Past Events
2025 Annual Benefit, Fields of Gold: Celebrating Champions of New Horizons
Thank you to all who attended Westchester Land Trust’s 2025 annual benefit, Fields of Gold: Celebrating Champions of New Horizons! This splendid summer soiree took place on Saturday, June 7, and was graciously hosted by the Hadar family at their breathtaking Ivanna Farm in Mount Kisco, part of the “Woodpile” Historic Landscape District. The property overlooks stunning fields of gold, protected forever through a Westchester Land Trust conservation easement established by Jim and Twink Wood, late longtime supporters who previously owned the property.
HONOREES
Preservation Award
Laura Desmarais
For her passion and determination to protect the stunning Round Rock Preserve in New Castle
Community Volunteer Award
Amy Ferguson
For her years of dedicated service as a Westchester Land Trust Board Member, community ambassador, and all-around land conservation champion
Youth Conservation Award
Caleb Carpenter
For his hands-on leadership at Sugar Hill Farm, growing fresh food for local families in need
Photos by Brien Adams.
2025 Annual Benefit ‘Fields of Gold’ Honoree Video
2025 Annual Benefit Slideshow
2024 Fall Fundraiser, Reggae in the Barn
Thank you to all who came out to jam at our fun and oh-so-hip fall event, Reggae in the Barn, on Thursday, September 19 with our live reggae band, Rho & The Nomads!
All funds raised from this event support WLT’s land conservation mission, including farmland protection and food justice work.
Photos by Brien Adams.
2024 Annual Benefit, Growing Our Future
Thank you to all who attended Westchester Land Trust’s 2024 annual benefit, Growing Our Future! This fabulous event was held on Saturday, June 8 at historic Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.
Preservation Award
The Ryder Family
owners and operators of Ryder Farm, the oldest working farm in Putnam County, permanently protected by WLT through a conservation easement in 2023
Lifetime Achievement Award
Annie Farrell
local farming icon who has revolutionized agriculture in the region for decades
Community Volunteer Award
Mike Surdej
WLT Advisory Board member and longtime stewardship volunteer
Photos by Brien Adams.
2024 Annual Benefit ‘Growing Our Future’ Honoree Video
2024 Annual Benefit Ejournal
2023 Annual Benefit, The Art of Nature
Thank you to all who attended Westchester Land Trust’s 2023 annual benefit, the Art of Nature! This spectacular event was held on Saturday, June 3 at PepsiCo Headquarters overlooking the Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens in Purchase, NY.
Honorees
Lori Ensinger, former WLT president, Lifetime Achievement Award
Jen Schwartz and the Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation, Preservation Award
Stella and Jack Sanko, Youth Conservationist Honorees
