Audubon Center Gets Federal Grant

Congresswoman Nancy Johnson has obtained $100,000 in federal funds for the Audubon Center at Bent of the River to renovate existing facilities and construct a welcome center.

Rep Johnson secured the funds in the fiscal year 2005 spending bill for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The Audubon Center in Southbury is an important educational and environmental resource for Connecticut,” said Rep Johnson.

“This new funding will help the center at the Bent of the River realize its goals and offer more and better services to our communities and our school children.”

John Longstreth, Audubon Center director, said on Monday that “Audubon is thrilled to be receiving this grant and is deeply grateful to Rep Johnson for her singular leadership.

“This grant will allow us to renovate our historic barn as a welcome center and as a year-round base for schools and public nature education programs. The improved facilities will serve as a gateway to the Bent’s 15 miles of walking trails that wind through 660 acres of important bird and wildlife habitat.”

The center anticipates using the funds to renovate the existing barn, construct a maintenance barn, and renovate or construct classrooms and office space.

The Bent of the River is a historic farm located along the curving shore and wooded hillsides bordering the Pomperaug River in Southbury. It was donated to Audubon in 1993 as part of the estate of its longtime owners Althea and Howard Clark who wanted to see the property preserved in its natural state for the enjoyment of area residents.