29 Acres Added to the Bethany Land Trust

The Bethany Land Trust, Inc. is delighted to announce the preservation of 29 acres of farm fields and woodland on the south side of Lake Chamberlain off Bethridge Road, on the Bethany/Woodbridge town line. This extraordinary new preserve protects one of the most beautiful vistas in Bethany and Woodbridge, with sweeping views of grassy fields framed by tall trees, and, rising to the east, West Rock Ridge and East Rock Ridge, with the view south extending across New Haven Harbor to Long Island Sound and Long Island. The conservation restriction, which protects the property and prohibits residential development, was donated by Peter and Diana Cooper on December 27, 2011.

Conservation restrictions, also known as conservation easements, are voluntary deed restrictions, recorded on the land records, that permanently protect natural resources such as farmland, ground and surface water, wildlife habitat, historic sites or scenic views. The new preserve will protect the historic agricultural uses of this land while also protecting the watershed and wildlife habitat.

Peter Cooper, when asked how he felt about the major decision he and his wife had made to give up this spectacular property’s development rights in a rapidly developing town, said: “This gift is a dream which has been many years in the making. It has been a very moving experience. The day after we did it, I looked out the window to the open pastures below and said to myself, ‘Now it’s safe forever!’ We’ve been extremely fortunate to have had the stewardship of this land all these years. Now this is our legacy: to our children and grandchildren, who love this place so much and want it to be protected, and to the community into whose hands we have entrusted it.”

Even though the land trust is an all volunteer organization, preservation of all land trust properties have costs associated with them; the land trust depends upon donations from the general public to do its work. With this new addition, the Bethany Land Trust now has approximately 471 acres under its protection.  This includes about 291 acres that it owns outright, and conservation restrictions that preserve an additional 180 acres of natural lands.

You can help keep our community green and preserve its rural character by making a donation to the Bethany Land Trust, Inc., an IRS recognized, publicly supported charity established in 1968, at P.O. Box 3706 Amity Station, Woodbridge CT 06525.