The following article is available here
'Preserving Horizon Farm'
Kandee Haertel, Equestrian Land Conservation Newsletter, Spring - 2004
"When I expressed my apprehension at taking on such a task, my fears and feelings of inadequacy, Kandee said, 'If you don't do it, nobody else will. Everyone will just keep saying 'someone should do something until it's too late, and there's nothing left to do.' As a final push, Kandee said, 'Commitment is what really counts. You don't have to be a genius, just do it!'"

Protecting 421 acres of Horizon Farm in Barrington Hills, Illinois created possibly the largest private land conservation easement in the state of Illinois. The easement was filed in November, 2003. This effort is the result of the joint efforts of the McGinley family, the Barrington Hills Conservation Trust (BHCTrust), The Conservation Foundation and the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR). How this all came together is a clear illustration of what people dedicated to preserving land can accomplish. How did it happen - With desire, partnership and commitment on the part of all parties.

Partner #1:
Horizon Farm & The McGinley Family
The village of Barrington Hills, Illinois has the largest land area, for the smallest population, in the State of Illinois. It is an almost completely residential area with five acre minimum zoning and numerous properties are far larger, comprised of parcels that are twenty to hundreds of acres each. There is an active equestrian community that maintains more than eighty miles of riding trails over both public (county forest preserve district) and private land. The natural tree canopy is extensive. The Barrington Hills area is blessed with open land, rural character, scenic vistas, and extensive recreational opportunities. The residents have a deep appreciation for this extraordinary community and the village government has actively worked to maintain and protect its rural values. Even with extremely high area land values per acre, development pressures are intense. To give an idea of these pressures on this area, it is located 39 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, 25 miles from O'Hare International Airport, and just minutes from a commuter train station and a major interstate highway. It is a developer's dream.

Horizon Farm was established in 1983 and has been owned and operated by William J. McGinley and his family since that time as an extensive and active Thoroughbred breeding and foaling farm. At one time seven stallions were standing and an average of eighty mares were foaled each year.

In 2001, Robert McGinley, the oldest son of the founder, began researching the possibility of conserving Horizon Farm so that it would always preserve open space and equestrian activities. "My parents did not leave specific direction for the future of the farm, but we children knew they would have wanted it kept as a farm. It was always Dad's vision that the farm would be a place to raise, have and enjoy horses. We all wanted to keep it that way and we also wanted to create a legacy of open space that sustains a quality of life that takes a stand against suburban encroachment. It was a matter of finding the way," states McGinley. "I recall coming home from college and getting into a discussion of what the farm's name should be. My comment that you could see the distant horizon struck the right note and it has been Horizon Farm since that weekend."

In July, 2002 McGinley's research led him to telephone the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR). His conversation with their Executive Director, Kandee Haertel, led to a meeting at the farm. Bill Davis of The Conservation Foundation responded to Haertel's request to join her and Nancy Winter, an ELCR Board member who was very familiar with the Barrington Hills area, joined Haertel for an initial meeting and tour of the farm. At this meeting information regarding conservation easements was provided and McGinley was interested in the possibility even though at this time, McGinley was still researching the possible sale of Horizon Farm to a public agency. Both Haertel and Davis remained in periodic contact with him to assist him in any way possible.

Partner #2:
Barrington Hills Conservation Trust
When Mary Bradford-White's husband was transferred to the Chicago area in 1997, it meant that their family would have to relocate from Villanova, PA. They chose Barrington Hills for its open space and equestrian community, as well as its proximity to Chicago.

While in Pennsylvania, Bradford-White had become aware of her local land trust, the Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT), through her friend and regular riding partner, Peter Somers. Somers was active with WCT and had been instrumental in much of the legal work on the conservation easements for them.

Bradford-White was surprised to learn that there was no local land trust in Barrington Hills, but was lulled into the sense that "someone would do something if it was necessary" to preserve the beautiful area where she had moved even though Somers urged her to form a local land trust. Time marched on. A major developer bought a large farm (approximately 600 acres) in the northwest corner of Barrington Hills and began legal proceedings to disconnect from the village limits and annex into an adjoining village where the zoning would allow high density housing. That was the turning point for Bradford-White. She connected with Bonnie Van Alen, the executive director of WCT, and asked her how to begin. Bonnie said her best advice would be to join the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) because she considered them to be an excellent resource.

Bradford-White joined LTA and was immediately connected to Jill Arango, LTA area representative, who in turn put her in touch with Bill Davis, then Director of Land Preservation at the Conservation Foundation in Naperville, IL. Bill gave her many names of people at various organizations in Illinois and Wisconsin. She proceeded to call all of them and ask how their organizations got started, what worked for them, what difficulties they face, and what advice they could give.

"It was Kandee Haertel at the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource who gave me the strong shove that I needed," states Bradford-White. "When I expressed my apprehension at taking on such a task, my fears and feelings of inadequacy, Kandee said, 'If you don't do it, nobody else will. Everyone will just keep saying 'someone should do something until it's too late, and there's nothing left to do.' As a final push, Kandee said, 'Commitment is what really counts. You don't have to be a genius, just do it!'"

Early on, Bradford-White was joined by her husband Lynn White and Julie Martens, who together formed the initial Board of Directors for the Barrington Hills Conservation Trust. The organization was incorporated in the State of Illinois in October, 2001 and received its 501(c)(3) tax designation in October of 2003. Bonnie Van Alen, Peter Sommers and Bill Davis continued to offer excellent advice and guidance to the fledgling organization all along the way. They became active with LTA and were awarded one of two mentoring grants in the Midwest. "It was wonderful timing - as a startup organization we've managed to avoid many mistakes because of input from these other land trusts," continues Bradford-White.

BHC Trust worked hard to develop an excellent rapport with the Barrington Hills village government and added two more strong board members, Annamarie Lukes and Elizabeth Bramsen. They have also developed an advisory board.

Late in 2002, the discussion of conservation easements on Horizon Farm moved from The Conservation Foundation, a regional land trust, to the newly organized BHC Trust and work began on crafting the conservation easement to fit the family's vision for the farm.

Partner #3:
The Conservation Foundation
"Kandee Haertel had worked with The Conservation Foundation when she lived in the area," said Bill Davis, who was then Land Protection Specialist at TCF, "so I was not surprised to hear from her when the opportunity to preserve Horizon Farm presented itself. ELCR, where Kandee now works, is well aware of the importance of preserving equestrian farms and does not hesitate to bring in the local land trust as early as possible."

"When we had our first meeting with Robert McGinley, BCH Trust was in the early stages of organization," continues Davis, "but as the discussion continued, it became clear that they should be involved because of their dedication to the preservation of the local Barrington Hills area. Davis was the one who initially told McGinley about The Barrington Hills Conservation Trust. McGinley was delighted to know of their existence. "My husband and I met with Robert to discuss Horizon and the Barrington Hills Conservation Trust in May of 2002," states Bradford-White. It was going to be a major effort, "but the mentoring by the folks at The Conservation Fund made things go smoothly for us."

Partner #4:
The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource
Horizon Farm is a wonderful place that deserved to be preserved on its own merit. When you add in the factor that it is also a major horse farm, it makes ELCR doubly delighted that it was saved," says Kandee Haertel, Executive Director of ELCR. "This was a case where ELCR can do what it does best - Put the parties together and keep them focused on their goals. In this case the goal was preserving Horizon Farm." Haertel notes that the Horizon Farm easement states that it will "continue traditional equestrian activities, such as hunting with hounds, steeple chases, trail rides, polo, and horse shows" and grants "the right to construct equestrian and pedestrian trails on the Property and grant easements therefore, provided that no new equestrian trails shall be in any Natural Areas." The natural areas and open space, as well as the significant agricultural values, are all protected under the easement.

"As with any easement, it has been specifically crafted to suit the needs of all parties and expresses the family's wishes as well as those of the land trusts," states McGinley. "Horizon is, above all, a farm. Its agricultural integrity is preserved and its traditional use as a horse farm is provided for into the future." McGinley continued, "ELCR's contact network and reference materials were helpful to me as the family discussed what would be the most appropriate way to keep Horizon Farm the way we wanted it to be."

The Easement Comes Together
As the months went on, McGinley continued his efforts to do an easement on Horizon Farm. He would discuss various issues and problems with his contacts at BCHTrust, TCF and ELCR.
"In July of 2003 he called and expressed his extreme frustration with the suggestions for handling the development of Horizon Farm. He was being bombarded with all sorts of ideas. I suggested to Robert that we bring Bonnie Van Alen out. Bonnie has years of experience with properties like Horizon as well as with the family and business issues involved in such a large property," states Bradford-White. McGinley agreed and Van Alen accepted BHC Trust's invitation. It was a turning point in the whole process.

As the lawyers and accountants beavered away all of the parties, but particularly Bradford-White, would hear encouraging, and then not so encouraging news on Horizon's fate. Finally, in October, McGinley reported to Bradford-White that his family was all in agreement and that they would be putting a conservation easement on 421 acres of Horizon Farm. The easement allows construction of up to eight homes on the property, each on lots of at least five acres, but it prohibits any other development on the land. Eighty homes could have been built under existing ordinances. In addition to the majority of the existing pastures and farmland, more than eighty acres of wetlands, ponds, woodlands and prairies cannot be touched. "That's what the family gave up to reserve the vision and natural values that are there," said Dan Lobbes, Director of Land Protection for the Conservation Foundation. "Of course, the family still owns the land and has the right to sell it as they wish, but with the easement in place, it must be honored by any subsequent buyer."

"We wanted to preserve what our parents initiated in terms of open space. I know this is something they would have wanted," said McGinley. "The farm will look pretty much they way it does now in perpetuity," said Bradford-White. "People feel real pressure out here to maintain open space like this because of developers. It's a real commitment by the McGinleys. They have created a wonderful living legacy for our community."

McGinley invited Bradford-White and her husband Lynn White to join him at the Fox River Valley Hunt Ball on November 8, 2003 where he planned to publicly announce that Horizon Farm would remain, in perpetuity, as it is today. McGinley wanted Mary and Lynn at the hunt ball so they would be able to inform local landowners about BHC Trust and the benefits of conservation easements. McGinley said that he would love to have BHCTrust to solely hold the easement on Horizon, but given its size and complexity, it was better to have a more experienced organization, such as TCF, co-hold the easement, so The Conservation Foundation had been chosen. The Conservation Foundation will co-hold the easement with BHCTrust until BHCTrust is ready to hold the easement on its own. At the Hunt Ball, Robert McGinley made his announcement. Horizon Farm would be forever protected by a conservation easement held jointly by the Conservation Foundation and Barrington Hills Conservation Trust. There was immediate applause, then a standing ovation with cheers.

- Barrington Hills Conservation Trust, 17 Oakdene Road East, Barrington Hills, IL 60010. (847) 381-4291
- The Conservation Foundation, 10S404 Koch Knolls Road, Naperville, IL 60565. (630) 428-4500 www.theconservationfoundation.org.
- Equestrian Land Conservation Resource, P.O. Box 423, Elizabeth, IL 61028. (815) 858-3501 www.elcr.org.


HORSESHOE PARK, ARIZONA
"Key Parcel Purchased for Horseshoe Park (Arizona)
'Queen Creek, AZ, 4/13/04 - The Town of Queen Creek has purchased a 4.75-acre parcel of land that is a key component of the planned Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre. The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit land conservation organization, transferred ownership to the Town on April 13. The $404,000 purchase will be financed with park development fees.

The property is a critical piece of the planned 133-acre Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre, which will provide riding trails, indoor and outdoor arenas, stables, sports fields, children's play areas, picnic facilities and on-site parking for large-scale equestrian events for the metro Phoenix area.

"This parcel was critical to ensure the successful development of our equestrian park," said Queen Creek Mayor Wendy Feldman-Kerr. "We appreciate the assistance of the Trust for Public Land as we continue to develop Queen Creek's park system."
Charlie O'Leary, TPL Arizona's land conservation specialist for the transaction, said, "This parcel was a key component for the entire 133-acre center. TPL was able to step in and acquire the land, preventing it from being sold for residential development, allowing the park to move forward under its current design."

This marks TPL's second project with the Town of Queen Creek. In September 2003, TPL conveyed to the Town 78.28 acres of land northeast of the intersection of Sossaman and Ocotillo Roads. A community park and recreation complex are planned for that site.

"The citizens of Queen Creek have shown great support for the equestrian park, and this purchase means that we are a step closer to making it a reality," said Town Manager Cynthia Seelhammer.
The Trust for Public Land is a national non-profit land conservation organization headquartered in San Francisco. TPL's mission is to conserve land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since its founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than 1.45 million acres of land in 45 states. Working with Arizona communities, leadership and landowners since 1980, TPL has help preserve almost 200,000 acres of urban open space, sites of cultural and historic significance, working lands and wilderness. TPL depends on funding from individuals, foundations, and businesses and enjoys the support of the Arizona Community Foundation and other Arizona funders.
For more information: Charlie O'Leary, TPL (505) 988-5922 www.tpl.org


PRESERVING SPEARS RANCH
'Dream Realized - Future Spears Ranch Park Is Result Of Public-Private Partnership'
"Thanks to an innovative public-private partnership, a 960-acre ranch that features pristine blue oak woodlands, a scenic creek and beautiful waterfall, and the home of abundant wildlife will now belong to Placer County residents. Spears Ranch, located in the Garden Bar area of the foothills between the cities of Lincoln and Auburn, has been purchased by the county with major support from the Trust for Public Lands, the Sierra Business Council and the State of California as part of the County's unique Placer Legacy project.

Spears Ranch will become a county-owned passive park, a place where residents can walk, fish, ride horses, jog, take photos and enjoy outdoor activities. The site will also provide a unique opportunity to blend land conservation and habitat restoration, ranching as well as passive recreational uses.
Robert Weygandt, a member of the Placer County Board of Supervisors, said Spears Ranch is the "flagship" of Placer Legacy. He said it is both an example of the beauty and natural resources the county hopes to preserve, and a model of a public-private partnership the county must replicate to be successful in saving more open space.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit land conservation organization, negotiated the purchase of the ranch in 2000 from the Spears family, and in December 2003 conveyed the ranch to Placer County for permanent public protection. Founded in 1972, TPL has protected more than 1.5 million acres nationwide, including more than 50,000 acres of critical watershed, recreation, and forest lands in the Sierra Nevada.

The $3.5 million purchase was made possible through local, state, and federal funding and private philanthropy. The bulk of the funding, $2,220,934, came from the county's Placer Legacy Open Space Trust Fund, which includes public funds set aside over the last three years, and donations from the public and county employees.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation provided more than $204,000 from California's portion of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and $400,000 from the Riparian and Riverine Habitat Grant Program of the 2000 Park Bond Act. The California Resources Agency provided $250,000 from the Sierra Nevada-Cascade Grant Program, also funded through the voter-approved 2000 Park Bond Act.

The Sierra Business Council provided $500,000 for the purchase through a grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation's Conserving California Landscapes Initiative (CCLI).
The CCLI grant is part of the Packard Foundation's contribution of $175 million statewide to help conserve 342,000 acres of California's pristine landscapes. The Packard Foundation's support was sought and obtained by the Sierra Business Council. SBC has been a leading non-profit in creating and supporting the Placer Legacy project since its beginning.

"Spears Ranch is a piece of what Placer County has looked like for 10,000 years, and we will now be preserving it forever," said Supervisor Weygandt. "It is in the vision of a Placer County national park. The ranch includes examples of Placer County's spectacular natural resources and amazing habitat in a beautiful and pristine setting.

"It is the realization of a dream we've had and, I hope, an inspiration to make more open space protection possible," Weygandt said.

"The protection of Spears Ranch is key to protecting critical wildlife habitat and adding to public open space in the Sierra Nevada foothills," said Reed Holderman, Executive Director of the Trust of Public Land-California.

"It is only through a tremendous team effort involving Placer County, the State of California, the Sierra Business Council, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Spears family that this remarkable landscape has been protected for future generations," he said.

"This is a landmark purchase, not just for Placer County, but also for the Sierra Nevada," said Jim Sayer, President of the Sierra Business Council. "Placer Legacy is a model for how to protect important natural assets and the local quality of life in the Sierra's fastest growing area. Our business members strongly believe that a successful economy depends upon a healthy environment."
"We are very proud that the State Resources Agency and California State Parks participated in this creative public private partnership," said Mike Chrisman, California Secretary for Resources. We are protecting this beautiful property in Placer County to benefit our environment and for all Californians."

Spears Ranch will open to the public after the county completes a park plan and some capital improvements, hopefully next year.

"We are deeply indebted to all the partners and of course the Spears family who made this wonderful gift to Placer County residents possible," said Board of Supervisors Chairman Harriet White. "Fifty years from now, as our County continues to grow, our residents will celebrate the wisdom of the partners who recognized the importance of preserving this beautiful open space."

The Placer County Board of Supervisors created the Placer Legacy program to conserve open space, and has strongly supported it since its inception in 2000.

The Spears Ranch is the latest property protected through Placer Legacy with its partners, including portions of the Shallenberger Ridge overlooking Donner Lake, a trailhead and open space conservation easement at Moody Ridge, and agricultural conservation easements including Aitken Ranch and the Grey family property in rural Lincoln.

Other acquisitions are being pursued, including land along the south fork of the Yuba River and additional land in the Garden Bar area. Placer Legacy works with willing sellers and is voluntary.
-January 2004 www.placer.ca.gov/news/2004/1-26-04-spears-ranch.htm


EQUESTRIANS HELP 'SAVE MT. DIABLO'
'Almost a third of the Directors on Save Mount Diablo’s 17-member Board are equestrians. One of them, Danville resident Bob Marx, has ridden for more than forty years, rides three days a week, and will soon compete in his 8th Tevis Cup (the Western States 100), a hundred mile endurance race. “I used to ride on farmers’ land in Wisconsin, but you had to stick to fence lines and access was difficult from one farm to the next. I was really happy to get involved in preserving the mountain…'I love Mount Diablo for its isolated majestic beauty, for its variety of species and terrain, and for its vistas. Diablo has among the best access of any urban area for equestrians and other recreational users. I can ride for days if I want. I’m most proud of Save Mount Diablo’s dedication to expansion of public lands all around the mountain to allow for greater recreational opportunities.'
Excerpts from "Mt. Diablo from Four Feet Up - Where Equestrians Stand on the Mountain,”
Seth Adams, Director of Land Programs, www.savemountdiablo.org/DiabloWatch.htm


SAN JOSE PARK PLAN KEEPS SPACE FOR POLICE HORSES
It seems that the City has decided to move their re-building project away from the Mounted Unit. Many Santa Clara citizens, including Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta are well aware that the Mounted Unit need to remain where they were - accessible to downtown and with plenty of space for these hardworking patrol horses to rest and play after pounding the pavement. For updates, contact Maggie Kelly cazador@earthlink.net


HOW ONE COMMUNITY SAVED 'HORSE HILL'
'Horses will continue to roam and grass will continue to wave on Mill Valley's newest piece of open space – Horse Hill. Mill Valley's Horse Hill is now the only remaining large horse pasture in Marin County. Every day, thousands of traffic-bound commuters Highway 101 are refreshed by the sight of the 14 member Horse Hill Herd. This pastoral vignette, familiar to Marinites for over four decades, gave the impetus to neighborhood efforts to "SAVE HORSE HILL” which began in 1988 and culminated with public purchase of the land in 1990. Thanks to tireless fundraising efforts of neighbors, horse lovers, horse owners, the City of Mill Valley, and the Marin County Open Space District, this rural pristine hillside will be protected forever.' - MILL VALLEY RECORD, OCTOBER 31, 1990 www.horsehill.org

TRAYLOR RANCH NATURE PRESERVE INCLUDES EQUESTRIAN TRAILS
'On February 10, 1998, the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the 90 acre 'Traylor Ranch Nature Reserve'. The same afternoon, Supervisor Robert Weygandt and Placer County Parks Department representatives presented a granite plaque to the Traylor’s in recognition of their donation of this property. The plaque will be mounted on a granite slap at the entrance to the Reserve. The Loomis Basin Horsemen's Association, a non-profit organization founded in 1983, will be maintaining and managing the Nature Reserve with the help of the Sierra Foothill Audubon Society, plus other volunteer groups and friends.'
http://www.garlic.com/~lbha/
Kathy Dombrowski, lbha@vfr.net


BROOKLANDWOOD PROTECTED FOREVER
'Six years of combined efforts have culminated in Brooklandwood being protected forever as a steeplechase venue. Developed with strong considerations to aesthetics and sensitive considerations to environment, it boasts a hillside contoured into a natural amphitheatre for race goers in a beautiful natural setting.

The Catawba Lands Conservancy (CLC), a group currently celebrating its tenth year of working "to preserve the land, water and wildlife resources of the Lower Catawba River Basin and the Southern Piedmont of North Carolina," had never taken on an equestrian project like the "Brooklandwood" land, a 200 acre site which hosts a National Steeplechase Association-sanctioned race meet, the highlight of which is the Queen's Cup. Located just south of Charlotte, North Carolina, it lies in a rapidly developing suburban ring where former farms, replaced by tightly packed subdivisions, create an all too familiar patchwork with the open space of the few remaining farms. For the full story, contact Equestrian Land Conservation Resource www.elcr.org


KENTUCKY FARMLAND AN OASIS AMIDST RISING SUBDIVISIONS
'A conservation easement donated to River Fields, Inc. (KY) will help preserve a 591-acre family farm bordering the Ohio River in one of the fastest growing suburban areas near Louisville…There's been an outpouring of joy at the Wallace family's conservation gift…The easement prohibits subdivision of the farm and new construction. Commercial activity is prohibited except for the petting zoo and existing farm and horse-boarding activities'. 'Land Trust Alliance 'Exchange' - Summer 2001 www.lta.org


'RIPPLES': ELCR AND CATAWBA LANDS CONSERVANCY
A pebble is tossed into a pond and the ripples spread wide, and wider, some even beyond view. So it is with the work of the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource in the world of horses and with those who own, breed, train, ride or care for – and about – them. The organization's existence and daily work can spread more widely than one might imagine.

A case in point is ELCR's partnership with the Catawba Lands Conservancy (CLC), a group currently celebrating its tenth year of working "to preserve the land, water and wildlife resources of the Lower Catawba River Basin and the Southern Piedmont of North Carolina." Having already protected 3,000 acres to date and currently working to protect an additional 5,000 acres, CLC has acquired a depth of experience in dealing with landowners and in crafting language for conservation easements. However, it had never taken on a project (as in "equestrian") like the "Brooklandwood" land, a 200 acre site which hosts to a National Steeplechase Association-sanctioned race meet, the highlight of which is the Queen's Cup. Located just south of Charlotte, North Carolina, it lies in a rapidly developing suburban ring where former farms, replaced by tightly packed subdivisions, create an all too familiar patchwork with the open space of the few remaining farms.

Bill and Carrington Price, committed steeplechase horse owners and longtime supporters of the sport, and Bill's parents, Jim and Midge Price, were inspired by a vision for the steeplechase and initiated the quest for land in 1995. Of the tracts available for sale, too few were sufficiently large and appropriate to suit a new venue for national steeplechase races. Though the situation was even more limited by 1997, the couple's perseverance was rewarded with the location and purchase of Brooklandwood. The pebble hits the pond.

Enter Susan Schneider. An attorney on staff at CLC and a lifelong horsewoman, Susan was instrumental in seeking resource information and support to move the steeplechase property forward through the easement process. She initially contacted Anson Taylor at the Land Trust Alliance 2000 Annual meeting in Oregon, where he was listed as an attendee and President of ELCR, to discuss the Brooklandwood Project. Subsequently, Susan sent Anson a draft of the easement for his comments. Following his review, Anson recommended that a definitive review by an easement expert be done. Anson put Susan in touch with just such a person: Daniel Shields at the Brandywine Conservancy, a 20-year veteran with easement agreements. The cooperative work between Susan and Daniel produced a document that ultimately satisfied all parties involved, and the deal was closed. The ripple widens.

Six years of combined efforts have culminated in Brooklandwood being protected forever as a steeplechase venue. Developed with strong considerations to aesthetics and sensitive considerations to environment, it boasts a hillside contoured into a natural amphitheatre for race goers in a beautiful natural setting. It is enthusiastically supported by the Charlotte business and sporting communities as a cultural and economic benefit to the greater area.

What began as a dream of Bill and Carrington Price materialized into reality and this April at Brooklandwood's steeplechase meet, the symbolic transfer of development rights was effected. In his acceptance speech, Ron Altmann, the Executive Director of CLC, invited all area horse people to "work with CLC" to protect more equestrian land. Attended by Board members from CLC and ELCR, the event provided 24 hours for participants of networking and brainstorming about how to better stimulate the region's horse people into preserving land and access to land for equestrian activities. This effort was punctuated by good food and the color and exhilaration of the successive races. Board members Budd Berro (CLC) and Georgiana Hubbard-McCabe (ELCR) discussed how CLC could move toward adopting a proactive stance vis-à-vis the local horse community. The ripple widens.

The success of Brooklandwood conveys the contagious quality of a well-conceived vision and the tremendous impact of networking and cooperative ventures. ELCR acknowledges and applauds the endeavors of the individuals and groups who worked so diligently on this conservation project, and was pleased to have played a contributing role. In particular, we must single out the tireless efforts of Susan Schneider in this project, and who continues to network and utilize her knowledge of conservation techniques toward saving land for horses.

Remember, it begins with one or two people and an idea. Toss the pebble into your neighborhood pond and network with ELCR, knowing that our resources can help make the difference.
Expand the ripple.

-with permission of the author, A Story of Successful Networking, by Georgiana Hubbard McCabe, from The Resource, Official Newsletter of the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource, Summer, 2001
www.elcr.org