If you visited us before and what to know what's new or happening, take a look here first.
NEW WEB PAGES:
Energy Conservation, Clean Energy, Trails and Parks, Litter Prevention, Greening Your Business, Lakes in Woodstock, Awards, Birding, Birds of Woodstock (photos), Vernal Pools, Productive Forest Soils in Eastern CT
New England Icons: the Rise and Fall of the Elm and other Trees
May 21, 7:30 at Palmer Hall in Woodstock, CT.
A slide show on the place of trees in New England culture before the automobile, especially the elm, compared to some other eastern states and foreign countries. By Herb Richardson, a former U.S. History and Culture professor at Rowan University in NJ. Wednesday, Free and open to the public. Info and directions at www.woodstockhistoricalsociety.org
Vernal Pool Inventory in Woodstock
Woodstock is conducting a vernal pool inventory. For more information, or to report the location of a vernal pool in Woodstock, CT, call 860.928.4948.
Rock Snot - a New Invasive Species threatening CT waterways
See DEP press release in Word or PDF format
MEETING ON KOWAL FARM - PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS 02/28/07
On 02/28/07, at a Special Town Meeting, Woodstock residents voted unanimously to purchase development rights for the Kowal Farm. It will be farmland forever. For more information, see article in Our Better Nature
New Review Requirement for Projects in Public Water Supply Aquifer or Watershed Areas
As of October 2006, all applicants before a CT municipal Zoning Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals or Inland Wetlands Commission for any project located within a public water supply aquifer or watershed area are required by Public Act No. 06-53 of the CT General Statutes to notify their local Water Company and The Commissioner of Public Health of the proposed project by completing steps described here. You will need to go to the Woodstock Town Hall and look at the Public Water Supply Sources map. For more information about the program and requirements, see CT DPH Source Water Protection.
Protecting Villages and Hamlets
The Planning and Zoning Commission is looking at the possible need to enhance neighborhood zoning regulations in neighborhoods considered "historic" (even though they are not formally designated as such). Such neighborhoods in town can be found in East Woodstock, West Woodstock, South Woodstock, North Woodstock, Woodstock Valley, Sprucedale, Elmvale, and Kenyonville.
The goal would be to maintain the character of these areas, while still keeping property owners' economic interests in mind. Woodstocks' A Plan of Open Space and Conservation includes a similar goal to: "Assure the protection of aesthetic, historic and recreational resources so that current residents and future generations may appreciate and experience Woodstock’s rural heritage." Related recommendations are to "protect key scenic resources and roadways by identifying visually sensitive areas and developing land use planning and design guidelines that preserve our rural areas and village centers. Enhance the conservation of our local historic, archaeological and cultural resources by identifying these areas and integrating them into a town-wide cultural resources management plan."
Planning & Zoning intends to start with the work done by the Historic Properties Commission, identify the villages/hamlets/neighborhoods to focus on, conduct walks/visits to become familiar with them, and involve residents in discussions. The subcommittee meetings are usually held before regularly scheduled Planning & Zoning meetings (Note: the subcommittee meeting will not be held in February 2007).
Greenways Designation: Little River and Natchaug River System
Both the Little River and the Natchaug River System were designated as a State Greenways in June 2006. The goal of these greenways is to conserve natural resources, in particular by protecting water quality, providing for wildlife habitat, and in some areas offering passive recreational opportunities such as walking or birding. On June 2, 2006, DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy presented a Municipal Achievement Award to the towns of Woodstock and Putnam for their joint support and willingness to conserve the natural resources of the Little River. For more information, see Woodstock Greenways.
CT Trees and Forest Corn Maze
For a truly fun and educational experience this fall, Steve Broderick of UCONN recommends checking out Chris Kueffner?s Connecticut Trees and Forests corn maze on Merrow Road in Mansfield (http://merrowmaze.com/). Folks of all ages will learn and enjoy.
 Farmers, agricultural associations, and agri-business showcased the many aspects of agriculture in this region. The day included exhibits, demonstrations, music, a farm tour, animals, a parade and family fun designed to improve understanding of residents and visitors, of the presence and importance of agriculture in the Quinebaug Shetucket Heritage Corridor. The Conservation Commission's display focused on Greenways, Bluebirds and Invasive Plants. For more info, see the Celebrating Agriculture website.
INVASIVE PLANT GUIDE AVALABLE
The U.S. Forest Service State & Private Forestry Division has just published a new, weather-resistant, color illustrated, pocket-sized ?Invasive Plants Field and Reference Guide: an ecological perspective of plant invaders of forests and woodlands.? To quote the introduction, ?the purpose of this particular field guide is to give a scientific synthesis of what is known about the behavior of such species in managed, disturbed, and pristine forested systems, in addition to key information for accurate identification.? The guide includes an extensive list of citations of peer-reviewed research on each species for those who wish to learn more. The pages are bound in a steel-ring loose leaf format, and the Forest Service anticipates printing additional sheets that can be added to the guide.Single copies can be obtained by contacting Tom Rawinski at the U.S. Forest Service Durham New Hampshire office: (603)868-7642 or trawinski@fs.fed.us.
The General Assembly has adopted the Recommended Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut 2004 - 2009. The Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut 2004 - 2009 ("Recommended" is now dropped from the title) is now in effect and replaces the 1998 - 2003 Plan. Specific project reviews will now be based on the 2004 - 2009 Plan. In compliance with Governor Rowland's Executive Order #30, hardcopies of the 2004 - 2009 Plan of C&D will not be distributed by the State. Those wishing to may download a copy of the Plan from the Office of Policy and Management website at www.opm.state.ct.us (from the main page click on Reports/Publications and then scroll down to the Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut 2004 - 2009). They expect to have the Locational Guide Map available on the OPM website in both PDF and digital format by 07/15/05.
Researchers and foresters are concerned that Sudden Oak Death has the potential to have a catastrophic impact similar to that of Dutch Elm Disease or Chestnut Blight. Sudden Oak Death has never been found in the wild in the eastern United States. To date, it has been found only on nursery stock in nurseries. For more information see a DEP Forestry advisory at http://ecfla.org/sod.htm.
The American Farmland Trust has set up a new and improved Farmland Information Center (FIC) Web site at www.farmlandinfo.org. It includes statistics, laws, literature and technical resources related to farm and ranch land protection and stewardship.
Agriculture is a significant part of Connecticut's heritage and economy, yet the state loses over 8,000 acres of land in farms every year. To help curb this loss of land, American Farmland Trust has developed a new tool that will help landowners, land trusts and communities identify options available to help protect and conserve farmland. The guide, Conservation Options for Connecticut Farmland, is available free of charge on AFT's Web site at www.farmland.org or you can download it here: Conservation Options for CT Farmland (PDF file - requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader to download)
"Many landowners, land trusts and town officials are not aware of state and federal programs available to help them conserve farmland and improve its environmental stewardship," said AFT New England Policy Director Cris Coffin. "American Farmland Trust's new guide identifies these programs and helps landowners understand the process of donating or selling their development rights." Conservation Options for Connecticut Farmland describes farmland protection tools and programs available in Connecticut and answers some frequently asked questions about agricultural conservation easements, which are deed restrictions that protect land from development. The guide also identifies state and federal incentive-based programs for conserving wetlands, wildlife habitat, soil and water and other natural resources on farmland. "The guide is a helpful tool for communities looking for ways to sustain agriculture, rural heritage and their quality of life," Coffin said. "Increasingly, communities are recognizing the value of state and federal conservation programs that keep farmland in production and help keep farmers in business." According to Coffin, farmland offers many important environmental benefits, from wildlife habitat and flood control to recreational opportunities and access to fresh, locally grown foods. "Farmland also generates a key source of tax revenue for communities-revenue that often subsidizes the cost of residential development," she said.
To obtain a free copy of the guide, visit AFT's Connecticut page or contact Cris Coffin at 413.586.9330 ext. 29.
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