about us

The Land Trust of West Haven, Inc. (LTWH) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that strives to support, encourage and protect the natural resources in the City of West Haven. We are a community of like-minded people of all ages who are dedicated to preserving open space and the natural environment for the benefit of future generations in West Haven. We focus on education, monitoring open-space properties, and helping children, landowners and other stakeholders understand the benefits of protecting open space through conservation easements.

Since its inception in 1991, the Land Trust of West Haven has worked tirelessly toward these goals, with special emphasis on securing a conservation easement on the City-owned shorefront, property that formerly comprised the Savin Rock amusement area. Our efforts succeeded and in 2007, the Land Trust and the City of West Haven signed an easement to protect the open space. In 2008, the Connecticut Land Conservation Council presented the Land Trust of West Haven with and Outstanding Land Acquisition Effort Award, which reads:

“For completing, on September 8, 2007, after more than forty years of public debate and controversy about the fate of that part of the shoreline formerly occupied by Savin Rock Amusement Park, a Conservation Easement Agreement with the City of West Haven covering more than thirty-nine acres of pristine open space in an urban area bordering Long Island Sound including the historical remains of the original Savin Rock itself (landing place of the occupying British forces during the Revolutionary War) and the adjacent, iconic Bradley Point peninsula. The Land Trust of West Haven, Inc will preserve the open shoreline area for the general public’s passive use and for the protection of its scenic conservation value for all time.”

If you enjoy an early morning walk along the boardwalk, gaze in awe at sunrises and sunsets over the water, admire the incredible diversity of our shore and inland birds, have been lucky enough to see seals on our beach, or appreciate how this precious open space brings deer and other wildlife to our community, we hope you’ll help us preserve these experiences for future generations. Please join us as a volunteer and Land Trust member.