Are you a land-rich, cash-poor resident of Ledyard, Groton, Stonington, or North Stonington? Does land preservation interest you? Have you tried and failed when Connecticut and/or land trusts were lacking resources to help you preserve your land? If so, then you may be a land owner who could benefit from a bold, new, and very innovative U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal, called Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS). USFWS would acquire property from willing sellers through conservation easements or acquisition. It first needs to be approved after the public comment period.

Judy Benson’s article, “New wildlife refuge proposal would include land in four area towns,” (Jan. 20), first brought this opportunity to our attention. You should take an immediate interest in this proposal because it is a great one. Please read about it and support it with your public comments to USFWS before March 4, 2016. Go to http://www.fws.gov/northeast/refuges/planning/lpp/greatthicketLPP.html or your Town Hall to see the draft plan. Don’t let this win-win for people and wildlife slip away. With your positive and overwhelming inputs, this USFWS plan could soon go from concept to reality!

Anne T. Roberts-Pierson

Ledyard