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

Press Releases

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10/04/2018

DEEP Announces Winners of First Discover Outdoor Connecticut Photo Contest

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Bureau of Natural Resources recently held its first Discover Outdoor Connecticut Photo Contest. Photographers were invited to submit photos taken in Connecticut in four categories: Wildlife, Scenic (including flora), People Enjoying the Outdoors, and Youth (ages 15 and younger). Over 330 photographs were received. Judging was extremely difficult due to the number of high-quality images submitted for the contest.
All of the photographs, including the winning entries, were on display during DEEP’s Discover Outdoor Connecticut Day, which was held on September 22, 2018, at the Franklin Swamp Wildlife Management Area in North Franklin. A steady stream of event participants viewed the photos and were asked to vote on one photo to receive a “People’s Choice” Award. The photo contest was well received by the contest entrants and also by the attendees at Discover Outdoor Connecticut Day.
The first place winners for the contest included:
  • Bill Canosa of Branford who won in the “Wildlife” category for his action photo of two snowy egrets sparring.
  • Jim Wheeler of Franklin placed first in the “Scenic” category for his stunning image, Milky Way over Harkness.
  • Joel L. Lohr of Hartford was awarded first place in the “People Enjoying the Outdoors” category for his breathtaking image, Chauncey Peak.
  • Claribel Connor of Woodstock won in the “Youth” category with a wonderful snowy scene, Barn in the Snow.
  • John Chevalier of New Hartford was given the “People’s Choice” Award for his captivating photo of a red fox kit after votes were tabulated during Discover Outdoor Connecticut Day.
View all of the winning photographs on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/DiscoverOutdoorCT.
Winners received various prizes and ribbons, which were donated by the non-profit volunteer group, Friends of Sessions Woods. Winning photographs will also be featured in an upcoming issue of the Bureau of Natural Resources’ bimonthly magazine, Connecticut Wildlife.
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