Bond Property
Fundraising Progress
(as of 9/12/2024)
$5,599,000 purchase cost
$3,092,624 raised
$2,033,650 pending (Federal and local)
$472,726 needed
The Bond property is made up of 669 acres that connect wild spaces and feature forested woodlands, rivers, and ponds.
WHY SHOULD THE BOND PROPERTY BE SAVED?
Water Protection. The Bond property helps protect the clean, clear drinking water enjoyed by more than 45,000 people in our area. The water in Latimer Brook and quarry ponds, as well as the underlying groundwater aquifers, have received the highest ranking possible from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Wildlife Habitat. This regional treasure also provides habitat for countless species. Hawks soar in the rocky ledges, while the endangered New England Cottontail rabbit finds protection below. Busy families of beavers work in the waterways and pollinators flit from flower to flower. Protecting this forest will connect over 2900 acres of wildlife corridor, including the Morgan R. Chaney Sanctuary, a wildlife sanctuary owned by the Audubon Society.
Forest Conservation. Fifty-seven percent of the Bond property is forest, including 387 acres of forested uplands, wetlands, meadows, and shrub-land. The variety of trees offer tremendous habitat for wildlife, while also sequestering thousands of tons of carbon dioxide each year.
Open Space Restoration. Approximately 17 acres of the Bond Property have been used for gravel extraction. Protecting this property means that we will be able to restore it to its original beauty, planting new native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.
Outdoor Exploration. The Bond property has several existing dirt roads and paths throughout that can be turned into fantastic trails. Once it is preserved, activities on the Bond property can include hiking, trail running, bird watching, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and even kayaking and paddling.
Educational Programs. With so much wildlife and habitat, the Bond property will give kids and adults a chance to learn about nature and the environment. In fact, the entrance to the property is less than one mile from local elementary school!
Climate Change. A 2021 study from the International Panel on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services found that saving old-growth forests had more positive impact than planting new trees. When we save forests, we not only support carbon sequestration through the trees, but we also prevent the carbon in the soil from being released into the atmosphere.
You Can Help Save This Land
To save the Bond property, we need to raise $6 million. This will include acquisition, stewardship, signage, and endowment. You can make a one-time gift or a pledge, and you also have the option to give through a donor-advised fund. Checks can be mailed to Avalonia Land Conservancy, P.O. Box 49, Old Mystic, CT 06372 and donations can be made online via our secure site. In addition, we offer naming opportunities to honor or remember a loved one. To discuss giving opportunities, please contact us at [email protected].
