New Canaan Awarded $535k Grant to Preserve Open Space

NEW CANAAN, CT—Gov. Dannel Malloy announced that New Canaan will benefit from a $535,000 grant to preserve an area of open space.

The project is called the Silvermine-Fowler Preserve and is sponsored by the New Canaan Land Trust. The parcel of land contains a wide variety of wildlife habitats including meadow, woodlands, wetlands, and a small pond.

The pond could be used for catch and release fishing.

The existing house will be razed and the infrastructure, and driveway will be used by the public for access with linkages to existing trails.

New Canaan Land Trust owns the nearby 41-acre Kelley Upland Sanctuary.

“Connecticut’s tradition of preserving open space began in the early 1900s and continues today with a focus on land preservation that protects important natural resources and ensuring that our state maintains its natural beauty,” Malloy said. “Through these grants, we will increase the availability of open space to provide our residents with protected lands to enjoy for outdoor recreation all across our state.”

A total of $4.7 million in grants were given to 17 communities to preserve 1,170 acres of open space and to assist two urban communities with developing community gardens.

“Since the Open Space Grant program began in 1998, more than $125 million in state funding has been awarded to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies to assist in the purchase of more than 32,000 acres of land, including farmlands, in 135 cities and towns,” DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee said. “These important open space properties protect natural resources and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”