News

Northern Connecticut Land Trust

The Northern CT Land Trust has purchased a picturesque and strategic property located on Webster Road in Ellington, bringing the total acreage owned by the Trust to 1850 macres. The 118 acre parcel consists of upland forest, brooks, wetlands and hayfields. The property abuts the Shenipsit State Forest and will provide a trailhead and connection to the large network of state forest trails. The property contains watershed for Shenipsit Lake and a section of Charters Brook, a primary feeder stream to the lake. Shenipsit Lake Reservoir provides drinking water to Ellington and the surrounding towns so it is important to protect the purity of the water feeding this lake.

The property was purchased from John and Gloria Wraight, who agreed to a bargain sale in order to ensure that it would be preserved and protected from development. Funds for the $265,000 purchase price were provided by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP),the Town of Ellington, the Bafflin Foundation, The Fields Pond Foundation and friends of the NCLT. At the request of the former owners, the property will be named The Bird Field Conservation Area. This will reflect historical use of the land by John Wraight’s father who raised pheasants and partridges in the fields. The NCLT plans to provide a small trailhead parking area and a connecting trail to the Shenipsit State Forest trail network.

The NCLT is an all volunteer organization dedicated to preserving open space and providing public access for passive recreation in the Vernon, Ellington, Enfield, East Windsor, Somers, and Stafford area. Visit us at www.Northernctlandtrust.org.

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Press Release from the Northern CT Land Trust
Karl Hasel, Public Relations chair, Northern CT Land Trust
860-878-7406