From 1987: Preservation Group Receives 20-Acre Gift

The following article is from 25 years ago today, published the Hartford Courant on December 16, 1987.

Middlesex Land Trust remains a vibrant force for preserving land in Middlesex County.
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A local land preservation group has received its first real estate donation, 20 acres off Forest Street, organization officials said Tuesday.

The Middlesex Land Trust, which was formed in May, received the tract last week, said Andrew Zepp, president of the trust.

"In addition to being our first gift property, it's really a sizable wetlands area," Zepp said. "Its main value is as a wildlife habitat."

The tract, which borders the Coginchaug River, is a home for ducks, geese and other waterfowls, Zepp said.

The land was donated by John Pearson, a lawyer in Hartford, and George Leaska, a developer in Bloomfield.

"It's a great spot for possums, raccoons, ducks and birds of all kinds," Pearson said. "We wanted to see that use continued."

Zepp said the property will require "little active management on our part."

"Basically, we will leave this one alone," he said.

The trust, which has about 80 members, is a non-profit group dedicated to protecting unique natural areas in northern Middlesex County, Zepp said.