Wintonbury Land Trust

The Wintonbury Land Trust has received a $1250 grant from the New England Grassroots Environment Fund.  NEGEF’s small grants program provides grants to groups working on community level issues in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.  The goals of the Small Grants program are to:

• Increase civic engagement, volunteerism, emerging leaders and community initiatives that create health, just, safe and environmentally sustainable communities at the neighborhood and town level in New England;
• Help community leaders move single issue, backyard debates to positive, inclusive, systemic, constructive, and lasting community solutions;
• Link community-based advocacy with the work of state-wide and national organizations without losing local identity; and
• Establish and maintain informed networks of activists across the region that are committed to building a just and equitable society.

Thank you to Vic Herson, Event Coordinator, of the inaugural Bike Tour (Tour du Land) of the WLT, which took place Sunday, May 22, 2011.    The goal of the tour was to showcase land trust holdings and publicize WLT activities and missions.    The Tour’s originally scheduled date was 5/15/2011 but postponed because of rain.  Despite  threatening early morning skies, the event was held under favorable bicycling conditions:  cloudy but dry.

Registration/riders:  a total of 30 people registered—1/3 on-line in advance and 2/3 on the day of the ride.    Half of the registrants were from Bloomfield, the rest (in decreasing order) from West Hartford,  S. Windsor, Hartford, Glastonbury, Terryville and Winsted .   In addition to the riders, there were several staff/support members:  tour guides (Dale @ Shaffer, Chip@ Stout’s, Tami @ Van Otterloo, and Vikki @ Capewell),  registration (Steve),  bike support/raffle/etc (Cary) and catering (Bob/Chris).    The event  followed the anticipated timeline with registration from 9:30-10, riding from 10-12 and refreshments from 12-1.   About ½ of the riders stopped at some or all of the land trust sites.   A few riders took the options to the Thrall and Speer properties.

Financials

Revenues—$300

Expenses—-$103

Net ———–$197

+ Goodwill…………….priceless!

The feedback on the day was positive.   The distance and grade made the ride attractive to the recreational/occasional biker.  More “hard-core” riders might have preferred a greater challenge.    This could be a more highlighted  focus in  subsequent years.

Special thanks to CaryHenderson for facilitating the great support from REI—tables/chairs/water bottles/air pump/raffle prize and Bob and Chris (Avon Country Deli) for the great food.   I’d also like to thank the other members of the Bike Tour Committee:  Val,  Dale,  and Patrick.

For its first year, the event was a success. Publicity for the ride included flyers and posters placed at local venues (e.g.: Wade’s, Bloomfield Bike, Town Hall, JCC, fitness centers) and mentions in WH Patch, Hartford Courant )electronic town events) and Bloomfield electronic bulletin Boards. The major goal next year will be to attract more riders.  Among other options, we should  consider printing up larger signs to post along  Duncaster Rd (and perhaps other popular biking roads).