North Branford Awarded $611K Open Space, Watershed Land Acquisition Grant: Gov. Lamont

NORTH BRANFORD, CT — Tuesday, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that his administration is awarding $9.4 million in state grants to support the purchase and protection of more than 1,243 acres of open space through 14 properties in 15 communities.

Additionally, $2.4 million is being awarded to support the improvement of 15 urban green and community garden spaces.

North Branford is one of the communities that's been awarded a grant.

Funding is provided through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program and the Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program, both of which are administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The grants awarded Tuesday, are the 28th grant round under both programs. The application period for the 29th grant round of both programs is now open.

Applications for OSWA and OSWA appraisals will be due by November 6, 2026, and OSWA appraisal reviews and UGCG applications will be due by December 4, 2026.

For application materials and instructions, visit portal.ct.gov/deep/open-space/open-space.

North Branford was awarded an Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant.

Project Name: Farm River Open Space​

Sponsor:​​Trust for Public Land (TPL) and North Branford Land Conservation Trust (NBLCT)

Location:​​Southeast side of Middletown Avenue and west side of Farmington Drive, North Branford​

Grant Amount: $611,000.00

Size:​​25.81 Acres

Description: This parcel, formerly known as Amatrudo Farm, is near the Farm River headwaters and is a vital ecological, recreational and public health asset in a critical riverine corridor. Much of the watershed in this area of south-central Connecticut faces growing threats from nutrient runoff, aging wastewater systems, and habitat fragmentation. This purchase represents a key opportunity to preserve a continuous green corridor in an increasingly developed landscape. The parcel is surrounded by open space, water company lands, and Ceccarelli Farm, which is protected through the state’s Farmland Preservation Program. This unique property contains a confluence of ecosystem types, from mixed hardwood forest to riparian and grassland habitats. The property supports a diversity of key native species including the wood turtle, northern long-eared bat, and native fish populations. The Farm River feeds into Lake Saltonstall, a public water source for the South-Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, highlighting the critical nature of its protection. This acquisition will unlock public access to the Farm River for kayaking, hiking, birding, and fishing.