November 1, 2004

Dear <insert name>,

In early October, the Town of Rochester was named “Conservationist of the Year” by The Trustees of Reservations for its efforts to preserve Eastover Farm.  This is the first time in The Trustees’ 100+ year history that the award has been presented to an entire town!  “The people of Rochester pulled together … to preserve Eastover Farm because its development was unthinkable.” As part of this special event, The Trustees and Rochester Land Trust hope that you will take advantage of the free membership offer we sent to every household in town in gratitude for your heartfelt support.

As proud as we are of the Eastover Farm preservation work, we are as determined to continue our efforts to prevent the development of other parcels near and dear to the hearts of Rochester’s citizens.  Through fund-raising events, grant-writing efforts, collaboration with area land trusts, and the vision of land owners, we continue on this mission to preserve our unique rural character.  But time is not on our side. Every day in Massachusetts, forty (40) acres of farm and forestland are lost to development.  We are all keenly aware that Southeastern Massachusetts is a prime target for development. We need your help to protect wild life habitat, farming and forestry, and other critical natural resources.

We urge you to join us in our efforts to “pull together” as we did for Eastover Farm to complete the preservation of the Rounseville North property--part of the Mattapoisett River Valley Aquifer Project. We still need to raise more than $ 25,000 to ensure that this special place remains wild.  Please send your contribution today.

Sincerely,


Susan S. Adams, President

Erin Bryant Michael Costa Richard Cutler Laurene Gerrior Russ Keeler

Norene Hartley Dan Kennedy Gil LaFrance Robert Lawrence

Rod McCollester Susan Peterson MarySarah Riggs Maureen Sperry Herb Wood