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News and Events
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If you visited us before and what to know what's new or happening, take a look here first.
HELP WANTED
The Conservation Commission has several openings for members, and is also looking for volunteers to help with an update to our open space inventory and to conduct a trails inventory. No experience needed - we will provide training. If you are interested, please contact Chair Jean Pillo at greenjeanpillo@charter.net.
VERNAL POOL SURVEY 2012
Vernal pool season passes quickly. Don’t miss out on the fun. On Friday and Saturday mornings in April and May, our trained volunteers document vernal pools in towns in northeast Connecticut. Vernal pools may be dry in summer but by the next spring they’re again filled with water. That’s when the peepers and wood frogs start croaking (and you thought those were ducks quaking in the woods). If you think you have a vernal pool near you, please give us a call. Call to register for one of the vernal pool training sessions at the Center at Pomfret:
- Saturday, March 31, 9 – noon
Saturday, April 7, 9 – noon
- Field work: Friday and Saturday mornings in April and May, 9 – noon
- Fee: $7 for CAS members, $15 for non-members
2012 – SUMMER RESEARCH SEMINAR SERIES – AT YALE MYERS FOREST June 14 thru July 26
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Thursday June 14th
What Do We Know about Connecticut Woodland Owners? Results from the 2011 Woodland Owner Survey
Mary Tyrrell, Executive Director, Global Institute of Sustainable Forestry
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Thursday June 28th
Methane Production in New England’s Forests: Globally significant?
Kristofer Covey, Doctoral Candidate in Forest Ecology
Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
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Thursday July 12th
Acorn Abundance Patterns and their Implication for Wildlife
Michael Gregonis, Wildlife Biologist
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
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Thursday July 26th
Carbon Dynamics after Forest Harvesting: An Analysis of Soil, Litter, and Coarse Woody Debris
Kayanna Warren, Master of Forest Science 2012
Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
Seminars begin at 7:30 p.m., but please join us for refreshments starting at 7 p.m.
Directions
From New Haven:
I-91 N to I-84 E, Take Exit 71, take a left off the ramp and straight through 2 stop signs and 2 blink-ing lights onto a dirt road and then back to pavement for ~1.75 miles. Look for an orange gate on the left.
Locally:
Head west on Centre Pike from the junction of Rte 171, look for orange gate ~1 mile on the right.
From Massachusetts:
I-84 W, Take exit 74 toward CT-171, left at Holland Rd, 1st left onto CT-171 E, follow 171 E through 3 turns (~7 miles). Follow directions from above.
VERNAL POOL SURVEYS AND CERTIFICATIONS - VERNAL POOL SURVEYS AND CERTIFICATION
Woodstock Conservation Commission Vernal Pool Surveys and Certification Dear Property Owner: The Woodstock Conservation Commission in collaboration with the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret, is conducting a voluntary town wide vernal pool inventory. Protecting the integrity of our natural resources is essential to providing a healthy environment for local wildlife. Wetlands and isolated lowlands known as vernal pools are an integral component of these natural resources. Vernal pools are critical breeding grounds for many species of frogs and salamanders as well as important habitat for a diverse collection of woodland creatures. Identifying and permanently protecting vernal pools benefits our natural ecosystem and maintains forest ecology. As a property owner, you can help assure that vernal pools remain protected for years to come. There are several important facts you should know about vernal pools and limitations which they can place on your property.
1. A vernal pool is an area regulated by the Woodstock Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission based on the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act in Sec.22a-38 Definitions section number 16 “Watercourses means rivers, streams, brooks, waterways, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, bogs and all other bodies of water, natural or artificial, vernal or intermittent.…” The vernal pool area can not be filled. Its elevation cannot be altered.
2. The location of the certified vernal pools will be mapped and placed upon state and local wetland and water course maps. As such, it will be identified as an area regulated under Connecticut Wetlands laws.
3. Vernal pools are temporary bodies of water, usually wet in the spring (Vernal), but are sometimes wet much longer. They generally need to be wet at least two months of the year to support vernal pool wildlife. While the pools are fairly easy to spot when there is standing water dried out pools can be more difficult to locate.
WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
How Clean is the Water in The Last Green Valley? You can help us find out. The Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor Water Quality Monitoring Program is offering free training and use of equipment to "citizen scientists" who are willing to collect data to help us learn more about the current condition of their local streams. The "RBV" method uses pollution sensitive insects as indicators of water quality. Join QSHC Water Quality Program Coordinator Jean Pillo on Saturday, September 13 from 9 AM at the Ashford Town Hall for a 3 hour program that will teach you all you need to know to participate. Please call Jean at the 860-928-4948 extension 605 to reserve you space for this training opportunity. Download PDF version of flyer.
Rock Snot - a New Invasive Species threatening CT waterways
See DEP press release in Word or PDF format
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.
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.
 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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Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading newspapers
is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock.
- Ben Hecht
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