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

Adopt a Park - Volunteer Accomplishments

Each day we receive inquiries from enthusiastic citizens that love the outdoors so much, they want to give back to their favorite parks. Although the Adopt a Park program only started in 2013, our troop of amazing volunteers accomplished this much so far:
  • They helped us control litter problems at Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middlefield, when we needed it the most. Many traveled from other towns just to help us during the crisis at the park this year!
  • They took the initiative to remove invasive aquatic species from the beach at Chatfield Hollow State Park, and cleared hiking trails to keep them safe.
  • They networked with Sleeping Giant State Park's wonderful association to mark trees, maintain hiking trails, and lead tours to the tower.
  • They maintained historic Heublien Tower's gardens at Talcott Mountain State Park, and the center garden at Stratton Brook State Park.
  • They personally welcomed campers and received feedback to improve our service at Salt Rock State Campground, and provided hours of assistance to the maintenance staff.
  • They pulled terrestrial, invasive species like knotweed aggressively for weeks on end, at Werner's Wildlife Management Area.
  • They cut invasive brush at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park.
  • They spent hours picking up litter at Squantz Pond State Park, Sunset Rock State Park, Hopeville Pond State Park, Kent Falls State Park, Macedonia Brook State Park, Windsor Meadows State Park, Windsor Locks Canal State Park, Scantic River State Park and Batterson Park Pond.
  • They made Bluff Point Coastal Reserve and State Park part of their educational activities, and helped us maintain it litter-free.
  • They helped our maintenance crew at Kent Falls State Park paint toilet buildings.
  • They picked up litter during kayaking trips at Indian Well State Park.
  • They adopted Fort Street Landing Area (of Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park) to engage the community in landscaping and maintenance projects at the site.
  • They supported Dinosaur State Park Day, providing assistance as needed.
  • They donated professional photos of our sites for CT's official state park  app.
  • They (our first 100 adopting volunteers) donated 1,035 hours of service in just four months!
Thanks to our invincible, environmental warriors for their commitment to the preservation of our historic sites, our environment and our wildlife! And thanks to the many volunteers that helped us in the 2013 summer season, but did not send “before and after” photos.  Our labor would have been much more difficult to accomplish without their help.
 

 

Content last updated December 2019