Forest Administration on State Lands

Forest Administration on State Lands

There are 33 State Forests totaling about 175,000 acres in Connecticut. They’re managed by the Division of Power and Environmental Safety, Division of Forestry. The Division of Forestry seeks to develop a vigorous, resilient, forest atmosphere able to sustaining the wide selection of calls for that the general public locations on these lands. These calls for embrace quite a lot of leisure experiences, pure variety (together with threatened and endangered species), the preservation of distinctive websites (each geologic and archaeological), the availability of uncooked supplies as forest merchandise, and the upkeep of wildlife and fisheries habitats. The Division’s skilled foresters work to make sure that these forests stay wholesome and vigorous whereas serving the wants of the residents of Connecticut.

Connecticut’s woodlands supply many advantages and ecosystem providers corresponding to:

1. Forest Ecosystem Well being and Variety – Wholesome and numerous forest ecosystems present extremely useful, priceless, and a resilient mixture of habitats for crops and animals.
2. Wildlife Habitat – Lots of Connecticut’s wildlife species, each frequent and uncommon, use completely different sorts of forested habitats. It is very important create quite a lot of habitats for animals which have completely different wants.
3. Local weather Change Mitigation via Sequestration and Storage – As local weather change continues to be an necessary international concern, Connecticut’s State Forests can mitigate local weather change by sequestering and storing carbon in vegetation above and beneath floor and as long-lived wooden merchandise used regionally and past.
4. Environmental Safety – Connecticut’s State Forests present environmental advantages corresponding to cleansing the air, defending and bettering water high quality, and contributing to soil well being.
5. Forest Safety – Managing Connecticut’s State Forests helps cut back susceptibility to threats corresponding to wildfire, climate occasions, and invasive crops and bugs, protecting them wholesome and productive whereas minimizing unfold to neighboring personal forestlands.
6. Financial Advantages – Sustainably harvesting forest merchandise like timber, firewood, witch-hazel, and maple syrup from Connecticut’s State Forests offers jobs and uncooked materials for a locally-sourced, forest-based, inexperienced economic system. The State Forests present a mannequin for personal forest landowners to think about when managing their properties.
7. Leisure/Well being Advantages – Recreation alternatives abound throughout Connecticut’s State Forest system offering a neighborhood and economical option to keep wholesome and lively for Connecticut’s residents and company.

Clearcut Remedy
Oak Shelterwood Institution Harvest
White Pine Thinning
White Pine Plantation Thinning
Irregular Shelterwood Harvest

A Reminder to these Recreating in CT’s State Forests:

The CT Blue-Blazed Path System is for foot site visitors solely. Please respect CT Statute Sec. 23-10a and chorus from mountain bike and horse again using. The parts of this path system that cross State property are maintained by CT Forest and Park Affiliation volunteers and are designated as mountain climbing trails. Thanks to your cooperation.

State Forest Administration Plans

Invites to Bid*

*The Division of Forestry will solely settle for bids from people and entities on the registered Bidders Checklist.  The applying for the Bidders Checklist and extra info is out there within the Bidders Handbook For The Sale of Forest Merchandise From State-Owned Lands.

State Forest Maps 

State Forest Infrastructure Initiatives

Culvert Substitute on Brooksvale Stream, Naugatuck State Forest, Mt. Sanford Block, Hamden   

The timing of the work was deliberate for durations of low water stream. The development is anticipated to be accomplished within the late fall of 2024. As at all times, public entry to the Forest from the tip of Downes Street is by utilizing the white or blue trails. Entry just isn’t allowed via the YMCA Camp, which is personal property. 

Different Assets

Slab Wooden for Firewood from the DEEP Sawmill

State Forest Firewood Program

Habitat Administration at Wildlife Administration Areas and State Forests

Why We Handle Connecticut State Forests 

Bidders Handbook for the Sale of Forest Merchandise from State-Owned Lands

Sustainable Yield on Timberland Managed by the Division of Forestry

Letterboxing in Connecticut State Forests 

Chicken Guidelines for Naugatuck State Forest

Content material final up to date on December 4, 2024.