Spring is just around the corner and Newtown Forest Association (NFA) is looking forward to the change of season this year.

NFA is running a contest to award five members with a native tree that will be planted on their property in the spring of 2021, free of charge. The prize holds a value of approximately $600.

The contest is open to all Newtown residents who are NFA members.

Memberships start at $35; enroll through the NFA’s website, newtownforestassociation.org.

To enter the Planted Tree Contest, send an e-mail to NFA board member Harvey Pessin, at harvey.pessin@gmail.com, with the answer to the question: Why do I love trees?

Entries must be received no later than March 1.

The winners will be selected and notified shortly thereafter. The five lucky winners will be contacted by a local and insured landscape designer, who will visit each winner at their property and select the best native tree for that site. Trees will be planted by a professional organic landscaping company.

The contest is funded by the Newtown Tree Project Endowment Fund. Best known for the Trees in the Classroom Project, the fund has been operating for more than 25 years.

NFA’s website can also be used to make a secure donation to the nonprofit organization. For those who prefer to write a check or make a pledge, print a membership form from the website and sent it to Newtown Forest Association, PO Box 213, Newtown CT 06470.

Newtown Forest Association is the oldest private land trust organization in Connecticut. It is dedicated to preserving forests, agricultural lands, nature preserves, watersheds, and other open space lands in Newtown for the ongoing benefit of the plant, animals, and citizens of the town.

NFA, Newtown’s largest private landowner, now owns and protects more than 1,300 acres.

Because it a private land trust, NFA is independent from town government and receives no public funding of its operations. As a result, NFA relies primarily on the private giving of donors and members.