The farms, forests, and marshes surrounding the upper East Branch of the Westport River include some of the most scenic and ecologically significant landscapes in the town, and, indeed, the region. Encompassing roughly 2,000 acres, this project area includes that stretch of the river between Hix Bridge and the Head of Westport, bounded on the west by Drift Road and on the east by Pine Hill and Old Pine Hill Roads.

   Last year, thanks in part to staffing and other generous support from a private foundation, the WLCT and The Trustees of Reservations completed their first major project along the upper East Branch: the 90-acre Chapin White Farm conservation restriction (see Protected Land). The purchase price was funded by a grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, using monies from the Bouchard oil spill fine.

   We are pleased to announce that we have secured a second NAWCA grant to continue our work along the East Branch. If the Partnership is able to protect 100 acres of significant wetlands and threatened bordering uplands along the River, NAWCA will contribute a million dollars towards that effort. We are currently reaching out to landowners to identify large, unprotected parcels where the landowners may be interested in gifts of conservation restrictions or bargain sales.

   As part of our ongoing fundraising, we are also seeking individual donations to stretch the NAWCA monies and to match those pledged by a private foundation— allowing us to protect even more Hix-to-Head land (see Conservation Options). Anyone interested in hearing more about conservation options should contact Jennifer Holske, Westport Community Conservation Coordinator, at (508) 636-7038 or email jholske@ttor.org.