Land in Trust: Since the Norwalk Land Trust was founded in 1974, more than 20 properties amounting to nearly 90 acres throughout Norwalk have come under Norwalk Land Trust stewardship. In addition, Norwalk Land Trust has lent its authority and influence to other efforts, like the preservation of Fodor Farm, which advance the cause of land preservation and community use. Norwalk Land Trust raised $40,000 for the City of Norwalk Open Space Fund for the Fodor Farm purchase.
Hoyt Island Three acres, at the mouth of Village Creek in South Norwalk, donated in 1979 by Countess Elinor Czapski for protection as a bird sanctuary/nature preserve
Manresa Island marsh adjoins Yost Street in South Norwalk. Given by Ruth Hughes and Frank Scallon in 1977, and enhanced by Ruth's son John in 1991, the 3-acre marsh property is a major contributor to Norwalk's substantial wild bird population and to improved Long Island Sound water quality
The White Barn/Connecticut Friends School property, Cranbury: Newtown Avenue at Cranbury Road. Secured in 2008: the late Broadway actress/producer Lucille Lortel's historic White Barn Theatre property was purchased by the Connecticut Friends School, with 5.5 acres protected under conservation easements held by Norwalk Land Trust, the City of Norwalk, and CT Department of Environmental Protection. Visit www.savecranbury.com for the impressive White Barn story and pictures
The Farm Creek Nature Preserve, 34 Sammis Street, Rowayton consists of four properties. The total of 16 acres was accumulated and combined over 16 years (see Farm Creek Preserve website), including the former trolley way to the Roton Point Amusement Park. Efforts continue to retire The Preserve's remaining mortgage commitment (see "How To Help" page)
250 Wilson Avenue, South Norwalk. Nearly eight acres in the midst of a heavy-industry zone, deeded to The Norwalk Land Trust by The Nash Engineering Company in 1982, comprised of salt marsh, wooded upland, and creekfront, on condition it remain forever green and wild
Others: Five Mile River at Flax Hill Road bridge, about 1/3-acre . . . 39 Fox Run (W. Norwalk), over 4 acres gifted by Sherman Siegel and Jeannine Soper . . . nearly 7 acres at the end of Foxboro Drive near the Wilton line, easement from Norwalk Ventures in 1987 . . . 383 West Cedar Street, 2.5 acres of lightly wooded creekland donated in 1990 by Ruth and Stephen Boski . . . 5.8 acres to be kept forever wild, at Devil's Garden Road, donated by the City and home to deer and red swamp maple . . . Chestnut Hill in Cranbury, 17 acres donated in 1994 by Mildred Blumenthal and, later, John W. Irving, surrounding Stony Brook . . . 2-1/4 acres at 8 Pink Cloud in Cranbury, given in 1996 by Helen Mitaly, Dorothy Mocciola and Robert Hennessey . . . a half-acre near Betts Brook and 34 East Avenue, donated in 1998 by Frederick and Darcy Canevari . . . a very small property lying between Jacob Street and the Five Mile River, given in 1999 by Thomas and Mary Cohn . . . 6-1/2 acres located behind the big-box stores (in 2008, Circuit City and Sports Authority) and adjacent to the overhead powerlines, primarily wetlands . . . 4.5-acre corner parcel at Nursery Street and New Canaan Avenue . . . one-half acre at 12 Little Fox Lane in West Norwalk, originally part of the Holy Ghost Fathers Monastery, wetlands donated in 2000 by Roger and Gabrielle Fontaine
