A total of $9.1 million in state grants is being put aside to protect nearly 2,470 acres for public use across the state. The program is intended to protect wildlife habitats, offer recreational opportunities, and serve as a buffer and adaptation to climate change.

Aspetuck Land Trust was awarded a $25,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation, the independent foundation created by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman. 

"Weston's Conservation - Legacy and Future"
Wednesday, October 16 at 7 pm
Presented by the Weston Historical Society in partnership with
the Aspetuck Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy

Aspetuck Land Trust celebrates the planting of its first Demonstration Garden, a garden filled with native plants that will inspire the community and homeowners to rethink lawns. This garden will be an example of how landowners can take care of their yards in a more sustainable, pollinator-friendly way. It will create a non-toxic space for children and pets, and the native plants will increase the variety of native birds and wildlife that are attracted. This is a community effort and has been created with the support of the Westport Women’s Club 2019 Ruegg Grant and Earthplace in Westport.

Aspetuck Land Trust was awarded a $25,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation, the independent foundation created by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman. 

The public is very aware that we are in the midst of a pollination crisis. In fact, concern about bees and other pollinators is nearly unanimous in public polling.

At a time when we are polarized on most issues, the need to do something about bees is something we can all agree on. Unfortunately, when people fret about bees and the threats they face, most are thinking about strictly about honey bees.

“Pollinator Fears and Facts Survey” released by the Aspetuck Land Trust.

Open Space Land Conservation Celebrated by Elected Officials!

Among those stories is the 38-acre Belknap acquisition, which increased Aspetuck Land Trust’s Honey Hill Preserve in Weston/Wilton to 119-acres.

The Westport Woman’s Club’s Ruegg Committee presented their 2019 Ruegg Grant, in the amount of $10,000, to Aspetuck Land Trust to help sponsor their “Green Corridor: Saugatuck to Shore" program, focusing on "Westport: A Model of Change."  The WWC grant will be used to educate and motivate homeowners to take care of their yards in more sustainable ways to increase biodiversity and improve our environment by planting native plants, switching to organic lawn care and reducing pesticide usage.  

The Weston Kiwanis Club’s 15 Annual Millie Best Environmental Award will be presented to The Chauncey Belknap Family for its contributions to open space in the area. The presentation takes place on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the club’s weekly 8:30 a.m. meeting at Norfield Parish Hall, 64 Norfield Road, Weston. Chauncey Belknap’s grandson, Howard Giles Carter who is an avid birder and conservationist, will accept the award on behalf of the Belknap family. A representative from the Aspetuck Land Trust, which worked with the family to create open space preserves on former family land, will also be present.

Aspetuck Land Trust is actively pursuing a grant opportunity in hopes of purchasing 86 acres of land owned by the town of Weston and preserving it as open space. On Thursday evening, the Board of Selectmen took action to begin formal consideration of the idea and get input from the public.