Massive Donation For Southington Land Trust

Southington Land Conservation Trust

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Southington Land Conservation Trust this week announced its latest acquisition, a 60-acre parcel on Welch Road, donated by Mark Lovley and Lovley Development.

Since it was formed in 1973, the Southington Land Conservation Trust’s mission is to preserve nature, with eight parcels in town so preserved.

SLCT President Val Guarino emphasized the importance of Lovley’s gift.

“The donation doubles the land trust’s holdings. Altogether, the land trust now protects approximately 140 acres in perpetuity,” Guarino said in a statement Monday.

The donation of the Welch Road property comes after developer Mark Lovley re-assessed his initial plans for a golf course in the aftermath of 2020 and COVID.

“It wasn’t economically feasible,” said Lovley. “I thought it best to donate it to the land trust for their use. It’s great for the public to get into nature.”

Guarino said the parcel’s value as habitat and ecological biodiversity, as well as public recreational opportunities, go beyond the property’s estimated $800,000 valuation.

The parcel is potentially rich in plant and wildlife diversity, wrote the trust.

There are wetlands, pools, and native plants on-site, with little in the way of invasive species, said Guarino.

“It’s also likely that the property is part of a wider wildlife corridor with adjacent and nearby open spaces,” Guarino said.

Formal environmental plant and animal reviews will be undertaken as part of the property’s stewardship, Guarino said.

Additional site plans include a kiosk at the entrance and Lovley has committed to creating a small parking area for SLCT, wrote the trust.

That, trust officials said, will allow the land trust to utilize the property in its plans for public hiking trails and educational programming.

As for naming rights, the land trust bestowed the honor to Lovley.

Lovley recalls how much his father loved the outdoors and golfing and has asked to have the property named after his father.

“He would love it,” Lovley said.

For more information on the Southington Land Conservation Trust, click on this link.