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VOLUME II, Issue 22
http://www.GreenForNewEngland.org

November 21, 2001
    1 – You Can Take That to the Bank
    2 – With Honors
    3 – Trail Mix
    4 – Going Once, Going Twice
    5 – Dressed for Success
    6 – On the Waterfront

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1 - You Can Take That to the Bank
On November 6, 2001, voters in 14 states approved state and local ballot measures that generated $905 million in funding for parks and open space.  You can find a breakdown of these results by accessing the LandVote 2001 database, a joint project of the Land Trust Alliance and the Trust for Public Land.  Here you will also find information about land conservation referenda communities voted on throughout the year.  The database provides state and jurisdiction, a description of the measure, and the amount of funding.  The number and financial impact of open space initiatives has grown dramatically in recent years.  From 1998 to 2000, voters approved approximately $17.5 billion in new funding for open space protection and passed 390 separate referenda.  For more information, visit the Land Trust Alliance at www.lta.org or the Trust for Public Land at www.tpl.org.

2 - With Honors
The Trustees of Reservations received one of fifteen 2001 National Preservation Honor Awards at the National Preservation Conference in Providence last month.  Presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the awards honor organizations and individuals whose projects demonstrate outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in historic preservation.  The Trust cited five diverse preservation projects from Trustees properties across the state during the awards presentation, including the Old Manse in Concord, MA.  The Old Manse was home to Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1849 while he wrote Nature, his first published essay. Also cited was the historic Paine House, built in 1702, which sits on the 216-acre Greenwood Farm property in Ipswich, MA.  For more information on this story or to visit one of the other 89 Trustees properties, visit www.thetrustees.org.

3 - Trail Mix
The 14-mile Jay to Farmington Trail in Maine is the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Trail of the Month for November.  Located in the western hills of the state, the trail offers scenic views of rolling hills, dense mixed forest, and open farmland to its diverse group of trail users.  Through cooperation and collective effort, motorized and non-motorized options for snowmobile and ATV riders, cross-country skiers, equestrians, hikers and mountain bikers all exist successfully on this corridor.  One recent trail improvement was the re-decking of the 400-foot East Wilton trestle to make it suitable for all users, with particular care given to the proper surface for equestrian users.  For information on trails in your state, visit www.railstrails.org or call the Conservancy at 202-331-9696.

4 - Going Once, Going Twice
Earlier this month, the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) held its 11th Annual Auction to Benefit the Environment.  Bidding took place on one-of-a-kind celebrity donations, dinners, trips, and sports equipment, with all proceeds going to benefit HVA's clean water programs.  Just a few weeks earlier, HVA celebrated its 60th anniversary at their annual meeting in Salisbury, CT.  Guests included Congresswoman Nancy Johnson (CT-6th District) and Congressman John Olver (MA -1st District), who as U. S. House of Representative members, cosponsored legislation for the Upper Housatonic National Heritage Study Act.  For more information HVA and its programs, contact them at 860-672-6678 or visit www.hvathewatershedgroup.org.

5 - Dressed for Success
The Boy Scouts have nothing on the graduates of the Green Mountain Club’s "Long Trail Bound Education Project."  The program’s aim program is to teach students not only all the essentials for a Long Trail hike, but also about the mountain environment including understanding and appreciating the environment and fostering Vermont mountain stewardship.  Students "graduate" with a greater a sense of place and the travel skills needed for safe and enjoyable day hikes. Many of the activities of the program are fun and informative.  "Bear Essentials" reveals what to bring with you on a hike and what to leave at home.  "Dress Like an Onion" is helpful in determining how to layer your clothing to maximize cooling and retaining warmth.  For information on this and other GMC programs, visit www.greenmountainclub.org.

6 - All Along the Watch Tower
The Narrow River Preservation Association is celebrating ten years of its Narrow River Watch Program.  The program emphasizes watershed-scale monitoring and seeks to encourage communities and recreational users to understand the need to cooperatively manage and improve the water quality of the River.  Due to coliform bacteria, the River is currently on the Environmental Protection Agency's Rhode Island List of Impaired Waters.  You can help by becoming a Watch volunteer. Volunteers are responsible for taking water quality measurements and are provided with classroom and field training (no prior experience is necessary!).  No time to volunteer?  Minimize your personal impact on the river by adopting strategies from The Narrow River Handbook.  If you are interested in volunteering or would like a copy of the useful Handbook, contact NRPA at 401-83-6277 or visit www.narrowriver.org.

What Have You Got to Say?
We believe that environmental philanthropy is still important during this time of national tragedy and economic downturn and that our mission remains critical. But, we need your help in describing to our many partners and donors the role nature and a safe environment plays in our lives. Please consider sharing your thoughts with us about the environment’s place among today’s priorities, and especially what it means to you. We will share a selection of submitted ideas in an upcoming newsletter. Simply e-mail your response to us at info@GreenForNewEngland.org.

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