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

News Releases

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  • 3/15/2022 DEEP to Conduct Prescribed Burns at Matianuck Natural Area Preserve, Suffield Wildlife Management Area, and Machimoodus State Park

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) plans to conduct prescribed burns at three locations this spring, weather and conditions permitting. The areas include Matianuck Natural Area Preserve (NAP) in Windsor, Suffield Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Suffield, and Machimoodus State Park in East Haddam.

  • 3/14/2022 DEEP Announces the Winners of the 2022 Youth Fishing Passport Fishing Challenge

    (HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce the winners of the Youth Fishing Passport Fishing Challenge. Noah Savin (Middlebury) landed 17 of the 21 species, while Emmett Dougherty (Coventry) caught 16, Kiera Mullen (Coventry) 14, and Zakk Wallace (Stratford) 13. Each receive a prize pack with a fishing rod and reel, tackle; the Freshwater Fishes of CT and Lakes and Ponds of Connecticut books; and a Fish CT hat.

  • 3/11/2022 New Inland Fishing Regulations Being Proposed

    (HARTFORD)—DEEP’s Fisheries Division is proposing to amend inland regulations concerning angler access in easement areas; fishing methods, creel and possession limits (culling, catch-and-release) and gear types (cast nets); closed fishing seasons, harvest regulations for certain species (trout, Kokanee Salmon), and Trout Management Lakes (one new waterbody added to list. Several minor and technical changes, corrections and updates are also made.

  • 3/10/2022 DEEP Now Hiring 2022 Seasonal Staff

    (HARTFORD)—Looking for a fun job in the outdoors this year? The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) invites you to apply to join our seasonal workforce!

  • 3/9/2022 City of Meriden’s Food Scrap Co-Collection Pilot Reducing Waste

    (HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the City of Meriden today celebrated the successful launch of “Making Meriden Green,” a first-of-its-kind municipal food scrap co-collection pilot program that the city kicked off last month.

  • 3/9/2022 DEEP Releases Report On Public Health and Air Quality Benefits of Reducing Pollution from Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks

    (HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today the release of a report issued under Gov. Lamont’s Executive Order 21-3 finding that Connecticut can significantly improve air quality and public health by adopting new emission standards for medium and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicles offered for sale in Connecticut beginning in 2026.

  • 3/4/2022 DEEP Launches Campaign to Raise Awareness about the Dangers of Boating in Cold Water

    Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) reminds all boaters that even as air temperatures rise this spring, water temperatures take much longer to warm up and immersion in cold water presents substantial danger to recreational boaters.

  • 3/1/2022 Visitor Center at Dinosaur State Park Undergoes Much Needed Infrastructure Update

    (HARTFORD) – Starting Tuesday, March 1, 2022 through September 1, 2022, the Visitor Center at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill will be closed to undergo much needed infrastructure modernization with a complete replacement of its heating and air conditioning system. This infrastructure project is just one example of the myriad needs within Connecticut’s State Park system. Once the overhaul of this antiquated HVAC system is completed around summer’s end, the Visitor Center will re-open for indoor public visits and viewing of the trackway of dinosaur footprints.

  • 2/16/2022 DEEP Announces $3 Million in Trail Grants For 20 Projects Across the State

    (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that it has awarded $3 million in grant funding through its Recreational Trails Grant Program for twenty projects to plan and design, build, expand, or enhance and improve multi-use trails across the state.

  • 2/8/2022 DEEP SEEKS NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS FOR CT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL

    (HARTFORD) - A new advisory council is being formed to advise the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on current and historic environmental injustice, pollution reduction, energy equity, climate change mitigation and resiliency, health disparities, and racial inequity.

  • 2/4/2022 2022 Connecticut Duck Stamp Reproductions Now Available

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announces that a limited quantity of reproductions of the artwork for the 2022 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation (Duck) Stamp, which features a male wood duck, is now available for purchase. The artwork was created by Sophie Archer, who was the winner of the 2021 Connecticut Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest.

  • 2/4/2022 No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival Scheduled for Feb. 5 Canceled

    (HARTFORD)— Due to the current water and slush conditions on the ground at Burr Pond State Park along with the upcoming below freezing temperatures predicted for Torrington, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is canceling the No Child Left Inside® 16th annual Winter Festival scheduled for tomorrow, Feb. 5, at Burr Pond State Park.

  • 2/1/2022 DEEP to Host 16th Annual No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival Feb. 5

    (HARTFORD, CT) - Grab your winter gear, bundle up your children and join us for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s No Child Left Inside® 16th annual Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park, 384 Burr Mountain Road, Torrington. A full range of fun, outdoor winter activities for the entire family will be happening on Saturday, February 5, 2022, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is a partnership between DEEP’s No Child Left Inside® and Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) programs plus the City of Torrington.

  • 1/28/2022 All State Parks and Forests Will Be Closed Saturday, January 29

    (HARTFORD)— Due to the impending snow storm, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will be closing all State Parks and Forests, Saturday, January 29, and areas will remain closed on Sunday until snow removal is completed.

  • 1/14/2022 National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Designates Locations in Southeastern CT as Nation’s 30th National Estuarine Research Reserve

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the University of Connecticut (UConn), other partner organizations, and members of the state’s Congressional delegation applauded the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s announcement today that a network of state-owned properties in Lyme, Old Lyme and Groton, CT and portions of the surrounding waters has been designated as the nation’s 30th National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR).