North Central News
December, 2005

STAFFORD SPRINGS - The New England Grassroots Environment Fund (NEGEF) has given grants to seven community groups in Connecticut. These funds support a variety of local initiatives to improve environmental quality across the state. The Connecticut groups received a total of $10,500 in support. Two North Central Connecticut groups were among the recipients:

• Stafford First: Citizens for Responsible Growth - Stafford - $2,000 to stop the proposed construction of a 24-hour WalMart Supercenter on 100 acres land and propose land use that is more in scale with the small town character of Stafford Springs.

• Friends of the Hockanum River Linear Park - Vernon - $1,000 to establish an "Adopt A Trail" program that will involve local businesses and residents in the maintenance, enhancement and extension of the town's 30-mile trail system.

The New England Grassroots Environment Fund is a nonprofit grant program designed to foster a broad range of local environmental initiatives in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. NEGEF makes grants to help enhance local activism and promote greater civic engagement. Grants, ranging from $500 to $2,500, are made three times a year.