Trout Valley NATURE CONSERVANCY
The Trout Valley Nature Conservancy (the “Conservancy”) was established by the Village of Trout Valley in August, 2021. The Conservancy’s purpose is to establish collaboration between the Village of Trout Valley and the Trout Valley Association regarding responsibility for maintenance and restoration of certain natural areas within the Village boundaries (“Natural Areas”).
Mission Statement:
The Village of Trout Valley is an area of outstanding beauty and is of historical importance in the field of natural landscape design. The mission of the Conservancy Board is to preserve, restore and enhance the natural beauty of those Natural Areas under the control and care of the Village, and to protect its habitat for the benefit of native plants and local wildlife, and for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
The Village of Trout Valley is an area of outstanding beauty and is of historical importance in the field of natural landscape design. The mission of the Conservancy Board is to preserve, restore and enhance the natural beauty of those Natural Areas under the control and care of the Village, and to protect its habitat for the benefit of native plants and local wildlife, and for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Manage expenditure of Village funds budgeted for maintenance, restoration and enhancement of Natural Areas, including garden and grass areas, which are the responsibility of the Village of Trout Valley.
- Manage the dedicated tree nursery. Such nursery nurtures tree and shrub saplings for planting in the Natural Areas around Trout Valley. The nursery is located on Village property between 218 and 219 River Drive. Any resident may donate seedlings, saplings and divided plants by contacting the Conservancy Board.
Past Projects:
- Developed a planting area around the baseball/softball field.
- Promoted pollinator plantings in Trout Valley. The first project was a Monarch Butterfly Way Station at the Trout Valley Lodge. Additional pollinator areas were established to provide native flowers as well as food for pollinators.
- Maintained (and continue to maintain) the Trout Valley Fen with construction of walking trails and control of invasive plants.
- Applied for and received grants to help pay for Village of Trout Valley planting projects.
- Introduced residents to Jens Jensen, the gentleman responsible for Trout Valley’s beautiful natural areas of ponds, streams and associated parkland areas. Jensen was employed as landscape architect by John D. Hertz for Leona Farms, as Trout Valley was known in the 1920’s. Jensen is known as “The Father of Natural Landscaping”.
- The following video supports the Conversancy Board’s mission and its goals. Embracing Jens Jensen’s Legacy
Board:
- David Hall – Chair
- Linda Stelle – Secretary
- Sheelagh Cooke – Secretary
- Robert Antrim
- Kristin Purtill
- Trout Valley Maintenance Representative
Documents: