Challenge Grant from Newman’s Own Foundation to Help Protect The Preserve

The Trust for Public Land has announced that Newman’s Own Foundation, the independent foundation created by the late actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman, will match donations to The Preserve dollar-for-dollar until a $150,000 challenge has been met.

The Preserve is a 1000-acre coastal forest in Old Saybrook, Westbrook, and Essex that has been the object of conservation efforts since 1997. It is the last large unprotected coastal forest between New York and Boston. In 2014, The Trust for Public Land reached an agreement with the property’s owners to purchase the land. When conserved, wildlife and forest resources will be protected, as will the waters of Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River.

The Newman’s Own Foundation challenge will continue until the final property closing, which is targeted for the end of February 2015. The Foundation’s grant represents an excellent opportunity to close the final gap in the $10 million fundraising campaign for The Preserve. To date, over $9.75 million has been raised from a variety of public and private sources.

“We are thrilled Newman’s Own Foundation has provided this challenge grant as we look to end the campaign and protect this land forever,” exclaimed Alicia Sullivan, Connecticut State Director for The Trust for Public Land. “For anyone who has been considering a donation, this match will double the impact of their giving.”

To donate, please visit www.preserve1000acres.com. You may also mail a check payable to The Trust for Public Land with “The Preserve” in the memo line to: The Trust for Public Land, 101 Whitney Avenue, 2nd floor, New Haven, CT 06510. For more information, contact Lori Fernand at 203-777-7367, ext. 6. or email Lori.Fernand@tpl.org.