May, 2019
Dear Friend –
A couple of times each year, the Warren Land Conservation Trust looks to you and our community for support. In the fall, we run a membership campaign and urge people to renew their memberships (or join for the first time). Our fall campaigns support the basic costs of operating the organization. Then about half way through the year (now), we run our spring drive to help us address specific outstanding issues. Last year it was the legal costs associated with acquiring land from the Town of Warren.
I am told it is a basic tenet of fundraising that you need to cite how the giver will benefit from the donation. Well, of course, this year we have a huge “benefit” to announce – the opening of the Haile Farm Preserve on the 55 acres we acquired from the Town last year. The trails will be officially opened to the public with a brief ceremony scheduled for 10 amon May 18that New Industrial Way (rain date is the 19th). We hope you can join us.
Many, many volunteer hours have been invested in getting the property ready for public use. This includes considerable assistance provided by Boy Scout Troop 25 of Warren. Yet, there is still much to be done to have the Preserve reach its potential:
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Phase 2 of our trail plan needs to be opened up to the public, including the Betty Hallberg Trail, with the incumbent cost of installing needed boardwalks.
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We have approval from the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) to install two sets of benches at locations with particularly wonderful views of the marsh and the Palmer River. Now materials for the benches need to be purchased.
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One of the wonderful attributes of the Preserve is its proximity to wildlife. We have a plan to erect an osprey platform in the marsh using a local supplier of high-tech composite platforms. But, of course, there are costs associated with this effort as well.
So, we thank you for your support that has helped us reach this point. Now we ask for your assistance – in any amount – to help us achieve our ambitious goals to complete the full opening of the Preserve for you and our community. Plan to take a walk on its 1½ miles trails. There is no better way for you to see the “benefit” of making a contribution.
Then please go to our web site www.warrenlct.org. There you will see a trail map, as well as the many stories about the Preserve. Our trail development efforts are detailed at www.fb.com/wlctri. You can also make a donation from the website via Pay Pal. Thanks in advance for your support, and I hope to see you on the trails!
Sincerely,
Michael Gerhardt–President, Warren Land Conservation Trust