Grants help protect 282 acres in Sharon, Salisbury

Two Northwest Corner properties will benefit from $6.2 million in funding to protect open space, announced by Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday, June 17.

A 114-acre property protected by the Salisbury Association Land Trust on Lime Rock Road, part of the Belter family’s former farmlands, will be protected with $250,000. 

The press release from the governor’s office describes the Belter property as having “a spring-fed stream that drains to the Salmon Kill” and “high-quality wildlife habitat including core forest, meadow, stream, and steep slopes with bedrock exposures and boulders.” There are 13 State Listed Species in or near the boundaries of the property, which is also an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area.

There are plans to create a 1.8-mile loop trail on the property, which can be accessed from Route 112 off Route 7. 

In Sharon, a $500,000 grant will help the Sharon Land Trust to protect 168 acres on the Von Ahn Farm, which is on the Western side of Indian Mountain. 

“This acquisition would more than double the current protection of Indian Mountain and complete a continuous belt of protected land between Indian Lake and Mudge Pond,” according to the news release.

The property has scenic views, 120 acres of “core forest,” 37 acres of USDA Prime and Statewide Important Farmland soils and “wetlands and several headwater streams that drain into Indian Lake.”

The Von Ahn Farm is contiguous with the Land Trust’s 108-acre Goodbody/Paley Farm Preserve.

Of the grants, Department of Energy and Environmental Conservation Commissioner Katie Dykes said, “Open space is key to ensuring a bright economic future for our state. 

“These natural assets are valuable as we attract and retain residents who are increasingly looking for varied recreational opportunities where they work, play, and live. No single entity can accomplish the critical goal of protecting our lands with significant conservation values now and for future generations. We need continued cooperation of land trusts, our towns and cities, and conservation-minded citizens to build upon existing and form new partnerships and new approaches to protecting open space.”

Connecticut has set a goal of having 673,210 acres designated as open space. This new round of grants brings the statewide total to more than 512,000 acres.

To qualify for a grant, there must be a funding match by the grant recipient; and” stipulations that the land be protected by a conservation and public recreation easement, ensuring that the property is forever protected for public use and enjoyment.” 

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