The Nature Conservancy Acquires the Granskog Property

Located adjacent to The Nature Conservancy’s popular Lucius Pond Ordway-Devil’s Den Preserve, the 102-acre parcel known as the Granskog Property has been a long hoped-for addition to TNC’s conservation portfolio in Connecticut given its risk of development in densely populated Fairfield County. TNC recently finalized the acquisition, which received a state grant of $1.1 million.

“It’s a beautiful, undeveloped tract that adjoins our existing preserve and supports species that call Devil’s Den home. It helps buffer influences of nearby development, like invasive species,” says Cynthia Fowx, director of TNC’s Saugatuck preserves. “Large, unfragmented forest areas are vital to biodiversity, so there is great ecological value to this land. We will work to ensure it is as healthy and resilient as possible, long into the future.”

The property is located within TNC’s Resilient and Connected Network (RCN), which are lands identified as the most resilient to climate change and that provide critical sanctuary for plants and wildlife as habitats shift. If conserved, the RCN will help sustain biodiversity, as well as protect the drinking water sources, carbon storage, and recreational and economic resources that people depend on. 

At 1,800 acres, Devil’s Den Preserve is included in more than 15,000 acres of contiguous forest with high conservation value. The preserve serves more than 500 types of trees and wildflowers as well as more than 140 bird species. It also provides significant connectivity for mammals with large home ranges like bobcat, coyote and black bear.

TNC acquired the 102 acres from members of the Granskog family, who support conservation and wanted to ensure the land would remain as open space. This marks the third time the family has transferred land in the area to TNC—the previous two in 2001 included 120 total acres.

“I am very happy that it finally came together. It is such a beautiful piece of land, and I’m glad it will remain that way and add to TNC’s work,” says Jarl Granskog, who also explained that playing a role in land protection helps to honor his father and his own legacy.

While the 102 acres are connected to Devil’s Den, they will remain closed to the public while TNC assesses options for and develops a new trail.

TNC received a great deal of support in making the land transaction possible, according to Fowx and Sarah Pellegrino, TNC’s land protection and strategies manager in Connecticut. Both credit the Granskog family for their longstanding partnership and support of nature, as well as the state for its Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program, which provided the grant funding. The Town of Redding, the Redding land Trust and additional conservation partners in the community also supported the state application.

The Town of Redding also helped bring the plan to fruition by approving a trail easement for access to the property.

“The acquisition of the Granskog property by The Nature Conservancy is cause for celebration. Almost 30 years ago, the Town of Redding’s Plan of Conservation and Development identified preservation of this parcel to be of the utmost importance,” says Redding First Selectwoman Julie Pemberton. “I am so pleased that all these years later, we were able to support TNC's efforts to preserve this land in perpetuity.”

In addition to state funds, TNC secured private funds from donors, including the Summer Hill Foundation and the Connecticut Land Conservation Council’s Transaction Assistance Grant Program.

“This new property, in concert with all other nearby parcels, forms a really sizable area that is now protected in partnership with so many groups,” Fowx added. “We’ve been working on this vision for Devil’s Den for so long, and now the preserve feels whole.”

Pellegrino explained that land protection projects typically take a great deal of time, but noted that several years for a transaction translates into countless decades of much-needed protection for nature. She adds, “There was always the hope we would be able to conserve this land at some point in the future, and now that time is finally here. It’s always a very happy time when it’s official, and we’re excited to be celebrating with the family and partners in the community.”