| December 1, 2007 - NFA Looks Back and Commences 2008 Membership Campaign On behalf of the Board we would like to thank each and one of our members for their contributions in 2007. For those of you are unfamiliar with the Newtown Forest Association (NFA), or our accomplishments over the past year, we would like to introduce you to the NFA, and appeal to you to join us in support of the visionary mission of our founders – to preserve and protect the land in Newtown that has been donated or acquired over the years. The NFA is Connecticut’s oldest private land trust and a 501(c)3 charitable not-for-profit organization. We are not a town or municipal entity, and receive no direct government financial support. We are a private landowner just like you. Since the NFA’s formation in 1924, it has served to protect more than 1,000 acres. These preserved properties provide some of the most spectacular views of Newtown’s landscape. They also serve to preserve our natural resources for the perpetual benefit of wildlife species and neighbors like you and me. Most of you live within 500 feet of one of our properties and have a vested interest in our mission. In addition to our appeal to you to join or renew your membership and donate funds, we would also like to invite you to help us steward a property near you. Last year, our first year of our Good Neighbor program, we had many members and neighbors reaching out to us to communicate issues (like fallen trees, ATV abuse and other illegal trespass) or questions they had with one of our properties that they frequented. We hope to count on each of you to support the many things we do to protect property near you. Over the last year the NFA accomplished many of its current goals and continued to build the ground work to reach some of our long term goals in time for our 100th anniversary, which is not too far away. During 2007, we continued our work towards our goals focused around education and outreach. The underlying premise is to help educate the general public to the fact that that the NFA is the largest private landowner in Newtown and is here to serve the community as Newtown’s not-for-profit land trust, protecting over 1000 acres for all to enjoy. Our Board members were very active. Just look at some of the things we accomplished: > We helped identify multiple Eagle Scout projects expected for early 2008 completion > We had over 60 people help us on Earth Day for a trail restoration and invasive plant removal, and planted over 60 native plant species at our Nettleton Preserve (overlooking the Flag Pole) > We noted over 150 logged visits to caches hiding on our properties for the “Geocaching” hiking hobbyist > We held our annual meeting with a guest speaker discussing deer management practices > We had many participants join us on our Board member led hikes > We remembered one of our donors by planting a memorial garden to honor Josephine Holcombe > We obtained donations for Dickinson Park riparian buffer restoration with Roots for Newtown, Pootatuck Watershed Association and Trout Unlimited > We have observed almost 14,000 hits to our website > We continued with our ongoing project to post all of the boundaries of each of our properties, > We attended several Zoning meetings and communicated our concerns about developments that either directly or indirectly effected our properties, > We met with several landowners who have expressed wishes to donate property to the NFA as part of their estate planning and others who are planning gifts during their lifetime. The NFA wants to thank each and every one of our members for volunteering or supporting our efforts over the past year. We especially want to thank each of our members who financially support and physically help with our projects. Without your efforts we could not accomplish what we have thus far. There is a lot of work left to do, and we are very excited about our plans for 2008. Among them is continuing on the success of our “Good Neighbor” program. The Good Neighbor program is for a family or individuals that either directly abuts, or frequently visits, one or more of our properties and periodically sends a letter or email (nfagoodneighbor@newtownforestassociation.org) to the NFA Stewardship Committee reporting on the properties’ condition, trail hazards, inappropriate encroachment, dumping, hunting or ATV trespassing. This is where your assistance is greatly appreciated, and your feedback very valuable, to assist in our monitoring efforts. Your membership, contributions and time will help the NFA continue its mission to hold and preserve open space forests, meadows and wetlands in perpetuity. We hope you will join our membership for 2008 and consider volunteering some of your time and making contributions to support our efforts. Your tax deductible gift will make a lasting difference. With your membership, you will: • Become part of the NFA family with biannual newsletters and opportunities to help • Be invited to our annual meeting • Receive informative alerts and electronic invitations about upcoming events The NFA holds and protects some of the most precious landscapes Newtown has to offer. The sanctuary of our preserves is a refuge for humans and animals alike. By renewing your membership, you will help guarantee the NFA’s continued ability to protect these properties for generations to come. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact Martha or Guy. Thanks again for your continued support. Very truly yours, Martha Wright Guy Peterson Martha Wright C.O.(Guy) Peterson, IV, CPA President Treasurer & Membership Committee Chairperson 203-270-3650 203-733-2030 2msw@earthlink.net nfatreasurer@yahoo.com JOIN NFA!!!!! Back to News Index |
Whispers in the Forest
Newtown Forest Association
Connecticut's Oldest Private Land Trust
Connecticut's Oldest Private Land Trust
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |