Conservation Commission

• Trails Committee Blog
• Eklund Garden Page
• Eklund Garden Blog
• CC Google Group
• Chairman's Blog
• Agent's Trail Blog
• Facebook

Hope Lake
Land Trust Meadow
Rec Path
Housatonic River
Jones Farm

WELCOME

The Shelton Conservation Commission endeavors to balance Shelton's rapid growth with quality open space, recreational opportunities, preservation of scenic and historic resources, and a healthy environment.

What's New

High School Community Service:  Click HERE to volunteer with the Trails Committee.

SHELTON CLEAN SWEEP 2013 is April 20-28. See the DontTrashShelton.org webpage for more information.

The Community Gardens are filled up for 2013.  To put your name on the waiting list for 2014, click here.  A 20x20' full plot is $20 for the year and both gardens are organic and protected with deer & woodchuck fencing. Water is supplied.  

We're receiving CLCC's 2013 "Excellence in Conservation" Award for the Shelton Lakes Recreation Path and Greenway, which was completed in 2012 after twenty years of effort, with broad support from the community and its leaders.  Thank you!  Here's the nomination submission that describes the project.

New Open Space:  January 2013 A portion of the former Dikovsky Egg & Poultry Farm off of Buddington Road is being purchased. See the Trails blog entry for more info.

Shelton Lakes Recreation Path Construction Status: As of August 2012, all four miles of the Rec Path are done! See the latest map. The Grand Opening was held October 6, 2012.

The Paugussett Trail, known locally as the "Blue Dot Trail,"  has been extended for an additional five miles from Indian Well State Park to the Shelton Lakes trail network, and currently ends at John Dominick Drive and will soon be extended to Buddington Road.  The extension has not yet been officially recognized by CFPA, but will be after changes to the trail are made. 

Community Service: We have year-round opportunities for volunteer work if you are willing to work outdoors. See here for more details.

The Shelton Community Gardens have a waiting list. Complete the online form to be added to the list is here.  Garden #1 is near Long Hill School.  Garden #2 is near Elizabeth Shelton School.  A standard plot for growing vegetables or flowers is 20 ft by 20 ft and the cost is $20 per year.  Organic only - no pesticides. 

Birchbank Mountain trails were upgraded and expanded in late 2010. There are now three miles of hiking trails on 155 acres of secluded, scenic open space.  2012 - Eagle Scouts have added two bridges over Upper White Hills Brook.

Shelton Trails & Conservation is now on Facebook.  By becoming clicking that you "like" us, you can sign up for events, upload photos, and post comments and questions.

The Trails Committee now has a blog where they post upcoming events, photos of recent work parties, and other assorted trails information.

Mile-A-Minute Vine, or "Kudzu of the North," was found in Monroe and Newtown in 2008. It was found in 5 Newtown locations in 2009 adn 2010. We are asking residents to watch out for the vine, which can grow up to six inches per day, and report any sightings.  Leaves are triangular with straight edges, and the stem has tiny barbs.  Any vines must be removed as soon as possible to prevent spreading. Please see www.madgardeners.com for information about this invasive species and how to report it.

Water Chestnuts have been reported in Means Brook Reservoir. Residents should be on the lookout for this extremely invasive species in all Shelton ponds and show moving waters.  Water Chestnuts can cover the entire surface of a water body, preventing fishing and boating.  Water Chestnut seeds are edible, although they are not the same plant as used in Chinese cooking.