Patrons in the City: Fran Brady & Robert E. Kuchta
We believe that passionate individuals can spur change in their communities. We refer to those individuals as Patrons in the City, dedicating their time, sweat, and energy to building vibrant communities.
In 2021, Fran Brady had a bold idea for his town’s upcoming 200th anniversary: could they plant 200 trees in honor of the momentous milestone? Inspired by the Garden Club of Madison’s “plant 2,000 daffodils” program, Fran partnered up with Robert Kuchta to establish MAD for Trees, a component fund of the Madison Foundation. With resounding success and support from the community, Fran and Bob were able to multiply their canopy restoration plan for Madison from 200 trees to an incredible 2,000. Across two Patronicity campaigns in 2021 and 2026, MAD for Trees have raised $17,275 from 176 patrons, unlocking another $13,500 in matching dollars from Sustainable CT, allowing them to plant and give away over 1,000 native trees and shrubs to local residents, parks, and organizations across Madison.
Robert has spent his life dedicated to botany and conservation, with degrees in Environmental Studies, Environmental Education, and Agronomy. His 32-year career with the Town of Madison has involved ecological roles such as Tree Warden and staff member on the Conservation Commission, where he first met Fran. With a lifetime of learning about trees and vegetation, Bob is passionate about sharing his knowledge at both the personal and practical level with anyone who shows even an inkling of interest in trees. Fran, conversely, spent his career working as an adhesive chemist and director of global purchasing. He jokes that his dedication to the tree canopy is an atonement for his earlier “fossil fuel sins.” Since his retirement, Fran has been hard at work in Madison to protect the environment, from establishing the Conservation Commission’s summer internship program to authoring a town ordinance establishing a state-leading ban on single-use plastic takeout bags. Now on the town’s first Tree Advisory Committee, Fran is committed to a greener, cleaner future for Madison.
We spoke with Fran and Bob to learn more about their work restoring Madison’s tree canopy.
Patronicity: Why do you love where you live and work? Tell us about your community!
Fran: I grew up in an urban environment in Philadelphia and went to college in Boston. I moved to Madison as part of a job relocation and fell in love immediately with the tremendous access to outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing. My home is literally surrounded by trees and my Octobers now have a special place in my heart full of the beauty of a fall day in Connecticut.
Robert: I love the community spirit in Madison. I have lived my whole life in Connecticut, enjoy the seasons, and really "know" the land of Madison, having walked its many trails, beaches, wetlands and forests. Madison is a small town and I am recognized as a respected and important resource person in the town.
Patronicity: What was your project, and why is it necessary?
Fran: Our project began as a community engagement and educational project that would facilitate the planting of at least 200 trees in honor of Madison’s 200th anniversary of its incorporation. When it became obvious that 200 was too easy, and that our residents were enthusiastically behind planting more trees, we upped the ante. The message of the importance of not just trees, but native trees, became our driving motivational factor.
Robert: Our goal initially was to plant 200 trees. Once we had given away 200, I urged MAD for Trees to stretch our goal to giving away 1,000 trees. We have now done that and have raised our goal again for another 1,000 trees to be planted in Madison. Planting trees can make our town's canopy grow and provide ecological benefits.
Patronicity: What inspired you to get involved with this project?
Fran: About 10 years ago I, like a lot of my neighbors, lost a number of large oak trees to the voracious appetite of the spongy moth caterpillar. While walking up my tree-lined driveway to pick up my mail, I would find myself in a virtual “rain shower” of falling leaf debris as a result of them denuding every single leaf from dozens of my trees. Shortly after that, our Electric Utility company removed hundreds of trees along distribution and transmission lines in our town. This combined assault on a vital nature-based solution to climate change made me frustrated and motivated. I had to do something to restore at least a little bit of my Connecticut tree canopy. And then I talked to Bob.
Robert: Fran asked me to join him in the MAD for Trees project as the tree expert, and it is very gratifying to share my knowledge with our townspeople, young and old.
Patronicity: What have been the results of your crowdfunding campaign? How has the project changed your community?
Fran: This is our second Patronicity campaign. The first one in 2021 raised an amazing $16,745 including the Sustainable CT match. 5 years later, in order to expand to our next 1,000 native trees and shrubs, we were able to raise an impressive $14,030. Throughout this, I keep a Google Map of all of our native plant locations that visually shows how we have changed Madison. With over 1,200 plants at almost 500 unique locations, we have, like the old paint commercial, covered the Madison World.
Patronicity: How has the community responded to your project?
Fran: We have hundreds of Facebook followers and routinely receive emails asking when the next Giveaway is coming. Whenever a notable tree in town is under threat of removal because of development or Utility work, I always end up getting dozens of pleas for help from the community to protect what we seem to be losing all too quickly.
Robert: People are recognizing our work, and even people from neighboring towns ask if they can have a tree.
Patronicity: What do you hope community members take away from this project?
Fran: Our Global Climate in general and our local environment specifically could use all of our help!
Robert: Planting trees today is an investment in our future, for our children and grandchildren.
Patronicity: How did the Sustainable CT matching dollars improve your overall project and provide greater impact?
Fran: This is our second Sustainable CT matching grant. The first provided us with exposure and a firm financial footing to accomplish our initial goal of planting 1,000 native trees. The second campaign brought with it greater familiarity and respect for the scope of our mission. It too was a success, and one that will help us achieve the planting of over 2,000 native trees and shrubs.
Patronicity: What could other communities learn from your project?
Fran: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I presented our idea with a PowerPoint to the Madison Historical Society and they loved the goals and immediately directed us to the Madison Foundation. The Madison Foundation is a “tax-exempt, non-profit, autonomous, publicly supported, philanthropic institution” with a long-term goal of building permanent, component funds focused on the Madison community. We became a component fund of the Foundation thus removing all of the headaches of becoming our own 501(c)(3) organization. They are our Financial Sponsor. They also provided us with our first grant and helped us find more. We are now quite a recognizable member of the CT Tree Community. We have learned from other Connecticut towns like New London and have paid that forward to other towns like Old Saybrook.
Robert: Other communities can do similar projects in giving away trees. It doesn't take a lot of people. Our project started with just two of us, with just the idea.
Patronicity: If someone wanted to become more involved in their community, what advice would you give them?
Fran: Follow your passion and use your old work skills to their fullest. Connecticut towns have so many volunteer opportunities on various committees and non-profit organizations. There is definitely one out there meant for you.
Robert: Find out what trees are needed in your community, where they can be planted and how to utilize the knowledge and experience of their town's tree warden. Each of the 169 towns in Connecticut should have a tree warden. The Yale School of Forestry has graduate students that are looking for projects. Boy Scouts need Eagle Scout projects. UCONN Extension Service has volunteers that need projects. Even local Garden Clubs and Master Gardeners need projects.
FIND YOUR FOCUS.
Do you have an idea to make your Connecticut community more equitable, sustainable, and vibrant? Contact Sustainable CT at funding@sustainablect.org to share your great idea and start crowdfunding your vision. Whether you’re dreaming of more green spaces, solar for public areas, greenways for biking and walking, murals and other public art, green jobs programs, or community gardens, Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund can help by providing fast, flexible funding and support for sustainability projects that engage your Connecticut community. Learn more at www.patronicity.com/sustainablect.
