It's Official- Conservation Land Sign Unveiled
Photos by Sr. Jo-Ann Ianotti, OP
Saturday, September 12, 2020, was the day the official signage was unveiled at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center to mark 54 acres that comprise the recent Land Conservation Easement. The event took place as a part of Wisdom House’s Earth Wisdom Day events.
Signed earlier this year in February, the Land Conservation Easement agreement marked the 70th year of the Daughters of Wisdom’s presence and ministry at Wisdom House. The land was purchased in 1949 to become a novitiate for training new members of the Daughters of Wisdom. Today it serves as the site of Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center. This agreement assures the protection of 54 acres of land that will be retained forever in its natural, scenic, and open space condition of rare plants, water, and animals
Sr. Rosemarie Greco, DW, the former director of Wisdom House, and John Markelon, President of the Litchfield Land Trust, spoke at the unveiling. Sr. Rosemarie, along with Dr. John Fulkerson, a Litchfield Land Trust Board member, spearheaded eight years of study and planning to prepare for the agreement.
Read Sr. Rosemarie Greco’s and John Markelon’s comments below.
Comments by Sr. Rosemarie Greco, DW
“For decades since 1949, this land was home to the Daughters of Wisdom. Over the years, it has evolved into a Common Home, shared by many who seek Wisdom.
In the spirituality of the Daughters of Wisdom, we strive to become one with Divine Wisdom. It is this God we call Wisdom, who lives in the diversity of all peoples, wealthy and poor, and in all expressions of creation. That takes in all of us and all the ecosystems and environments that support us. Likewise, we want to care for the environment that sustains us.
We Daughters of Wisdom and all people of Wisdom have a relationship with this land. We do not have dominion over it; we CARE for it.
The Conservation Easement on 54 of the 74 acres is one way for us to care for the land. Our collaboration with the Litchfield Land Trust has made this possible so easily.
The mission of the Daughters of Wisdom is to seek and contemplate Divine Wisdom present in our world. We are challenged to focus our vision on all reality and on all Earthlings, knowing that God is revealed in everything in the world and cosmos.
Our faith and ecological conversion turn our eyes to the world and to our life practices. For centuries we practiced the 3 Rs – Reduce, Recycle, Reuse. It was called living simply. (Vow of poverty.)
Now we do this on a larger scale with solar panels and sustainable actions. We do so because these directly affect the environment and all people, especially those who experience poverty, illness, and a myriad of difficulties.
So, we look to this land – 54 acres protected so people can enjoy healing as they breathe and walk among the trees.
Many Sisters and guests have walked this land.
Personally, I have walked this land for many years. It has shaped my spirituality, values, and perspectives. By conserving this land, future generations can breathe clean air, experience life in its varied forms, and through this, they can THRIVE.
We Daughters of Wisdom are grateful to be able to protect and conserve this land here at Wisdom House with the care of Deborah Kelly and her staff.
These days, we are so aware of fires and their devastation of people and forests in the western United States. This makes us aware of our privilege to revere this land and the responsibility we have to act justly to protect our environment.
I close with three quotes that are foundational to what we are doing today,
The Bible’s Book of Wisdom, five centuries before the Common Era, reads:
Wisdom is the Mother of all things; She dwells within creation to contain, sustain, and maintain us. (Wisdom 1.7)
St. Louis de Montfort, co-founder of the Daughters of Wisdom, in the 18th century wrote:
In this forest, you can hear the sweet harmony of birds and echoes;
Here, in nature, you can see the hand of God. (Hymn 157)
And Mary Oliver, poet, and naturalist in the 21st century, wrote:
“When I am among the trees…
They give off such hints of gladness…
I would almost say, they save me.”
And, as we know, they do save us, feed us, heal us and they will save us and the children to come after us.”
Comments by John Markelon, President, Litchfield Land Trust
“This easement of 54 acres enables Wisdom House to continue their mission of conservation and stewardship of the land. (Stewardship really means wise management -- holding interests beyond your own.) This easement enables Wisdom House to maintain ownership of their land. The good people of Wisdom House and the Litchfield Trust defined specific land use restrictions for this land that will remain with the land for perpetuity.
This beautiful land is in close proximity to the Healy property - another large parcel recently donated to the Litchfield Land Trust. Close by are other easements along Clark Road, the Stillman-Danaher and Katzin preserves with its beautiful 1.8-mile trail. Let’s not forget about Topsmead State Forest.
Together, living in concert with human stewards, these holdings contribute to a beautiful diverse corridor for birds and pollinators, enhancing water quality, and taking carbon out of the atmosphere. This is how private landowners – like Wisdom House, can realize their intention to be stewards of the land, to continue enhancing the ecological services of this landscape we call home.”