Three former presidents of the Lyme Land Conservation Trust Inc. were recognized for their community service April 16 at a dinner attended by former and current land trust directors, their spouses and friends.

The three past presidents honored were: Anthony Irving, president from 1997-2004; Ralph Lewis, president from 2004-2006; and Linda Bireley, president from 2006-2007.

Executive Director George Moore saluted the accomplishments of the three and the board directors who served with them. Moore pointed out that the terms of all three presidents overlapped significantly, resulting in a team that over 13 years accomplished some of the largest additions to open space in the land trust's 45-year history. Moore went on to commend their continued intellectual contributions to the land trust and their dedication to public service.

The theme for the dinner at the Fox Hopyard On the Rocks Restaurant was "Wood, Stone and Water," which Moore explained signified the expertise of each of three past presidents.

Wood was for Irving (land trust board service: 1994-2004), who is a graduate of the Yale School of Forestry and runs an environmental consulting firm. Stone was for Lewis (land trust board service: 1996-2006), who holds a PhD in geology and is the former Connecticut state geologist. And water was for Bireley (land trust board service: 1997-2007), who holds a PhD in marine biology and also serves as the town of Lyme open space coordinator and oversees operations of fish ladders on the Eightmile River.

Carrying the theme further, John Pritchard, the current president, presented each with a framed color print donated by frequent land trust photo contest ribbon-winner Skip Broom. The picture, taken in Lyme, was an artistic presentation of wood, stone and water.

Pritchard spoke of the honor of following in the footsteps of three such accomplished community volunteers. He noted that until recently, the Lyme Land Trust did not have staff to run the organization, so all the operations and routine work was performed by volunteer officers and board members.

Continuing to preserve land remains a principal objective of the Lyme Land Trust, he said. However, as the land trust's stewardship responsibilities increase, Pritchard said it will become more important to offer expanded opportunities for the public to enjoy, learn about and appreciate the open space in Lyme that has been preserved on their behalf since the trust's founding in 1966.

The Lyme Land Trust now stewards almost 3,000 acres of open space covering 99 parcels in the town.

SUBMITTED BY LYME LAND CONSERVATION TRUST