News
Guest post with contributions by Kyn Tolson and the East Haddam Land Trust
A new, 123-acre preserve for East Haddam Land Trust (EHLT) connects to 64 acres of already-conserved property to create an expansive, natural corridor for wildlife, plants, trees, and waterways. Trails on the new Mangano-Mazella Farm Preserve add to those at Saunders Preserve and allow for extended public hiking and increased opportunities to enjoy nature. Mangano-Mazella also helps to protect the Roaring Brook Whalebone Creek, and Hemlock Valley Brook watersheds.
The new acquisition is in step with EHLT’s mission to make strategic connections in its conservation and stewardship of undeveloped spaces. The purchase of this preserve —land once owned and farmed by a family with dairy cows — was generously supported by grants from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (CT DEEP) Open Space and Watershed Acquisition program and the Bafflin Foundation, and generous donations from private donors. The Town of East Haddam, CT DEEP, The Nature Conservancy, and the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Watershed all prioritized the protection of the area’s upland forest, wooded wetlands, and cold-water streams.
Volunteers install a wooden bridge over a stream. Photo by East Haddam Land Trust.
EHLT received direct support for both preserves through CLCC’s Transaction Assistance Grants (TAG). In the Fall of 2022, CLCC awarded EHLT a TAG grant for surveying the Saunders parcel, and in Spring of 2024 a second TAG grant enabled EHLT to survey the Mangano-Mazella Farm Preserve, also known as the Honey Hill Farm parcel.
Today, EHLT conserves almost 1,000 acres in East Haddam and has 20 preserves with hiking trails. According to the Connecticut Bird Atlas, EHLT preserves are home to all five woodland bird species of greatest conservation concern in the state – the Wood Thrush, Eastern Towhee, Scarlet Tanager, Cerulean Warbler, and Worm-eating Warbler.
Since acquiring Mangano-Mazella in late 2024, the land trust has launched strategic stewardship, meadow restoration, and Tree-of-Heaven initiatives. Work includes development of well-marked but unobtrusive trails with bridge-paths to guard against disturbing pristine brooks and streams.
