Newsletter

January 17, 2005

Dear Member:

As the year 2005 begins and the Egremont Land Trust plans for the coming year, we reflect and review our accomplishments for the year 2004: another very good year for ELT.

Proceeding in chronological order, in May we had our fourth annual benefit luncheon. Terry Moore and his extraordinary staff at the Old Mill provided us with excellent food and drinks. Terry invited members of Berkshire Grown to tell us about all the wonderful foods grown locally, and the menu of the luncheon was made up of many of these foods. This is one more example of ELT working with a local organization. We hope that you too will support our local food providers by supporting Berkshire Grown and its member farmers.

This was followed by a series of free events sponsored by ELT. Some of these are becoming annual happenings, such as our bird walk, nature photography workshop, and tour through historical Egremont. In addition, Tom Ingersoll showed us the different characteristics and needs of trees on the lawn and in the forest. Later, at our annual meeting, Jessica Murray told us how invasive species are impacting our landscape and woodlands. Thank you, Kay Sadighi, Kai Reed, Martin Greene, Nic Cooper, Tom, and Jess. Any ideas for future workshops? Call us.

ELT provided three trees planted in front of our new post office: a red oak, a sugar maple, and a Princeton Elm. Watch them grow!

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR 2004: our first conservation restriction! A parcel of land on beautiful Baldwin Hill Road came on the market. It was purchased by three families in our membership: Robi Kellerman, Wendy and Tom McCain, and Susan and David Shapiro. They have generously conserved 50 acres of farmland and forest from development in perpetuity. ELT will hold the Conservation Restriction together with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council. So when you pass the beautiful meadow on the east side of Baldwin Hill N/S Road, about a quarter mile north of Route 41, take a deep breath and remember, but for these generous donors, you could be looking at another row of houses! This is another example of ELT working with homeowners and other organizations to accomplish our common goals.

We have had some changes on our board. Harvey Sabinson, an original board member, has moved away. Terry Moore has left the board because of conflicts with our meeting times and the demands of his business. He has promised, however, to continue his annual ELT luncheon. Thank you for your contributions, Harvey and Terry. Welcome, new board members Barbara Greene and Jenny Hersch. Both are full time Egremont residents. We look forward to working with them.

The main restraint we have in assuming new projects continues to be financial. For us to be a more successful land trust, we should be in a position to purchase properties that become available. Therefore, when you make your membership contribution this year, we hope you will be especially generous so that we can grow as an organization, obtain more CR's and protect the community we all love.

Thank you for your continued support.

Ursula Cliff, President
Lois Ginsberg, Membership Chairperson