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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07/21/2023

DEEP’s Next No Child Left Inside® Families in the Parks Program is Saturday

Boating Day at Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold

(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) presents its next 2023 No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) Families in the Parks Program at Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold on Saturday, July 22, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration for NCLI is now open at: www.NoChildLeftInside.org

Join NCLI’s mascot, “Nuts,” as he and friends celebrate Boating Day at Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold. Join us for a day of boating out on the pond. No prior experience is necessary. Water safety and boating education will be provided before taking out a canoe, kayak, or paddle board. There will also be hikes, partner tables, arts & crafts, and more.

“One of the most enjoyable ways to spend a summer weekend on the water is in our State Parks, and our NCLI Families in the Parks programs provide fun and safe adventures,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “Our parks offer many opportunities for exploring and creating summer memories, so come out to one of our Eastern Connecticut treasures and have a great time with the family.”

DEEP recently reminded residents and visitors to exercise caution when recreating in and on the water, particularly on rivers, considering the recent extreme weather events impacting the state and the region, so a pond is a great option for this weekend.

NCLI Families in the Parks is a mix of guided, self-guided, and pop-up events. Registration is not required, but families (with at least one adult 18 years or older and one child under 18) who pre-register and attend 10 (ten) of the 2023 NCLI Families in the Parks programs will be eligible to win two nights of camping in their state campground of choice in the summer of 2024. Visit CT No Child Left Inside often for updates and happenings.

Activities are designed to introduce families to the outdoors, build the next generation of environmental stewards, and showcase Connecticut’s State Parks and Forests.

NCLI’s new Families in the Parks expands on the Great Park Pursuit Family Adventure program by extending the season and expanding the locations of activities from previous years. A variety of free, fun, and educational outdoor recreational opportunities at State Park and Forest locations including boating, fishing, hiking, StoryWalks®, nature centers, and museum days are part of the program. The NCLI team will also be available at library programs and seasonal festivals. This outdoor program concludes with the holiday celebrations at various DEEP State Parks, Forests, and facilities including Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby and Gillette Castle in East Haddam.

A schedule of available events is available at NCLI Families in the Parks Program 2023 (ct.gov).

To be eligible for the two nights of camping, families must: 

  1. Register by July 22, 2023 via www.nochildleftinside.org;
  2. Attend at least 10 events or programs over the course of the 2023 season of the NCLI Families in the Parks Program;  
  3. Check in at the registration table at each guided event/program;  
  4. Submit a completed activity card at the end of each guided event/program attended at the registration table;  
  5. Provide the required documentation that families attended self-guided events or participated in self-guided activities; and  
  6. Submit the required NCLI Families in the Parks Google Form by December 31, 2023.   

See you in the State Parks!

Established in 1913, the mission of the Connecticut State Park system is to provide natural resource-based public recreational and educational opportunities through a system of state park and forest recreation areas, environmental education centers, and nature centers which provide an understanding of, access to, and enjoyment of the state’s historic, cultural, and natural resources.

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Contact

DEEP Communications  
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110