The New England Grassroots Environment Fund awarded a $2,840 grant to the Barrington Land Conservation Trust to help the organization increase its outreach to under-represented communities in 2023. 

The grant will support the land trust’s outreach to community organizations, schools, faith groups, neighborhood groups and businesses with a focus on face-to-face communication, small group visits to local trails and properties, and opportunities to get involved as volunteers at every level of the organization.

The New England Grassroots Environment Fund is dedicated to co-creating healthy and sustainable communities throughout New England. The grants empower individuals, groups and organizations to challenge existing systems and develop lasting solutions to the complex problems affecting their communities. 

Barrington Land Conservation Trust Executive Director Cindy Elder was pleased to learn about the grant.

“Like many small towns close to urban centers, Barrington faces pressure to develop all of its remaining land,” Elder said. “Since 1979, we’ve succeeded in preserving and maintaining nearly 300 acres of open space, thanks to the vision of our founders, the hard work of volunteers, and financial support from community members and charitable organizations.”

The Barrington Land Conservation Trust has collaborated with many partners to preserve open space in virtually every area of town, including walking trails, nature preserves and environmentally sensitive parcels. Land trust volunteers also help to manage town-owned properties like the Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge and the Osamequin Nature Preserve.

“Support from the Grassroots Fund will help us do a better job of introducing people to the Land Trust’s properties so they can enjoy the benefits of open space and get involved in the organization,” Elder said. “Not everyone has a big back yard. Many community members rely on public open space for daily access to the natural environment. The Land Trust will be more sustainable with diverse representation from our community.”

Free guided walks are now being held at Barrington Land Conservation Trust properties each month, including winter months. Early this month, the trust is leading walks around Allin’s Cove. 

“There’s a magic to seeing these places in every season,” Elder said. “You become sensitive to the small changes that take place over the year, from the earliest green shoots to snow-covered branches.”

Beyond the scheduled public walks, Elder encourages community groups to contact her to arrange dedicated walks for their participants. 

“Many of these preserved properties are tucked away in neighborhoods,” she said. “You might not even know they exist in walking distance from your home.”

People can register for a free guided walk on the land trust’s events page: https://www.blct.org/events/. All ages are welcome. People can contact Elder at cindyelder@blct.org or 508-733-2443.