The Branford Community Foundation, the leader in supporting a variety of local philanthropic needs, programs and services for more than 35 years, has distributed a $2,000 grant award to the Branford Land Trust, Inc. toward the acquisition funding of 29 acres of land known as the Red Hill Woods and Spectacle Island properties.

Founded in 1967, the mission of the Branford Land Trust is to preserve open space in the Town by acquiring and managing open space, promoting education about Branford’s natural resources and encouraging community involvement in land preservation. With over 1,000 acres (and growing) of woodlands, wetlands and watercourses (both fresh water and tidal), farmland and coastal islands and conservation easements on more than 400 acres, the Branford Land Trust has significant natural resource stewardship responsibilities for an extensive portion of Branford for all citizens to enjoy and benefit from.

Red Hill Woods is a 29-acre land parcel in the Hoadley Creek watershed area near the Branford and Guilford town line (north of open space currently protected by the Branford Land Trust, the Guilford Land Conservation Trust and the Town of Branford). The acquisition of the property contributes to the development of an existing greenway with high value for wildlife habitat and recreation, complements existing preserved open space, protects habitat of multiple species and conserves water quality of local rivers and coastal waters.

Spectacle Island, a quarter-acre, bare granite, bird rookery located approximately one-half mile southeast of Indian Neck, is the summer home of numerous nesting gulls, cormorants and other shore birds. “Spec,” as it is known locally, is sometimes used by seals during their seasonal visits to Long Island Sound to rest and bask in the sun.

The Branford Community Foundation benefits all residents by pooling contributions from like-minded citizens, managing these funds with professional guidance, and then carefully granting a portion of the income generated to local, nonprofit organizations. As a multipurpose permanent local charitable endowment, the Branford Community Foundation helps to build a healthy and successful community by supporting everything from basic needs and health services, to local environmental issues and education, to the arts and other programs.