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Then & Now - An Avalonia Timeline

2023
5000 Acres Conserved Level Surpassed
5000 Acres Conserved Level Surpassed
2022
Re-Accreditation Acheived
Accredited Land Trust seal - Accreditation Commission
2019
Atkinson-Dirlam Acquisitions – Groton Utilities Partnership
Atkinson-Dirlam Acquisitions – Groton Utilities Partnership

The Groton City Council voted to approve the contribution of $159,945 from Groton Utilties to Avalonia. This contribution to Avalonia for the purchase of the Atkinson parcel marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with Avalonia for the common purpose of protecting valuable watershed land. This partnership intends to provide

2018
Largest Fee Acquisition to Date
Largest Fee Acquisition to Date

Acquisition of the 409-acre Tri-Town Ridgeline Forest straddling the towns of Griswold, North Stonington, and Preston. Avalonia’s largest fee acquisition in 50 years, bringing total preserved acreage to exactly 4000. see press release photo by Kelly Allen

50th Anniversary Celebration!
50th Anniversary Celebration!

Avalonia turned 50 and celebrated in the Mystic Aquarium’s Grand Hall. see event recap and photos

2017
Accreditation Achieved
Accredited Land Trust seal - Accreditation Commission

The Land Trust Alliance awarded accreditation to Avalonia Land Conservancy, Inc. on February 16, 2017

2016
Endowment Fund

Establishment of an endowment fund ($50,000 initial deposit) with the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut to safely grow funds while providing a reliable income stream to support Avalonia’s preserves and preservation work in perpetuity.

2009
Conservation Defense Liability

Commitment to participate in the Land Trust Alliance Conservation Defense Liability Insurance Program to safeguard against conservation defense costs that can run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

1995
Name Change
Name Change

Name changed to Avalonia Land Conservancy, Inc. May 24, 1995

1983
500 Acres

Gift of the Holdridge Tract, now part of the Great Cedar Swamp in Ledyard, 25th land donation, crossing of the 500-acre threshold.

1979
Beyond Connecticut

Certificate of Incorporation revised to enable inclusion of property located throughout and outside of Connecticut on March 21, 1979.

1972
Geographical Expansion
Geographical Expansion

Certificate of Incorporation revised to include three additional towns, Griswold, Preston, & Voluntown, CT

1971
100 acres of Land

Only three years after establishment, Avalonia’s four acquisitions totaled over 100 acres of land, preserved in perpetuity. Click here to learn more about Avalonia’s significant environmental activism in the early 1970’s.

1969
1st Property
1st Property

Acquired 1st property – July 10, 1969. Ram PT, Stonington, CT

1968
Charitable Non-Profit

CT US Treasury Department granted charitable non-profit status – 501 (c) ( 3) – on May 29, 1968

Year of Incorporation
Year of Incorporation

Incorporated as Mashantucket Land Trust on February 21, 1968 to include towns of Groton, Ledyard, North Stonington and Stonington, CT

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