Volunteer
You can help us in many different ways.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy (TRLC). We are extremely fortunate many dedicated volunteers bring their energy and talents to ensure the protection and appreciation of our region’s natural resources. The all-volunteer Board of Directors oversees committees where the work is done. From land acquisition and membership to property management and stewardship, volunteers handle every aspect of the Land Trust’s operations.
If there is not a volunteer to do a task, the task does not get done. And there is much to do! It’s very rewarding to be part of saving our natural resources and protecting our environment for future generations. It’s also easy to get started: contact us or check the volunteer box on the printable mail-in membership/volunteer form.
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- Newsletter and Publicity: Writers or photographers can provide articles or photos about our projects or events in which you participate for our Newsletter. Moderate social media posts on Facebook or Instagram. Help edit our WordPress website. Learn how to format and send emails via MailChimp. So many possibilities to use your talents!
- Finance Committee: Folks with accounting or finance skills help review financial statements, the annual Form 990 submission, insurance policies and premium rates, and help the Treasurer prepare the annual budget and five-year plan. The time commitment is 1-3 hours per month.
- Governance Committee: Do you enjoy writing policies and overseeing board activities? As a newly merged organization we need your skills. Duties include interviewing and recommending new board members, and orienting them once they are approved. Governance Committee members will monitor board member activities to assure they meet the established standards of conduct. TRLC has several areas where new polices need to be developed, or existing policies revised.
- Corresponding Secretary: Email-savvy and organized? Seeking someone to support the Treasurer and Membership Coordinator with correspondence acknowledging donations and membership contributions. Approx. 2 hours per week in August and January and 2 hours per month the rest of the year.
- Stewardship: Become a Steward and take responsibility for watching over a land trust property, or become a Neighborhood Helper to assist a Steward.
- Trails and Work Parties: Join us on a land trust preserve to clear trails, control invasive plants, or perform needed maintenance. We keep an email list and periodically notify interested volunteers of the time and place. Come as you can; volunteers aren’t expected to attend all work parties. Email us to get on the list. This is an excellent way to get to know your Land Trust.
- Hike Leaders: If you’re an avid hiker, you can help others feel safe exploring the outdoors by carrying recommended supplies and demonstrating basic navigation skills.
- Volunteer Coordinator: Help match potential volunteers with volunteer opportunities. A chance to shape this new role, interact with the board, and network across our community.
Volunteer Spotlight: Paula Jones & Kevin Gough
Paula and Kevin met in graduate school in Indiana and moved to Connecticut for jobs as actuaries in the insurance industry. They share a passion for the outdoors as hikers and cyclists, and were early supporters of community supported agriculture and a strong local food system.
They connected with Wintonbury Land Trust while serving as appointed members of the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Study Committee. The Committee was surveying local land trusts seeking support for its work, and Paula and Kevin were delighted to discover Bloomfield had one!
They quickly became vital volunteers. Paula was Secretary for three years, Treasurer for five, and now is Vice President and Interim Treasurer. Kevin served on the Finance and Acquisition committees. Both put their skills to use as stewards of Thrall Farm, writing grants, and developing an evaluation form for prospective properties. They support educational events and have been key in developing our popular community outreach hikes. You’ll see them leading groups on Trails Day, for UConn’s Adult Learning Program, and in partnership with Simsbury Land Trust.
It’s clear sharing with others the beauty they’ve helped preserve gives back to them almost as much as they’ve given to the Land Trust. They’re aware the Land Trust – like most volunteer organizations – has a core group that does much of the heavy lifting. So they encourage anyone who might have a little time to help at stewardship work parties that maintain the trails and properties they’ve worked so hard to preserve. Please contact us if that’s you!
Volunteer Spotlight: Michelle Clifford
Michelle Clifford has been a member of the TRLC for more than 16 years. She currently serves as a member of the TRLC Conservation Committee and as steward of the Donald and Barbara Algren Preserve in East Granby. As a property steward, she walks the 17+ acre property boundary at least once a year and schedules work parties several times a year to remove invasive plants such as multiflora rose and Japanese barberry.
As a former neighbor, she was a long-time steward of the Ian Clark Preserve. Michelle and other volunteers installed a series of bog bridges through the 13+ acre property, creating a half-mile loop walking trail. Working with the East Granby Public Library, this has become a popular storybook trail, walked by many local families. Other past roles include stewardship chair for the East Granby Land Trust, overseeing the stewardship of 16 properties.
Michelle enjoys being outside, creating spaces to be enjoyed by others and improving habitat for wildlife. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys hiking, golfing, snowshoeing, traveling, and birding. Michelle notes “the camaraderie amongst the TRLC volunteers is what keeps me coming back. You meet new people, hear their experiences, and learn about native habitats and how to support them. The work is extremely rewarding and beneficial to our environment.”
Michelle believes in being active in her community. She first found out about the land trust after reading about their work in a local paper. She brought her two elementary school aged children to a work party in which a bridge was being constructed at a pond outlet. They enjoyed the work so much they frequently accompanied Michelle at future work parties.
Volunteer Spotlight: Sten Caspersson
If you visit the Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy’s Stout Family Fields, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter Sten Caspersson and his Miniature Schnauzers enjoying a walk. Or if you cycle past Hawk Hill Farm on scenic Duncaster Road, or run in Farmington River Park. Sten’s work as a Senior Nuclear Project Manager at ABB Combustion Engineering in Windsor sent him around the country and the world, followed by vacations to National Parks, Europe, and South Africa. Yet he always liked how easy it was to access beautiful natural spaces in Connecticut, and why he and his wife, Marti, moved to Bloomfield.
Sten was also an executive scientist for the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, an advisor for the Presidents’ College continuing learning program at the University of Hartford and served on Bloomfield’s Human Services Facility Building Committee.
It was on those dog walks around the neighborhood where Sten met many neighbors who were members of the Wintonbury Land Trust. After joining them for the occasional stewardship work party he began volunteering on the Finance Committee and Board of Directors. Observing board meetings and seeing the progress on projects such as Hawk Hill Farm resulted in his becoming a regular donor to the annual campaign and special appeals. His donations often provided the first contribution received!
Sten explained that he appreciates how Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy’s work is transparent, with results that benefit the community at large. Donors can attend meetings to understand how funds are spent. The results – an historic barn restored to use, hiking trails open to the public, wetlands protected from development, and more – are concrete and readily visible to donors and the community alike. He encourages anyone considering a donation to view the website for upcoming meetings and current project descriptions to learn more. We sincerely thank Sten for his many contributions both as a volunteer and a donor!