GREENWICH LAND TRUST ACQUIRES 4.5 ACRES ON STAMFORD BORDER
The Greenwich Land Trust has announced the acquisition of 4.5 acres of pristine forest and wetlands, adjacent to its existing 6.3-acre Mygatt Preserve off Chestnut Hill Road in North Stamford.
The donation was made by members of the Mygatt family, following in the footsteps of Katrina Auchincloss Mygatt, who willed the original 6.3 acres to the land trust in 1991 to ensure the family’s land would be protected forever. A conservationist, Mygatt worked throughout the community to advocate for environmental causes, and her family continues that legacy.
“The Land Trust is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to conserve, protect and care for this beautiful property in perpetuity, making our community a better place to live and enjoy,” GLT Executive Director Will Kies said. With this acquisition, the GLT is protecting 763 acres of open space.
This newly acquired deep woodland glade abuts GLT’s existing Mygatt Preserve as well as the 6-acre Chestnut Hill Bird Sanctuary, owned by the city of Stamford, and additional conservation land nearby, creating a sizable greenway and a rich habitat for local wildlife. This property is home to great horned and barred owls, coyote, deer, as well as wild turkeys, foxes, raccoons, woodpeckers, thrushes, and a variety of song birds.
The terrain includes a steep slope with a glacial boulder field, stone walls and a freshwater spring that feeds into the wetland at the bottom of the property. Mature hardwood trees, including tupelo, tulip, beech, oak and maple, and native shrubs, such as sweet pepperbush, witch hazel and spicebush, are found throughout.
The GLT plans to remove invasive species such as Japanese barberry and Asiatic bittersweet from the property.
The Greenwich Land Trust conserves open space, including woodlands, marshlands, orchards and meadows throughout the town. For more information, visit gltrust.org.