The Morris Land Trust has a new president in Chuck Conn, who succeeds the organization's original president Audrey Heimler.

Heimler spent four years guiding the organization from conception to non-profit status. She will retain her seat on the land trust's board of directors. Conn was elected by the land trust's membership on Friday.

In 2006 it was Heimler who came up with the idea of a land trust designed to promote preservation of the town's rural character and natural resources through land conservation.

After much groundwork, the land trust secured non-profit status in 2008. As a non-profit, it can receive tax-deductible donations and offer landowners tax incentives in return for donating land for conservation.

Conn presented a gift to Heimler and expressed his thanks for the work she has done.

"Her diligence, effort and commitment has led us to where we are today," Conn said. "During two terms as president, she has spent much of her energy focused on what we can do to protect the natural resources of the community."

In his capacity as treasurer, Conn reported that the land trust has $16,800 in its coffers. Large, established land trusts sometimes use their own money to purchase land for conservation, but rely mostly on donations of property and conservation easements, which can be written to restrict development or allow gradual development to suit a landowner's needs.

Looking back at her time as president, Heimler said the land trust was formed as a proactive entity rather than a reactive one, allowing it to grow slowly.

"But we can't be complacent," she said. "There's much to be done to preserve what makes Morris a special place to live."

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