"Dedicated to constant vigilance, judicious management and conservation of our precious natural resources."

Mission Statement: "To promote the statutory responsibilities of Connecticut Conservation Commissions and Inland Wetland Commissions and to foster environmental quality through education and through the conservation and protection of wetlands and other natural resources."

Emerald Ash Borer Found in Prospect and Naugatuck, Connecticut

New Haven, CT – The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) was detected in Prospect, CT on July 16, 2012 by staff members at CAES. The identification has been confirmed by federal regulatory officials in the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA APHIS-PPQ). This is the first record of this pest in Connecticut, which is added to 15 other states where infestations have been detected. A new probable site of infestation is located in the Naugatuck State Forest. The beetle identification is unconfirmed. The emerald ash borer is responsible for the death and decline of tens of millions of ash trees from the mid-west to New York State and south to Tennessee. Ash makes up about 4% to 15% of Connecticut's forests and is a common urban tree.

Click here to read Press Release from The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

USDA Forest Service, Michigan State University, Purdue University and Ohio State University	KentuckianaGreen.com

ALERT!

Report Sightings of Invasive Mile-A-Minute

Vine Mile-a-minute vine is a highly invasive annual plant from eastern Asia that can quickly cover, outcompete and replace native vegetation, damaging habitat for native plants and animals. Early detection and rapid response are essential for control. Mile-a-minute was first found in Connecticut in Fairfield County in 1997. Since then, it has spread to 20 Connecticut towns, as far east as Stonington and as far north as Simsbury. Mile-a-minute spreads by seed and quickly grows intodense stands. Seeds are spread by wind and water.

Visit www.hort.uconn.edu/mam for additional identification tips, photographs and control information. You can also contact Logan Senack (logan.senack@uconn.edu) or Donna Ellis (860-486-6448; donna.ellis@uconn.edu) for additional information. To report a suspected mile-a-minute invasion, visit the above website or contact Donna Ellis at UConn at 860-486-6448.

 

Position posted for Part-Time Sediment and Erosion Control Inspector

Posted Date: 5/10/2013
Closing Date: Open until filled or no later than June 1, 2013

A new position has been posted on the Town of Westport website. Position: Part-Time Sediment and Erosion Control Inspector

Hours: 320 hours/year

Salary: $20/hour

Responsibilities: This person will work partially for the Planning and Zoning Department and partially for the Conservation Department.
Also see: http://www.westportct.gov

 

 

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New Publications and Links

The Habitat Winter 2012

• A Natural Resource Inventory
  • Ridgefield’s Experience
• 35th Annual Meeting & Environmental Conference
• Legal Horizon: Building in Water Supply Watershed Court Decision
• Conservation Alert - Ash Borer
• Ellington Conservation Commission Award
• Commission Resources / Wetlands Training
• Connecticut Land Conservation Conference

Planning for Agriculture:
A Guide for Connecticut Municipalities

American Farmland Trust and Connecticut Conference of Municipalities are pleased to announce the release of the updated Planning for Agriculture: A Guide for Connecticut Municipalities. The 63-page guide is a tool to assist town boards, local elected officials and citizen advocates in finding ways to support local farms and farm businesses and to retain and protect farmland. An electronic version of the guide is available online at: www.farmland.org/connecticut OR www.ct.gov/doag

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