The official dedication of the Town of Lyme’s Johnston Preserve was held Wednesday, Aug. 18, with 17 members of the Johnston family in attendance. In addition, the preserve received the esteemed honor of being formally inaugurated into the national Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN), a national network of protected, native, publicly accessible mature forests.
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Ryan Quinn grew up in Lyme and graduated from Lyme-Old Lyme High school. After moving away for college and a career in education, he returned to the area in 2015 with his wife Baylee Drown to start a vegetable farm. In 2019 they were able to become Lyme landowners by purchasing what is now known as Long Table Farm. Prior to being a full time farmer Quinn has worked as a sailor, handyman, science teacher and outdoor educator.
“Moving back to Lyme gave me new appreciation for how the blend of community, open space, and ecology that thrive here have influenced my life. Lyme Land Trust’s mission to preserve and promote these features for the public good is near and dear to my heart. The Lyme Land Trust is one of the institutions that makes Lyme a special place to live.”
Jim’s primary responsibility is to oversee stewardship of the 3130 acres spread across 112 parcels that are owned or managed by LLT. He comes to us with a variety of experiences spanning ecological research and restoration, natural resource and sanctuary management, and environmental education. Improving the outlook for native biodiversity has always motivated Jim, whether by working with people, land, or preferably both at the same time. Most recently he served as conservation biologist at The Connecticut Audubon Society. He holds a BS degree in wildlife and fisheries biology from the University of Vermont and a MS degree in conservation biology from the State University of New York in Syracuse. Jim lives in Middletown.
“It is a giant honor to have this opportunity to help build on the substantial success of the Trust in a part of the world as special as Lyme.”
Wendy has lived in Lyme since 1982. Her career has encompassed a combination of art and the natural sciences; as a medical illustrator working at Yale University Medical School for 30 years, and a professor of art at Middlesex Community College for 10 years. She is currently the Open Space Coordinator for the Town of Lyme and co-chair of the Lyme Pollinator Pathway.
“I love the fact that the LLCT seeks to encourage the appreciation of the natural world by exposing people to the wonders of nature through education, guided walks and other opportunities. I believe that preserving the land in its most natural state is very important to the physical and mental health of our planet. I love to learn and there is so much to learn in the woods of Lyme, about the natural world, history and beauty.”
Tony has lived in Lyme since 1986. He is a graduate of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Management and co-founder of Ecological and Environmental Consulting Services (EECOS) specializing in forest ecology and land use management.
“The Land Trust is critical for the protection of our ecologically diverse and unique near-coastal and riverine landscape, unmatched in the northeast.”
Kristina grew up in Old Lyme and has made Lyme her home since 2004. She held numerous jobs in the corporate world and most recently was the Administrative Director of Musical Masterworks, a nonprofit chamber music series in Old Lyme. As the Executive Director, she is responsible for leading the LLCT as it relates to the strategic direction and overall management of the organization. She identifies and implements short-and long-term strategic goals and is accountable to the Board of Directors for achieving those goals.
“The Land Trust protects land for perpetuity, provides outdoor recreation, and educates the surrounding community of the importance of conservation and environmental sustainability. We strive to be an example for other land trusts to follow.”
