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05/20/2015 03:30 PMThe Guilford Land Conservation Trust (GLCT) is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Saturday, June 6 with an outdoor celebration fit for the whole family. The event honors the hard work and dedication of thousands of local citizens who have aided in the conservation effort.
“We want to celebrate with our community because, really, it is a milestone for the whole town. Conservation benefits everyone,” said GLCT President Sarah Williams.
Founded in 1965, the non-profit, run by volunteers from Guilford, protects 3,000 acres of land, more than any other town in Connecticut, and boasts miles of hiking trails.
The GLCT began to acquire a wide variety of properties starting with a small piece of salt marsh donated by the Bishop family, and includes upland forests, wetlands, salt marshes, and meadows, according to the GLCT. All properties are undeveloped and will remain so.
Recently, to highlight the efforts of the GLCT, signs have been posted on 35 of the properties that show the years the organization worked to buy the land, according to a GLCT press release. For example, a sign along Dunk Rock Road says “1969-2015.”
“The signs demonstrate the length and breadth of our commitment to conservation in Guilford. I don’t think there is anyone in Guilford who lives more than five minutes from a piece of land conserved by GLCT,” said GLCT Stewardship Chairman Robert Valley.
The event will have food provided by Naples Pizza Truck, music by the Dudley Farm String Band, face painting by Zoodle, and a touch tank.
Also on hand will be Audubon Connecticut Director of Bird Conservation Patrick Comins, and Sally Harold, director of River Restoration and Fish Passage with the Nature Conservancy in Connecticut. Both will discuss the wildlife habitats along the West River and throughout Guilford, complete with spotting scopes for those in attendance.
The celebration will take place at Olmsted Outlook on River Street from 2 to 5 p.m. Admission to the event is free for members of GLCT. Non-members can attend for a freewill donation. The event is being sponsored by Bishop’s Orchards, Page Hardware, and Cilantro.
The GLCT continues to acquire properties that meet the criteria for permanent protection, and Guilford residents are encouraged to join the organization to help further that goal. Anyone wishing to join the GLCT may do so at the event, at www.guilfordlandtrust.org, or by mailing donations to GLCT, P.O. Box 200, Guilford, CT 06437.
To learn more about the GLCT’s properties, hiking trails, and events, visit www.guilfordlandtrust.org.