Event at Ivanna Farm overlooking land protected by a Westchester Land Trust conservation easement, will recognize Laura Desmarais, Amy Ferguson, and Caleb Carpenter for their environmental leadership and raise critical funds to protect local land and water.

Bedford Hills, NY— Westchester Land Trust (WLT), a nationally accredited land conservation nonprofit headquartered in Bedford Hills, NY, will host its annual benefit, Fields of Gold: Celebrating Champions of New Horizons, on Saturday, June 7 at the historic Ivanna Farm in Mount Kisco, NY at the intersection of Wood and Croton Lake Road. The event honors individuals—Laura Desmarais, of New Castle; Amy Ferguson, of Mount Kisco; and Caleb Carpenter, of Somers—who have made a lasting impact through land preservation, community service, and youth conservation, while raising urgently needed funds to protect and care for land throughout the region.

“Our honorees embody the heart of Westchester Land Trust’s mission,” said Bruce Churchill chairman of WLT’s Board of Directors. “Through their leadership, compassion, and action, they remind us that conservation is not just about protecting land, it’s about protecting our future.”

This year’s benefit theme, Fields of Gold, evokes the richness of nature, the promise of restoration, and the champions who make it all possible.

  The Preservation Award will be given to Laura Desmarais, of New Castle, for her vision, passion and determination to protect the stunning Round Rock Preserve in the town she calls home. The land that makes up Round Rock Preserve was once slated for development and partially cleared by a developer before the project was halted by funding issues. Kingfisher Philanthropies, of which Desmarais is a trustee, purchased 11.71 acres of land from the developer in 2018 and de-developed the property by repairing construction damage and removing asphalt road, utilities, and trash. This de-development effort was successful in transforming the land into a serene sanctuary open to the community for passive recreation.

“We looked at a broken landscape and believed it could heal,” Desmarais explained. “Now, families walk the trails, wildlife returns, and the land is a place of peace again. That’s what conservation can do. Westchester Land Trust has truly been a conservation hero for our community, stepping in when we needed support the most, and helping us protect this land forever.”

Round Rock Preserve was protected in perpetuity in 2023 by a Westchester Land Trust conservation easement. The preserve is publicly accessible April through December and features robust wildlife habitat that supports many animals and native plants.

The Community Volunteer Award will be given to Amy Ferguson, of Mount Kisco, in recognition of her years of dedicated service as a Westchester Land Trust Board Member, community ambassador, and unwavering champion of land conservation. Ferguson is an active and inspiring presence in the Westchester community and often volunteered at WLT’s Sugar Hill Farm food pantry garden with her children. During her 12 years of service on the WLT Board, she has also worked on multiple boards and projects in the Bedford Central School District.

“Supporting Westchester Land Trust means so much more than protecting beautiful views or scenic trails,” Ferguson said. “It means safeguarding clean air for our children, clean water for our communities, and spaces that restore mental health and wellbeing. The land trust weaves all of that together, and when you support them, you’re supporting the very fabric of what makes our region a beautiful, healthy place to live.”

Ferguson joined the WLT Board out of a deep belief in the importance of taking a proactive approach to preserving and protecting our local lands. Her passion, leadership, and tireless volunteerism have made a lasting impact on the community she serves.

The Youth Conservation Award will be awarded to Caleb Carpenter, of Somers, for his leadership skills at WLT’s Sugar Hill Farm. The food pantry garden grows more than 8,000 servings of fresh food for local families in need and relies on volunteers to plant, weed, water, and harvest the crops. Carpenter has been a dedicated volunteer in the garden for over a year and quickly began leading projects and others in the garden after he first joined. From weeding, watering and hauling mulch under the hot summer sun to gathering up the harvest and preparing it to go to the local food pantry, he created a strong positive morale by always showing with a great attitude and willingness to help.

“Volunteering with Westchester Land Trust opened my eyes to how much of an impact we can have,” Carpenter shared. “Places like Sugar Hill Farm are essential—not just for the environment, but for the people in my own community who rely on it every day. Even a few hours of work can make a real difference. Being part of something that helps both people and the planet has been life changing.”

When he graduates high school next year, Carpenter is interested in exploring a career in green innovation or other environmental sectors.

“At a time when we face unprecedented loss of nature, this is a pivotal moment to ensure we have the funds needed to protect open spaces and natural resources for future generations,” said Kara Whelan, president of Westchester Land Trust. “The funds raised at this year’s benefit will directly fuel our work to protect open space, safeguard clean water, support local farms, and care for the natural places that sustain us all.”

Hosted by the Hadar family, Ivanna Farm is a picturesque estate overlooking a protected WLT conservation easement, offering breathtaking sunset views.  Guests will be treated to hand-crafted signature cocktails, a three-course meal prepared by Marcia Selden Catering, live music and dancing, a live and silent auction with a range of experiences and one-of-a-kind items, and WLT’s ever-popular wine pull.

The event was planned with the help of an enthusiastic and talented benefit committee that includes co-chairs Jessica Watts and Jennifer Wege, as well as Allyson Berry, Eleanor Hershey, Patty Kravit, Lee Manning-Vogelstein, Susan Markowitz, Donna Schwartz, Karen Simmons, Mike Surdej, and Amanda Victoria Mintz.

Tickets and Donations
Tickets for Westchester Land Trust’s biggest fundraiser of the year can be purchased at westchesterlandtrust.org or by contacting Susan Leighton at susan@westchesterlandtrust.org or 914-234-6992 ext. 23. Advertisements and slideshow messages, as well as donations and underwriting opportunities, are also available. Proceeds from the event will benefit WLT’s land protection, stewardship, and community engagement programs.

We acknowledge that our region is within the traditional territories of the Lenape people and that their culture and traditions live on today.