Avalonia is the Recipient of Two State Grants Worth $852,000

On July 31, 2024, Governor Ned Lamont announced that his administration is awarding $14.5 million in state grants to aid in the purchase and protection of more than 2,626 acres of open space through 17 projects in 18 municipalities across Connecticut. Additionally, $343,015 in state grants are being awarded to create two new urban community green spaces in Stratford and Thomaston. We are thrilled that Avalonia is the recipient of TWO of these grants worth $852,000 for the purchase of two properties totaling 324.47 acres.

These funds are being provided through the state’s 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 (DEEP). They mark the largest round of open space protection awards – both by acreage protected and by dollars awarded – in more than a decade.

“Connecticut is the fourth most densely populated state in the country, and it is critical that we set aside some of the gorgeous natural resources we have in the state and protect it as open space in perpetuity for everyone to enjoy for generations,” Governor Lamont said. “The funds we are announcing today will not only help combat the impacts of climate change, but they will also create more equitable access to outdoor green spaces within our most underserved communities. These grants are an excellent reminder of why Connecticut is such an incredible place to work, live, and play.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Since the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition program began in 1998, more than $161 million in state funding has been awarded to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies to assist in the purchase of more than 43,000 acres of publicly accessible land,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “Open space preservation is more important now than ever. These lands provide critical natural climate mitigation solutions, protect our important wildlife habitat and species, maintain healthy air and clean water, and provide outdoor recreational opportunities for Connecticut residents. The historic awards announced today will have a significant positive impact on public access to open space in our state. It is also critical to ensure that protected open spaces are equally accessible to all Connecticut residents. We are also encouraged to see that recent changes to the open pace program’s scoring criteria, which prioritize accessibility via public transit and proximity to urban and more densely populated communities, have resulted in over a quarter of the acres protected by this grant round being in economically distressed communities.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Connecticut General Assembly established 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, 2023, DEEP estimates that its partners held approximately 253,682 acres (71.5%) of their share of the state’s open space goal, and that DEEP held approximately 263,528 acres (82.22%) of its share of the state’s goal. In total, 517,210 acres have been preserved (76.82% of the total goal), leaving an additional 156,000 acres remaining to meet the 21% open space goal.

While the number of acres conserved is important, what is equally important is where those acres are and who they are accessible to. DEEP will continue to ensure that these funds are distributed equitably across the state. Prior to the 2021 grant round, DEEP and its partners adjusted the scoring criteria for Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program to factor in the ability to access sites via public transportation and the population density within the project vicinity. These changes have helped make the program scoring more equitable, ensuring some of Connecticut’s most in-need communities receive funding for much-needed open space protection. This round, four of the top scoring projects will bring additional open space to target investment communities and distressed municipalities.

Recent changes to state statutes will add 48 additional underserved communities to the list of areas eligible for increased funding through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program and will make them eligible for additional aid for incidental costs associated with the application process.

The grants announced are the 26th round awarded under these programs. Avalonia’s two grants include funds to purchase the following:

Project Name: Rowley Property
Sponsor: Avalonia Land Conservancy
Location: 48 Stoddards Wharf Road, Ledyard
Grant Amount: $409,500
Size: 223.47 Acres
Description: The Rowley Property, located northerly of Stoddards Wharf Road, contains significant wetlands, freshwater marsh, woodlands, and agricultural fields. The property is traversed by Billings Avery Brook, a cold-water habitat stream identified by DEEP as supporting habitat for trout which will provide fishing opportunities to the public. The property abuts the 101-acre Avery Preserve; 5.36 acres of Town-owned open space; 144.1 acres of Groton Utilities land within the drinking water watershed; and is adjacent to an Area of Contribution to a Public Supply Well. This open space will provide passive recreation opportunities including hiking, mountain biking, equestrian and bird watching opportunities during the warmer months, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter months.

Project Name: Wagner Property
Sponsor: Avalonia Land Conservancy
Location: 82, 292, 300, and 318 Old Canterbury Turnpike, Norwich
Grant Amount: $442,500
Size: 101.47 Acres
Description: The Wagner property consists of 101.47 mostly forested acres and will create a 500+ acre contiguous open space, increase greenway connectivity, protecting drinking water supply and wildlife habitat. The property contains variable topography, and several key habitats including upland forest, forested wetlands, shrub inland wetlands, freshwater aquatic ecosystems, and vernal pools, presenting excellent opportunities for passive recreation. The Alleghany plum, a species listed by DEEP as State Special Concern, has been identified on site.  Byron Brook runs along the westerly boundary of the property and is classified as a “Class A” waterbody, and its preservation would support the protection of drinking water and has been endorsed by Norwich Public Utilities. Byron Brook drains into the Shetucket River, which is part of the Thames River estuary.