Connecticut's Open Space Initiative

Overview

Connecticut is the 4th most densely populated state in the country. An increase in sprawl development patterns threatens water supplies, wildlife habitat, agricultural lands, historic resources, and the quality of life for urban and rural communities. In response, Connecticut’s citizens have accelerated their efforts to preserve the remaining open space that provides these valuable goods and services for the state’s current and future residents. Many of the 169 municipalities lack the staff and knowledge to make the best decisions on land acquisition and management. The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Technical Assistance is providing scientists and community planners to help communities develop and implement their open space objectives.

Accomplishments

• Collaboration Workshops: Over 50 different conservation groups in Connecticut and New York received training on methods and tools to foster community participation and prioritize issues and interests.
• Town of Rocky Hill Wetlands Evaluation Study: Mapping and evaluation of the functions and values of the town’s remaining wetlands.
• Town of Woodstock Initiative: Provide facilitation and natural resource analysis to the town’s efforts to maintain viable agriculture and sustainable growth.
• Invasive Plants Workshops: Provided leadership and experts for 3 workshops to help land managers address the threat of invasive plants. Educational materials and identification cards have also been developed.
• Farmland Protection: Provide land evaluations of farms interested in applying to local, state, or federal protection programs. Provide conservation plans on farms to help them reduce environmental risk.
• Working Lands Alliance: Assist this strong grassroots organization with inventories and analysis of national, state, and local farmland loss trends, and protection strategies.

Outlook

Connecticut has made progress in preserving open space and working lands. The state has set a goal to preserve 21 percent of the state’s land as open space by 2023. In addition, they have a goal of protecting 130,000 acres of working agricultural lands. Over $8 million will be available in 2002 from the State of Connecticut to purchase lands and conservation easements. Preserving and managing our natural resources requires the input and skills of many individuals and groups. Federal and state agencies, local governments, and non-profit organizations are forming partnerships, developing action plans, and setting goals to help conserve our remaining lands. NRCS Conservation Technical Assistance is needed to provide natural resource inventories, analysis, and organizational tools to facilitate these motivated citizens to meet their goals using sound science and community participation.

Customer Focus

Old Saybrook is a special place. Located at the confluence of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound, it is home to internationally significant wetlands (one of The Nature Conservancy’s Last Great Places), critical upland habitat, and historical resources. It is also under great development pressure. The Old Saybrook Land Trust, formed in 1997, has been a leader in land preservation strategies and habitat restoration. However, Land Trust leadership was concerned about the future of the organization. They requested assistance from NRCS to facilitate meetings and provide collaborative processes that would help them clarify their vision, prioritize issues, and develop a future direction.

The results have been dramatic. The reinvigorated Land Trust has increased its visibility and community support, and is currently leading a three town effort to protect a 1,000 acre parcel from development. 

Connecticut Land Use Trends

In 2001, NRCS provided Conservation Technical Assistance to 7,781 Connecticut communities and citizens to facilitate better land use decisions and protect, enhance, and restore the environment on urban, suburban, forest, and agricultural lands. Many of these requests were related to current and future impacts of development.

Percent of Land Base Changed to Development - Top 12 States 1982-1997

Connecticut is among the 12 states with the highest rate of land conversion to urban/suburban. From 1982 to 1997, an additional 4% of the land was developed. Most of this acreage was farmland.

Development Pressure on Farmland is on the Rise

Many of the state's active agricultural lands (shown in green) are in towns that are undergoing rapid suburbanization (shown in yellow).

State Contact

Kip Kolesinskas, State Soil Scientist, (860) 871-4047.

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