Greetings from the Winchester Land Trust! As you may recall, the HLWA and the Winchester Land Trust (WLT) partnered to buy an eight-acre parcel on West Wakefield Boulevard in 2006, which includes the historic tablet commemorating Harvey Wakefield. HLWA board member, Clare Stevens, and Land Trust President, Shelley Harms, wrote a grant to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Open Space Program. We were awarded the grant and, thanks to the generosity of HLWA members who donated the matching funds, this property will be protected in perpetuity.

The WLT was recently awarded a DEP Open Space Grant and is working to raise funds to match the State’s money. We hope to purchase a 36-acre parcel on Lake Winchester. Hurlbut Field is about half forested, and the other half is a field. The Trust would like to retain the field as working farmland. The State has awarded the WLT $354,250, and $190,000 in matching funds is needed to complete the transaction.

Please consider making a donation toward protecting this property. The land is beautiful. You can help preserve disappearing farmland and protect Lake Winchester’s water quality. If you would simply like to become a member of the Winchester Land Trust, please send your check in any amount to PO Box 10, Winchester Center, CT 06094. We are also seeking “in-kind” donations for our charity auction coming up in March. For more information, call 860.738.2811, or send an email to winchesterlandtrust@yahoo.com.