Middlesex Land Trust is pleased to announce that we have launched the acquisition of a 147-acre property that abuts our existing 9-acre Rattlesnake Brook Preserve and borders the Meshomasic State Forest in the towns of Portland and East Hampton. Since Rattlesnake Brook runs through the entire property, we have named it Meshomasic Rattlesnake Brook Preserve.
These forested lands play a major role in helping to stabilize our climate, regulate ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and are an integral part in the carbon cycle. Preserving this land will help to protect the water quality of Rattlesnake Brook, Great Hill Pond, and beyond. It ensures the preservation of critical habitat for the many endangered and rare species who live on, swim in, or pass through this beautiful land. It offers visitors wonderful vistas and the opportunity to enjoy nature through activities such as birdwatching, hiking, and picnicking.
We are very excited about the progress being made toward our goal to purchase this impressive property, including the generous award of an Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) Grant from the State of Connecticut for $364,000.
This grant gives us a great head-start on raising the funds we need to protect this important land in perpetuity. A fundraising campaign to enable the purchase of this parcel will continue over the next several months.
Please consider donating to the project!
Once the property is secure, our Stewardship crew will work to install signage and a blazed trail so the property can be accessed by the public for hiking, birdwatching, and simply to enjoy being out on the land and in nature.
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