oeuvers

Click here to purchase tickets