Connecticut ANNUAL REPORT 2016

OUR PROMISE TO THE WORLD

WILL BE KEPTis to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends - with your help it

clockwise from top: Dr. Frogard Ryan © Ray Uzanas; Bumble bee © The Nature Conservancy; Painting sign at Svihra Park, Bridgeport © The Nature Conservancy; Great egret © Ray Uzanas

Dear Friends,It’s a promise I keep to my two-year-old niece Louisa, and a promise we keep to you, our supporters. That promise is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. That’s the mission of The Nature Conservancy. And while our natural world faces unprecedented threats, we believe we can achieve our aim in Connecticut, and across the globe.

We’re asking our supporters what they see as the critical issues facing our world and how we all can help. We’re excited to share the results of these conversations with you here.

Ken Siegel, former Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, talks of high tides regularly sweeping over sea walls near his home in Mystic, and seeing more algae blooms in local waters. But his global sustainability experience with his company and the Conservancy, make him optimistic that we can solve water issues at a global scale.

Our Nature Conservancy in Connecticut’s trustee Climate Task Force features top representatives from the corporate, government and education sectors. They discuss the realities of climate change and what needs to happen to combat it. They believe that with a state-led approach, we can tackle this greatest of challenges.

Up at our Sunny Valley Preserve, trustee Michael Zea and his family speak of the powerful restorative effects of connecting with the land. They love the Conservancy’s Preserves which make that connection possible.

Supporter Dom DeMarco and his daughter Josie recall with wonder the transformation that takes place when seeing one of Connecticut’s many dams removed, and a river returned to its natural state.

Michelle Knapik, President of the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation and Christina Smith, Executive Director of Groundworks Bridgeport, discuss how nature can transform our cities into healthier, more livable environments for many of us.

Our supporters inspire me as much as my little niece. That’s because I know we’re combining Conservancy supporters’ passion with the very best science and programs in the world. With that potent force, we will keep our promise to the Earth.

Thank you.

Dr. Frogard RyanState Director The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut

“It’s a promise I keep to my two-year-old niece Louisa, and

a promise we keep to you, our supporters.”

Dr. Frogard Ryan

The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut _______________________

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Allen Rosenshine, Chair

Frances C. Ashley, Vice Chair

David Jaffe, Vice Chair

John Levinson, Vice Chair

James H. Heym, Ph.D., Secretary

Michael L. Zea, Treasurer

Rodrigo Canales, Ph.D.

Laura di Bonaventura

Daniel C. Esty, Esq.

Katherine Kennedy, M.D.

Elizabeth McCance, Ph.D.

John Pritchard, Esq.

Gary Yohe, Ph. D.

Lexsa Campbell, Yale Board Fellow

keeping the

PROMISE OFa livable

EARTH

There’s strong consensus among climate scientists that we’re going to see a lot more of these events as the planet warms.

Recognizing this, the Conservancy’s Connecticut Board of Trustees has created a Climate Task Force. They will bring to bear the organization’s problem-solving approach to the challenge of climate change, here at home and globally.

Task force members Laura di Bonaventura, Daniel Esty, Allen Rosenshine and Gary Yohe, gathered recently at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies’s Koon Center to discuss the challenges and the possibilities.

The Nature Conservancy: What’s at stake with climate change?di Bonaventura: “It’s hard to understate the fact that our changing climate will affect everybody in very significant ways. There will be no do-overs, as we shift our climate in ways that make it increasingly difficult for us to live. What’s at stake is life as we know it on Earth.”

Yohe: “There isn’t anybody who’s been paying attention across the United States that hasn’t noticed that the climate has changed. The birds are here two weeks earlier, sometimes no longer in sync with their food source. Or it’s precipitation events that people have never seen before in their backyards.”

The Nature Conservancy: Have you seen changes in how we, as a nation, have responded to climate change in the past 10 years?

Esty: “The big lesson has been the Federal government’s not taking care of this problem, and it’s really going to require not just Connecticut, but all 50 states. It’s now clear that everyone’s going to have to step up, state by state, figuring out what can be done, and I think Connecticut and The Nature Conservancy are really at the forefront.”

The Nature Conservancy: How has Connecticut innovated?Esty: “Connecticut’s leading the way with the Green Bank. It’s leveraging private capital to get people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses. It’s great to see Connecticut playing that leadership role.”

The Nature Conservancy: Has The Nature Conservancy played a role?Esty: “Think about resiliency, where again Connecticut is at the forefront, thanks to The Nature Conservancy’s work. The Conservancy introduced legislation which recognizes that we’ll have to make different decisions about where our roads, railroads and our power substations are all located.”

The Nature Conservancy: Is there sufficient public support, and what can the Conservancy do?Rosenshine: “The Nature Conservancy has a considerable opportunity since it’s a 50-state, and global, operation. The Conservancy can reach and impact the entire population. It can also play a significant role in bringing media pressure on this issue.”

The Nature Conservancy: Will implementing climate legislation hamper economic development? Rosenshine: “Our experience says it doesn’t have to. It’s part of the Conservancy’s DNA to promote conservation that respects economic development.”

di Bonaventura: “To Allen’s point, the economic development argument understates the cost of inaction, which is considerable. The World Bank says that every dollar invested now avoids three dollars of cost in ten years.”

The Nature Conservancy: So what can average people do themselves?di Bonaventura: “I always say three things: Tune in, act now and advocate. Sign up to a newsletter, put green business on your news feed and control your carbon footprint. As for advocating, support a non-profit like The Nature Conservancy.”

“There will be no do-overs, as we shift our climate in ways that make it increasingly difficult for us to live. What’s at stake is life as we know it on Earth.”

Laura di Bonaventura Director of Sustainability, Greenwich Country Day SchoolTrustee, The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut

CLIMATE Across the world each news cycle brings stories of severe droughts and fires, alternating with storms, floods and rising seas.

PROTECT

17 States & Seven NationsIn Connecticut we have established a

network of 35 communities, each with

resilience action plans to protect people,

property and nature from the impact of

sea-level rise, storm surges and extreme

weather – a model now being used in 17

states and seven nations.

this page: Super storm Sandy © TNC (Adam Whelchel) opposite page left to right, top to bottom: Fenwick, at the mouth of the Connecticut River © Jerry Monkman; Storm surge overcomes road © The Nature Conservancy; The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut Trustees (left to right): Gary Yohe, Allen Rosenshine, Laura di Bonaventura, Dan Esty © TNC (Andrew Benson)

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In the case of Michael Zea and his wife Elizabeth (“Liz”), it’s a value with which they were raised—and one they want to pass on to their children.

“One grandfather had a farm that we used to visit all the time,” Michael says of his childhood in an Illinois farm town. “It was always great to walk outside and listen to him talk about the farm.”

Says Liz, a Connecticut native: “The house I grew up in was a bridge to a land trust, so my brother and I spent a lot of time outside, playing in the woods, just being part of nature.”

With rapid development and society more digitally networked than ever, finding the connection to nature can be a challenge these days. Working farms like those part of The Nature Conservancy’s Sunny Valley Preserve in New Milford and Bridgewater, though, provide just such a connection.

“Sunny Valley exposes people to nature,” Michael says. “They can see where their food comes from and how it’s produced. It allows them to have a better connection to nature, the land and its resources.”

Liz finds that connection gardening at home, too. “I’m a huge gardener. It’s a productive use of time spent outside and I make the kids come with me,” she says.

Not that she has to force them. It’s not unusual to find one of the Zea’s twins, Mason, outside, reading under a tree.

“I like nature because it’s calming in the sense it makes you feel better,” Mason says. Adds Ella, his twin sister, “I also like it because we live in a very wooded area which allows us to go outside a lot.”

Our human need to connect with the natural world remains vital to maintaining health and balance in our lives.

That’s why The Nature Conservancy is keeping our promise to connect people to the natural world, here in Connecticut and across the globe.

“For these guys,” Michael says, looking at his kids, “the more we can do to conserve the natural world, the better it will be, and The Nature Conservancy is one of the strongest organizations doing this work.”

opposite page top to bottom: Kestrel at Sunny Valley Preserve, New Milford © TNC (Laura Shail); Misty morning at Sunny Valley Preserve © TNC (Laura Brownstein); Laurel Trail at Devil’s Den Preserve, Weston © TNC (Francine Monahan) this page left to right: Ferns at Devil’s Den Preserve © TNC (Francine Monahan); Michael Zea, The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut Trustee with family members (left to right) Ella, Mason and Liz at Fort Hill Farm, New Milford © TNC (Andrew Benson)

LANDWhere does love of the natural world come from?

keeping the

PROMISE OFconnecting us to

NATURE“The more we can doto conserve the natural world, the better it will be, and, The Nature

Conservancy is one of the strongest organizations doing this work.”

Michael Zea Michael Zea Trustee, The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut

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CONNECT50,000 AcresOver the past 60 years, the Conservancy has protected more than 50,000 acres within Connecticut (and 130 million acres globally). Today, the Conservancy Preserves in Connecticut clean our air and water, buffer us from climate change and serve as places for people to have fun, relax and reflect. As our world grows more urban, these Preserves will grow more essential as counterbalances to urban life.

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level rise and extreme weather.

Meanwhile, the Conservancy is pinpointing sources of excess nitrogen in Long Island Sound to help reduce algae blooms that choke the Sound’s vitality. We’re also helping bring about the first Blue Plan to assure new uses of the Sound are compatible with marine life and traditional uses.

“What I like about the Conservancy is its recognition that you have to look at comprehensive solutions,” Ken says. “The Conservancy believes these are the solutions that promise healthier oceans around the world and here in Connecticut.”

“Water drew us to Mystic. It’s a fundamental aspect ofsoutheastern Connecticut – it’s not just our lifestyle,it is the economy.”

Kenneth S. Siegel

MARINEWhen Ken Siegel and his family bought a home in Mystic 13 years ago, they were attracted in part by their love of the Connecticut shoreline.

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opposite page top to bottom, left to right: Kenneth S. Siegel, former Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, kayaking in Mystic River © TNC (Andrew Benson); Bay scallop © Bob Bachand; Building Piping plover exclosures on Griswold Point, Old Lyme © TNC (Cara Chancellor); Salt marsh © Ray Uzanas this page: Protective shell bed, Long Island Sound © TNC (Cara Chancellor)

$9 BillionGeneratedLong Island Sound generates $9 billion each

year for local economies, but this resource has

reached its limits. Your support will allow us to

chart a new course for Connecticut’s piece of

the sea. We’re advancing policies to promote

sustainable uses, improving water quality and

working with coastal towns to restore natural

storm defenses. The Conservancy is the world’s

largest marine conservation organization, with

local work expanding beyond New England as

far as Chile and Micronesia.

Kenneth S. SiegelFormer Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide

SUSTAIN

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“Water drew us to Mystic,” says Ken. “It’s a fundamental aspect of southeastern Connecticut – it’s not just our lifestyle, it is the economy. It supports a robust fishing fleet, oyster beds, even a submarine base.”

Since then, the Siegels have seen distinct changes. Some have been positive: They’ve seen osprey return to the Mystic River, for example.

They’ve seen unsettling changes unfold, too. Ken says his friends talk about how previously occasional algae blooms—induced by excess nitrogen—are becoming far more frequent.

Perhaps most alarmingly, Ken’s family has noticed the water level’s rise—a change that’s impacting everyone.

“This area has been inhabited since the 1600s, but only now are we seeing water regularly come over the sea wall at high lunar tides. We’re seeing climate change as a reality here,” he says.

Ken’s experience as the former Chief Administrative

Officer and General Counsel at Starwood Hotels

and Resorts Worldwide, has taught him about working effectively at a global scale, and his perspective is pragmatic and optimistic. With the Conservancy, Ken found similar optimism, can-do spirit and global reach.

“The Nature Conservancy had the right focus that corporations can play an important, positive role,” he says.

Like Starwood, the Conservancy works on sustainability at a global scale. Take the Conservancy’s Coastal Resilience program. Pioneered in Connecticut, it’s helped every Connecticut coastal town envision action plans to protect people and nature from sea-

After graduating from Princeton University and then working in the financial industry, she returned to her hometown of Bridgeport to “help make it a better place.” Now, as the new Executive Director of Groundwork Bridgeport, she’s motivated by its goal to “revitalize the landscape in Bridgeport with a special focus on vacant lands and abandoned lots.”

She’s pleased to be partnering with The Nature Conservancy to help make that happen. The Conservancy and Groundwork Bridgeport share many similar principles, including a commitment to use nature to create more sustainable and far more livable cities.

“I think for a community to be more resilient, it’s not just about storm surge or economic issues, you have to pay attention to the physical landscape, because beauty, no matter where you live, resonates,” Christina says.

That’s a crucial insight as The Nature Conservancy brings the power of nature to cities across North America. We don’t start by telling people what

they should be doing, we work with partners, like Groundwork Bridgeport’s Christina, who know their communities and their needs.

This is a philosophy that resonates with Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation President, Michelle Knapik, whose foundation supports our collective work in Bridgeport.

“My vision is to fund urban folks who are marrying civic infrastructure with urban sustainability, much like this partnership between Groundwork Bridgeport and The Nature Conservancy,” Michelle says. “Implementation can be the hardest part of these programs, and I think the commitment from The Nature Conservancy to this urban initiative has made all the difference.”

With more people than ever moving to cities across the globe, The Nature Conservancy is making the promise to cities here in Connecticut, and across the globe, to use the natural world to create more resilient, vibrant places for everyone to live.

opposite page top to bottom: New Haven © TNC (Andrew Benson); Bridgeport street © TNC (Andrew Benson); Bridgeport street signs © TNC (Andrew Benson) this page left to right: Michelle Knapik, President Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation; Christina Smith, Executive Director, Groundwork Bridgeport © TNC (Andrew Benson); Bridgeport Harbor generating station © istock photo

CITIESChristina Smith has always been driven by a mission.

keeping the

PROMISE OF OUR

CITIES

Christina Smith Executive Director, Groundwork Bridgeport

Michelle KnapikPresident, Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation COMMIT

“Implementation can be the hardest part of these programs, and I think the commitment from The Nature Conservancy to this urban initiative has made all the difference.”

Michelle Knapik

400,000PeopleThe Conservancy in Connecticut is part of the Resilient Cities Initiative, piloted by The Nature Conservancy in 21 cities nationwide – municipalities that are vulnerable to theeffects of natural disasters and climate change.

Starting with a pilot in Bridgeport, we are reducing flooding with natural protections, and working to expand the tree canopy to improve air quality and reduce summer heat. Our program will expand to New Haven and Stamford, cities along the largest urban corridor in the state, and home to nearly 400,000 people, multiplying its benefits.

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keeping the

PROMISE OFclean, free-flowing

WATERFor Dom DeMarco and his daughter, Josie, the thing that stood out most when they visited The Nature Conservancy’s Ed Bills Pond dam removal site in Lyme was its transformation.

“It was really cool to see how it changed from a lake back to a river, and how it’s coming back to what it was before the dam was there,” Josie says of the site, where the Conservancy led the removal of an obsolete dam to restore the East Branch of the Eightmile River to its natural state.

Life on Earth can’t exist without water, and ensuring the planet has ample, healthy water is a crucial part of the Conservancy’s work in 69 countries and here in Connecticut. One way we do that is by removing obsolete dams. Where most once powered mills, these dams now block silt from moving downstream and prevent fish from moving upstream. The Ed Bills Pond site is an example, as is the Norton Paper Mill dam on the Jeremy River in Colchester, which the

Conservancy removed this fall. Projects like these allow fish species like alewife, blueback herring and American eel to return up our rivers for the first time in decades or even centuries.

“I think it will be fun to come back in three years, maybe with a snorkel, to see fish and species come back,” Dom says. “There are so many dams like this, and with each removal, it causes a positive effect over a large area.”

The Conservancy recognizes that nature knows best. Rivers in their natural state also develop floodplains that absorb floodwaters, protecting people while providing habitat for wildlife.

That’s why we’re working to restore floodplains, especially in the Connecticut River system. Here, we’re also working with hydroelectric dam owners to manage water releases so they mimic natural water flows, benefitting aquatic life. And we’re exporting

this expertise globally to countries as far-ranging as Colombia and India.

These examples epitomize the Conservancy’s promise to create a world that meets the needs of people and nature. That’s what continues to draw Dom to the Conservancy: “To me, the most important thing about The Nature Conservancy is it’s always on the side of intelligent progress,” he says. “That keeps me coming back to this organization.”

FRESHWATER Protecting water for people and nature.

SECUREopposite page top to bottom: Dominic DeMarco and daughter Josie © TNC (Andrew Benson); Mouth of the Connecticut River © Jerry Monkman this page left to right: Connecticut River driftwood © The Nature Conservancy; The Conservancy’s Sally Harold with Samantha Bradley Barber planting trees at the site of the Ed Bills Dam removal, east branch of Eightmile River, Lyme © TNC (Francine Monahan)

“The Nature Conservancy is always on the side of intelligent progress.That keeps me coming back to this organization.”

Dominic DeMarco

Dominic DeMarcoPartner, Stadium Capital

Management, LLC

2.3 Million People

Nothing is more important to life than

clean, healthy water. The Connecticut River

alone supports 2.3 million people within its

watershed. With your help, we can dramatically

improve the health of our fresh water.

We’re restoring rivers by removing dams

to increase fish populations, replanting

floodplains to filter runoff and helping dam

owners keep river flows in tune with natural

flow patterns. Our scientists also are leading

water conservation efforts as far away as

Colombia and Kenya. clim

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The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut wishes to thank the following donors for their support and service in fiscal

year 2016. This list represents those who have contributed at least $1,000 between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016,

to the Conservancy’s local, national and international conservation work.

$100,000+ Judy Black and Richard SchlosbergHelen and David Jaffe / Jaffe Family Foundation ΩMr. and Mrs. Michael Johnson / Summer Hill FoundationJohn and Ellen Levinson / Cannupa Foundation Ω ‡Dr. Elizabeth F. McCance / McCance Foundation Trust ΩNestlé Waters North AmericaPraxair, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Allen Rosenshine Ω ‡Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide / Starwood FoundationThe Manton FoundationMr. and Mrs. Nick Tiller / Tiller Family Foundation Ω$50,000 - $99,999 Anonymous (1)Anne S. Richardson FundMs. Frances C. Ashley Ω ‡Community Foundation of Eastern ConnecticutCommunity Foundation of Middlesex Countydi Bonaventura / van Paasschen Family Fund ΩJoseph H. and Barbara I. EllisMs. Helen Garten and Mr. Michael Wiseman / Michael M Wiseman and Helen A Garten Charitable FoundationJPB FoundationMr. and Mrs. John Todd Miranowski Ω ‡John and Lee Pritchard Ω ‡Sunny Meadow Farm, LLCMr. Barry Sternlicht / The Sternlicht Family Foundation / Starwood Capital Group $10,000 - $49,999 Anonymous (3)Ms. Mary M. Ackerly and Mr. J. Michael SconyersMr. and Mrs. Mark Blackman/ Louise B. Blackman Family FoundationMs. Leigh Bonney and Dr. Larry Ritzhaupt Ω ‡Mr. and Mrs. Craig Broderick

The Late William CarlinMarilyn Clements / Clements FoundationCommunity Foundation for Greater New HavenMs. Noreen Cullen and Mr. David Gonci ‡Mr. and Mrs. Robert EckMr. Raphael P. Elkind and Ms. Melissa S. Newman / Newman’s Own FoundationEmily Hall Tremaine Foundation, Inc.Fairfield County’s Community FoundationFunders’ Network For Smart Growth and Livable Communities, Inc.Geoffrey Hughes FoundationDr. and Mrs. Bennett GolubMr. and Mrs. Stewart H. Greenfield / Stewart and Constance Greenfield Foundation Ω ‡Mr. Evan Griswold and Ms. Emily Fisher Ω ‡Ms. Joyce Hergenhan / Joyce Hergenhan Private FoundationDr. James H. Heym and Dr. Lynn O. Wilkinson / Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation / Pfizer Foundation ΩMr. and Mrs. Robert Jaeger ‡Ms. Margaret (“Meg”) KilgoreMr. and Mrs. Chester W. Kitchings, Jr. / Chester Kitchings Family FoundationMr. and Mrs. Harry LeBien / Louis and Virginia Clemente FoundationMr. and Mrs. Lewis Lehrman / Johnson-Stillman Family FoundationMr. Henry D. Lord / Ruth du P Lord Charitable Trust ΩMr. and Mrs. Garrett MoranMr. and Mrs. Michael Richardson / Faye and Michael Richardson Charitable TrustMr. Philip R. Scholly ‡Mr. and Mrs. John W. Sheppard, Jr. / Sheppard FoundationThe Jeniam Foundation

Mrs. Joan L. Tweedy / Tortuga Foundation ‡Vervane FoundationMr. and Mrs. Michael Zea Ω ‡ $1,000 - $9,999 Anonymous (6)Dr. Aryeh M. AbelesMrs. Marion D. AimesburyMr. and Mrs. K. Tucker AndersenMr. Paul A. Armond, Jr. and Mr. Fred Harger ‡Ms. Bridget BairdMr. and Mrs. Michael BassThe Late David BeldenMr. and Mrs. Maxwell BeldingMr. Cameron W. BellamyMr. and Mrs. James BergerBerkshire Taconic Community FoundationMs. Susan Bevan and Mr. Anthony DaddinoMary C. BoppVictor Bradford, DMD and Roberta Bradford, MLS ‡Ms. Kathleen M. BradyMs. Judith J. BraggDermott and Sue BreenMr. and Mrs. John Brewer Jr.Ms. Lisa BrodlieDavid W. BuddingtonMrs. Marjorie V. Butcher ‡Mr. William Ewing Butler / William Ewing FoundationMr. and Mrs. Austin Carey Jr.Ms. Leslie CarothersPeter and Ann Case ‡Ms. Jane M. Chesnutt ‡Ms. Candice Chirgotis and Mr. James Keller ‡Ms. Audrey B. ConradMr. and Mrs. Peter Cooper ΩMr. Stephen D. CormanMs. Tiffany B. CunninghamMr. William A. DavidsonDr. Peter J. DeBell ‡Mr. and Mrs. James DeFrank IIIMr. and Mrs. Dominic DeMarcoMr. and Mrs. Richard DentonMr. and Mrs. Dennis DesmaraisMr. Gregory F. DonahueMs. Barbara H. DwyerMrs. Enid S. Dwyer

EarthShareMr. R. K. EdwardsArline and Joel Epstein / Quadra FoundationThe Honorable Dan Esty and The Honorable Elizabeth Esty ΩFairfield County BankBeth and Michael Fascitelli / The Fascitelli Family FoundationThe Late Carolyn Ferriday Mr. and Mrs. Andrew FrankelMr. and Mrs. Richard FreedmanMr. and Mrs. Alfred FressolaJordan T. FreyFuller Family Charitable TrustFrederick Gahagan Esq. and Ms. Mary Lou BargnesiThe Late Marion GarlandGeneral Re CorporationMr. David Geronmeus and Mrs. Mitzi LymanMrs. Connie GersickMr. Jeffrey H. Glans and Ms. Louise M. PerkinsMr. Mark L. GoldsteinMrs. Therese M. Goodwin ‡Mr. and Mrs. Anthony P. Grassi ‡Eunice and Tom GroarkMs. Gene GrovesMr. Albert R. GurneyMr. and Mrs. Ray Gustin IVMr. and Mrs. Andrew HallDiane D. HaszMr. Richard HayMrs. Helen L. HeilshornRobert and Lisette HenreyDr. Marie J. HertzigMr. Edward Heumann and Ms. Clara BaurMr. and Mrs. J. Richard HeysMs. Barbara M. HilliManju HingoraniMr. and Mrs. Richard HinmanMs. Rebecca S. HoblinMr. and Mrs. Lester Humphreys ‡Mr. William W. HunterIroquois Gas Transmission System LPThe Jane Henson FoundationMr. and Mrs. Fredrick JohnsonDr. Jean F. Jones

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel KatzMs. Lisa Keith & Mr. Allan KarpMr. James J. Keller and Ms. Candice M. Chirgotis ‡Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Kenyon Ω ‡Mr. Robert KettlesMr. Kenneth K. KiddDr. Robert Kruger and Ms. Heidi PalmerMs. Pamela Kushmerick and Mr. James SmithMr. and Mrs. Daniel LagattutaMs. Marta Jo LawrenceMr. and Mrs. Alphonse LeonardoMr. and Mrs. Roger LevienMr. Michael Friedland and Ms. Lauri Levitt Friedland / Winston FoundationMr. Mark J. LewisDr. Priscilla A. LightcapMr. Oivind J. Lorentzen IIIWilliam O. LowLawrence and Dana Lunden ‡Mr. Richard MaguireMs. Jane E. MartinMr. Jerry L. Mashaw and Ms. Anne U. MacClintockMr. Dennis G. McCarthyField Cooper McIntyreMr. and Mrs. Joseph Merrill / Half Moon Foundation ΩDick and Joan MihmMr. Donald N. MillerberndMs. Diantha Morse ‡Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Mountcastle Jr.Mr. Paul Myerson and Ms. Giselle WagnerFrancis J. NestorMr. David H. NewellMr. Richard A. NewtonThe Oppenheim Family FundMarie Orsini Rosen and Philip Rosen ‡Mr. and Mrs. David ParkerMs. Dale A. Parsons ‡Peter and Elsie Patton ΩMr. Edward M. PawlakMr. and Mrs. Patrick PedontiPetchers Foundation, Inc.Ms. Sarah C. PictonMr. Russell T. Posthauer Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. David Preston ‡Kyle M. PuhlMr. Robert PulfordRedding Open LandsMr. and Mrs. Michael Reed / Kristin and Michael Reed Family FoundationDr. Amy F. RichardsonMr. and Mrs. Christopher RooseveltMr. Jonathan P. RosenMr. and Mrs. Stephen RossRuth and Jack Glantz Family FoundationDr and Mrs. Kenneth SatirMs. Jeanette SchermerhornMr. and Mrs. William J. Schrenk, Jr.Mr. James P. SchwartzMr. and Mrs. Jeffrey ShawMr. and Mrs. Robert ShillerDr. and Mrs. John SilanderMr. and Mrs. Mark SlaneMr. and Mrs. Alexander SmithSorenson-Pearson Family FoundationMr. and Mrs. William StoddardStop and ShopMr. and Mrs. John StoverJon and Kathy SturmanMr. and Mrs. Timothy SullivanMr. and Mrs. Dennis SwansonMr. and Mrs. Arthur Tauck Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Ashton M. Tenney Jr. ‡The Chaney Family FoundationMr. Charles T. Treadway IIIAndroniki M. TsairisMr. and Mrs. Mac Turner / McCullough FoundationMr. and Mrs. David Ulmer ‡Union Savings BankUnited TechnologiesPaul A. VacaMs. Flora Zoe Z. Van DykeVanguard Products CorporationMr. and Mrs. David VerNooyVirginia S. Risley Family FundMr. and Mrs. Ron WainshalMr. Brian P. WardMr. Alden Y. Warner IIIMr. and Mrs. David WaxmanMr. Robert Wechsler and Ms. Emily AberMs. Patricia C. Wehrli

Mr. and Mrs. Harold White IIIWhitney and Anne Stone FoundationMs. Sarah WhittemoreWinkler Gosch and Virginia Gosch FundMr. and Mrs. William Winterer / HL Thompson Jr Family FoundationMr. Stephen WolfMr. and Mrs. Peter WortmanPeter and Wendy WrightMr. David V. YaleGary and Linda Yohe ΩMr. Robert B. ZinkLEGACY Anonymous (26)Janet AdcockVictor and Cathy AlfandreMs. Heather E. AllenMr. and Mrs. S.C. AmidonMrs. Louise K. AmidonRichard Anselmo Jr.Paul A. Armond, Jr.Frances C. AshleyPeter J. Auster and Lisa C. WahleMs. Betsy AustinMr. and Mrs. David BaadeMs. Sandra BallMs. Margaret D. BarnettMrs. Charlotte P. BarringerMr. Chris BartholomewMr. Mark Basile and Mr. Steven SchneppVasil BatsuMs. Tricia Bauer and Mr. Bill BozzoneJoanna BaymillerClaudia Bemis and Robert WeinsteinJeffrey BieberFrank BifolcheLiv K. BironMr. and Mrs. Leo BlackRichard T. BlairDiana N. BlairSandy BlakeMrs. Lynn Bodetka-Burke and Mr. Michael BurkeLeigh A. Bonney and Larry K. RitzhauptMr. and Mrs. Richard Booth

Mr. and Mrs. John BowersJennifer and Michael BrownKathleen CairnsRhonda Canby and Alexander Gunn IIMs. Elizabeth H. CarabilloGeorgia S. CarringtonAnn Case and Peter CaseMs. Claire O. CashmanJennifer CharleboisJane ChesnuttJustine M. ClarkRosemary ContinJames Coon and Lois CoonDaniel and Paula CoughlinThomas Crider and Mieke Maas CriderMr. David J. CroninWayne CrossmanMr. and Mrs. Jeffrey CrownNoreen Cullen and David GonciMs. Jan CunninghamMr. Neil W. CurrieMr. and Mrs. Benjamin Davis, Jr.Patricia De RenzoVincent Diana and Rosa DianaAndrew and Barbara DohanWilliam O. DollEdward DowlingPatricia DoyleChristine DretonMrs. Lois G. DuffieldLee and Judith DuranMr. and Mrs. John EdgecombFranklin W. EichackerKaren A. EllsworthMr. Robert L. EstepMs. Joan L. FaustMr. and Mrs. Richard FetzerEmily J. FieldingTom Finan and Donna EriksenMs. Elizabeth W. FischerSusan H. FisherJames P. FogartyMs. Barbara J. FraserKatharine F. GaillardMr. and Mrs. Thomas GainesMr. L. S. GarvaisMs. Mildreth L. GeorgeBruce GlaserMr. David M. GlisermanAndrew GoodMrs. Therese M. GoodwinMiss Genevra GoodwinMr. and Mrs. Anthony GormanAmanda GottMs. Jeri GrahamMr. and Mrs. Stewart H. GreenfieldDavid F. GregorskiMs. Edith Griswold

Mr. Evan S. Griswold and Ms. Emily T. FisherGwen HaalandMrs. Claire G. HallMs. Dawn HandschuhKathleen HartfordJan E. HeckmanLauren Emily HendersonRobert W. and Lorna Lamb HerdtCarol S. HeubeckMr. and Mrs. Peter HewittJennifer G. HillhouseNorman and Priscilla Ann HillmanKaren HinchToni HobbinsBernice HobbsMs. Evan C. HoogsMs. Amy HopkinsRobert A. HoytRoberta HudsonMr. and Mrs. Brad HurleyJane JablonskiRobert A. and Patricia W. JaegerMs. Alice B. JansenMary JanvrinMrs. Muriel K. JarmakMs. Kristine JohnsonKristin L. JohnsonMr. and Mrs. John KarabecMr. John KashanskiMr. Geoffrey Kaufman and Ms. Penny ParsekianJames Keller and Candice ChirgotisRichard E. KentBruce and Barbara KenyonShirley KieferMs. Nancy C. KindellMrs. W. R. KnappWilliam Kobak and Cynthia KobakBob and Elise KremerMrs. Vilma KurzerMs. Catherine M. Ladnier and Mr. John M. RobinsonMr. Jon C. LafleurSus C. LandisKim Larrabee and Robert MaiettaDavid Reardon LawrenceMr. and Mrs. C LeamanMs. Leslie LemayDavid R. LesieurMr. John Leslie Jr. and Ms. Caroline PechJohn and Ellen LevinsonMr. and Mrs. Ralph LewisSteven M. LewisMr. Stanton L. LipsonMr. Bruce Lively and Ms. Ann RutherfordMrs. Nancy LongMrs. Harry J. Long

John T. LoprinzoHenry LordLawrence and Dana LundenSara B. LuongoWalter and Pauline LyonsMrs. Joyce P. LyonsElinor J. MacDonaldMr. and Mrs. Rob Roy MacGregorMs. Patricia Malcolm-AllingMs. Margaret MalvalLinda ManningMr. and Mrs. Frank MantlikSherry MarousekStephanie MarshallMs. Patsy MasonCarol J. MawhinneyWilliam J. MayerPatrick and Mira McAreeDavid and Ingrid McCauleyMarcia N. McDonnellMr. William Mc George, Jr.Ms. Mary Lou McGuirePeter McKnightTim McMullen and Sheryl McMullenAnn M. MeachamMargaret Gartner MerrillMs. Margery MeyerClifford MickettMrs. Virginia MillerDr. William C. MillerJohn Todd MiranowskiMs. Paula ModeenDr. Michael D. MollowDonald J. MontfortMr. William MooreMiss Franck H. MooreMrs. Sue J. MoranSteven G. Morrell and Beverly Y. SchmidtDiantha MorseMr. John C. MurphyMs. Mary Mushinsky and Mr. Martin WatersCharles and Michele NashMr. and Mrs. David NicolaChris NollDorothy ObreMs. Doreen O’ConnellReverend William J. OlesikMs. Elisa M. OlsenMarie Orsini Rosen and Philip RosenMr. and Mrs. William OsgoodLawrence Ozga Jr.Katherine PaddonCarlos PadillaJennifer B. PanoskyMs. Dale A. ParsonsJoanne Perloff

Mr. Paul M. PetroCarol Reed and Barbara PhelanThomas S. and Halina P. PlattMs. Nancy C. PrentisMs. Elizabeth PrestonMr. Christopher PrestonBarbara and David PrestonMs. Audrey Price and Mr. Michael WhelanJohn and Lee PritchardMr. Christopher C. PyneMr. and Mrs. Neil RatnerMiss Julia H. ReckerMs. Joan M. ReitzChris RichterMr. and Mrs. Blake RobinsonMrs. Kathryn L. RockwellMr. John E. RogersMr. and Mrs. Thomas RosenbergMs. Andrea Rosenfield and Mr. Edward KonowitzAllen and Suzan RosenshineMark and Rose RoszczewskiMs. Jean Routt and Mr. Richard ShanahanClark RuffMr. William F. RussellFrogard and Kevin RyanDr. and Mrs. Richard SallickMs. Elizabeth Salsedo Esq. and Mr. Alexis SurovovRobert SamboneMr. and Mrs. Michael SandiferEric V. and Ann C. SandinMs. Zellene SandlerElden SandovalTom SargentMs. Constance SattlerMs. Eleanor J. SaundersDianne L. SaundersVirginia and David SchneiderPhilip R. SchollyMr. and Mrs. Peter SetlowMs. Susan F. ShapiroMr. and Mrs. Steven ShepstoneElizabeth SheridanMarian Shilstone in memory of Frederick ShilstoneMs. Susanne Shrader and Mr. Alan LurieGigi Simocko-WalkerRobin SlaneMr. and Mrs. W. Smith-VanizJohn SokoloskiMrs. Ann R. SolteszMs. Michelle L. SpencerMr. Bruce A. St. ArnauldTellina J. StaffordRhoda Robboy StammThomas E. Stanton

Ms. Dawn L. StarrMr. and Mrs. Donald StecklerMr. and Mrs. Charles Steffens Jr.Mr. Tom R. StioMs. Elizabeth Stone and Mr. Matthew LipsonMr. and Mrs. Ashton M. Tenney Jr.Ms. Phyllis TillinghastJennifer TitrudMrs. Shirley W. TolleyDavid Totman and Lisa TotmanMs. Irmgard M. TrainorMrs. Joan L. TweedyMr. Robert P. UlinDavid UlmerMr. and Mrs. John A. VassalloMarilyn M. VirtsPatricia L. WalesJoan WarrenScott WarrenSteve and Carol WatsonMarianne WattleyMr. and Mrs. Daniels WeaverMyrna WeindlingMs. Sarah Kimberly Welch and Mr. David LevinMs. Lea Gina WhiteNeva P. WhiteMr. and Mrs. Thurmon WhitleyMs. Sarah J. WhitsonMrs. Ramsey WilsonMs. Laura R. WirzulisMs. DeAnne C. WyantMrs. Christopher YoungJohn A. ZaroMichael ZeaESTATE Anonymous (1)David BeldenWilliam CarlinCarolyn FerridayMarion GarlandMargaret ReventlowGRANTOR American RiversCT DEEPNational Fish and Wildlife Foundation - Long Island Sound Futures FundNewman’s Own FoundationPatagoniaUSFWSUSFWS / Department of Interior Hurricane Sandy Restoration GrantINTERN Ted Brooks Enoc EscobarElmer GalvezLoc Nguyen

VOLUNTEER 2015 and 2016 LEAF InternsAquarion Water CompanyJulie BaileyTed BoccuzziDaniel BolognaHoward BronsonMichael BrownsteinHannah BrustJudy BurroughsBruce ButlerMargaret CanaleFran CasaleCT DEEP - Diadromous Fish Program / Steve Gephard and staffKory and Christopher CyrAngela DimmittDevil’s Den Preserve Deer ManagementDevil’s Den Preserve StewardsKatie ElmorePeter FaberRobert and Julie FatherleyAnn FisherLinda FitchFort Hill Farm in New MilfordAnn FrattaloneLiba FurhmanJason and Karlie GolembeskiEileen GunningChris HannersCarlin HausmannBill HayesJ&S FarmVelya Jancz-Urban - How Cool is ThatAnne KehmnaBill KraftMark MankinFelice Martin – Nature View FarmNew Milford Youth AgencyNancy NicholsGregg NoltingJohn ParilleMike Rice – Mike’s Beehives, LLCMackenzie RichterSaugatuck Fish Counter MonitorsCathy SetterlinSteve SollyNancy SpinelloChrissy and Braden StewardStuart Family FarmSvihra Park Work DayDiane Swanson – The Pratt CenterThe MaxxBill, Bonnie and Ben Weed – Roxbrook FarmDan WeedKim Welch

Weston Volunteer Fire DepartmentWalter WhitneyHaley WoodardEVENT SPONSOR Fairfield County Bank Home Depot, New Milford CTKohl’s, Brookfield CTMarandola Fuel Rotary Club of New Milford Scott’s Landscaping and NurseryStop and Shop, New Milford CTMr. and Mrs. Nick Tiller / Tiller Family Foundation Union Savings Bank Wayne and Joanne WoodardPROJECT PARTNER American RiversAquarion Water CompanyCity of Bridgeport, CTTown of Colchester, CT Connecticut River Watershed CouncilCornell Cooperative Extension ServiceCT DEEPEssex Land TrustFriends of the BayFritz GahaganGreen Village InitiativeHofstra UniversityVillage of Mill Neck, Long IslandTerry MulcaheyNew York State Department of Environmental ConservationNOAA / Jim Turek Town of North Stonington, CTRead School, Bridgeport, CTRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementTown of Stonington, CTUS Army Corps of Engineers, New England DistrictUSFWSUSFWS / Lori BenoitNan Norton Wasniewski and FamilyTown of Weston Bicycle and Pedestrian CommitteeIN KIND GOODS AND SERVICES Aquarion Water CompanyCT DEEP - Diadromous Fish Program / Steve Gephard and staffGaravel SubaruRay Uzanas

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saluting our

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we make every effort to be accurate. if we have inadvertently overlooked anyone, please accept our sincere apologies as well as our deep gratitude for your generosity.

keeping the

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on the cover: Piping plover egg © The Nature Conservancy; back cover: Long Island Sound view from shoreline © TNC (Laura Brownstein); Piping plover at Griswold Point © TNC (Laura Brownstein); The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut Staff on New Haven Green © TNC (Andrew Benson)

Copyright © 2016 The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN CONNECTICUT STAFF

ON NEW HAVEN GREEN

front row, left to right: Andrew Benson, Marie Orsini Rosen,

Francine Monahan, David Sutherland, Martha Rice, Laura Weinberg,

Anthony Marcucio, Alex Soucy

second row, left to right: Drew Goldsman, Laura Shail, Shelley

Green, Alyson Redner, Frogard Ryan, Holly Drinkuth, Liz Robinson,

Cassandra James, Wayne Woodard, Kim Lutz, Lisa Stuart

third row, left to right: Chris Raiford, Carey White, Edward

Whitaker, Nathan Frohling, Laura Brownstein, Gary Kevit, Sally Harold,

Ratan Koneru, Chantal Collier, Adam Whelchel, David Gumbart

not pictured: Cameron Bruns, Cynthia Fowx, Katie Kennedy, Mark

Mainieri, Christian Marks, James Miller

The Nature Conservancyin Connecticut55 Church Street, Third FloorNew Haven, CT 06510-3029nature.org/connecticut

(203) 568-6270connecticut@tnc.org

THE MISSION OF THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IS TO CONSERVE THE LANDS AND WATERS ON WHICH all life depends.