Westchester Land Trust Raises Nearly a Half Million Dollars,

Celebrates Protecting the Health of our Community, Forever

Benny Caiola and Susan Henry Honored

(Bedford Hills, NY – June 3, 2019) – Hundreds of generous Westchester Land Trust (WLT) supporters from across the region gathered together last weekend for a fun-filled celebration full of live music, dancing and delicious bites to honor Benny Caiola of Larchmont, Susan Henry of Waccabuc and WLT’s 31-year history of protecting  land. One of Westchester County’s premier annual events, the 2019 Westchester Land Trust Annual Benefit took place on Saturday, June 1^st, amidst the green rolling hills of GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford Hills. The event set a record for WLT, raising nearly a half million dollars to ensure the protection of clean air and drinking water, local food supplies,  land with characteristics that can help us endure climate change , threatened wildlife habitat and places for people to connect with nature, forever.

Caption: An evening under the stars. Hundreds of Westchester Land Trust (WLT) supporters from across the region gathered together at GlenArbor Golf Club on Saturday, June 1, for a fun-filled celebration to honor Benny Caiola of Larchmont, Susan Henry of Waccabuc and WLT’s 31-year history of protecting  land.

As the only organization prioritizing land conservation across Westchester and eastern Putnam counties, Westchester Land Trust relies on supporters, donors, and volunteers to help preserve the health and vitality of our lands. “We could not have preserved  over 8,400 acres of open space including 780 acres of nature preserves owned by the organization which are free and open to the public year-round without the support of all who joined us for our Annual Benefit,” said Lori Ensinger, Westchester Land Trust President. “We are incredibly fortunate to have so many friends join us as we celebrated Benny Caiola, Susan Henry and the protection of land where it matters most, right here at home.”

Benefit attendees, dressed in garden chic summer attire, enjoyed wood-fired pizza, farm fresh food stations, and custom “Westchester Bees Knees” cocktails as the sun went down. Guests were treated to impromptu slight-of-the-hand magic and a 19^th hole golf contest that brought out the competitive side of guests. This year’s silent auction featured one-of-a-kind experiences such as a week in Aspen, a private tour of Martha Stewart’s garden, a weekend at Lake Placid’s Film Festival and more.

Image Caption: (L to R) WLT President Lori Ensinger; WLT Annual Benefit Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Susan Henry of Waccabuc;  WLT Annual Benefit ANGEL Award Recipient Benny Caiola of Larchmont

Image Caption: Angelina and Monte Lipman (pictured above at WLT’s 2019 Annual Benefit) invite you to their home for Westchester Land Trust’s 2020 Annual Benefit to be held on June 6, 2020.

A heartwarming program, emceed by Dave Tobias, Director of the Land Acquisition Program at New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection, included a captivating video highlighting Benny Caiola’s and Susan Henry’s commitment to land protection. The evening continued with “Noiz,” an all-star live band, headlining a boogie-down dance party that had everyone moving all night long. The evening ended with WLT supporters joining together with old friends and new to toast another successful year of land conservation for our local communities.

Image Caption: (Left) Chloe Aronson of Rye, NY (6ths from the left)  and friends from around the region pose for photo at WLT’s 2019 Annual Benefit. Quote from Chloe of Rye NY,” We had an incredible time attending the Westchester Land Trust annual benefit. We were thrilled to support WLT, an organization that prioritizes land preservation by collaborating with both public and private partners. WLT’s vision is something I can get behind — preserving the natural resources in Westchester County for future generations. I’m grateful for the work WLT has done and will continue to do. The annual benefit was a great excuse to dress up, sip on delicious drinks, indulge in excellent food, enjoy great company and dance FOR HOURS with family and friends alike. Truly a night to remember.” (Right) WLT Advisory Board Member Janelle Robbins and her husband Steve of Somers with Ernest and Princess Lyles of Harlem, NY.

Elected officials attending the event included Westchester County Board of Legislators Majority Leader Catherine Parker, Westchester County Legislator Kitley Covill, Bedford Town Supervisor Chris Burdick and Lewisboro Town Supervisor Peter Parsons.

ABOUT WESTCHESTER LAND TRUST

Based in Bedford Hills, NY the Westchester Land Trust has worked for 30 years with public and private partners to preserve land forever and protect and enhance the natural resources in Westchester and eastern Putnam counties—a densely populated region under persistent threat from the pressures of development. Through the use of conservation easements and outright land acquisition, WLT’s efforts benefit the long-term health of these communities by safeguarding critical watershed areas, air quality, food supply and natural habitats, as well as contributing to climate resiliency.  Since its founding in 1988, WLT has preserved over 8,400 acres of open space including 780 acres of preserves owned by the organization which are free and open to the public year-round.

Click here to view additional photos from the event. 

For more information about WLT, please visit westchesterlandtrust.org and connect with us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/WLandTrust) and Instagram (@WestchesterLandTrust).