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Greenwich Land Trust Conserves 12-Acres in Backcountry

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By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter

The Greenwich Land Trust (GLT) has accepted a conservation easement on 11.75 acres of undeveloped open space in the backcountry from long-time residents and environmental conservationists, Juliet and Holt Thrasher.

A conservation easement is different than a straight-forward land donation in it allows the property owner to permanently protect their land from development without giving up ownership or access. The GLT can, however, place restrictions on the use of the land in order to protect its conservation value.

“By setting up this easement arrangement with Greenwich Land Trust, we are guaranteeing the land will continue to remain undeveloped to prioritize the natural health of the local biodiversity, which will now be protected for future generations,” the Thrashers said in a press release on Wednesday.

The protection of the land will expand a permanent north-south greenway with several other GLT protected properties established by neighboring gifts and the Thrashers over the past 20 years, with the goal of adding to the establishment of permanent green corridors along Round Hill Road.

The 11.75 acres of undeveloped land contents a secondary growth deciduous forest, shrub land, several ephemeral streams, and a cleaning that will be restored as a native meadow. The land is located on the southern flank of “Round Hill”, and offers extensive views of Long Island Sound and the surrounding landscape.

“The Land Trust is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to conserve, protect, and care for this beautiful property in perpetuity, making our community a better place to live and enjoy. This is an important acquisition for the Land Trust as it forever protects a large developable parcel providing critical habitat for wildlife,” said Greenwich Land Trust Executive Director, Will Kies, in the press release.

This is the largest easement donation in terms of acreage to the GLT since 2001. The GLT now protects 776 acres of open space.

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