Dear Land Trust Friends and Supporters,
It is with bittersweet emotion that I announce our Executive Director, Aaron Lefland, will be leaving the Land Trust later this month. Aaron will become the new Deputy Director of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, based in Middletown.
Aaron joined the Land Trust in the spring of 2017, and in those five years, has helped transform and invigorate this organization. He has led us to many milestones and accomplishments, including becoming nationally accredited, ushering in a new strategic plan and first-ever strategic conservation plan, and more than doubling our membership. Aaron has also been the force behind many of the important strategic partnerships the Land Trust has established, and the many community engagement efforts that we are able to offer.
Behind the scenes, Aaron has been a jack of all trades. He is responsible for much of the excellent communication that you all receive, helps plan and implement land stewardship and conservation projects, and has improved operations and organizational processes. And holding true to his forestry roots, he has always been at the ready with a chainsaw, should a fallen tree block one of the trails.
Fortunately, we are not losing Aaron entirely, as his new role will see him working with land trusts from across the state. At CLCC, he will develop programs and facilitate partnerships that strengthen Land Trusts and ensure they can carry out their shared mission of protecting land in perpetuity. We look forward to having Aaron as a resource and advisor as we continue our work here, in New Canaan.
Aaron will continue to work for us until May, as we begin the process of evaluating and hiring a new Executive Director. Aaron leaves the Land Trust in a very strong position for continued growth and success. We sincerely thank him for his contribution and leadership, and wish him the best of luck and opportunities in his future endeavors.
When you have the chance, please congratulate Aaron on this exciting career opportunity!
Regards,
Tom Cronin
Board President
New Canaan Land Trust
Congratulations. I enjoyed knowing you & meeting your wife & pooch along the trails.You’ve done such excellent accomplishment for NC. My very best as you go forward in your career. You will be missed.
Huge congratulations to Aaron! His leadership has introduced so many of us to sustainable ways we can continue to enjoy the wonderful assets that the Land Trust manages. And the fireflys and walking tours were the best!
Hey Aaron,
Sorry to see you move on but move on you must to greener pastures. Good luck in your new adventure. We will all miss you.
Norm Jensen…
Aaron, you’ve brought new life to the Land Trust. I’ve learned about tree identification and pollinators. Your communications, both online and via Post Office mail are positive and informative. The Land Trust is doing many good things in addition to conserving land — educating us, giving us trails to walk, teaching interns, helping us to have fun and learn about nature.
Thank you for all you have done to help make the land trust welcoming and inclusive. I look forward to the land trust continuing to expand who it serves and how it conserves lands throughout the area.
Aaron,
The New Canaan Land Trust is fortunate to have held on to you for five years. You have contributed so much in so many ways in that time. It was a pleasure working with you for four of those years. Best wishes for your exciting new role. Reach for the stars.
Rob
Aaron, sincere thanks for enriching the lives of so many families in New Canaan. We are lucky to still have you in CT. Wishing you success and happiness in your new role at CLCC. Regards, Dan and Nancy Welch
Aaron,
A big congratulations to you! Thank you for all you’ve done for New Canaan!
Thank you so much for all of the kind words. It has been a privilege getting to know you all, and becoming part of the New Canaan community. I am confident the Land Trust will continue its amazing work, in no small part because of incredible supporters like you. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for NCLT.
It has been so great to follow from afar how Aaron has helped to grow and improve NCLT, it’s place in the community, and to continue stewardship of the many properties for the benefit of all who enjoy them. Congratulations, Aaron. These sentiments and many more that left unsaid are surely a testament to your efforts.
The NCLT plays an important role in our town. First and foremost it provides pleasure to all of us who use its trails. But it is also a haven to the creatures which inhabit the various properties. They also owe a debt of gratitude to Aaron for providing safe sanctuaries for them.