State Rep. Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford) and State Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. (D-Branford) announced today that the Guilford Land Trust is being awarded a $162,500 state grant to support the purchase of the final parcel of the Guilford's Westwoods that was not currently protected.

The "missing piece" is a 32.18 acre parcel in the middle of the 1,200 acre Westwoods.

The grant is being awarded through the 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 open space using funding from the Community Investment Act and state bond funds.  This grant program requires match by the grant recipient and requires the open space land be protected by a conservation and public recreation easement, ensuring that the property is forever protected for public use and enjoyment.

"The Guilford Land Conservation Trust and the State of Connecticut have long worked together to protect what has become the 1,000 acre forest known as Westwoods. The GLCT began purchasing land in Westwoods in 1968 and since then, we have been to the closing table nearly 30 times to buy individual pieces that add to the primary parcels acquired by the State of Connecticut from as far back as 1928. The "Missing Piece" was the last, central in-holding parcel, comprised of over 30 acres surrounded on all sides by protected lands that have been and will continue to be enjoyed by the public, and maintained as preserved forest, wetlands, and wildlife habitat," Guilford Land Trust President David Grigsby said.

"As president of the GLCT, I want to thank Governor Malloy and especially Representative Scanlon and Senator Kennedy for their efforts in helping the GLCT to secure this grant," Grigsby said.

"The Westwoods is one of Guilford's greatest treasures and I am proud to have worked hard to secure this grant alongside Sen. Kennedy to ensure that, from now on, the entirety of Westwoods will be preserved for future generations to enjoy," said Rep. Scanlon.

"As Co-Chair of the Environment Committee in the Connecticut General Assembly for the last 4 years, I have made environmental protection and open space preservation my top legislative priorities. The $625,000 in state grants will permanently preserve the Westwoods parcel in Guilford and Lowry Woods in Madison. The real credit goes to our shoreline's local land trust members and supporters, who have never stopped fighting to ensure that our region's most environmentally sensitive parcels are acquired and protected for generations yet to come. Shoreline citizens know that environmental protection also makes strong communities and drives future economic prosperity," Kennedy said.

"Connecticut's tradition of preserving open space has helped define our landscape and preserve its important natural resources and geographical beauty," Governor Malloy said.  "These grants continue our open space preservation legacy and will increase the availability of open space for our residents across our state."

"This is terrific news. We have been fortunate to have been able to partner with the State of Connecticut and Guilford Land Trust to add this parcel to the Westwoods holdings and preserve this wonderful coastline forest. Many thanks to Rep. Scanlon, Sen. Kennedy and Governor Malloy," said Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey.