The state has awarded more than $9 million to preserve open space in 35 cities and towns, the governor’s office announced Friday. The largest parcels are in Cheshire, East Haddam, East Lyme, Kent/Warren, Lyme, and Somers, all with properties encompassing at last 100 acres. In all, the money will preserve 2,732 acres throughout Connecticut.

“This law puts a sharper focus on land conservation efforts and DEEP looks forward to working with a variety of partners during implementation,” said Daniel Esty, Commissioner of DEEP. “It also requires us to think more creatively and develop a strategy to better prioritize and track our progress—all important to meeting our ultimate goal of protecting 21 percent of Connecticut’s land.”

The Connecticut Water Company has completed the previously announced sale of 178 acres of open space land, including a 39 acre former reservoir, to the Town of Plymouth, Connecticut. The property, which is referred to as the Plymouth Reservoir Property, had once been used as a water supply source–but is no longer needed for that purpose.

The town has paid $7.1 million to Hubbell Inc. for 376 acres. Jim Biggart, vice president and treasurer of Hubbell, and First Selectman James Zeoli said Monday that the closing was Friday.

A report by an independent panel of experts on a proposed subdivision on Cedar Mountain suggests the town should consider buying the land to preserve as open space.

… The town claims the boards’ approvals are “reasonably likely to have the effect of unreasonably polluting, impairing or destroying the public trust in the air, water or other natural resources of Connecticut and will have a significant adverse impact on the wetlands and watercourse.”

It could have been a 34-unit housing development. Instead, the 63-acre tract known as the Sheep Farm was celebrated Saturday as part of Connecticut Trails Day, attracting about 20 community members for a walk in the woods.

The natural environment maintains a special place in the hearts of Weston residents. And the Sustainability Committee is looking to build on that respect with an assortment of innovative strategies.

A $500,000 grant has been approved by the state Bond Commission for work on Powder Ridge infrastructure.

Invasive plants have taken over Brookfield’s open space, but it will take a bigger budget and an army of volunteers and professionals to eradicate the errant weeds.

The Branford Land Trust has been awarded $175,000 by the state Department of Environmental Protection to help purchase the 24-acre Pieper Property off Laurel Hill Road.

The Norwich Bulletin reports that ‘Walktober’ turns 20 this year, and that there are 100 walks, tours, hikes and paddles throughout the northeastern Connecticut corridor called The Last Green Valley.

Once again, a private developer, Albert Gary, wants to buy part of what is known as Brackett Park in Hartford’s North End and build housing on it. He should leave open space open. Luckily, prior attempts to grab the 7.4 acres of precious open space in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods failed. A group

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DANBURY — Several City Council members are requesting that the full council explore ways to preserve the Lee Farm property as open space. The issue of preserving the land, which lies near Wooster Heights and Starrs Plain roads, came to the forefront recently when military officials announced that a portion of the Lee Farm property

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GLASTONBURY – Town crews are planning to build an access road and parking area at the former 152-acre Longo property, now known as Minnechaug Farm — the town’s last operating dairy farm. The property abuts another 62 acres donated to the town by Harry and Butch James. Several miles of trails run through the properties.

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The online petition from the Connecticut Fund for the Environment is targeting the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

The aim is to keep the federal government from selling Plum Island — an 843-acre island at the eastern end of Long Island Sound — to the highest bidder.

Plum Island has long been the home of a federal research facility and it has been recognized as an important sanctuary for wildlife and native plants.

The Connecticut Forest & Park Assoc. (CFPA) along with the Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Willington First Selectwoman Christina Mailhos, Mansfield Mayor Betsy Paterson and State Representative Bryan Hurlburt announced a land conservation deal that preserves over 530 acres of forest land and hiking trails. “Connecticut’s natural environment is an important part of our character and charm

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With concerns over traffic, wildlife disturbance, and competition with a girls’ softball field, the Fairfield Organic Teaching Farm has had a rough time getting off the ground. Thursday, at 7:30 p.m., the teaching farm is going before the Conservation Commission to request a lease of approximately two acres of the Hoyden’s Hill open space area

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Lyme – The town may acquire the Young family’s 100-acre property by Gungy and Beaver Brook roads free of charge. via Lyme may get 100-acre property for open space.

EAST GRANBY — East Granby has 264 acres of open space that is home to all sorts of wildlife and terrain, some of which was caught on camera by those entering the East Granby Land Trust (EGLT) Calendar Contest. via Calendar contest captures E.Granby wildlife | The Granby News | Foothills Media Group.