The Guilford Land Conservation Trust (GLCT) recently purchased 17 acres of woodlands in the center of Westwoods, making the nonprofit organization one step closer to fully protecting the land.

GLCT President Sarah Williams referred to the recently purchased land as a "key property" of Westwoods, which is located essentially in the middle of Westwoods, with trails crossing over it including the well-known White Circle Trail. Williams said that the purchase "will ensure that the Westwoods forest will not be fragmented at its core.

"Westwoods is what it is today because of acquisitions just like this. Since our first purchase in Westwoods in 1969, GLCT has remained focused on filling in the holes so that the whole area gets permanent protection," Williams said.

The GLCT is a volunteer based organization since 1965 that is devoted to conserving open space areas like Westwoods in Guilford. The group has nearly 1,500 members and owns 3,193 acres and protects another 121 with easements, making it the largest town land trust in Connecticut, according to its website www.guilfordlandtrust.org. There are 13 membership-elected board of directors as well as a subcommittee solely devoted to overseeing Westwoods.

"We have a committee called the Westwoods Trail Committee and they have been maintaining those trails since they were created in the late 1960s so they blaze the trails and cleanup when hurricanes come," Williams explained. "It's a big job and we all work very heard and we're all volunteers…from the top through our whole organization."

There are approximately 1,000 acres of forest protected by the GLCT and the State of Connecticut in Westwoods, but there is still some property that is privately owned. GLCT purchased the 17 acres for $300,000 and must pay off a $200,000 mortgage before July 2014. The group relies on donations from residents and shoreline community members and has already begun fundraising efforts to pay for the project. Prior to addressing the public about the purchase, GLCT had secured more than $40,000 for the project.

"The land trust bought its first Westwoods holding in 1969. Since then, GLCT has continued to add parcels," said Red Erda, chair of Land Acquisition Subcommitite for GLCT. "We have been fortunate that owners have been willing to make this possible either through gifts, bargain prices, or payment terms."

Williams stated that the trust was able to make this purchase through the generous donations of Guilford residents and she hopes to still receive more donations prior to 2014.

"We still have to raise another $200,000 so we are asking for help and we hoping that people recognize what an asset Westwoods is," said Williams.

Westwoods is located less than a mile and a half from the Guilford Town Green and serves as a watershed to Long Island Sound. Under the GLCT, the public can access the land during the day for popular activities including hiking, running, bird watching, and mountain biking.

For more information about Westwoods and the GLCT, visit www.guilfordlandtrust.org. Residents can also make a donation to the nonprofit organization through the website.