The Sleeping Giant was first preserved using the methods of Land Trusts.              ©www.jimzipp.com

WHAT ARE THEY?              Land trusts are local, regional or statewide nonprofit conservation organizations directly involved in helping protect open land that is important to the communities in which they operate.  There are land trusts in every state. They purchase lands directly or acquire them through donations or conservation easements (significant tax benefits are realized for the donors).  They often work in partnership with private and governmental agencies.

 HOW IT WORKS:    Monies for purchasing land are derived from membership dues and contributions which are tax deductible. 

For more information on the Hamden Land Trust you can write to Hamden Land Trust, Inc., P.O. Box 6185, Hamden, CT 06518.

The New Haven Land Trust web site is HERE.

For the Cheshire Land Trust it is P.O. Box 781, Cheshire, CT 06410.

             Both Jim and I feel that preserving land is one of the keys to ensuring habitat for birds and other animals.  There are many great causes including the Nature Conservancy which does similar things on both a local and national level.  Hamden is lucky to have so many beautiful parks but the town is also being developed at an incredible rate.  Let's try to preserve as much as we can while the land is still there to save.  Just about every town has a Land Trust, check with your local town hall.  You can also do a lot in your own backyard by planting native trees, shrubs and flowers and letting a little bit just grow wild.  It will mean less work for you too!