Ellington Man Who Helped Preserve Farmland To Be Honored

ELLINGTON, CT — A longtime Ellington resident known for helping protect local farmland and open space has been selected for one of the town’s top local honors.

Jim Gage was unanimously chosen for induction into the Ellington Wall of Honor at the May 11 Board of Selectmen meeting, according to a town announcement sent Tuesday morning. Gage, a 60-plus-year resident of town, was nominated by Town Planner Lisa Houlihan and supported by several references.

Gage was one of the original members of the Ellington Conservation Commission. The town said he is being recognized for his role in supporting open space and farmland preservation.

His work included helping with preservation projects, working with conservation groups, helping secure funding, preparing sites and assisting with land acquisition efforts. The town said he also helped establish the Ellington Farmland Preservation Program, which has protected hundreds of acres of farmland.

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Gage also served during the last three decennial updates to Ellington’s Plan of Conservation and Development. He is a current member of the Northern Connecticut Land Trust, volunteers with the Connecticut Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation and serves on the MassConn Sustainable Forest Partnership Steering Committee.

The town announcement described Gage as someone who connects groups and organizations to help them work together. It also said he has spent years looking for ways to keep nature close to the Ellington community.

A formal induction ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Wall of Honor site in Arbor Park, off Main Street. The public is invited to attend.

For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.