PUBLISHED ON January 8, 2020 by Rich Kirby from Weston-Redding-Easton Patch
WESTON, CT — Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut is awarding $9.1 million to support grants for 24 communities in the purchase of 2,466 acres of land that will be designated as open space. Included in the award is over $1.3 million for over 160 acres on two parcels in Weston.
The grants are authorized under the state's Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program, which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and assists local governments, land trusts, and water companies in purchasing land to protect open space.
The program is intended to protect wildlife habitats, offer recreational opportunities, and serve as a buffer and adaptation to climate change. Recipient projects are required to supplement the state funding with matching funds or other grants, and the land being purchased must be protected by a conservation and public recreation easement that will ensure the property is forever protected for public use and enjoyment.
"Open space is vital to environmental protection and a bright economic future for our state," Governor Lamont said in a news release. "This program is an important component of preserving some of our state's best and most beautiful land, and by partnering with our municipalities and nonprofits we can ensure that these valuable resources are preserved in perpetuity for generations to come."
"Governor Lamont's administration has prioritized initiatives that mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, while ensuring that DEEP implements policies that better preserve our air, water, and natural resources," said DEEP commissioner Katie S. Dykes. "This open space grant round represents an important investment and continued partnership with land trusts, our towns and cities, water companies, and conservation-minded citizens in preserving open space that makes progress toward climate response and provides greater opportunities for people to connect to our natural lands."
The first Weston project, named "Weston Farms," is sponsored by The Nature Conservancy and was awarded a grant of $602,000. The sponsor aims to purchase 74.16 acres of forest directly adjacent to Devil's Den Preserve. This is The Nature Conservancy's largest preserve in Connecticut and is part of 15,300 acres of contiguous forestland with high conservation value. Weston Farms is a mature, mixed hardwood forest that lies within the Saugatuck Central Greenbelt. The parcel lies entirely within the West Branch sub watershed of the Saugatuck River, a Class A stream. A hiking trail will connect to the 20-mile loop trail at Devil's Den.
The second local project is sponsored by the Aspetuck Land Trust and is called the "Fromson-Strassler Acquisition." The grant of $625,000 is for 85.86 acres adjacent to the Aspetuck Land Trust's 118 acre Honey Hill Preserve. The site is part of a forest block assemblage of more than 350 acres. There are five wetlands on the property covering 22 acres. The wetlands on the northern end of the property form the headwaters of the West branch of the Saugatuck River. American eel and Black-nosed dace have been collected in the West branch. Migratory bird species and amphibians inhabit the site. A trail head and parking area at the end of Upper Parish Drive will create a link to the area's regional trail system.
Today's projects bring the total land in Connecticut designated as state or local open space to 500,000 acres – approximately two-thirds of the way toward the state's goal of having 673,210 acres designated as open space. In December, the State Bond Commission approved an allocation of $5 million to fund the program.