May 11, 2023

Open Space Preservation Grant Awarded To Protect Land in Brookfield

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Hartford— The Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy has been awarded $325,000 to purchase a little more than 45 acres at 16 Dunsinane Road, contiguous with the Town of Brookfield’s 116-acre Burr Farm. State Representative Martin Foncello (R-107) congratulated the organization on being selected as a recipient for this round of funding.

The Ledges Preserve will be protected as open space with the help of this state grant. The purchase will protect an intact wildlife corridor with bobcat, black bear, and fisher sightings in and around the parcel. The property features two small ponds and Dingle Brook, which feeds into Pond Brook and then Lake Lillinonah. The Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy will formalize a loop trail, linking to an existing trail.

“I applaud the Northwest Connecticut Conservancy for applying for this funding. Since this road is a cul de sac, there will be convenient public parking and access to the trail. This new opportunity for hikers will offer a trail for people of all hiking abilities,” said Foncello.

The selected projects will receive funding through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

The application period to receive a grant under the upcoming round is now open, with applications due by October 2, 2023. Grant application forms and instructions can be found online by visiting https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Open-Space/Open-Space.

Connecticut General Statutes establishes a goal of protecting 673,210 acres (21%) of the state’s land base as open space. The goal calls for 320,576 acres (10%) to be held by DEEP as part of the state’s system of parks, forests, fisheries, and natural resource management areas, and 352,634 acres (11%) to be acquired by DEEP’s partners, which include municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies.

As of December 31, 2022, DEEP estimates that its partners hold approximately 252,197 acres or 71.5% of their share of the state’s open space goal, and that DEEP holds approximately 263,387 acres or 82.22% of its share of the goal. In total, 516,031 acres have been preserved (76.67% of the total goal), leaving an additional 157,179 acres remaining to meet the 21% open space goal.