Letter: Working together important to preserve open space

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To the editor,

In 1994, the Prospect Land Trust (PLT) was established. Since its conception, the trust has acquired over 138 acres of property. The land has been acquired by donation, conveyance, or conservation easement and can never be developed for homes or businesses. The purpose of acquiring the properties is to protect and preserve green, open space and enrich the lives of all Prospect residents — now and forever. They are places where residents can walk, watch birds and animals and/or just sit and enjoy the peace and quiet of undisturbed nature. By preserving these open spaces, PLT is helping to enhance our community’s character, protect water sources, and protect important habitats. Everyone benefits, and it is a win-win situation for all.

The PLT routinely inspects its holdings to ensure proper maintenance and protection of its properties. Property Stewards assist us in this effort.

However, you are all welcome to walk our properties and you are all asked to be stewards of them. If you see anything out of the ordinary (hunting, ATV’s, trash, etc.), please contact us.

On a recent stewardship visit to the Kathan Woods hiking trail, evidence of illegal hunting had taken place. We immediately compiled documentation of this unfortunate transgression in the form of photos and reported it to the Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) and the Prospect Police Department. EnCon, in turn has conducted their own investigation, and charges have been filed against the person responsible for this illegal hunting on Prospect Land Trust property.

As residents of Prospect, you and your family are in a unique position to routinely enjoy and appreciate the benefits of PLT’s open spaces, and we thank you in advance for your continued support. It is important that we work together to monitor and protect PLT properties as valuable open space and natural resources. We hope you will consider joining us in our efforts to protect and preserve our open space for the benefit of our community.

Contact us at PLTPCT@aol.com or call Bill Rinckel, president, at (203) 996-6077 / (203) 758-6812 or Joel Meisel, vice president, at (203) 758-5890 Write us at The Prospect Land Trust, Inc. P.O. Box 7375, Prospect, CT 06712.

To learn about our properties, the do’s and don’ts, up-to-date information and membership, visit www.prospectlandtrust.blogspot.com.

H. William (Bill) Rinckel

President, Prospect Land Trust Board