Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Forester measuring treeForwarder crossing cordurouyControlled burn

Our Mission at DEEP's Forestry Division 

Is to advance the health, use, conservation, and appreciation of Connecticut's forest resource. 

We are a part of the Bureau of Natural Resources within the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The Bureau is charged with managing the State’s natural resources (particularly fish, wildlife, and forests) through a program of research, management, public education, and regulation. The Forestry Division is comprised of several important programs that work together to conserve and manage forests.

Connecticut's state foresters and their partners protect our forest resources by:

  • Encouraging private land owners to practice responsible long-term forest management (private landowners own 73% of Connecticut's forest, with more than two-thirds of that owned by families or individuals),
  • Protecting Connecticut's forest resources from the effects of fire, insects, disease, and misuse,
  • Providing accurate and timely information about Connecticut's forest resources,
  • Certifying forest practitioners,
  • Managing the State Forests, in which exist many large blocks of unfragmented forest land,
  • Engaging municipalities and citizens in the work of urban forestry, and
  • Promoting the local forest industry.

Content last updated in April 2022.