Town Of Stonington: April 2022 Project Update: Conservation Of 224 Acres Off Of Al Harvey Road

Press release from the Town of Stonington:

April 13, 2022 - 7:00pm

Background Information: Situated in the northwest section of Stonington, the 232-acre property came on the market in the summer of 2020. Nested between several existing conservation areas, the land has been targeted as a priority by both local government and land trusts. Based on requests for assistance to find a way to conserve the land from Town of Stonington First Selectman, Avalonia Land Conservancy, Aquarion Water Company and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) - The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national non-profit conservation organization, worked to secure an option in late 2020 to purchase the property.

Since that time, TPL has been working on the many facets required to move forward with the purchase, including developing a funding strategy and working with partners on an outcome that puts the community and conservation at the center.

The natural resource values, surface water protection, public access and passive recreational opportunities offer an array of public benefits to Stonington and beyond. The areas along the streams and in the wetlands, along with a dense understory, provide important nesting and cover for various wildlife and species, while Copps Brook flows directly into Aquarion Water Company’s drinking water reservoirs. Preserving forestland and wetlands is also important as communities, and the State, look to both mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts.

April 2022 Update: After nearly two years of efforts, TPL and partners have created a plan that would have Avalonia Land Conservancy (an accredited land trust) manage 130 acres for open space, and USFWS 102 acres as part of the Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge. Aquarion will also hold a conservation easement within the Avalonia portion, and helped provide funding toward this conservation effort. Trails traverse both properties, and both entities prioritize conservation and public access for residents and visitors alike.

As of this update, appraisals and due diligence are nearly complete. During the April 13, 2022 Board of Selectmen meeting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was voted on and approved for the Town of Stonington to enter into an agreement with Avalonia Land Conservancy and Trust for Public Land to confirm intentions with respect to the acquisition of the Property and the completion of the Copps Brook Project, which includes the Town’s funding contribution in the amount of $270,000 from the Open Space Fund.

The closing on this property will likely occur within the month.

Both Avalonia and USFWS have shared that they will begin working on establishing plans for how to create trails that protect habitats that are fragile, while allowing access to beautiful spots within the forest. The goal is to have trails and the parking area created by the end of 2022, potentially by Fall. Please stay tuned for a volunteer sign up that Avalonia and the Town will be sharing, as we will be looking for volunteers to help when we begin more active stewardship, such as pulling invasive plants and formalizing the trail system.

Below are some of the relevant facts relating the acquisition and management of the properties:

This press release was produced by the Town of Stonington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.