THE WARREN CONSERVATOR SPRING 2023
From The President’s Desk
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Looking out my window this morning, I see signs of Spring, and hope that they are here to stay. Spring is a perfect time for new projects and new energy – for the Warren Land Trust as much as for us as individuals. As you may recall, we’ve been engaged in a strategic planning preparation process that has had us thinking about our evolution over the last decade or so, and where we hope to go from here. A springtime project par excellence!
One important element of that project included revising WLT’s mission statement – the definition of our core purpose; what we do and why we do it. Our previous mission statement, adopted some time ago, declared:
The Warren Land Trust is a conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of the rural character of Warren. Its mission is to preserve farmland, open space, natural and endangered resources such as wetlands, forests and wildlife habitats, to encourage outright gifting of land for permanent protection and the use of conservation easements to preserve open space.
This was an apt description of our fundamental area of endeavor. But we felt it important to express more clearly our duty to steward the land under our protection, and underscore our organization’s “why” – the connection between land and community. In a working group and then with the full board, we carefully and thoughtfully combined the best of the earlier version with newer priorities. This is our new mission statement:
The Warren Land Trust is a nationally-accredited conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and responsible stewardship of open space, watershed and natural resources in and around Warren, Connecticut for the benefit of current and future generations. These protected resources include meadows, forests, lakes, ponds, streams, wetlands, wildlife habitats and corridors, farmland and scenic vistas. Committed to connecting the community to nature, the Warren Land Trust creates opportunities to enjoy, learn about and care for land and the environment.
At the same time, we decided that it would also be helpful to adopt a vision statement as a way to guide strategic thinking about WLT’s future. A complement to the mission statement, a vision statement describes what we aim to achieve when fulfilling our mission. We agreed on the following vision statement:
Through the work of the Warren Land Trust, we envision:
Open space and natural resources of high conservation value that are protected in perpetuity in Warren and its environs.
A resilient natural environment adaptable to climate change.
Passive outdoor recreational opportunities accessible to the public.
Healthy working farms and farmland.
Clean drinking water and healthy water resources, including Lake Waramaug and its watershed.
Implementation of best practices in land stewardship on WLT preserves and easements.
An informed and engaged community that supports our work, enjoys our preserves, and values environmental protection and land conservation.
A balance of conservation and development that supports a vibrant Town of Warren, as envisioned by its Plan of Conservation and Development.
Organizational sustainability to fulfill our mission and realize our vision with a fully engaged board, collaborative partnerships, a robust volunteer corps and a dedicated donor base.
We are energized and inspired by the goals and guideposts that our new mission and vision statements provide. We look forward to updating you as we adopt strategies to fulfill them, and to your feedback!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Neary
President, The Warren Land Trust