August 1, 2024

SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $248,300 STATE GRANT SUPPORTING 42 ACRES OF OLD LYME OPEN SPACE

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) welcomed the recent announcement that the Old Lyme Land Trust will receive a $248,300 grant from the state’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program for the preservation of 42.43 acres of land in Old Lyme.

“Protecting and preserving our natural resources doesn’t only support our ecosystems and keep green, beautiful spaces untouched by development, but it allows for new local outdoor recreation,” said Sen. Marx. “It’s fantastic to know this open space will lead to a great new hiking trail system for local use and allow for easier access for the public to get out into the woods. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and state leaders for keeping Old Lyme in their focus.”

“The Old Lyme Land Trust’s Board of Trustees and I are thrilled and grateful to receive news that we will be able to preserve an additional 42.43 acres of valuable undeveloped land with the help of the 2023 OSWA grant program” said Sabine O’Donnell, the President of the Old Lyme Land Trust. “The Old Lyme Land Trust currently owns and manages over 1,000 acres of land. We have been able to acquire more than 313 acres by receiving OSWA grant funding, showing how important this program has been to support our efforts. We continue to feel a sense of urgency about protecting and preserving as much undeveloped land before it is lost forever. We witness the impact of development and climate change in our small coastal community and hope that we will be able to count on continued support from the state of Connecticut and its OSWA grant program to allow us to preserve and protect important natural resources.”

“It is critical that we set aside some of the gorgeous natural resources we have in the state and protect it as open space in perpetuity for everyone to enjoy for generations,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “The funds we are announcing today will not only help combat the impacts of climate change, but they will also create more equitable access to outdoor green spaces within our most underserved communities.”

The funds will support the Land Trust’s acquisition of 42.43 acres at 188 Four Mile River Road in Old Lyme, which is near several other greenways in the area and is expected to support a town-wide greenway and hiking trail system.

The property has core forest, inland wetlands and supports the natural habitats in the area. It will benefit the local ecosystem and benefit local recreation.

This investment comes as part of a larger $14.5 million to aid the purchase and protection of more than 2,600 acres of open space throughout Connecticut, including 17 projects in 18 cities and towns. That’s the largest round of open space protection awards provided by the state in more than a decade.