Submitted by Bill Cowan, President, Haddam Land Trust
(January 22, 2025) — The Haddam Land Trust Board of Directors proudly announces the acquisition, by donation, of a conservation easement on more than 425 forested acres in Haddam. The property, known as the Gilkinson Easement, straddles a rocky ridge south of Haddam center and functions as a “keystone” protected forest block that anchors sections of Cockaponset State Forest and other conserved lands. Protection of large and unfragmented forest habitats remains critical for wildlife habitat and overall biodiversity.
A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a conservation organization that limits the development of a property to protect its natural values. The conservation organization enforces the easement agreement, but does not own the land. Therefore, this property is not open to the public. The property will be managed as “Wilderness,” as articulated in the National Wilderness Preservation System established by the United States Congress.
This easement completes Haddam Land Trust’s largest land transaction (in area). The project, completed in eight months, became possible through a highly motivated stakeholder who approached HLT in February of 2024.
Additionally, the donor provided a stipend for ongoing management. Funding from the donation will be used, in part, to establish a managed endowment called the HLT Stewardship Fund, a self-sustaining fund that will ensure permanent protection to this and other properties. Donations to the endowment may be directed to:
HLT Stewardship Fund
P.O. Box 66
Haddam CT 06438
The Haddam Land Trust celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. This donation caps an expansion of the Haddam Land Trust Inc.’s holdings that, since 2016, have doubled in size to almost 1,600 acres.
