The Bethlehem Land Trust is a nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. They are dedicated to the conservation of open space, agricultural land, forests, water resources, and native plant and animal life, all of which contribute to the rural character of our community. The Bethlehem Land Trust is funded entirely by the generosity of individuals and businesses in the area that share an appreciation of the unique character of our town and wish to ensure it remains unspoiled.

Bethlehem Land Trust volunteers make a difference in their communities by helping protect open space, restoring habitat, and building and maintaining trails. They also need volunteers to help with our fundraisers, legal advice, grant writing, and much more. 

Bethlehem Land Trust
P.O. Box 322, Bethlehem
203-266-5595

The Bridgewater Land Trust was founded in 1987. A non-profit organization administered by town residents, the Land Trust supports a variety of conservation and education activities aimed at protecting Bridgewater’s natural resources, including land acquisition and donation, conservation easements, support of local farms, and sponsorship of educational and other programs. Their mission is “Preserve. Protect. Care.”

Becoming a Bridgewater Land Trust volunteer is a wonderful way to connect with like-minded others as well as a chance to get to know the people who steer and support the organization. Volunteered time, energy, and talents are invested locally, in the community, and all efforts translate into visible, living, lasting results.

Bridgewater Land Trust
P.O. Box 8, Bridgewater
860-355-8233

Community Caring in Bridgewater, Inc, (CCB) is a non-profit program providing a referral system of services and support (both general and emergency) for the 400+ households with at least one resident who is age 50 or over in Bridgewater, Connecticut.  This community program is in addition to the services provided by the Town of Bridgewater.

Their goal is to make it possible for seniors and their families to stay in their homes independently and fully enjoy life here while having access to the care and resources needed as they grow older, from home energy assessments to nursing referrals.

They always need volunteers.

Community Caring Bridgewater
860-350-2194

Organized in 1986, The Colebrook Land Conservancy, Inc. is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Colebrook’s rural character through the conservation of its natural resources. The Conservancy protects 1,306 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and scenic roadsides, as well as the historic Hale Farm. An important part of the Conservancy’s mission is fostering an appreciation of the environment. To that end, they sponsor a variety of educational and recreational activities throughout the year. 

Colebrook Land Conservancy
P.O. Box 90, Colebrook
860-379-1679

The Cornwall Conservation Trust is a local non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of our town’s natural assets. It is organized to provide broad public participation in its activities, and membership is open to everyone. Their mission is to conserve open space lands in Cornwall and adjacent towns and to manage those lands to promote wildlife habitat, forest improvement, water quality, farming and public recreation. 

Volunteers are always needed to help their preservation efforts.

Cornwall Conservation Trust
P.O. Box 74, West Cornwall
860-248-3255

Housatonic Valley Association, a tri-state nonprofit citizen’s environmental group, works to conserve the natural character, environmental health, and the economies of our region by protecting and restoring its land and water. They protect the natural character and environmental health of the entire Housatonic Watershed for this and future generations. They monitor water quality, add sections to the Housatonic RiverBelt Greenway (linking preserved space along the Housatonic River with hiking and biking trails), and use computer mapping to help towns measure the impact and benefits of land use and development.

Volunteers are always needed at the Housatonic Valley Association.

Housatonic Vallery Association 
P.O. Box 28, 150 Kent Rd., Cornwall Bridge
860-672-6678

The mission of the Little Guild is to rescue, love, and heal homeless dogs and cats and help them find the forever homes they deserve. They also serve the broader community through such programs as reduced-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, a free pet food pantry, and pet-related education events.

Volunteers are often needed.

Little Guild
285 Sharon Goshen Turnpike, West Cornwall
860-672-6346

The Goshen Land Trust, Inc. is a non-profit organization of volunteers, founded in 1980, for the purposes of improving the quality of life for current and future generations of Goshen, Connecticut area residents, through the preservation and protection of natural and open lands. Over the years, the Land Trust has secured ownership of 510.1 acres of land and conservation easements on an additional 183 acres. Much of this land is along stream corridors with wild beauty and historic mill sites. The Goshen Land Trust’s intent is to protect such land in perpetuity for the purpose of habitat preservation and enhancement, water quality protection, agricultural productivity, education, passive recreation, and scenic and historic preservation.

They are interested in volunteers to help with invasive species removal, inspection of conserved properties, office work, fund raising, trail maintenance.

Goshen Land Trust
16 Mill St., Goshen
860-491-5263

The mission of the Harwinton Land Trust is to acquire and conserve important parcels of natural open space for the benefit of Harwinton and its residents. The Harwinton Land Trust owns over 170 acres of open space, and another 90 acres held in conservation easement. The public is most welcome to visit the properties that they directly own, and to enjoy the trails and wildlife observation areas.

Help preserve Harwinton’s aesthetic rural qualities and protect its important natural areas by becoming a volunteer of the Land Trust.

Harwinton Land Trust
P.O. Box 113, Harwinton
860-485-1347

Kent Land Trust is a local community land trust based in the foothills of northwest Connecticut, along the Appalachian Trail and the Housatonic River, and within a landscape of wildlife corridors, green valleys and watersheds supporting diverse species. Established in 1989, their mission is to preserve natural resources in Kent and surroundings through land protection, stewardship, and public outreach, education and research.

They welcome volunteers of all ages and abilities, and believe every person has something valuable to offer.

Kent Land Trust
P.O. Box 888, Kent
860-488-9185

Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy is the land trust resulting from the merger of Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust and Naromi Land Trust. As a guardian of natural and working lands, public recreation areas, and drinking water resources, they permanently protect over 12,000 acres of vast, connected natural areas, including 23 public preserves with hiking trails and more than 30 working farms.

Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy
P.O. Box 821, Kent
860-927-1927

The land and trail network at Pond Mountain Natural Area, maintained for everyone’s enjoyment by Pond Mountain Trust, are the enduring legacy of the late Myra H. Hopson of Kent. Established by Miss Hopson in 1966, the Trust administers a natural tract of nearly 800 acres in cooperation with the Connecticut Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. The purpose of the Trust is the perpetual preservation of the land in its natural state, as free as possible from all human interference, for scientific, educational, and cultural use. It is hoped that visitors will find it a place where body, mind and spirit are refreshed.

Pond Mountain Trust
120 Fuller Mountain Rd.
860-927-3827

For 28 years, Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Connecticut has participated in working to build stronger communities.  They treasure their volunteers, donors from the past and present, and those who work to create lasting impacts for hard-working local families.  Without our wonderful community, Habitat for Humanity could not provide the opportunity of affordable home ownership and help families to achieve their dreams of a brighter future.

Habitat for Humanity NWCT
860-435-4747

Litchfield Land Trust was established in 1968 as one of Connecticut’s earliest land trusts.They are dedicated to helping protect the area’s scenic vistas, natural resources, and the “New England character” of Litchfield for present and future residents. Their mission is simply stated as “Preserving and Protecting. Forever.”

Litchfield Land Trust can always use help clearing trails, identifying areas requiring improvement, hosting/greeting at events and fair booths, with social and print media, inventorying and monitoring their properties.

Litchfield Land Trust
28 Russell Street, Litchfield, 
PO Box 712
860-361-9310

An international nonprofit organization that conserves rare and endangered waterfowl from around the world.

Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy 
55 Duck Pond Rd., Litchfield
860-567-2062

The White Memorial Conservation Center operates an Environmental Education Center and Nature Museum, and  is located in the heart of the 4000-acre White Memorial Foundation. The outdoor arena includes the wildlife sanctuary. The Foundation comprises fields, water, and woodlands, trails, campgrounds, boating facilities, and special areas for large outdoor educational and recreational gatherings. The White Memorial has miles of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. It is free and open to the public.

White Memorial Conservation Center
80 Whitehall Rd., Litchfield 
860-567-0857

The New Hartford Land Trust is an all-volunteer, private non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting the permanent preservation and protection of farmland, forest, and other open space and natural resources in New Hartford. They also have activities in safeguarding interesting geological features and areas of ecological value; preserving unique scenic, natural and historic sites; and educating the public about its local natural resources.

They depend on members to support operations, insurance, mailings, land maintenance expenses and most importantly, to acquire land.

New Hartford Land Trust
P.O. Box 272, New Hartford

The Animal Welfare Society, Inc. (AWS) was founded in 1965 as an independent, non-profit, non-destroy animal rescue organization. AWS offers refuge to homeless and abandoned dogs and cats, and places them in loving, responsible homes. Each year hundreds of animals are rescued by AWS from our local communities, throughout our state and from high-kill facilities outside of Connecticut.

There are many areas available for volunteers and many ways to assist the shelter. The volunteer page of their website has a partial list of opportunities.

Animal Welare Society
8 Dodd Rd., New Milford
860-354-1350

Instagram: @animalwelfaresociety.inc

Located in New Milford, their mission is to bring homeless, abused, senior, or otherwise at-risk animals to safety and let them live out full lives on the farm.

Clover Ridge Animal Sanctuary
P.O. 2053
New Milford, CT

Instagram: @cloverridgeanimalsanctuary

Loaves & Fishes Hospitality House served its first meal on June 4, 1984. They currently operate as a soup kitchen, and are committed to return to their roots as a Hospitality House. Loaves & Fishes is a place where everyone is accepted as part of this loving community and is provided opportunities to flourish and grow.

They rely on donated funds, food, and supplies, and faithful volunteers who freely give of themselves to prepare and serve the daily meal and provide a bag lunch to go.

Loaves and Fishes
The Richmond Center
40 Main Street, New Milford
203-417-1333

This 205-acre wildlife preserve and environmental education center ensures campers have fun and experience hands-on opportunities from hiking in the meadows to observing animals. The outdoor classroom includes 250 acres of woodlands, farmland, meadows, and ponds.

Pratt Nature Center
163 Paper Mill Rd, New Milford
860-355-3137

Judea Garden began in spring 2009. This garden is where community volunteers comes together to provide fresh produce for members of our community who have limited financial resources. Volunteers are the backbone of Judea Garden. Without them, they would not be able to bring fresh produce to those in need. Come volunteer to use your skills, or develop new ones, while helping the community.

Donations of time, money and gardening items (shovels, rakes, etc.) will be gratefully accepted.

Judea Garden
124 Christian St
860-868-9131

Aton Forest, Inc. was formed to preserve the lands assembled by Dr. Frank E. Egler as a Research Natural Area and to continue the low impact, long-term ecological research that he pioneered. The organization also maintains an archive of Dr. Egler ’s written material and library, and curates a portion of his house and furnishings as an informal museum. The aim is to preserve and continue the physical and intellectual legacy of our founder.

They are always interested in volunteers to lend a hand. Volunteer activities include: trail work, gardening, naturalistic landscaping, archival work, outreach, graphic design, fundraising, and a number of research projects

Aton Forest
P.O. Box 509, Norfolk
917-679-1426

The Norfolk Land Trust (“NLT”), an all volunteer organization, was created in 1982 to encourage the preservation of natural heritage and open space in Norfolk, Connecticut. Their resources include pristine water courses, beautiful wetlands, meadows and woodlands, and the plants and animals whose habitat it is. NLT is interested in helping preserve tracts of land which support conservation, recreation, scenic and local historical and cultural values. To date NLT has protected more than 4,000 acres of open space with conservation easements.

Norfolk Land Trust
P.O. Box 363, Norfolk
860-307-8380

The Plymouth Land Trust, Inc. is a local, non-profit organization formed to permanently protect land in Plymouth, Connecticut for its natural, recreational, scientific, scenic, historical, or agricultural value. The Land Trust originated in 1967 with the donation of 25 acres. They now have almost 125 acres, all through donations by individuals who wish to leave a legacy of permanently protected land. They depend on volunteers who want to make a difference and care about conserving land for future generations. 

P.O. Box 76, Plymouth
plymouthlandtrust.org

In an effort to preserve Roxbury’s heritage and landscape, the Roxbury Land Trust focuses on conserving open space, preserving Roxbury’s history, saving the farms, protecting the waterways, offering recreational access, and educating residents with educational walks and hikes throughout the year. The Land Trust maintains 32 preserves, most of which are open to the public. Today 3,675 acres are conserved as open space under the Trust’s stewardship.

The Roxbury Land Trust can always use volunteers. Some ways to help out include monitoring and maintaining trails and preserves, guiding trail walks, and accompanying school groups on preserves outings.

Roxbury Land Trust
P.O. Box 51, Roxbury
860-350-4148

The mission of the Salisbury Association Land Trust is to preserve cherished vistas, pristine water, agricultural fields, and important wildlife habitat, while making large areas available for public enjoyment. Additionally, the land trust puts on exhibits with nature themes at the Academy Building and sponsors lectures with environmental themes at the Scoville Memorial Library. For local students, the land trust funds environmental education programs and field trips, and students participate in projects at land trust properties. Currently, the Salisbury Association Land Trust preserves more than 3,000 acres of important forest, agricultural, ecological and scenic resources in conservation easements and fee land ownership.

The land trust is always looking for volunteers and committee members. Contact the Salisbury Association to find out more.

Salisbury Association Land Trust
P.O. Box 553, Salisbury
860-435-0566

Since 1992, Chore Service has been committed to building a healthy community in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut. They are a leading resource for non-medical services for seniors and disabled residents for stay-at-home services.

To help, you can provide donations or volunteer.

The Chore Service
15 Academy St, Unit 6
860-435-9177

The complex includes three nature sanctuaries along with additional private parcels of land.

Sharon Audubon Center
325 Cornwall Bridge Rd, Sharon
860-364-0520
Instagram: @sharonauduboncenter

The mission of the Sharon Land Trust is to act as stewards of the lands through preservation and conservation for the benefit of nature and the community.  The Trust holds conservation easements on more than 1800 acres and owns more than 1400 acres. This land will remain open and unspoiled in perpetuity, for the use and enjoyment of everyone now and forever.

The Land Trust is always in need of volunteers! They can match a volunteer project to fit the volunteers interest.

Sharon Land Trust
P.O. Box 1027, Sharon 
860-364-5137
Instagram: @sharonlandtrust

Produce from this garden in West Cornwall goes to the food pantry at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia Union, which feeds more than 120 people each week. The garden is always looking for donations and, in season, for volunteers to help with planting, weeding and harvesting. Contact Mary Gates.

[email protected]

Women’s Support Services creates social change to end interpersonal, relationship violence by challenging attitudes and beliefs about power, control, and gender norms and by advocating for victims and survivors. This organization provides services to people suffering emotional, sexual or physical abuse.

They use volunteers regularly, either for special events or in its office.

Women’s Support Services
13a Porter Street
860-364-1080

Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD) is a non-profit organization that breeds and trains dogs to become service dogs. Their mission is to enable people with disabilities to gain greater independence and mobility through the use of specially educated dogs. They have a variety of programs designed to meet the needs of a specific population: veterans, persons living with disabilities, children as young as two with Autism, and facilities.

ECAD is always looking for volunteers to help train the dogs, take them home on the weekend, and raise awareness through events.

Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities
P.O. Box 831 Torrington
860-489-6550

The mission of FISH NWCT is to provide the most basic of human needs—food, shelter and hope. Since opening its doors in 1972, FISH has evolved into the largest emergency homeless shelter (35 beds) in the NWCT corner, providing families, individuals and veterans a safe and secure haven as they await permanent supportive housing, as well as serving the residents (over 1500 annually) of area communities as a food pantry.

FISH NWCT appreciates and depends on the generosity of community neighbors to support their food pantry and homeless emergency shelter programs. Be sure to look on their website to find ways to help.

FISH NWCT
332 South Main St, Torrington
860-482-7300

The Heritage Land Preservation Trust (HLPT) is an independent nonprofit organization, founded in 1968. They have saved over 600 acres of land, and helped residents and landowners protect and conserve their land, forests, farmlands, ponds and rivers by creating public nature preserves. Their mission is to act as stewards of the land, waterways and wildlife entrusted to us by landowners, in perpetuity; and to engage in and otherwise promote the scientific study of and to educate the public in regard to the preservation of surrounding natural resources.

The HLPT is always in need of the time and expertise of new volunteers.

Heritage Land Preservation Trust 
P.O. Box 596, Torrington
860-361-6835

Kitty Quarters is an all volunteer, all-cat rescue, adoption, and education center. Their mission is to pair cats with people, to benefit both. It is a place where people and cats can benefit from a unique approach to rescue and adoption.

If your heart is big enough, your body strong enough, and your love deep enough to fill this critical role in our community, Kitty Quarters wants you as a volunteer.

Kitty Quarters
1188 New Litchfield St, Torrington
860-482-2888
Instagram: @kittyquarters

The Litchfield County 4‑H club empowers young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime. It’s a research-based experience that includes a mentor, a hands-on project, and a meaningful leadership opportunity. For more than 100 years, 4‑H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better. Through life-changing 4‑H programs, nearly six million kids and teens have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse and advocating for equity and inclusion for all.

Volunteers play a vital role in the ongoing growth and development of those in the 4‑H Youth Development program. Join the Litchfield County 4-H club as a volunteer today.

Litchfield County 4-H
843 University Dr, Torrington
860-626-6240

This outstanding agency provides assistance to adults with serious mental illness. Prime Time House helps these individuals to find their personal pathways to independence and productivity including employment, education, housing and friendship.

Volunteers and donations are always welcome.

Prime Time House
836 Main St, Torrington
860-618-2479
Instagram: @prime_time_house

Promotes safety, healing, and growth for all survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and advocates for the autonomy of women and the end of interpersonal violence.

Susan B. Anthony Project 
179 Water St, Torrington
860-489-3798

The Torrington Soup Kitchen has been providing meals since 1983. It is a place where people come for daily contact with others, as well as a place that provides an opportunity for individuals to meet staff from area agencies and programs for assistance with the many needs and problems they experience. The soup kitchen serves people from all walks of life, including homeless individuals and families, and the working disadvantaged.

Food donations and volunteers are always needed.

Torrington Soup Kitchen 
220 Prospect St, Torrington
860-482-0130

The Warren Land Trust is dedicated to the preservation of the rural character of Warren. They work to preserve farmland, open space, natural and endangered resources such as wetlands, forests and wildlife habitats, by encouraging the gifting of land and the use of conservation easements to permanently preserve open space. To date, they have over 793 acres under their protection, 11 fee properties and 15 conservation easements. Land under the protection of the Warren Land Trust is preserved and protected from development forever.

Volunteers are very important to the Warren Land Trust, and they have a listing of opportunities on their website.

Warren Land Trust
50 Cemetery Rd, Warren

Founded in 1999, ASAP! is a social profit organization recognized as the place for high quality and innovative learning experiences. We believe that when we honor children’s imaginations, invite them to create, encourage them to take risks, and trust their resourcefulness, they will become the empowered, resilient, and compassionate adults the world really needs. Serving nearly 10,000 students throughout CT each year, ASAP! promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion in all its programs.

ASAP
Bee Brook Rd, Unit B, Washington Depot
860-868-0740
Instagram: @asap_arts

The Humane Organization Representing Suffering Equines (H.O.R.S.E.) of Connecticut Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of abused and neglected horses. Over the past 35 years, H.O.R.S.E. has saved more than 700 lives. In addition to direct intervention, H.O.R.S.E. also maintains an ongoing commitment to educating the public about horse care.

They are staffed by a team of volunteers who share dedication and love of the beautiful horse.  H.O.R.S.E. volunteers intervene on behalf of suffering equines by providing relief, recovery, shelter, and rehabilitation. If you share a similar love of horses, consider becoming a volunteer.

H.O.R.S.E. of CT
43 Wilbur Rd, Washington
860-868-1960

This 998-acre preserve offers hiking trails that follow the river banks and lead to breathtaking views including the Railroad Tunnel, Holiday House, and Steep Rock Summit.

Steep Rock Association
2 Tunnel Rd, Washington Depot
860-868-9131

The Watertown Land Trust is a non-profit organization chartered in 1974 for the purpose of preserving open space in Watertown.  Since that time, they have acquired over 242 acres of open land which is available for public use for passive recreation and education.

The Watertown Land Trust is always looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers! 

Watertown Land Trust
P.O. Box 382, Watertown
860-274-0831

The Cornwall Conservation Trust is a local non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of our town’s natural assets. It is organized to provide broad public participation in its activities, and membership is open to everyone. Their mission is to conserve open space lands in Cornwall and adjacent towns and to manage those lands to promote wildlife habitat, forest improvement, water quality, farming and public recreation. 

Volunteers are always needed to help their preservation efforts.

Cornwall Conservation Trust
P.O. Box 74, West Cornwall
860-248-3255

The Winchester Land Trust is a private, nonprofit, service organization, directed and managed by its members. Their purpose is to promote, for the benefit of the general public, the preservation of open space and natural resources, principally in, but not limited to, the Town of Winchester. They serve as steward of the town’s rural character and natural heritage, striving to foster the preservation of Winchester’s unique lands forever. Working with government representatives and public and private landowners, the Trust informs and educates the community to promote the benefits of land conservation and balanced growth.

Every year, the Winchester Land Trust puts on many events where volunteers are needed.

Winchester Land Trust
P.O. Box 10, Winchester Center
860-379-9622

Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust has the mission to foster understanding and appreciation of nature, art and the wonders of the natural world through land preservation, stewardship and education. They aim to safeguard a future in which the scenic landscapes, forests, wetlands, agricultural lands, and wildlife habitats are preserved forever, while being a leading center for environmental education for all ages.

Flanders offers regular opportunities for members and friends to share their skills and interests with the organization and community. They rely on its volunteers to carry on its mission of preserving and caring for more than 2,300 acres of protected property in the region.

Flanders Nature Center
5 Church Hill Rd, Woodbury
203-263-3711