The State of Massachusetts on Thursday announced the granting of more than $500,000 to help further the conservation of 60 acres of Westport land under two separate projects.

The awards were announced by the Healey-Driccoll administration.

Of them, the Westport Land Conservation Trust will receive $285,000 to help with its planned purchase of a conservation restriction at the former Peaceful Acres Farm at 311 Drift Road, a 30-acre tract that contains Kirby Brook, vernal pools, productive wetlands and upland forests. The grant comes under the state’s Conservation Partnerships grant program.

Land trust director Ross Moran said Thursday that the grant brings the non-profit trust within $100,000 of its goal to purchase the conservation restriction from the Ferreira family; a closing is planned for December.

If ultimately purchased, the land trust would create trails and open the former farm to the public for passive recreation across it and an adjacent 24 acres of already conserved land.

The purchase also serves another important ecological purpose: preserving and safeguarding Kirby Brook, its surrounding wetlands, and forests, as Kirby Brook is designated a Coldwater Fishery Resource by Mass Wildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program.

The project is also supported by Westport’s Community Preservation Committee, one major lead donation, and several other donations from several families in Westport.

Buzzards Bay Coalition

In addition, the Buzzards Bay Coalition received a $225,000 grant to acquire 30 acres of forested land that includes nearly half a mile of frontage along Angeline Brook. According to the Healey-Driscoll administration, the brook “supports one of the few remaining strongholds of native coastal sea-run brook trout in southern New England.

Snell Creek opening

As the grants come in, members of the land trust are getting ready to celebrate the opening of another recent acquisition, the Snell Creek property off 585 Main Road which the trust acquired late last year and has been blazing since.

The 34-acre property contains a tributary of Snell Creek and supports rare species and three acres of agricultural land that has already been planted to provide berries to the Westport Food Pantry.

The property is also located in a corridor of preserved land which preserve vital water resources in both Snell Creek and Angeline Brook — trust members said “the health of Snell Creek also ensures continued freshwater into the East Branch of the Westport River.”

The acquisition came through the trust’s work with land owners Jay and Jill Szaro.

“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 said.

Trust members will officially open the property to the public in a ceremony set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m. For more information on that event, click here.