May 27, 2010 – The Land Trust of Danbury announced it has received a grant of $25,000 from The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation.  This is the third consecutive year The Land Trust has been the beneficiary of the Foundation’s generous support.

“This grant, added to the funding we have received from others, will help us complete several major initiatives we have planned for this year,” said Bill Montgomery president of The Land Trust.  “It will also help us realize our goal to conserve over 1000 acres of land in Danbury”, Montgomery continued.  The Land Trust currently protects and manages 217 acres of donated lands and conservation easements.          

The grant application submitted to the Foundation, besides noting some lands identified for possible conservation, also highlighted the retention of a land management expert to conduct a baseline review of The Land Trust’s properties, conduct surveys as needed and mark boundaries to facilitate better stewardship of the properties under The Land Trust’s care.  It included a draft copy of an Organizational Assessment that was conducted based on Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.  It noted how The Land Trust’s first fund-raising event, held in October 2009, and its first city-wide direct mail campaign produced significant donations and new memberships.  With the support of The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation, it is expected that The Land Trust will be able to continue its current rate of growth ansd potentially achieve accreditation within the next 18 to 24 months.

The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation was established in 1999 as a private family foundation committed to enhancing the quality of life in its communities through grants to qualifying charitable organizations.  The Foundation focuses its support in eight sectors:  Community Services, Danbury Area Projects, Education, Land Conservation, Medical Care: Domestic, Medical Care: Global, Selected Projects and Discretionary.