- Cynthia Henshaw (at right) accepting the grant awards for two new conservation initiatives. Also pictured are Celia Riechel, L.A.N.D. grant administrator, Melissa Cyan, Conservation Partnership grant administrator, and Stephanie Cooper, Assistant Secretary for Land & Forest Conservation (left to right).
Yesterday it was announced that the East Quabbin Land Trust will receive grant funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for two conservation initiatives to be completed by June 2014. These grants were part of the Patrick administration’s efforts promoting open space investments to expand growth and opportunity in central Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan announced $3.1 million in investments for parks, recreational spaces and open space conservation in nine central Massachusetts communities. Investments are being made in Fitchburg, Framingham, Hardwick, Leominster, Orange, Petersham, West Brookfield, Westminster and Worcester.
The properties that the East Quabbin Land Trust is working to conserve will provide public passive recreation access, protect the Ware River and adjacent wetland resources, conserve priority wildlife habitat, and encourage sustainable forest management.