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Community Corner

Land Trust recognized by IRS, Monroe becomes Tree City USA for 10th year


     The Monroe Land Trust and Tree Conservancy has been given nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service and has received word  that Monroe has been recognized as a Tree City USA for the 10th consecutive year.    Accreditation by the IRS as a 501c3 nonprofit allows the land trust/tree conservancy to collect tax-deductible contributions and endowments of property in support of a mission to enrich the quality of life in Monroe by protecting the community’s open space and tree canopy while developing resources for outdoor recreation.    At the same time the Arbor Day Foundation has approved the application submitted by Monroe’s Park Ranger/Tree Warden Dave Solek for certification as a Tree City USA, extending a string of such awards that goes back to 2005 and an honor reserved for less than 20 of Connecticut’s 169 communities.     The standards for recognition call for a demonstrable commitment to sound urban forestry management and environmental conservation and an annual celebration of Arbor Day,  to be marked in 2014 by planting a white spruce tree at the front entrance of the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library April 25 (Friday) at 2 p.m., with the public invited.    Signage proclaiming Monroe’s decade as a tree city designate is to be erected at two locations in town still to be determined.    The land trust/tree conservancy is an outgrowth of the old Monroe Fields and Woods Association which has been revived with its new name under the leadership of an executive headed by Aaron McGoldrick as president, Bev Doyle, vice president, Deb Heim, treasurer, Frannie Hannigan, secretary and Karl Witalis, president emeritus, the last link to the old association and a driver in resuscitating the environmental movement.    Nearly 20 acres of open space at four locations in Monroe—off Hattertown Road, Josies Ring Road and Bagburn Road-- are in the process of being transferred to the new entity from its predecessor which went dormant in 1992 as the original membership aged and relocated.    A hike June7 (Saturday) in Webb Mountain Park is planned meanwhile as part of National Trails Day. For information: mmoss36@yahoo.com.    Anyone interested in the activities of the land trust/tree conservancy—the movement is seeking to expand membership--is encouraged to attend its monthly meetings at Monroe’s town Hall (7 Fan Hill Rd.) the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The next one is April 22.

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