Make A Gift

The Annual Fund kicks off once per year in late Fall. It is the chief method of supporting the small staff, infrastructure, and administrative costs of the Land Trust.

Restricted for use in land management. Thanks to a very generous lead gift from Hope Howland Hale, the Westport Land Conservation Trust has established a stewardship endowment in memory of Llewellyn and Sarah Howland, long-time Westporters and owners of a beautiful property on the East Branch of the Westport River. The Howlands donated the first Westport Conservation Restriction to The Trustees of Reservations on 17 acres of their property in 1981 and throughout their lives urged others to follow suit. As well as protecting open space for posterity, they were always concerned about the care of the land.

The Howland Memorial Stewardship Endowment enables the Land Trust to address the growing needs of property stewardship. As we succeed in protecting more open space in Westport, the requirements of maintaining each parcel in the natural state in which it was entrusted to the Land Trust increases. There is clearing, repairing, addressing invasives and planting native species as well as opening and maintaining larger properties for public access. As our portfolio of property holdings grows, we are increasingly aware that volunteer assistance in these areas, while welcomed, will not suffice. Through what we hope will be a growing stewardship endowment, we will be able to access the professional expertise and assistance needed.

Supports costs associated with land acquisition including donated and purchased parcels and Conservation Restrictions. 2001 marked the kick off to the campaign to protect 2000 additional acres of land in Westport – the ambitious vision of the joint venture between the Westport Land Conservation Trust and The Trustees of Reservations. Westport is a special place and the Land Trust and the Trustees together with our members and supporters, have worked together to preserve the rural character and scenic landscapes of Westport. Private fundraising coupled with grants and awards from the US Fish and Wildlife, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and the Town of Westport have propelled the Partnership to a dramatic increase in the pace of protecting land.

Many supporters choose to make their gift in honor or in memory of an individual. We notify the individual or the family of the gift and it is published in our Annual Report.