55 Duck Pond Road
P.O. Box 210 Litchfield, CT 06759 860-567-2062 info@ripleyconservancy.org www.ripleyconservancy.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rosemary Ripley Chair and Treasurer Sylvia Ripley Addison Secretary MEMBERS Gerald Addison Thomas Baptist Bruce Beehler, Ph.D. Martha Bernstein Anthony Champalimaud Elizabeth Dickey Anthea Disney Steve Gaines Peter Grubstein Thomas Nissley Meg Osius Brian Silver ADVISORY BOARD George Archibald, Ph.D. Julie Bailey Juliet Tammenoms Bakker Melissa Brutting Dillon Ripley Lanius Peter Litwin Julie Dillon Ripley Andrew Roraback T.Dennis Williams HONORARY DIRECTORS Thomas Lovejoy 1996-2021 |
March 2022
Dear Friends of the Conservancy, Thank you! Your past support of the Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy’s mission has made a difference and is deeply appreciated. The Conservancy has been known for 20 years as an international non-profit organization that conserves rare and endangered waterfowl from around the world. We would like to share some exciting news with you. The Conservancy has been offered a wonderful opportunity to purchase a 39-acre meadow joined by Butternut Brook at a cost of $775,000. We are grateful to be the beneficiary of a State of CT Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisitions grant and are optimistic we will receive a second grant that will fund roughly three-quarters of the purchase cost. You can help to protect this 39-acre parcel. Your gift will make this possible. We ask for your help in raising the additional $110,000 to finalize the land purchase. Conserving this parcel will protect the water quality of Butternut Brook and Bantam Lake, the largest natural lake in Connecticut as well as six species of rare animals, birds and plants. Two branches of Butternut Brook flow on either side of the property to join and traverse White Memorial before draining into Bantam Lake. The property contains a critical habitat: alluvial marsh, and six species of rare animals and plants. The property is adjacent to the White Memorial Important Bird Area, the most popular “hotspot” for birdwatching in Litchfield County and home to more than 246 species of birds. The property’s inviting open field and water edged woodlands will be opened to the public for walking, fishing, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, painting, and other passive recreation. Located only 1.5 miles from the center of Litchfield, the site will include new trails and a boardwalk. We are equally committed to our Litchfield County community and our global conservation community. With your gift, YOU can help us ensure that the beauty and diversity of our natural world is protected. With your gift you will make a difference, right here close to home. We cannot make this happen without your help. Your gift to support this purchase helps connect people to nature through public land access and reinforces the mission of the Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy, inspiring passion, and education for generations to come with our leading-edge aviculturists, educators, stunning rare birds and peaceful wetlands habitat. We cannot thank you enough. With sincere and deep appreciation, Nora Hulton Rosemary Ripley
Director Chair, RWC Board of Directors |
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