News
Six grants totaling $50,204 to help land trusts advance land acquisitions and permanently conserve 427 acres.
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) congratulates the most recent recipients of its Transaction Assistance Grant (TAG) Program. These grants provide essential financial assistance to land trusts to cover transaction-related project costs, such as surveys and environmental assessments. By funding these due diligence steps, TAG responds to immediate conservation needs and helps organizations get funding on the ground efficiently to close on significant conservation deals.
Six organizations were awarded grants to advance projects that will protect forests, water resources, and wildlife habitats, while expanding recreational and educational opportunities.
Congratulations to the Avon Land Trust, Canton Land Conservation Trust, Colebrook Land Conservancy, Farmington Land Trust, Steep Rock Association, and Winchester Land Trust!
Avon Land Trust: 76-Acre Parcel in Avon and Simsbury
Avon Land Trust was awarded funds to complete an appraisal for a parcel in Avon and Simsbury bordering the Farmington River. Conserving this rich alluvial floodplain protects riparian habitat, supports high-value climate mitigation services, and preserves prime agricultural soils from immediate development pressure. It also provides a critical gateway connecting a park and local trails to create a unique “river to peak” corridor stretching from the Farmington River to Talcott Mountain.
Canton Land Conservation Trust: Bristol Acquisition in Canton
Canton Land Conservation Trust (CLCT) was awarded funding to conduct a survey and complete title and recording work for the Bristol Acquisition, a ~31-acre forested parcel in Canton. This project will expand CLCT’s signature 50-acre Pratt Preserve to establish a contiguous mature forest block of over 80 acres. The land provides an essential wildlife corridor along the southern approach to Ratlum Mountain and protects the watershed of Cherry Brook—a major tributary of the Farmington River that harbors uncommon dragonfly species like the Springtime darner and Superb jewelwing. Once acquired, volunteer trail crews will extend the existing preserve trail network onto this new open space, increasing outdoor recreation opportunities for families.
Colebrook Land Conservancy: Corliss Mountain Preserve Addition in Colebrook
Colebrook Land Conservancy (CLC) was awarded funds for an appraisal to acquire an ecologically intact 18-acre forested parcel in Colebrook. This key tract shares boundaries with the Algonquin State Forest and CLC’s 100-acre Corliss Mountain Preserve, filling a critical gap in protected-areas coverage and securing an active wilderness corridor. The property features steep, complicated ravine terrain that serves as crucial refugia for diverse wildlife, including state-endangered Sharp-shinned hawks, Jefferson salamanders, black bears, and moose. Additionally, it provides 800 linear feet of protected frontage along scenic Sandy Brook Road and safeguards Sandy Brook, a major Wild and Scenic Farmington River tributary that supports wild brook trout and Atlantic salmon fry.
Farmington Land Trust: Petrauskas Property in Farmington
Farmington Land Trust will utilize grant funds to complete a critical appraisal for the Petrauskas Property, a ~27-acre parcel consisting of 15 acres of wetlands and 12 acres of uplands in the Farmington River Valley. Under intense development pressure, conserving this parcel secures essential green infrastructure and adds a biologically and topographically vital addition to adjacent open spaces, including Shade Swamp Sanctuary. This acquisition directly supports local and federal open space conservation goals, including the State of Connecticut’s Green Plan.
Steep Rock Association: Hidden Valley – Cornell Parcels Acquisition in Washington
Steep Rock Association (SRA) was awarded funding to support essential survey and environmental site assessment costs for the Cornell Parcels, a 145-acre tract of land that has been SRA’s top acquisition priority for over 20 years. Expanding the Hidden Valley Preserve by 16%, the acquisition protects 1.25 miles of the Shepaug and Bantam Rivers as well as Washington’s two largest core forests. The property forms part of the Audubon-designated Shepaug Forest Block Important Bird Area and boasts remarkable climate resilience, with 59% of its mature forest cover identified by The Nature Conservancy as supporting far above average climate adaptation and carbon storage value.
Winchester Land Trust: Rebillard Forest & Farm in Winsted
Winchester Land Trust (WLT) received funding to conduct a survey for the conservation of Rebillard Forest (93 acres) and Rebillard Farm (37 acres). Together, these adjacent parcels protect nearly half a mile of frontage along the Still River, securing water quality before it flows into the National Wild & Scenic Farmington River. The properties feature a diverse mosaic of grassland, wetland, and forest terrains that support nesting Bobolinks, Spotted salamanders, and Box turtles. WLT plans to open the land to the public within a year of closing, creating new trail networks for hiking, cross-country skiing, and wildlife viewing. CLCC also awarded WLT a LEAP grant to help acquire the Rebillard Farm parcel.
About CLCC’s Transaction Assistance Grant (TAG) Program
CLCC’s TAG grant program seeks to accelerate the pace of land conservation in Connecticut. Grants of up to $20,000 are available to member land trusts to offset costs for appraisal work, title work, environmental site assessments, surveys, and recording fees. Applications are accepted monthly on a rolling basis, enabling land trusts to respond quickly to time-sensitive real estate opportunities.
TAG grants are made possible by donations from individuals and institutions. Since its inception in 2022, CLCC has awarded a total of 86 TAG grants totaling ~$674,000. These grants have helped land trusts acquire and protect ~7,887 acres across the state.