As announced by Governor Ned Lamont on May 10, the North Branford Land Conservation Trust (NBLCT) has successfully landed a $385,450 state grant.

The state grant supports NBLCT’s Beech and Pomps passive recreation project that’s planned for land to be purchased from the Regional Water Authority (RWA).

The project area is comprised of two forested, watershed parcels totaling 37 acres, including 17.6 acres on the west side of Beech Street and 19.4 acres on the north side of Pomps Lane.

As noted at its website, NBLCT has been pursuing purchasing the project parcel, described as a “...rare opportunity to preserve valuable woodlands, that not long ago were destined to be a subdivision.”

In establishing its efforts to raise funds toward the property purchase price of $593,000, NBLCT received pledges from two donors totaling of $193,000 and the trust also committed to contributing $50,000.

NBLCT will create passive recreation opportunities with the parcel by creating trails, as well as providing a small public parking area (8 to 12 spaces) with a bicycle rack. On Beech Street, two ADA-accessible parking spaces and a wheelchair accessible path of packed gravel or boardwalk will lead to a vernal pool to be built.

In its grant application, NBLCT noted, “North Branford has limited town-owned land devoted to nature-based outdoor recreation and hosts no federal or state open space land. The town population and need for local trails and natural areas continues to grow. These parcels are a green space gateway to nearly one-third of the town.”

The NBLCT grant was among a total of $3.7 million awarded in state grants announced by the governor on May 10 and awarded to organizations and towns in 14 communities for land conservation and community garden projects.

In a press release, North Branford state representative Vincent Candelora (R, 86) hailed the news of NBLCT’s state grant award. The release noted Candelora had previously signaled his support of the NBLCT project to state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), which oversees the grant applications.

"Preservation of the scenic character of our towns is a worthwhile endeavor, and when these awards come from the state it's typically because of sweat equity from local residents and volunteers who have dedicated considerable time and effort to design and execute a vision that others might not appreciate until they experience the final product," said Candelora.