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Shelton Land Trust

The Shelton Land Conservation Trust is a private organization often confused with the Conservation Commission.  The Land Trust owns 364 acres of private open space that is open to the public, including several trails and a youth camp.

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Community Service Opportunities

The Conservation Commission has nearly unlimited opportunities for volunteers willing to work outdoors, and is approved for High School community service requirements.   We encourage parents to have students contact us directly rather than intervene on their behalf, since solving the logistics of community service and interacting with staff is an important part of the experience. 

1. The Trails Committee hosts work parties twice a month, year-round, on the 2nd and 4th Saturday morning of each month.  Work parties start sometime between 8:00 and 9:00 am (earlier in summer due to heat), and typically last until lunchtime.  Work parties are held rain or shine.  Late arrivals and early departures are fine, although there may be difficulties locating the crew.  Upcoming work parties are listed on the Trails Committee blog (see the right margin for events).  Typical work includes cutting back vegetation, moving woodchips, creating erosion control, moving rocks, building bridges, and so forth.  There is also an email list if you would like to receive emails about upcoming events.

2. Eklund Native Species Garden has a tremendous need for volunteers to help maintain garden beds.  See the tasks needed to be done and sign up online here. This is a great learning experience and  resume-builder for people with an interest in the environment, horticulture, landscaping, or biology.  All plants in the garden are native the northeast.  Although there are a few work parties, most work is independent, and volunteers are strongly encouraged to adopt a small section of the garden, learn about it, and help maintain it.  Mostly that means periodic weeding, especially in May and June.  There are also spring work parties to remove leaves, and help is needed creating copper labels for the plants. 

Litter cleanup is a third option.  This is done in coordination with the Conservation Agent and Anti-Litter Committee and MUST be well-documented before the Agent will sign off on the form, including exact dates and time and location that was cleaned, the amount of litter picked up, and pictures of the garbage (this can be on your phone).

Contact the Conservation Agent Teresa Gallagher for more information conservation@cityofshelton.org or call 203-924-1555 x1315 (email preferred).