About The LHVA

The Lantern Hill Valley Association was formed as a grassroots community group in 1973 to preserve the dams and waters of Long and Bush Ponds, which benefit all living creatures that rely on them. These lakes in Ledyard and North Stonington connect through a culvert. Our volunteer-driven organization actively addresses the challenges the lakes face due to human and environmental pressures over the years. 

Recognizing these challenges and the importance of collaboration and inclusivity, we have made three significant organizational modifications in 2024: 

1) The membership voted to modify our name to the Lantern Hill Valley Alliance, which is still the LHVA. We are an organization for all who care about the welfare of the lakes and lands in the Lantern Hill Valley. We invite you to help us protect and preserve these lakes and lands in the Lantern Hill Valley; 

2) The Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation (EPTN), whose reservation lies along one-third of the lakes, appoints a tribal member to be a voting member of the LHVA Board; 

3) The Lantern Hill Valley Alliance is now a recognized 501(c)(3), a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization. This designation will help us secure funds through tax-deductible donations and grants to increase public outreach, education, and lake management activities. These activities will ensure the environment's welfare, safeguarding the well-being of all life - humans, animals, and plants - for our future generations. 

Education starts at home with residents and visitors to our homes and lakes. Understanding human impacts on the lake waters and their watersheds helps guide the protection of these valuable resources. Working with a certified lake manager, we will develop a plan to protect the lakes from environmental hazards and climate change. It is essential that everyone understands best boating and land practices and how invasive aquatic plants and human activities such as fertilizers and impaired septic systems impact the lakes. This initiative will benefit all residents and visitors and will work to safeguard the Lantern Hill Valley area for many generations.