​Monitoring and Maintenance of Preserves
The CLT currently owns 14 preserves, encompassing 18 land parcels of protected land in Chester, total 94 acres. In addition, we protect and monitor 3 conservation easements, totaling 18 acres. Many of the preserves are left in their natural state for a multitude of benefits for wildlife, water, and the land. Please visit "What has been Protected" for a complete listing of all these land trusts preserves. Several of the preserves have been improved for public enjoyment, notably the George Carini Preserve, the Scudder Preserve, and the Constance Baker Motley Preserve. Each preserve has responsible stewards, checking and inspecting the property yearly for many reasons, including public safety and invasive species and encroachment issues.

Public Outreach
On December 7, 2023, our Annual meeting was held, followed by a public education program which was held at the Chester Meeting House. The meeting was open to the public, and the topic of the program was “The Bobcat, Connecticut’s Secretive Wildcat”. Our speaker was Paul Colburn, a 2015 graduate of the Connecticut Master Wildlife Conservation program, and a DEEP certified master wildlife conservationist.

Earth Day, April 20th, 2024
The Chester Land Trust planned and hosted our 4th annual town-wide cleanup in honor of Earth Day. With crucial assistance from the Town of Chester and approximately 40 dedicated volunteers who scoured the town and streets and removed over 50 bags of trash and litter along with many larger items and other debris. Once again, it was a great success!

Preserve Improvements
Carini and Scudder Preserves: Major work and progress has been made in the multi-year grant funded Japanese Knotweed and invasive plant species mitigation program. Numerous invasive Trees of Heaven have been removed from the Scudder Preserve, along with very successful progress of removal of invasives, and the replanting of Native plants at Carini. A new bench was added at Carini Preserve. Major parking lot improvements at Scudder Preserve.
Rayner Preserve: Invasive Tree and Invasive Plant removal project at this preserve on West Main Street. Numerous Trees of Heaven, and significant invasive and debris have been removed. The area has been graded, reseeded, and access to the site has been improved.
Piquet Preserve: We have made significant progress this year in establishing a new documented 280-foot “Right of Way” through private property into the Piquet Preserve off Wig Hill Road. This access is currently being improved, and a parking lot is being established and built. This is a major advancement and access to this 8-acre preserve.

Chester Land Trust Board of Directors
Officers: President Bill Myers, Vice president Jenny Kitsen, Treasurer Felise Cressman, Co-Secretaries Steve Cline and Pete Yuhasz.

Other Trustees: Deb Dembo, Marieanne Heft, Michael Cressman, Fran Curto, David Miller, and Eli Glascoff.

Bill Myers
Chester Land Trust President

The 2024 
​Chester Land Trust Annual Report​​

THE CHESTER LAND TRUST

info@chesterlandtrust.org

​Chester, Connecticut