Exciting New Conservation Project Announcement

14 Subscribers
Everyone

Exciting New Conservation Project Announcement

14 Subscribers

Grace Green

Grace Green

|August 27th, 2025 at 11:42 am
11:42am

Hello everyone! I’m thrilled to share that our land trust has an incredible opportunity to protect 750 acres of critical wildlife habitat along the Riverbend Corridor. This property includes wetlands, mature forests, and key pollinator zones. The landowner is eager to partner with us, but we need to act quickly—our goal is to secure the purchase agreement within 90 days.

I’ll post more details below, but first, I’d love to hear your initial thoughts and questions.

Edward Evans

Edward Evans

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:44 am
11:44am

This is fantastic news, Grace! The Riverbend Corridor has been on our wishlist for years. Do we know the asking price yet?

Grace Green

Grace Green

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:44 am
11:44am

Yes, Edward. The preliminary estimate is $4.2 million. The landowner is open to a bargain sale, and we’re exploring potential funding sources, including the state’s Conservation Partnership Grant and a few private donors who’ve expressed interest in large-scale projects like this.

Helen Hughes

Helen Hughes

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:44 am
11:44am

$4.2 million is significant. How much of this do we anticipate covering with grants versus our own funds? And what’s our exposure if we can’t raise the full amount?

Grace Green

Grace Green

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:45 am
11:45am

Great questions, Helen. Our preliminary budget model looks like this:

  • $2 million from the state grant (application already in progress)
  • $1 million from two private donors who’ve verbally committed pending board approval
  • The remaining $1.2 million would be a combination of board-led fundraising and possibly a bridge loan, if needed.

We’ll prepare a detailed financial plan for review at the next board meeting.

Mike Murphy

Mike Murphy

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:45 am
11:45am

This sounds like a once-in-a-generation project. Do we know the conservation values well enough yet? Wetlands, forests—what about public access potential?

Grace Green

Grace Green

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:45 am
11:45am

Absolutely. The property provides critical habitat for two state-listed bird species and offers potential for a 3-mile public trail loop without impacting sensitive areas. It also buffers the river from agricultural runoff, improving water quality for downstream communities.

Carol Clark

Carol Clark

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:45 am
11:45am

Love the idea of public access—it’s a strong community engagement opportunity. Will we need an endowment for long-term stewardship?

Grace Green

Grace Green

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:45 am
11:45am

Yes, we’re estimating an additional $500,000 stewardship endowment. Part of the fundraising plan will include targeting donors specifically for stewardship gifts.

Keith Kelly

Keith Kelly

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:46 am
11:46am

Do we anticipate any opposition? Development pressures? Community concerns?

Grace Green

Grace Green

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:46 am
11:46am

Good question. There is some developer interest, but the landowner prefers conservation. As for the community, initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive—we’ll do outreach sessions next month to maintain transparency and build support.

Carol Clark

Carol Clark

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:46 am
11:46am

This is incredible work, Grace. I’d like to volunteer for the fundraising subcommittee. We should leverage this as a centerpiece for our annual gala.

Edward Evans

Edward Evans

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:47 am
11:47am

I second that—let’s make this a signature achievement for the land trust. Sarah, please schedule a special session next week for a deep dive.

Grace Green

Grace Green

| August 27th, 2025 at 11:47 am
11:47am

Will do! Thank you all for the enthusiasm—this is a pivotal moment for our mission. I’ll share a detailed briefing packet and financial projections in the Board Documents section by tomorrow.

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