| INDEX
Grant Funds Nicholdale Work || Gift
Memberships || Shelton Day
Vandalism Woes || Deductions Under
Attack || Volunteer Opportunities
Newsletter Index || Home
Grant Funds Spur Nicholdale
Work
The roar of diesel engines,
the grinding of gears, and the cracking, snapping, and crushing
of branches, vines, and roots (almost all, invasive plant species)
were some of the unusual sounds emanating in recent weeks from
the usually tranquil, and bucolic Nicholdale Preserve.
The heavy equipment, and increased activity were brought about
as a result of Grant Funding provided by the Iroquois Gas Transmission
Company, and the USDA-NRCS (United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resource Conservation Service). |
Gary R. from G.R. Services operates an ASV
mower, clearing away much of the unwanted brush and invasive
vegetation |
The Trust had applied for, and received earlier this
year, monetary grants from Iroquois in the amount of $10,000. The
focus of which is to assist in the preservation and enhancement of
open space and the development of recreation in the communities along
the gas pipeline route. The Grant received from USDA-NRCS is a 10-year
cost-share contract, for the purpose of helping to increase wildlife
habitat.
The Trust has wasted no time putting this money to good use and thus,
the increased level of activity at Nicholdale. The funding has enabled
the Trust to significantly clear the overgrown fields and begin a
long-term commitment of maintaining over 20 acres of open-field habitat.
From the contractor's perspective, the best time to accomplish the
initial clearing work was early spring, but due to the heavy snow
cover, the earliest start date fell just before the growing season.
That presented other complications, not for the contractors, but for
the native wildlife, because that time period coincides with their
nesting season. So; it was decided to wait until mid-August before
doing any clearing to allow nesting species a chance to do their thing.
By September the operation was in full swing in as Ron's Tree Service
moved in with their heavy equipment, the most impressive piece of
which, was the hydro ax. The machine has a hydraulic shear that was
quickly put to good use clipping large clumps of autumn olive, and
in short order, transforming them into a pile of wood chips.
Now that the major clearing has been done, there is still plenty of
work left for volunteers, but at least it is now manageable thanks
to the large equipment. This project remains a work in progress. We
still have a lot of work to do so if you would like to help please
contact Joe Welch about our volunteer work parties.
Gift Memberships (top)
 Is
there a special occasion coming up? Need a unique gift for someone
that "'Has Everything?" SLCT is now offering $30 gift memberships
that can be purchased on behalf of that special someone, for holidays,
birthdays, or any occasion.
Upon receiving your gift request, we'll immediately mail out a "Welcome
Aboard" kit that includes an official Land Trust membership card,
a Land Trust T-shirt (sizes are L and XL), and the latest editions
of the Trust's brochure, and newsletter, Also, the "New"
member will be eligible for addition to the Trust's e-mail notification
list, enabling him or her to keep up with the latest developments,
activities, and events. Just provide us with the proper e-mail address.
So, to really surprise and delight your conservation-minded loved
one, consider a Land Trust gift membership, you'll not only be giving
them a great gift, but you'll also help support our environmental
and conservation efforts.
Shelton Day 5005 (top)
Sunday, October 2, dawned
sunny: bright, and warm - in short, a perfect day to celebrate
Shelton Day 2005. And, that sunny disposition was more than matched
by the faces and demeanor of the hundreds of Shelton residents
and out-of-town visitors that paraded up and down Howe Avenue,
visiting the many booths and displays along the way.
One of those booths, of course was the Land Trust's, staffed by
dedicated volunteers in one or two hour shifts throughout The
day. They handed out 200 Trust brochures to the many visitors,
that stopped by, along with other information about the Trust
and its activities, as well as handouts on such things as Shelton
hiking trails, Connecticut native plants, invasive plant species,and
of course, membership forms.
|
SLCT's Booth at this year's Shelton Day festivities.
Note the new Land Trust T-Shirt displayed at the right. The
shirts are available to members for $15. Available sizes are
Large and Extra Large. |
Six visitors signed up as new Land Trust members, some of whom purchased
either a Trust T-Shirt (See photo with Gift Membership article), or
hat, or both. A number of visitors also participated in the Trust's
raffle, which was won by Mark Brown. The Trust's officers sincerely
thank all the volunteers that helped to make the day a success.
Vandalism
Woes (top)
 Vandalism
woes continue To plague Trust efforts to preserve and maintain "islands''
of natural habitat within the city of Shelton.
In one of the latest incidents, a group of unsupervised and misguided
young teenagers set fire to a sofa that was carried onto one of the
Trust's parcels off Tahmore Dr. Damage was done to part of the trail
and a wooden bridge built by an Eagle Scout a couple of years ago.
A plaque on the bridge was destroyed, and vulgar graffiti was spray-painted
on it. There was also some indications of drug use in that same area.
The incident has been reported to police, and an investigation is
in progress. Reports on these activities were forwarded To the Trust
by vigilant neighbors, and friends of the Land Trust.
Although the Land Trust has an established "Land Ranger"
program, it is entirely staffed by volunteers that do their best to
periodically supervise their assigned parcel of land, but it is a
near impossible task for one individual to maintain a "watchful
eye" on a day-to-day basis. For that reason, the Land Trust is
appealing to you, and all of our Shelton neighbors, to please report
any unusual or illegal activities that might occur on Land Trust property.
Late Word:
As this issue was going to press, the Trust was notified that
the police had visited the suspects, and shortly thereafter, the burned
sofa was removed, and the bridge repainted.
Conservation Easement Deductions
Under Attack: (top)
Join the Fight To Stop the Proposals
By the Land Trust Alliance
On January 27, 2005, a report released by the Congressional Joint
Committee on Taxation shocked the land trust community by proposing
major decreases in the federal tax deductions for conservation easements
and bargain sales. The proposal, if adopted, would end the work
of land trusts as we know it.
The Land Trust Alliance (LTA) is engaged in a vigorous response, working
with a coalition of national conservation leaders and allies. But
to succeed, we need the help of every friend, staff member and board
member.
The New Tax Proposals
The Joint Committee has proposed that deductions for conservation
easements be limited to 33% of appraised value. No deduction
will be allowed for the donation of an easement on land used for a
personal residence.
The Committee also proposes changing the deductions associated with
donations or bargain sales of land by limiting such donations to the
owner's "basis" — that is, the cost of the land plus
any capital improvements made over the years.
The Impact on Land Trusts
If enacted, these proposals would severely set back our conservation
work. Saving land is often the primary motivation for donating a conservation
easement, but we know that tax deductions enable many
more people to donate.
Please Help Today
You must act today, because our organization depends on the tax incentives
the Joint Committee on taxation has attacked. Letters to our US Senators
and Representative asking them to help in fighting these proposals
are essential. Our local opinion does count. Draft letters and more
information — including how to email or write our elected officials
are on the LTA Web Site at www.lta.org.
You can also make a gift to the Land Trust Alliance to turn hack these
harmful changes in tax law and instead maintain momentum on positive
reforms for land trusts.
Land Trust Alliance
1331 H Street NW Ste 400
Washington, DC 20005-4734
For more information, go to
http://www.lta.org/publicpolicy/ppc.htm
Calling All Volunteers
(top)
We are looking for anyone interested in helping with our stewardship
efforts at Nicholdale and other parcels. We are looking for people
to help with educational outreach, hands-on management of invasive
species, fund-raising, grant-writing, news article writing, coordinating
volunteers and work parties. We are also looking for reliable Trust
Land Rangers to periodically supervise and report on assigned parcels
of open space maintained by the Land Trust.
Scouting Activities
Under the guidance of SLCT's Scout Representative BobWnek,.the Trust
offers a great campsite to all
scouts. Located on the Nicholdale Preserve, the camp is used by various
troops throughout the community. Scouts also help the trust with the
stewardship and other projects on our parcels. Currently A.J. Keegan
a scout from Troop 28 is working on a section of trail improvements
including a bridge crossing.
Membership Application/Renewal
(top)
We need your continued support! Preservation of Shelton's natural
land resources begins with you, and your continued membership
in the Trust, and its activities. Please take a few minutes to
promptly fill out and return our membership
application/renewal form. Remember, we're counting on you! |
Keep Informed (top)
If you would like to be better informed about Land Trust activities,
why not check out the Trust's web site at Sheltonlandtrust.org.
Also the Trust regularly sends out Email - alerts to selected
members whenever important events or various Town meetings on
issues that may impact the organization or its goals, arise. If
you would like to be added to the Email Alert list, please send
an email to jbanks@snet.net. |
SHELTON
LAND CONSERVATION TRUST, INC.
PO Box 2276 - Huntington Station
Shelton, CT 06484 |
