Awards | Lower Connecticut River Land Trust

Awards

Photo: Margot Burns

Melvin Woody Lower Connecticut River Conservation Award

As the most ardent supporter of the Land Trust Exchange (LTE) since its inception and the guiding voice to the transformation and growth of the LCRLT from a conservation tool of the Lower Connecticut River Gateway Conservation Zone to a broader geography that encompasses the 17 communities of the RiverCOG region the annual award is named in Melvin Woody’s honor. Melvin has been a member of the Connecticut River Gateway Commission since 1973 and served as its Chair for many years. The Commission is responsible for protecting over 1,ooo acres within the Gateway Conservation Zone and supported many environmental studies and restoration projects.

2022 Recipient | John Hall
Executive Director and Volunteers of the Jonah Center for Earth and Art

John's commitment to the continued management of the invasive water chestnut (Trapa natans) in the Connecticut River and her wetlands. We would like to recognize John’s, and the Centers volunteers’ efforts in the fight to combat invasive aquatic species in the floating meadows wetland located between Middletown and Cromwell but in particular for his effort to coordinate needed volunteer efforts in the 2022 collection of water chestnut from the main stem, coves and tributaries of the River following the devastating release of the very invasive plant from a retention pond in Hartford in 2021. His coordination of many volunteers over the summer has contributed greatly to saving the lower Connecticut River from being overwhelmed by this most invasive aquatic plant.

We are inspired by John’s broad conservation commitment to our region. As the Center’s website declares, “The Jonah Center for Earth and Art inspires and organizes the wider “environmental community” in the greater Middletown, Connecticut area to improve the quality of life for all residents – human and non-human.”

We would like to whole heartedly thank John and all the volunteers of the Jonah Center for their commitment to improving the lives of both the citizens and the wildlife of the lower Connecticut River region through their conservation efforts and in particular their efforts regarding elimination of water chestnut from the Connecticut River and her estuary.

2021 Recipient | Janet Stone

A member of the Board of Directors for more than 30 years, Janet is a Research Geologist Emerita with the U.S. Geological Survey, where she specializes in compiling geologic maps of glacial sediments in southern New England, especially in Connecticut and Massachusetts. She is the first author of the Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin, among many other geologic publications. In the process of producing numerous geologic maps, Janet has become proficient in GIS mapping techniques and now uses these tools to produce accurately located property boundary maps and trail maps for the Land Trust. Janet was also a member of the Deep River Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission for many years. She has a deep commitment to the protection of the Earth’s natural environment and preserving the special landscapes of the lower Connecticut River valley. She has lived on Huckleberry Drive in Deep River for 32 years.

Janet Stone : Rock On - Article by Rita Christopher, ZIP06.com

2020 Recipient | Marilyn Gleeson

LCRLT board member and past President and current Secretary of the East Haddam Land Trust, for her volunteer service not only to the LCRLT, but for the years she has spent as a representative to the Lower Connecticut River and Coastal Region Land Trust Exchange (LTE). Marilyn’s work with the East Haddam Land Trust led to the creation of the Lower Connecticut River Land Trust Potential Preserve/Easement Evaluation Template Form, the first formal project of the LCRLT for our member land trusts. The form will not only help our land trusts plan for conservation acquisitions but will be one of many documents and planning efforts should a land trust wish to work through the Land Trust Alliance Accreditation process.

Marilyn is also responsible for learning how to map and become proficient with Geographic Information Systems software in order to map all of the East Haddam Land Trusts trails and creating beautiful maps for public use. She is the current Chair of the East Haddam Conservation Commission and has created many maps for town conservation projects and conservation articles for the local paper.

2023 Recipient | Torrance Downes

Torrance dedicated his career to promoting and protecting the beauty, health and significance of the LCRR through his work with CT DEEP, the Lower Connecticut River Council of Governments (RiverCOG) and other affiliations. His efforts have resulted in the preservation of many acres of open space and will continue to do so through plans and regulations that he has helped to develop. Torrance's many roles have directly benefited Old Saybrook.

Torrance has always made himself available to lend his expertise to his community and has been involved in countless efforts to preserve and enhance the natural and historic qualities of not just Old Saybrook but the greater LCRR. As a long-time resident who raised his family in Old Saybrook, Torrance and the Downes crew have volunteered in many community service projects. We are grateful for his many contributions.

2024 Recipient | Bob Nussbaum
Awarded March 2025

Essex Land Trust writes:

Bob Nussbaum joined the Essex Land Trust (ELT) Board of Directors in 2007 shortly after moving to town and
his impact was immediate. Bob has been a leader, a visionary, an organizer, and a mentor, often at the same time. And while Bob effectively manages all these strategic roles, he also likes to get his hands dirty, both
literally and figuratively.

Bob has served as President, Vice President, Development Chair, Membership Co-Lead, Database Manager, and Steward. He is a key member of many of our committees, including Executive, Finance, Land Acquisition, Stewardship Steering, Membership, and our Social Media Committee. Bob co-led our initial application to the Land Trust Alliance for accreditation and was just as involved with our recent successful reaccreditation effort in 2024. Bob’s influence extends much further than his formal roles. He is our liaison with Town Hall, the Land Trust Alliance, ouroutside counsel, other land trusts, and several nonprofit organizations. He has served as a mentor both to new Board members and to student interns from Valley Regional High School. He researches grant opportunities and co-authors the proposals submitted. On the ground, Bob is a committed trail volunteer and has been intimately involved in some of our more challenging stewardship projects such as the construction of bridges and trails.

Another of Bob’s contributions, critical to the growth and success of ELT, has been his role as the key mover in our most innovative projects, embracing the use of science and technology in many forms. These include the expansion of an osprey platform and the addition of a webcam on Thatchbed Island in 2010, ELT’s supporting role in the construction of fishways along the Falls River, and our transition to secure digital recordkeeping. Bob has also been a leader in ELT’s focus on improving habitats including removal of phragmites and more recently, as our early ELT lead on our collaboration with the Connecticut Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation to establish a 50-tree American Chestnut germ plasm orchard at our Cross Lots Preserve.

During his entire tenure, Bob has been deeply involved in our proactive land acquisition work, most recently with our acquisition of the 96-acre Turtle Creek Preserve in Essex and Old Saybrook. Since Bob joined the Board, the ELT has preserved over 400 acres covering 12 different transactions. Bob continues to be involved in all aspects of evaluating open space opportunities, exploring funding options and contract negotiations. Once a potential deal is identified, Bob has been the principal coordinator of all aspects with surveyors, appraisers, lawyers, and various town officials.

From the beginning, Bob has been vital to the land trust’s strategidirection,land acquisition and stewardship, operational efficiency, financial stability, and overall success. There is no doubt that no other individual has had more impact on the ELT and its mission over the last 18 years than Bob Nussbaum. But his influence is not limited to the twelve square miles
of Essex. The following quotes from leaders of the CLCC, The Preserve Ad Hoc Committee of Old Saybrook and the Deep River Land Trust demonstrate his influence beyond our town.

Amy Paterson, Executive Director of Connecticut Land Conservation Commission provided this: “Bob Nussbaum's invaluable contributions to the Essex Land Trust make him a standout nominee for the Melvin Woody Lower Connecticut River Conservation Award. Through his many roles, including now as Vice-President, Bob has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth of the Essex Land Trust and advancing land conservation initiatives within the town. His impact
transcends local borders, with significant contributions to regional and statewide land conservation efforts, particularly in supporting the Connecticut Land Conservation Council's advocacy, technical assistance, and community conservation programs. From submitting written testimony to support legislation to sharing policy templates with other land trusts, Bob’s willingness to share insights and experiences to strengthen statewide land conservation is above and beyond, making him a deserving candidate for recognition.”

Chris Cryder, member of The Preserve Ad Hoc Committee of Old Saybrook offered this: “Bob was a crucial partner in protecting the 1,000-acre forest, known as The Preserve, and he adeptly led the procurement of the Essex portion. For the past 10 years Bob has been a member of The Preserve Ad Hoc Committee and has always supplied his vast conservation knowledge for the betterment of the tri-town forest. Thank You Bob!”

Laurie Giannotti, Deep River Land Trust President offered this: “Bob Nussbaum has provided guidance to the Deep River Land Trust on many occasions which has been invaluable to our small land trust. Topics have included financial management, property acquisition strategies and making property more accessible. He is always very responsive when we reach out. We consider Bob and ELT our partner.”

For all these reasons, we believe Bob is an extremely deserving recipient of the 2024 Melvin Woody Lower Connecticut River Conservations Award.