Dear friends, as an environmental advocate, I am wondering if I can ask a last minute favor.

Come to the Goshen Land Trust Annual meeting this Thursday and let them know you would love them to help protect 190 Sharon Turnpike. 

As you are aware, 190 Sharon Turnpike is currently only under temporary protection through the referendum vote to protect this land and its valuable resources as open space. However, we need to take the final steps to get this land permanently protected! One way to do that is if a land trust were to buy it. 

Sadly, last year, the Goshen Land Trust voted not to buy 190 Sharon Turnpike, in part because they felt the issue was too political at the time. They also felt my recommendation that they purchase the land was a conflict of interest, as I had worked hard in the process to get it protected, and then joined their board. They believed it was a conflict, even if I recused myself from a board vote, and didn’t want to compromise their accreditation - All valid concerns.

I didn’t have the chance to recuse myself before a decision was made, but plan to do so if they choose to revisit this property. 

Sadly, our board voted no to purchasing the property, however, this site is still vulnerable to future development, which can destroy it’s beautiful wetland and biological resources if it is not permanently protected. 

This Thursday night, 18 September 2025, 7:00pm at Camp Cochipianee, 291 Beach Street, Goshen CT, the Goshen Land Trust will meet for its annual meeting. I am still on the board of this trust and will be bringing up 190 again in the future, because I believe this is a property of high value that should be protected. 

I am asking those who expressed interest in the Goshen land trust protecting this property, to please come to the meeting and let the board know that you would like them to reconsider this property. 

If our community comes together as a unified voice, perhaps our board will reconsider protecting the land and resources of this property, that over 300 people in this community voted to protect. There will also be a wildlife presentation and information available on how you can volunteer for the trust. 

Together, we can make a difference to help protect the land and resources we love, for wildlife and for future generations. 

Sincerely,

Marissa