Lamont Announces Plan To Protect Land In Wilton

WILTON, 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 $707,000 for over 13 acres 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 Wilton project, named "183 Ridgefield Road," is sponsored by the Wilton Land Conservation and aims to protect 13.4 acres of open field habitat. The property runs parallel with Ridgefield Road and is about one mile outside the center of Wilton. There are 12 acres of Prime and Statewide Important Farmland Soils on the site. The northern two acres of the property is a forested wetland habitat. The open fields are in the center of the Wilton pollinator pathway. A drumlin landform is located on the site. The WLCT plans to create a trail that will be accessible for people with mobility challenges, as well as a wheel chair accessible gravel parking area. The site will have educational kiosks and opportunities for school groups to learn about that state’s agricultural history. This property is located within lower Fairfield County.

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.