Fond Memories

“Even though I no longer live in Eastern CT (was there some 38 years) I still have fond memories of hiking preserves.”

“It was such a great time in my life.  At 71, my memories of growing up there are wonderful and I am pleased to know you are keeping the history of the area alive and preserving the past!  Sledding on the Torkelson’s hill was another great adventure!”

“I grew up along the Natchaug River in Chaplin, just down the road from the Hubbard Sanctuary, Agnes’ Pasture, and Natchaug and Goodwin State Forests.  I spent countless hours exploring those places with my parents and on my own, and I appreciate their importance for wildlife, the environment, and human enjoyment.  I also have come to appreciate that the land serves as a form of collective memory.”

These are just a few quotes from donors who have given to Joshua’s Trust over the past year. Seeing these notes bring such a smile to all the staff’s face. It makes me realize just how important preserving the land is. I think back on my own childhood in Brooklyn, CT and the rolling fields and farms that are fixtures of the landscape. My hometown wouldn’t be the same without them and I hope that someday when I bring my children to their grandparents house they will get to see those same vistas.

We have the opportunity today to ensure these beautiful spaces remain in our communities forever. When you think about your town 10, 20, 30 years from now, what do you hope it looks like? I, for one, hope that the beautiful, natural spaces that I see today will still be here.

~ Kailyn Murphy