Fifty years ago, a group of Greenwich residents recognized something that remains just as important today – the character of a community is shaped not only by its homes, roads and buildings, but by the natural places that surround them.
On Wednesday evening, about 100 community members, volunteers, supporters, and local leaders gathered at Greenwich Land Trust’s Mueller Preserve to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary – and to look ahead to the next 50 years of protecting Greenwich’s openspace.
The evening began with a welcome from Will Kies, Executive Director of Greenwich Land Trust, who reflected on the vision of the organization’s founders and the generations of people who have carried
that vision forward.
“Fifty years ago, our founders understood that conserving land was
essential to preserving the character of Greenwich,” Kies said in a relase. “Tonight, we celebrate their foresight and the lasting legacy they created, while looking ahead to what we hope to leave for the community 50 years from now.”
Longtime volunteer and former Greenwich Land Trust Board President, Louisa Stone and First Selectman Fred Camillo. Contributed photo
First Selectman Fred Camillo presented a proclamation declaring September 9, 2026, Greenwich Land Trust’s 50th Anniversary.
Longtime volunteer and former Greenwich Land Trust Board President, Louisa Stone, who served from 1990-1992, shared reflections on the organization’s founders and notable milestones from its first five decades. Her remarks brought the organization’s history to life, highlighting the volunteers, donors, board members, and staff whose commitment has helped GLT grow into an organization protecting and stewarding 1,014 acres across 82 preserves.
The celebration then turned toward the future.
Urling Searle, President of the Greenwich Land Trust Board of Directors, highlighted priorities for Greenwich Land Trust’s next chapter, including plans for an expanded trail system within the Byram River Greenway, creating new opportunities for the community to explore, connect with nature, and experience this important conservation corridor.
Greenwich Land Trust is also working to reduce its environmental footprint and transition toward more sustainable operations, including greater use of renewable energy and electric vehicles. Equally important, the organization will seek investment to strengthen its ability to acquire important open space when opportunities arise and to care for the more than 1,000 acres already entrusted to its stewardship.
“Our 50th anniversary is both a moment to celebrate where we have been and an opportunity to think boldly about where we are going,” said Searle.
“The land entrusted to Greenwich Land Trust represents a remarkable
legacy and also a responsibility. We are committed to building on the work of those who came before us so that 50 years from now, our town will enjoy the same quality of life we all enjoy today.”
The evening concluded with a symbolic connection between Greenwich
Land Trust’s past, present, and future – the burial of a time capsule to be opened on September 9, 2076, at Greenwich Land Trust’s 100th anniversary. The capsule was buried beside a newly planted white oak tree, generously donated by Greenwich Land Trust Board Member Sam Bridge. This white oak, Connecticut’s state tree, will stand as a living marker of this moment, growing and maturing over the next five decades as a visual reminder of Greenwich Land Trust’s enduring legacy.
The capsule contains a snapshot of Greenwich Land Trust and the Greenwich community in 2026, including a letter from Kies and Searle, GLT’s 2025 Annual Report, a copy of a newspaper, native seeds collected from four Greenwich Land Trust preserves, photographs of the 2026 GLT Youth Corps and several preserves, a Greenwich Land Trust property marker, a list of wildlife currently observed on Greenwich Land Trust properties, an annual inspection report for the Lapham Preserve, and a Greenwich town map featuring the USA 250th anniversary logo and a photograph of First Selectman Fred Camillo.
Over the past five decades, Greenwich Land Trust has protected forests, meadows, wetlands, and marshlands; restored habitats; partnered with schools and community organizations; provided environmental education; and created opportunities for residents of all ages to experience and care for the natural world.
As the time capsule was placed in the ground, Greenwich Land Trust celebrated 50 years of accomplishments while looking ahead to its responsibility to protect these special places for generations to come.
“Our founders could not have known exactly what Greenwich would look like 50 years later,” said Kies. “But they knew these places mattered. Our responsibility now is to make sure that when the time capsule is opened in 2076, the people of Greenwich can look around and see that we kept protecting the places that make this community special.”
Founded in 1976, Greenwich Land Trust is dedicated to protecting and stewarding open space and natural resources in Greenwich and surrounding communities. Greenwich Land Trust currently protects and stewards more than 1,014 acres across 82 preserves and works to conserve natural habitats, provide environmental education, engage the community, and inspire the next generation of conservationists.