News

LCRLT
145 Dennison Rd.
Essex, CT 06426

Dear Members of the Lower Connecticut River Land Trust:

We are writing to ask that you submit nominations for our 2023, 4th annual award of the Melvin Woody Lower Connecticut River Conservation Award. Nominations can either be for an organization or an individual that you feel has significantly contributed to the conservation of the lower Connecticut River region.

Last year’s award went to John Hall and the volunteers of the Jonah Center for their work in control of the aquatic invasive Trapa natans or water chestnut in the Connecticut River. Other awardees are Janet Stone of the Deep River Land Trust and Marilyn Gleeson of the East Haddam Land Trust. Their contributions to the region can be found at https://www.lcrlt.org/awards.

We are very proud to offer this award, named after one of our prominent board members. As the most ardent supporter of the Lower Connecticut River and Coastal Region Land Trust Exchange (LTE) www.rivercog.org/commissions-and-committees/land-trust-exchange/ since its inception in 2009 and the guiding voice to the transformation and growth of that informal organization from a conservation tool of the Lower Connecticut River Gateway Conservation Zone, to a broader geography that encompasses and supports the conservation needs of all of the communities of the lower Connecticut River Region, the annual award is named in Melvin Woody’s honor. Melvin has been a member of the Connecticut River Gateway Commission since 1973, served as its Chair for many years, and is currently the Commission’s first ex officio member. The Commission is responsible for protecting over 1,000 acres within the Gateway Conservation Zone and has supported many environmental studies and restoration projects.

Please submit your nomination by January 31st, 2024 to ELoPresti@rivercog.org

Thank you,

Joe Samolis, President