Acquisition Committee

The Acquisition Committee identifies large, undeveloped parcels or areas that are of high environmental value, and targets those properties for protection. Land types with the highest priorities for acquisition have unusual diversity and/or abundance of wildlife: forests, watercourses, inland wetlands and tidal marshes. Property adjacent to land already protected is also given a high priority. We welcome any inquiry or suggestions of possible acquisitions.

There are several ways for the Trust to protect undeveloped land. It can acquire the property by donation or by purchase. The Trust may also receive easements on properties. With such a conservation easement, the property owner continues to own the property and may sell it or leave it to heirs, but the ownership and transfer of the land is subject to certain restrictions on the development, and the Trust has the legal right and responsibility to enforce those restrictions.

Literature is available to give landowners a comprehensive guide to these various options as well as a generalized overview of tax advantages. If an owner is interested in protecting undeveloped property, a committee member will walk land with him or her and discuss the Trust's criteria and procedures of land transfer. The Acquisition Committee works with owners to help them choose the option for permanently protecting the open space that works best for them. The owners are urged to seek advice from their attorneys and accountants prior to donating, selling or transferring certain rights of development to the Trust.

The Trust has received the bulk of its holdings from donations of open space, ranging in size from the 100 acres off of Red Hill Road donated by the Van Wie family, to parcels less than one acre in size, and even several tiny islands (or rocks) in Long Island Sound. Some properties have been given to the Trust from subdivision developments as part of the local zoning regulations' requirement of designated open space.

The Trust also purchases property when an important parcel becomes available at a price that it can afford. Some recent purchases have involved partnerships with the town, the state, and the Guilford Land Conservation Trust Funding for these acquisitions comes from government and private grants and, most importantly, contributions from our members and the general public. The Trust maintains an acquisition fund, which enables it to move quickly to take advantage of new opportunities as they arise. Contributions to this fund are always welcome, and will be put to good use protecting Branford's remaining open space.