| Land Trust Alliance: Mid-Atlantic Region
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1660 L St. NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20036
202-638-4725
info@lta.org
National Director
Denise Schlener
202-638-4725 x 309
dschlener@lta.org |
In Memorium: Jane E. Lawton
Friday, December 14, 2007
By: Alex MacLennan
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In Memorium: Jane E. Lawton
May 24, 1944 - November 29, 2007 |
A beacon of generosity, spirit, and tenacity was lost on November 29th 2007. Jane E. Lawton, of the Maryland House of Delegates, was a political leader, a wife and mother, and, in the words of CBF Maryland Executive Director Kim Coble, “a wonderful friend to the Bay and the environment. I am proud to say, a friend of mine as well.”
In her years on the political scene, from her time as chair of the Town of Chevy Chase council to her years in the Maryland House of Delegates (D-18), Jane Lawton worked on many issues of importance to her constituents. According to her husband, it was her work on behalf of the environment and affordable housing that gave her the most satisfaction.
Friends describe her as authentic and true to her word. Delegate Maggie L. McIntosh of Baltimore lauded her friend’s quick mind and dedication. McIntosh (D-Dist. 43) chairs the House Environmental Matters Committee, where Lawton helped refine the new Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund bill.
‘‘We all loved her sense of humor,” said McIntosh. ‘‘I’m a better person for having known her.”
Gifts in Lawton’s memory can be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation or the Montgomery County Abused Persons Program. She was 63.
Regional Events
Berks County Conservancy Annual Dinner
April 22, 2008 | Wyomissing, PA
Join us for our Annual Dinner at the Sheraton Reading in Wyomissing. This event provides you, our members, with a great opportunity to network, meet our staff, and meet over 300 supporters of the Conservancy. The evening includes a networking hour, an award ceremony, year in review, dinner, and testimonial video feature presentation. Please call our offices at 610-372-4992 ext. 100 for more information - Members will receive invitations by March 21.
Virginia United Land Trust Conference
May 29-30, 2008 | Staunton, VA
Maryland's Annual Preservation & Revitalization Conference
May 29 - 30, 2008 | Hagerstown, MD
For more information, contact Jessica Feldt at jfeldt@preservationmaryland.org or 410-685-2886
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Photo by Francesca Dalleo |
National Park(ing) Day 2007 in Washington, DC
On September 21, Washington, DC gained a temporary new downtown park at 13th and F St near Metro Center. More
Thanks to a public project sponsored by The Trust for Public Land, on National Park(ing) Day some metered public parking spots nationwide became public parks.
The goals are to celebrate parks and promote the need for more parks in America's cities. Participating cities include New York City, Boston, Minneapolis, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and others. See information and photos from park(ing) day events in your area. (posted 9/24/07)
Land
Trust Success Stories:
Berks County Conservancy (PA) Expands Staffing for Community Gardening Program
Reading, PA -- The Berks County Conservancy welcomes Neil Brantley as the organization's Community Garden Coordinator for the Berks Urban Greening (BUG) Community Gardening Program. Read full story.
100 acres protected in the Oley Hills! |
Berks County, PA - On Tuesday, December 11, the Conservancy hosted two rather significant settlements in our offices. Two families that own land in the Oley Hills (Pike Township) protected their land with conservation easements, and were the first to utilize the County's new Municipal Land Protection Program funding under the Natural Lands Program.
Background: In August 2006 our County Commissioners passed a $36 million line of credit to support a new Natural Lands Program ($12 million) and the existing successful Ag Preservation Program ($24 million). Pike Township is the first to qualify for the funding and in preparation, they implemented Conservation Zoning in the township, formed a Land Protection Council, and made a Land Protection Plan.
Edward & Joan Burger and Stratton & Debra Capiotis permanently protected their 39-acre and 69-acre properties. Under the program, the landowners are compensated up to $2000 per acre for the conservation easement. For this project, the Conservancy assisted Pike Township and, through a grant from the William Penn Foundation, provided a total of $97,000 toward the settlements to match the county funding - administered through the Berks County Planning Commission. Pictured (front to back): Debra & Stratton Capiotis - Landowners; Joan Burger (Landowner); Jeff Gorrin - Pike Township Supervisor; Edward Burger (Landowner); Sandy Graffius - County Controller; and Kim Murphy - Conservancy President.
These settlements are also important as they are part of the Oley Hills Project - a high priority for protection in the county due to its exceptional water resources. Look for a full story about this project in the December 15th edition of the Reading Eagle. (posted 12/18/07) |
Hereford Township Couple Dedicates Their 100-acre Farm
Berks County, PA - Stanley and Kylene Hart's commitment to their land is demonstrated by the easement they placed with Berks County Conservancy this year to conserve their special place. The protection of their 100-acre farm also allowed Berks County Conservancy to celebrate a 5,000 acre conservation milestone. Learn more about the Hart's story here. (posted 12/12/07)
Health of the Bay Declines This Year
Annapolis, MD - With just three years to go before the court-ordered deadline to remove the Chesapeake Bay from the nation’s dirty waters list, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) 2007 State of the Bay report finds the health of the Bay going in the wrong direction. This year’s health index dropped one point to 28, far from our goal of 40 by 2010, and an unacceptable “D” grade. Read full story. (posted 12/10/07)
West Virginians Receive National Committee for the New River Awards
West Jefferson, NC – The Plateau Action Network and Fayette County Commissioner Matt Wender have been awarded the National Committee for the New River’s (NCNR) most prestigious award, the Wallace and Peggy Carroll Vigilance Award. Presented at the NCNR annual meeting this month, the award recognized their outstanding efforts safeguarding and advocating for the quality, health and natural values of the New River. Read full story. (posted 10/11/07)
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Photo of Tillie Wood's cabin just off the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, courtesy New River Land Trust. |
GIS Decision-Support System Helps Land Trust Focus its Conservation Efforts
VIRGINIA: The New River Land Trust (NRLT) in Blacksburg has a powerful new tool to further its mission to conserve farmland, forests, open spaces and historic places in Virginia’s New River region. The implementation of a newly developed GIS Decision-Support System has enabled the land trust to gain a whole landscape perspective, and to be highly strategic in its approach to protecting the natural beauty and cultural heritage of southwest Virginia. Read more... (posted 2/14/07)
For
more information on this and and other success stories, visit
our Mid-Atlantic Success Stories Web
Page.
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Land Conservation Leadership Program Course: Diversity & Conservation: A New Model for the 21st Century
This introductory diversity and conservation pilot course provides participants with an understanding of what diversity is and what it means as a business and social imperative to the conservation movement. A major objective of the course is to explore individual, organizational, and movement filters that impact land trust efforts to develop a broader and more diverse community of conservationists. Participants will engage in small group exercises, personal journaling, case study discussions and large group open dialogues. Participants will be given the opportunity to develop an individual plan for building their own competence around diversity as well as organizational next steps. Read more... (posted 2/14/07)
Potomac Gorge Exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden
The U.S. Botanic Garden, the oldest botanic garden in North America, presents an exhibit focused on the natural beauty of the Potomac Gorge and what is being done to save it—and its vital resources—for future generations. Walk through a live sampling of the gorge's plant species and learn about the conservation efforts underway by the National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, Potomac Conservancy, and others to protect this diverse section of our nation's river. To learn more about the U.S. Botanic Garden and the Potomac Gorge Exhibit, please visit the website: www.usbg.gov
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