Bedford Hills, NY— Westchester Land Trust (WLT), a nationally accredited land conservation nonprofit, and its president, Kara Whelan, have been recognized as one of eight changemakers featured on CNN’s annual Champions for Change special. Airing Saturday, September 13 and hosted by CNN’s Erin Burnett, the segment highlights WLT’s holistic approach to protecting land—preserving forests and wetlands, safeguarding farmland, and ensuring that all people have access to the natural resources that sustain us.

The feature shines a light on WLT’s food pantry garden at its Sugar Hill Farm headquarters, where community volunteers come together to plant, harvest, and share in the experience of growing food. Since 2012, this initiative has provided nearly 80,000 servings of fresh vegetables to local pantries, offering families in Westchester County access to healthy, nourishing produce.

Yet, as Whelan points out, this effort is part of a larger vision: “Our work starts with conserving land and caring for our preserves, because these places are essential for clean air, water, and wildlife. But conservation also means protecting farmland and making sure families have access to the food those farms produce. It’s all connected.”

That perspective is deeply personal for Whelan. Growing up in Westchester, she fell in love with nature and developed an early conviction to protect the places that gave her a sense of peace and belonging. That passion has fueled her career in conservation and continues to guide WLT’s work today.

As part of its farmland conservation efforts, WLT helped protect the nearly 200-year-old Stuart’s Farm, the oldest working farm in Westchester County, in 2018. Today, the farm remains a beloved destination for apple picking and continues to produce food for the community. WLT also protected Ryder Farm, the oldest working farm in Putnam County, in 2023.

By combining traditional land protection with programs that directly address food insecurity, WLT ensures that conservation is not only about saving land, but also about strengthening the resilience and wellbeing of local communities.

Building on the visibility of the CNN feature, WLT invites supporters to join another effort that advances farmland protection: its annual fall fundraiser, Reggae in the Barn. Taking place on September 18 at Maple Grove Farm in Bedford, the family friendly event features live music, food, and community celebration—all in support of WLT’s mission. Proceeds will directly benefit the organization’s efforts to conserve farmland and sustain local agriculture.

Tickets for Reggae in the Barn are available now at westchesterlandtrust.org. For sponsorship opportunities or more information, contact Susan Leighton at susan@westchesterlandtrust.org or 914-234-6992, ext. 23.

Westchester Land Trust acknowledges that our region is within the traditional territories of the Lenape people and that their culture and traditions live on today.