Mission: The westerly land trust, a not-for-profit corporation, operates throughout the town to preserve and enhance westerly's sense of place. We believe that our town has special charm that is a source of pride to its residents and a magnet for tourists and new residents. We want to protect and strengthen that charm by conserving and enhancing our community's resources. The trust works to preserve open space, rehabilitate and renew older neighborhoods, and create educational and recreational opportunities for the public. Our programs and activities are designed to enhance our town's urban landscape as well as its natural environment, wildlife habitats, native plants, water resources and agricultural lands.
Programs: Acquisition and stewardship of conservation lands activities. The land trust is protecting approximately 1,600 acres of land. This acreage amounts to roughly 8% of the land area of the town of westerly. During 2012, the land trust acquired two parcels totaling 73 acres as well as an easement on an additional 30 acres. Stewardship activities included the installation of nose pumps at beriah lewis farm and the construction of the polly coon bridge at grills preserve.
acquisition and costs of urban properties. In 2004, the board of directors voted to expand the mission of the westerly land trust. This new program is focused on the redevelopment and enhancement of commercial properties, particularly those in areas of historic significance in the town. Since 2004, the land trust has worked with the royce family fund to acquire and adaptively re-use commercial properties of interest in westerly. The land trust has acquired seven urban properties since 2004. Although there were no new acquisitions during 2012, professional fees, taxes, insurance, and utilities are some of the costs incurred during 2012 for the urban properties.
Westerly Land Trust is an accredited land trust. Accreditation means Westerly Land Trust meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Westerly Land Trust has demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate their commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. Learn More: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
