our history

The Land Trust of West Haven, Inc. (LTWH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works to support, encourage, and protect the natural resources in the City of West Haven. At our core, we are a group of like-minded people of all ages who are dedicated to preserving open space for the benefit of future generations in West Haven. We achieve our mission through education, monitoring open-space properties, and encouraging children, landowners, and other stakeholders to understand the benefits of protecting open space, particularly through conservation easements.

Since our 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 legendary Savin Rock Amusement Park. The Land Trust’s efforts succeeded and in 2007, the City of West Haven signed an easement, entrusting our organization with stewardship of this important public resource.

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 boarding 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’ve enjoyed an early morning walk along the boardwalk, stood in awe of sunrises and sunsets over the water, happily stumbled upon seals on our beach, or appreciated the diversity of our shore birds and other wildlife, please help us preserve these experiences for future generations. We hope you’ll join us as Land Trust member or volunteer.