“The highlight of the evening” at the November 14 annual Newtown Forest Association Inc (NFA) meeting saw a changing of presidents — Dr Aaron Coopersmith has taken the role of president as Robert Eckenrode steps down from a position he has held since 2008.

Mr Eckenrode said, “We have accomplished a lot, and a big part of that has been working together and sharing the passion for the work we do. It’s been an honor for me personally to help manage and conserve some of the wildest places here in Newtown and share these efforts with our community. Dr Aaron Coopersmith has been a great asset to the NFA, and we look forward to working with him and his leadership in the coming years.”

Dr Coopersmith — an NFA board of directors member for the past ten years and now its president — said, “It brings me great joy to serve an organization whose goal is to preserve and protect the open space in our community. I am greatly honored to be a part of the Newtown Forest Association and hope for a successful 2020.”

According to a recent release following the annual meeting, Mr Eckenrode had served as president since May 2008 and had led the organization to become nationally accredited and received the Best All-Volunteer Land Trust in the Nation by the Land Trust Alliance. Mr Eckenrode has also served as a leader in regional land trust collaborations that focus on looking at land conservation and wildlife corridors across a larger region and not on a community-by-community basis.

He had also focused on sound stewardship of NFA preserves, “basing management plans on proven science for the most desired longterm benefit,” says the release. As Mr Eckenrode would contemplate, “Perpetuity is a long time, and we can’t afford to not do the right thing.”

Dr Coopersmith (“Dr A”) had been one of the organization’s “biggest [and certainly tallest] cheerleader,” by building trails and leading several guided hikes on preserves throughout the year and recently leading the 5K and Wine Tasting Events, the release states.

The new NFA president is a local business owner and “committed to the community he was born and raised in,” he said. Dr Coopersmith outlined his vision, focusing on “transforming the NFA to a staffed organization, starting with the hiring of an executive director and outreach to our community to engage and mold the next generation of conservation leaders,” according to the release.

Treasurer Guy Peterson said, “The transition of the role of president should be seamless, as Bob is not leaving us and is expected to continue to work on the issues he is passionate about.

"Dr A is the next generation conservationist and is the right person to help connect and mentor our younger generation and get them engaged and passionate about the great outdoors in a time when too many are focused on technology. Dr A is the right person to lead the NFA from an all-volunteer led organization to a staffed organization,” Mr Peterson added

Vice President Bart Smith commented that the NFA is “incredibly lucky, as an organization, to have board members and volunteers who continue to step up to help further the mission of the NFA. Aaron’s desire to lead our organization is another example of strength of the NFA.”

Aaron Coopersmith

Dr Aaron Coopersmith replied to several questions from The Newtown Bee, offering some insights. He shared his vision:

*To acquire an executive director for the NFA within the upcoming year. An executive director would allow the board to engage into the community and enhance the effectiveness of the organization. This will be salaried position.

*Plan of action focused on a budget and initiative, where the executive director pays for itself, via grants and other financial means.

*Engage in the community to ensure the longevity of the organization.

*Outreach programs.

*Social events.

*Increase membership.

“Did you know," Dr Coopersmith asekd, "the NFA currently has less than 100 members? Newtown’s population is 27,560.

“We need to let the community know that we need their help,” he added. “The Newtown Forest Association is a private organization. A group of volunteers who donate their time to help preserving forests, agricultural lands, nature preserves, watersheds, and other open space lands in Newtown for the ongoing benefit of the plants, animals, and citizens of our town.”

He aims to maintain the Land Trust Alliance accreditation NFA received as the nation’s best all-volunteer land trust.

Goals for the accreditation include land conservation, land stewardship, community outreach and education, and philanthropy, per the NFA mission.

The vision of the NFA “is to be a driving force for maintaining the rural character of Newtown through the acquisition and stewardship of open space of all kinds. To this end, we will engage with the community, the town, the State of Connecticut, and like-minded organizations whenever possible to fulfill our mission of preserving open space in Newtown,” Mr Coopersmith said.

Bob Eckenrode

Stepping down as president, but saying he plans to stay very much involved with NFA, Mr Eckenrode said he “will be focusing on using good science in exploring and managing the wild places we care for and sharing these experiences with our community... It’s always been an honor to share the joy and passion in caring for things in the natural world around us. That’s what I value most as a longtime member of the Newtown Forest Association.”

Offering a parting speech during the annual meeting, he said, “I have always felt our collective contributions have been the most successful when we all worked together as a team. Most importantly has been the leadership we have shared in doing the things we have accomplished.

“Unity of purpose and a real understanding of how important it is to keep ourselves and each other motivated and having fun doing it has always been important to me," Mr Eckenrode added. "We have accomplished a lot, and it’s my hope we will continue to do so. We have been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally as a leader in the world of all volunteer land trusts and conservation, and it is my hope that we continue to do so.”

While considering his next steps with the NFA, he said, “The fact that we have over 100 separate properties of open space all over Newtown simply means we have a wild natural place in everyone’s neighborhood. In essence, everyone is our neighbor, which is a very good thing. I plan to focus on where I started some 14 years ago in my own backyard with Newtown Forest Association involving stewardship and sharing the values of community outreach and conservation.”

With support for the new president, Mr Eckenrode said, “Once again, it’s time for us to come together as a team to take on the challenges ahead. It is my request that we join together and start this process now by showing our support for Dr Aaron Coopersmith as our choice for president. He has been a great asset to the NFA, and we look forward to working with him and his leadership.”

Annual Meeting Notes

At its annual meeting on November 14, conducted at Holcombe Hill Preserve, the NFA board, according to a press release, highlighted some of its activities, including the integration of the Cherry Grove Farm Preserve by adding a parking area, a pollinator garden, and trail markings.

NFA shared its continued effort to live harmoniously with the local beaver colony at Cavanaugh Pond by rebuilding the existing beaver deceiver and now managing their efforts to dam up the spillway on the outflow of the pond. The association also explained its approach to the tree blight, focusing on removal of dead trees near trails or rerouting trails.

The board recognized Tim Gagne and Bill Piscareta, who have resigned from the board after having served with distinction over the years of their tenure. Mr Gagne’s talents will be greatly missed as the designer and editor of the periodic newsletter, Whispers in the Forest.

The NFA also remembered two past presidents, Martha Wright and Doug Rogers. Combined, the two served NFA for almost 60 years. Ms Wright was actively involved and dedicated until her death, and Mr Rogers played a big role in securing the Holcombe Hill Preserve on Great Hill Road.

The NFA shared its plans to evaluate and hire an executive director. Currently, the NFA has no paid management, and the hiring of an executive director will help manage the day-to-day operations and undertake some of the projects to which the all-volunteer board has not found time to dedicate its efforts.

“This will make the NFA an even stronger organization and really set itself for more outreach to the community and ultimately help our community preserve and maintain its open spaces and natural outdoor resources,” the release states.

Learn more about the organization and its properties at newtownforestassociation.org.