Earlier this month WLCT completed the purchase of 34 acres off of Main Road, conserving a tributary of Snell Creek–a cold-water stream, the wet woodlands surrounding the creek supporting rare species habitat, and 3 acres of agricultural land. WLCT’s purchase preserves these vital natural resources in perpetuity.
Conserved Land, Healthy Waterways
The newly preserved property is located in a corridor of preserved land which conserve vital water resources in Angeline Brook and Snell Creek. Each cold water stream provides habitat for rare native brook trout. The health of Snell Creek also ensures continued freshwater into the East Branch of the Westport River.
Sale of the 34 acres of rare species habitat was made possible by landowners Jay and Jill Szaro. The family approached Even Keel Realty’s owner Nicole Plante about the future of the property and she encouraged them to pursue preservation.
“Working with the Westport Land Conservation Trust to preserve this property was the right thing to do for our family and the community. Through the land trust’s stewardship, we know the habitat will be in good hands, and generations of Westporters will be able to enjoy the woods and creek as we have.” ~Jay Szaro, landowner
Land to remain a productive part of our community
Through a partnership with the Buzzards Bay Coalition (BBC) on an abutting parcel, this will become a public access property, with a new 1.5 mile-trail approximately 1.5 miles. The property’s agricultural tradition will continue as well, in partnership with the Westport Food Pantry. WLCT will plant fruit crops such as blueberries, blackberries, pears and more and the Food Pantry volunteers will harvest and distribute.
Community Support
The funding for the purchase of this property was made possible thanks to numerous individual donors and private foundations, a Conservation Partnership Grant from the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and two anonymous foundations.
“We are always honored to work with willing landowners, like the Szaro family Projects like this illustrate how our community always rises to the occasion to preserve a special place, and secure a vital landscape for all future Westport generations to enjoy,” says Ross Moran, WLCT Executive Director.
WLCT looks forward to trail planning and blazing, spring planting, and a public opening in the Fall of 2026.
The Snell Creek Conservation Property will become WLCT’s 12th public access property, with trails open to the public from dawn to dusk daily. WLCT has supported the preservation of 5,600 acres across Westport, including almost 3,000 acres of working farmland. For more information about land preservation or if you have questions about this property, please contact Ross Moran, Ross@WestportLandTrust.org
