SHARE

Norwalk Land Trust To Honor Environmentalist Marny Smith

update: This meeting has been rescheduled due to snowy weather to Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.  in the Community Room at Norwalk City Hall. 

Marny Smith's lifelong commitment to ecology will be recognized by the Norwalk Land Trust on Jan. 26.

Marny Smith's lifelong commitment to ecology will be recognized by the Norwalk Land Trust on Jan. 26.

Photo Credit: Contributed

NORWALK, Conn. – The Norwalk Land Trust is honoring its former president for her ongoing commitment to environmentalism.

Marny Smith will be recognized during the organization’s annual meeting at City Hall’s community room on Monday, Jan. 26. The public is welcomed.

The event will begin with refreshments at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meting at 7 p.m. and will conclude with an address at 7:30 p.m. by Dave Winston, president of the Cove Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Stamford.

As president of the Norwalk Land Trust from 2005-09, Smith played a major role in expanding the organization’s inventory of open space with acquisitions such as the 5.1-acre easement at the White Barn and the 2.4-acre addition that completed the 16-acre Farm Creek Nature Preserve in Rowayton.

She has also served as a board member of the Aspetuck and Darien land trusts and the Connecticut Fund for the Environment. Smith was also director of development for the Connecticut Audubon Society from 1974-76.

For nine years starting in 1976, she served as gardening consultant to the Save the Children Federation, coordinating activities in the U.S. and abroad to provide food.

Smith has also authored the books “A Country Garden for Your Backyard” and “Gardening with Conscience.”

Rep. Terrie Wood, founder of the Darien Environmental Group, once described Smith as an inspiration and a mentor.

Smith’s interest in ecology arose from her volunteer work as a trail guide for the Mill River Lab in Fairfield in the 1960s, when she taught children about the concept of human activities’ impact on nature.

At 82, Smith will not stand for re-election to the board, but she will remain a volunteer.

“We’ve come a long way,” says Smith. “But there is a great deal more to be done.”

 

 

to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE