Default News Image

During #blackouttuesday, we paused all of our communications. We took time to listen and to reflect. We are speaking up today in solidarity with Black members of our community, all Black people, and those who are demonstrating against racial injustice, inequity, and violence. We condemn the murder of George Floyd and all who have been killed by institutionalized oppression, racism, and bigotry.

Westchester Land Trust is committed to doing our part to put an end to the systemic discrimination and persecution of marginalized communities in the United States. We are not experts and we admit to having a lot to learn and a lot of work to do. We will do better.

For us at Westchester Land Trust, that means persistent learning, educating, and training about race, bias, and systemic racism. It means proactively adjusting our organizational systems, structures, and policies to increase equity, address opportunities for growth, and expand the spaces in our organizational culture for those who have not been historically included.

Our mission of protecting land for everyone is meaningless unless everyone feels welcome and safe in nature, that their voices are being heard, and that we are listening. We will listen and learn and act. Because Black lives matter.

Bruce B. Churchill
Chairman of the Board

Lori Ensinger
President

News Avatar

About Westchester Land Trust

Westchester Land Trust works with public and private partners to preserve land in perpetuity and to enhance the natural resources in Westchester and eastern Putnam counties—a densely populated region under persistent threat from the pressures of development. Founded in 1988, WLT has preserved 9,278 acres of open space. More than 1,148 acres of land are owned by the organization which are free and open to the public year-round. WLT was one of the first land trusts in the nation to receive accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.