Gov. Rell, Congresswoman DeLauro

Announce Grant for Guilford Nature Area

Governor M. Jodi Rell and U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) announced today that Connecticut has been awarded a $261,250 federal grant to expand a state-managed and environmentally sensitive wildlife habitat area along Long Island Sound in Guilford.

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection will use the funds to acquire 48 acres to add to the 138-acre East River Marsh Wildlife Area. The DEP was awarded the grant by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service.

           “Preserving fragile habitat and wildlife in our state, especially along Long Island Sound, is one of the prime goals of our open space program,” Governor Rell said. “This grant will bolster our efforts to protect one of the most significant wildlife habitats on Long Island Sound.”

“With this grant we will be able to preserve more ecologically important areas and safeguard them for future generations.  Access to these conservation tools gives Guilford the opportunity to make significant strides in their effort to protect our environment by protecting wildlife, preserving water quality, and preventing the fragmentation of this exemplary natural area.” said Congresswoman DeLauro.  “It is through federal, state and private partnerships like this one that we can work together to protect Connecticut’s threatened coastal lands.”

In addition to the federal funds, more than 10 conservation organizations will contribute funds for the acquisition, spearheaded by the Guilford Land Conservation Trust.  

          DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, “The DEP is grateful for all partners involved in this acquisition.  Working together as a team, we are better able to preserve, protect and conserve this valuable property for the enjoyment of Connecticut residents and visitors to our state.”  

          Once acquired by the DEP, the property will fill a critical missing link in an existing system of 714 acres of protected conservation land within the East River marsh system in the Towns of Guilford and Madison.  When combined with the adjacent West River marsh, the wildlife management area will be the second largest and one of the most ecologically significant brackish marsh systems on Long Island Sound.

          The new 48 acres of coastal wetlands, open fields, shrub lands and rare coastal habitat is biologically diverse and has unique topography. A densely forested rocky knoll at the center of the property provides cover and roosting opportunities for a variety of waterbirds, raptors and migratory birds.

The site is home to the only known population of the State-endangered Least Shrew in Connecticut. DEP officials say the East River marsh that surrounds the site is believed to support a significant population of the Diamondback Terrapin, a species the state has designated for “greatest conservation need.”

The marshland is also home to the Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow and Seaside Sparrow, both of which are on the National Audubon Society’s  Watch List 2007 of species of highest conservation concern.