Picture Vernon: A Hidden Sanctuary

VERNON, CT — This week's installment of the Picture Vernon series takes us down Bolton Road to Bread and Milk Street and the Belding Wildlife Management Area.

Belding is a 282-acre parcel of land in Vernon that was donated by Maxwell Belding to the State of Connecticut. A 1981 Memorandum of Understanding identifies the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as the steward of the land and instructs the agency to use modern wildlife, forestry, and conservation practices to maintain and improve the land.

In 2002, the Belding Wildlife Management Area Charitable Support Trust was established to provide the DEEP the resources to conduct professional management, enhancement, and long-term maintenance of the area. A board of trustees was established and remains in force to provide oversight of the trust and to review and approve ongoing activities.

A variety of wildlife inhabits the area. In the springtime, a vernal pool emerges and this year, with all the rain, it is massive compared to other years.

It's a popular elementary school field trip destination.

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Picture Vernon is a look at images of the town, part and present.