The Bethany Land Trust is thrilled to announce the awarding of a land acquisition grant of $60,000 from the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, a supporting organization of the Northwest CT Community Foundation. The funds from this grant and those from a sizeable pledge from a private donor will be applied to the acquisition of 89 Russell Road in Bethany.
Click here to view a map of the property.
Carol Lambiase, President of the Land Trust, is very pleased with this award. “The Land Trust has a signed agreement with the owners to acquire this 38.5-acre property and we are grateful for this grant, which moves us toward making protection of that property a reality,” says Carol.
Currently owned by the Giovanelly Family Trust, the parcel, includes approximately 8 acres of a mix of woodland and rocky outcrops encircling approximately 30 acres of rich woody marsh which protects songbirds, wild flowers, and other wildlife. This property borders the Town of Bethany’s 74-acre Carrington Preserve (managed by the Bethany Land Trust) and the Land Trust’s 47-acre Whispering Pines Preserve. A series of trails and easements connect those parcels and those in the Land Trust’s Bethany Farms system.
Carol says, “We plan to construct trails for hiking that encircle the Russell Road property and will connect to adjacent open space parcels. Acquisition of this parcel will further Bethany’s open space goals and values including scenic landscapes, wildlife habitat, recreation, and quality of water.”
The Land Trust is in the midst of raising the additional $35,000 needed to complete the acquisition. Carol says, “With the grant funds and that sizeable pledge from our private donor, we are close to being able to acquire 89 Russell Road. We are confident that the community will generously support us going forward.” Click Here to donate your dollars that will help us with this purchase and other Land Trust activities.