The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Ziobron lauded for work in land conservation
HADDAM — A local legislator was lauded last week for her efforts to secure open space in lower Middlesex County.
State Rep. Melissa Ziobron, R-East Haddam, was recognized by the Connecticut Land Conservation Council Thursday for her leadership in protecting the integrity of the Community Investment Act and supporting the Open Space & Watershed Land Acquisition Grant, according to a news release. The award was presented at the Beaver Ledges Preserve in Haddam, land that was preserved in part using funds from the Community Investment Act.
She was joined by state Rep. Bob Siegrist, R-Haddam, and members of the Haddam Land Trust.
“Preserving open space for future generations is vitally important, especially in environmentally sensitive areas,” Ziobron said in a prepared statement. “I have been a tireless advocate for our state forests, parks and conservation lands.
“Creating greenways around our state has a huge benefit not only for wildlife but for tourism. I look forward to continuing my work protecting existing open space and finding creative ways to connect parcels when viable and consistent with local sentiment,” she said.
“Next session I hope to work on connecting the Air Line Trail in Portland to the larger segment in East Hampton,” Ziobron said.
Since taking office in 2013, she has been recognized by many conservation groups for her efforts to protect and preserve the environment, the news release said. She has served on the Environment Committee her entire tenure and continues her role as a proxy for Connecticut on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. When not in session, she is an avid hiker and birder.