DONATION AND OPEN SPACE DEDICATION
Monday, January 8th, 2007 10am
On the Partrick Wetlands

Rain or Shine on the Wetlands, we have set up tents in case.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PARTRICK WETLANDS FUND ANNOUNCES DONATION OF
22.14 ACRES OF LAND TO WESTPORT COMMUNITY BY ARS PARTNERS

-- January 8 Ceremony Will Mark Donation of Land and Dedication as Open Space --

WESTPORT, CT, January 2, 2007 -- The Partrick Wetlands Preservation Fund Inc (PWPF) is pleased to announce the donation of 22.14 acres of land to its local community organization by ARS Partners. The PWPF immediately will place a conservation easement on the property, designating it as permanent open space.

A ceremony marking the donation and the dedication of open space will take place on Monday, January 8th at 10 a.m. on the Partrick Wetlands at 18 Partrick Road, (In case of truly inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the Westport Town Hall Lobby on January 8 at 10:15 a.m.; check www.savewestport.com for decision and details).

Attending and participating in the ceremony will be current and former elected state and local officials from Westport and Norwalk, as well as representatives of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and Governor Rell's office, ARS Partners, leaders of local community and advocacy groups and PWPF members.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the ceremony to help celebrate the Partrick Wetlands being protected and opened for future public enjoyment. Please wear appropriate footgear for a short walk on upland trails over gravel and leaves.

The donation of the Partrick Wetlands ends 40 years of controversy and uncertainty over what would become the fate of this environmentally sensitive and bio diverse land. The non-profit PWPF, formed in 2002, is an advocacy group made up of hundreds of residents of Westport, Norwalk, Wilton, Weston and beyond, all seeking the protection of open space and the prevention of over-development and sprawl in our region.

"This positive resolution should serve as a model for future cooperation between builders, neighbors and municipalities," said Matthew Mandell, director of the PWPF. "The pressure to develop and subdivide marginal lands is increasing, and with it comes a greater need to save them."

Information about the ceremony and background information about The Partrick Wetlands and the journey to save the property can be found at www.savewestport.com.

# # #