To friends and supporters of the New Canaan Land Trust:

As our Board President, Tom Cronin, announced in last month’s eNews, I am moving on from my role as Executive Director of the New Canaan Land Trust. On this, my final week at NCLT, I wanted to take a moment to express my most sincere gratitude to the many individuals and groups that have made my time working in New Canaan so extraordinary.

First, I’d like to thank NCLT’s supporters, and volunteers – you are indeed the backbone of this organization. I have had the privilege of getting to know many of you over the past five years, and to share in your collective enthusiasm for conservation and stewardship of our community’s special places. New Canaan is fortunate to have folks like you, who appreciate the need to protect open space before it is lost forever, and to care for the land and all of the creatures who call it home. Your support has made it possible for NCLT to flourish and thrive, to engage more people than ever before, and to protect and care for New Canaan’s open space.

I’d also like to thank NCLT’s incredible Board of Directors. Over the past five years, they have helped me grow both personally and professionally. Many aspects of this job involved learning along the way, and there was always someone on the Board who I could call on for help or advice. Just as importantly, the Board also gave me independence, and trusted me to lead the organization and implement their vision. I am grateful for their support, faith, and encouragement.

Finally, I would like to thank the many organizational partners with whom I have had the opportunity to work. I’ve found one of New Canaan’s greatest strengths to be its non-profit community and their willingness to collaborate and try new things. Programs like the New Canaan Sculpture Trail or the Hike Through History wouldn’t be possible without this type of collaboration. Beyond that, these organizational partners have served as a sounding board and knowledge pool, helping me to be more effective or efficient in my role.

Beginning next month, I will start my new role as Deputy Director of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC), a state-wide non-profit that works to strengthen and ensure perpetuity for Connecticut’s conservation community. There, I look forward to using experience gained in New Canaan to increase the impact and reach of land trusts and conservation groups across our state. I am excited to join the dedicated and growing team at CLCC, and encourage you to reach out if you are interested in learning more or becoming involved with CLCC’s mission.

NCLT is poised for continued success, and I am eager to see what the future holds for conservation in New Canaan. Thank you all for being part of my story these past five years, and for the opportunity to serve this wonderful community.

With endless gratitude,
Aaron Lefland

P.S. If you’d like to reach me, my new email address at CLCC can be found HERE.