POMFRET CENTER — Local wildlife, including the Whippoorwill, a species of special concern in Connecticut, just got a boost thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut to the Wyndham Land Trust.
The Wyndham Land Trust will use the funding to add to the protected property on Bull Hill in Thompson ——part of a rare landscape of 3,000 acres of unbroken forest. The 975 acres on Bull Hill owned by the Wyndham Land Trust offers sweeping views of Woodstock from an overlook, which is accessible from a trail managed by the land trust.
The protected forested lands provide important wildlife habitat as well as play a central role in helping to reduce area flooding and enhance local water quality. Bull Hill contains the headwaters of the Little River that provides drinking water to the town of Putnam.
“The goal of this local land protection effort is to ensure this remarkable block of forest remains unscathed by haphazard, sprawling development and provides recreational access to the public for hiking, birdwatching, and educational programs,” said Andy Rzeznikiewicz, a board member of the Wyndham Land Trust and the land manager for the Connecticut Audubon Center in Pomfret. Carolyn Werge, Thompson's conservation officer, said: “It’s important that we provide recreational opportunities and conserve these critical lands for the long-term quality of life in our community, as well as balancing the tax base. To attract local businesses and maintain a strong tax base, research has shown that these types of projects are important to conserve our way of life and heritage.”
The Wyndham Land Trust has been working with local families who have donated land to help conserve their family history and the history of the town. Some landowners find they need to sell their lands and would rather sell it to a land trust for conservation than see it developed. The Trust relies on local donations and the generosity of businesses and grants to purchase lands, such as the $20,000 gift received from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.
Ron Tillen, a board member of the Wyndham Land Trust and long-time resident of Thompson, said: “We find people love being part of this conservation project, with many expressing appreciation for what it means to conserve our town’s history and landscapes.”
The foundation strives to preserve and protect environmentally significant land, waterways, and wildlife habitats for the benefit of the ecosystem and for the well-being, health, livelihood, and enjoyment of residents of Eastern Connecticut.
The Wyndham Land Trust was formed in 1975 and now protects over 4,300 acres in northeastern Connecticut. The work of the all-volunteer group is possible through the generosity and dedication of its volunteers, members, and donors and organizations like the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.
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Army Corps is
Team Walktober
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the 2019 Team Walktober. The Last Green Valley designates one person, or team of people, to represent the best of Walktober. The U.S. Army Corps team of Michelle Cucchi, Nicole Giles, Cathy St. Andre and Glenna Vitello exemplify the volunteer spirit that has made Walktober a success for the last 29 years.
Brought to you by The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV), the 29th year of Walktober runs from Sept. 21 to Nov. 3 and offers an array of adventures, with more than 200 unique experiences and more than 300 opportunities to enjoy autumn in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. The Walktober brochure is free and details the guided walks, hikes, bike rides, paddles, tastes and events featured during Walktober.
The U.S. Army Corps has been a part of Walktober since 1992, when it was Walking Weekend, and they offered a tour of West Thompson Dam. Since then, they have consistently offered walks, talks, tours and paddles not only during Walktober but year-round.
“The Corps of Engineers is honored to have a strong, long-standing partnership with The Last Green Valley,” said Cathy St. Andre, Army Corps park ranger.
“This collaboration has been serving local communities for 27 years while providing quality outdoor recreation to the public through the presentation of interpretive programs and fostering hands-on environmental stewardship practices across the Heritage Corridor.”
The primary mission of the U.S. Army Corps here in The Last Green Valley is flood damage reduction— they manage six flood control reservoirs in the watershed (East Brimfield, Westville, Hodges Village, Buffumville, West Thompson, Mansfield Hollow). Being the largest federal landowner in the national heritage corridor, their lands provide outstanding recreational opportunities.
The Corps properties provide boat launches, swimming beaches, picnic spots, hiking and mountain biking trails, fishing, hunting, a campground, disc golf courses, and paddling opportunities on two segments of the Quinebaug River National Recreation Water Trail.
“We can always count on the Corps staff as key partners in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor and we’re honored to name the US Army Corps of Engineers as Team Walktober for 2019,” said Lois Bruinooge, executive director of TLGV.
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Then
This is one of the tower lights at the new Putnam Athletic Field.
& Now
CCI erected the light poles last week. Paquette Electric Co. Inc. is doing the electrical work on the new fields. Courtesy photos.
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caption, page 7:
Visiting
State representatives recently visited Westview Health Care Center and the site of Country Living at Westview Commons. Left to right: State Representative Rick Hayes, State Representative Anne Dauphinais and Donna Copeland, executive director for Country Living at Westview Commons. Courtesy photo.
DAYVILLE — Connecticut State Representatives Anne Dauphinais and Rick Hayes recently visited Westview Health Care Center as well as the site of Country Living at Westview Commons—the soon-to-be-built independent and assisted living community. The pair of State House members toured the skilled nursing facility and met with some of the residents and patients—many of whom are constituents of Dauphinais and Hayes in their representation of the 44th and 51st districts respectively.
The leadership invited them to see the accelerating progress at Country Living at Westview Commons. The 75-unit, 115,000-square foot structure is across from Westview Health Care Center where Administrator David Panteleakos and Westview Commons Executive Director Donna Copeland hosted the conversation.
The group viewed the model units nearby. Panteleakos said he especially appreciated the time that they took to learn more about this upcoming prospect for senior living in northeastern Connecticut. “I am always pleased to meet with our local and national lawmakers to share the Westview story,” said Panteleakos, executive vice president for Country Living at Westview Commons and administrator/CEO for Westview Health Care Center. “Both Representative Dauphinais and Representative Hayes were kind enough to take the campus tour and discuss the issues affecting our residents and employees.” The presentation for the visiting State Representatives highlighted the many aspects of the project, including: why this was being built, how the construction was taking place with locally sourced materials and labor, who in our community can benefit from this living opportunity, and where this expansive 32 acre campus is developing in a quiet section of Dayville woods. As the senior demographic increases among the citizens of Killingly, Plainfield, Putnam, Thompson, and Woodstock (and across America) the visit emphasized the importance of properly addressing the growing needs of our aging population. Both Representative Dauphinais and Representative Hayes have multiple areas of interest that lend to their understanding of the value of adding an asset like this to our community. Representative Hayes spent decades with the Putnam Police force, retiring as Chief of Police in 2006. He additionally served 25 years as the Thompson Fire Marshall, and through all of this he has gained a firm understanding of the needs of the community, and how to help its individuals live healthy, safe, productive lives. The presentation for Westview Commons was sure to include details about the safety protocols being built into the structure. Representative Hayes is endorsed by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and he was keen on learning how the vertical integration between Westview Health Care Center and Westview Commons benefits those providing care and services as well as those who receive it. The background of Representative Dauphinais is also an asset in her role serving the community, and furthermore, for her comprehension of the needs that Country Living at Westview Commons is addressing. Anne served as a Registered Nurse at Windham Hospital and continues to work in the health care industry; giving her knowledge and experience in the delivery and planning of care. Additionally, she currently serves on the Appropriations, Housing, and Public Safety and Security Committees in the Connecticut General Assembly.
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