The Middlebury Land Trust Inc, is a Connecticut non-profit membership corporation organized in 1969 by concerned residents of Middlebury. Our primary objective is to acquire and preserve land, or conservation easements by gift of purchase,. to be held in perpetuity as open space in order to maintain and preserve a healthy, attractive and balanced environment for living in the Town of Middlebury. Thus, it seeks to preserve those natural areas including forest, meadows, swamps, marshes ponds and streams which contribute to and enhance the rural nature of the Town. The Middlebury Land Trust is entirely dependent for it continuing operation upon gifts from individuals and membership dues. There are 2 ways that the Land Trust acquires land: by gift or by purchase. Gifts of land my be received by deed or by legacy from the owner. There is considerable flexibility on the part of the Land Trust in accommodating the requirements of the Donor with respect to the type of interest the Donor may wish to give.Thus, in addition to an out-right conveyance of land, a Donor may convey partial interests in land over a period of years, or reserve the right to live on or use the land for the remainder of his or her life, or may convey a conservation easements.

In granting a conservation easements, the Donor gives up only his or her development rights in the land. The Donor retains all other property rights, including the freedom to use the land and enjoy it in any way that is consistent with its open and natural character. The Donor, his or her spouse, and their children may continue to live on the land, provided they agree not to abuse the land in any way which would harm its natural qualities. Thus a Donor could continue to farm the land or to harvest dead or dying trees.

The Middlebury Land Trust maintains it's areas so that the natural character of the land endures. All Middlebury Land Trust properties are available for responsible use by local residents, subject to posted restrictions. These restrictions prohibit camping, hunting, trapping, fishing, fires and the use of powered vehicles. Plants and wildlife may not be removed or destroyed. Thus, nondestructive uses such as hiking, horseback riding and nature photography are permitted.

The Middlebury Land Trust contracts with a part-time warden who does an excellent job of patrolling its properties, preventing vandalism, emptying trash barrels and performing maintenance work and minor repairs. A Preserve Management Committee oversees the care, use and management of all Middlebury Land Trust properties.

Any individual interested in preserving what is left of our beautiful and interesting rural landscape in Middlebury may join. In 1993 there were 412 members. Gifts of cash, including membership contributions, are fully deductible since Middlebury Land Trust is a publicly supported charity and not a private foundation. Gifts of land or securities are also deductible, subject to the applicable limitations on gifts of property.

In addition to gifts of property, the Land Trust accepts contributions in the form of endowment funds. In this way, the Middlebury Land Trust can advance and expand it's program. The Middlebury Land Trust hopes the through lifetime gifts, or by bequests, people in sympathy with its efforts will consider these ways of providing support. For more information, or to send a donation, contact The Middlebury Land Trust Inc PO Box 193 Middlebury CT 06762