Department:	Natural Resources Department
Contact:	Teresa Gallagher Conservation Agent
Location:	Shelton City Hall
Address:	54 Hill Street
Telephone:	203-924-1555 ext. 315
Hours:	Monday – Thursday, 9:00 – 2:00 PM Check the Agent's Schedule:
Email::	conservation@cityofshelton.org

About Natural Resources Department

The Conservation Commission is composed of seven volunteers appointed by the Mayor whose mission is to preserve and maintain the natural resources found throughout Shelton, including forest and farmland, lakes and streams, scenic vistas and historic features. The Commission works towards a balance between economic growth of the community and preservation of Open Space. The City employs one part-time Conservation Agent to assist the Commission.

The Conservation Commission is an advisory board only, lacking regulatory authority. The Commission makes recommendations to the Board of Aldermen regarding Open Space purchases and use of those lands. The Commission also reviews proposed developments and makes recommendations to the Planning and Zoning and Inland Wetlands departments.

The Conservation Agent maintains an inventory of over 175 separate Open Space properties, and is responsible for ensuring these public lands are properly signed and not encroached upon by individuals dumping, clearing, or otherwise harming the land. Although lacking direct enforcement authority, the Agent works in concert with the Police Department, Inland Wetlands Officer, and City Attorney to address enforcement issues that arise. Of special note is the 2006 Encroachment Law (PA-06-89), a State law which allows the City to file suit and collect Attorney’s fees from anyone found dumping, clearing, or making trails on Open Space. The Agent is also responsible for updating the Open Space Plan, preparing grant applications, and otherwise assisting the Commission as needed.

The Trails Committee is a subcommittee of the Conservation Commission. This Committee is responsible for creating and maintaining trails on Public Open Space, including ten miles of trails at Shelton Lakes.

Public Meetings

Conservation Commission meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise indicated. Meetings are held in Room 303 of Shelton City Hall, at 7:00pm. Agendas and Minutes are posted online by the City of Shelton. In addition, Co-Chairman Harbinson maintains a Conservation Commission Blog to address media requests for information, and emails between Commission members are posted via the Google Group “Shelton Conservation Commission.”

The Trails Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm in Room 303 of Shelton City Hall. Members are chosen by the Conservation Commission and are listed on the sheltontrails.org website.

Online Resources

Shelton Open Space: This Conservation Commission website contains information about specific City of Shelton Public Open Space properties (over 1900 acres), the Open Space Plan, Open Space maps, the Landkeeper Program, Farmland Preservation (over 400 acres), greenways, and more.

Shelton Trails: Maps and descriptions of more than 14 miles of official hiking/biking trails in Shelton.

Conservation Commission Agenda and Minutes: Note: Draft and final agendas and minutes are posted on the Conservation Commission Google Group earlier than on the official City website.

Conservation Commission Online Bulletin Board: Members of the Conservation Commission and the Conservation Agent may post information on this board, which may be viewed and searched by the public.  This is an effective way for Commissioners to share photos, video, websites, and outside correspondences.

Conservation Commission Blog: Tom Harbinson, Conservation Commission Chairman, uses this blog to clarify various issues.

"In the Field" Open Space Blog: Conservation Agent Teresa Gallagher shares experiences out in the field.

Shelton Land Conservation Trust: This private non-profit organization maintains more than 360 acres of conservation lands that are open to the public.

Open Space

Strictly speaking, “open space” is any land, public or private, that is not encumbered by buildings, including golf courses, ball fields, farms, and forest. When most Sheltonites speak of open space, however, they are referring to “City of Shelton Public Open Space”, or “Open Space” for short (note the capitals). Most, but not all, of Shelton’s Open Space is preserved and protected forever from development via various types of restrictions placed on the deed of the land records to make it “Permanent Open Space.”

As a counterbalance to one of the fastest growth rates in the state, Shelton aggressively acquired Open Space beginning in the 1990’s and continuing to the present. We now own several hundred Open Space properties totaling more than 1900 acres. Open Space purchases are prioritized, in part, on greenways delineated in the Shelton Open Space Plan, one of the first such plans in the state. Other properties are acquired through subdivision regulations (developers are required to donate a percentage of their subdivision as Open Space).

The Commission attempts to acquire property that is linked to existing Open Space; has scenic, ecological, or historic value; or may provide recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking or fishing. This land is maintained in a natural state, other than some hiking trails and picnic areas. Areas that were farmed prior to acquisition (generally for hay) may remain farmland.

The City has also been actively preserving farmland through the Purchase of Development Rights, or PDRs. As of 2007, more than 400 acres have been permanently preserved, including Jones Family Farm, Shelton Family Farm, Beardsley Organic Farm, and Stockmal Woods, all in the White Hills region. The City individually gives annual leases for four farmland areas totaling over 100 acres of continued use as farmland. Shelton’s “Farm and Forest Land Preservation Plan” outlines steps the City can take to preserve farming as a way of life in Shelton. Under the Plan, landowners may file an application with the Commission to have their farm or forest land protected from future development via the Purchase of Development Rights, while retaining full ownership and farming rights to that land.

More information about Shelton's open space can be found at the Conservation Commission's Shelton Open Space website, including information about specific properties and the City's Open Space Plan.

Detailed maps illustrating the City Public Open Spaces, Land Trust parcels, and Municipal properties are available online at sheltontrails.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find information about the trails?

There are ten miles of interconnected hiking trails located within the Shelton Lakes Greenway, all of which are open to mountain bikes, horses, and leashed dogs. In addition, the “Blue Dot” Paugussett Trail, open to hikers only, starts at Indian Well State Park and runs along the bank of the Housatonic for several miles into Webb Mtn Park in Monroe. The Paugusett Trail is maintained by the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association. The best way to obtain maps, directions and trail descriptions is at the sheltontrails.org website. You can also pick up copies of trail maps at City Hall (maps are left in a pamphlet holder outside of the Conservation office, Room 102, near the Auditorium), and at the Community Center Conservation Commission bulletin board adjacent to the Parks and Recreation office.

What kinds of activities are allowed in the Open Space?

Ordinance #769 specifies which activities are allowed. Leashed pets, hiking, biking, horseback riding and fishing is allowed from dawn to dusk. Prohibited activities include motorized vehicles (including ATVs and dirt bikes), paintball, hunting, fires, alcohol, swimming, and removing plants or animals (other than fish)

Does Shelton have an Open Space Plan?

Yes. In 1993, Shelton’s Board of Aldermen and the Planning & Zoning Commission adopted Shelton’s first Open Space Plan, which was prepared by the Shelton Open Space Committee. This plan, one of the first in the state, guided land-use decisions, identified conservation areas and high priority open space areas, and established a greenway corridor program. The plan is currently being updated in conjunction with the 2006 Plan of Conservation and Development.

Are maps of Shelton’s Open Spaces available?

Detailed maps illustrating the City Public Open Spaces, Land Trust parcels, and Municipal properties are available online at sheltontrails.org.

How can I become involved?

Much of Shelton’s trail system was created and is maintained by volunteers. The Trails Committee, which is a subcommittee of the Conservation Commission, meets once a month and maintains a regular schedule for work-parties. These are usually the 3rd Saturday morning of each month. The Committee also encourages independent projects, which are often initiated by Scouting groups. We also encourage local businesses to become more active by supporting Scouts who need materials for their projects. Please refer to the Shelton Trails website for details.

The Conservation Commission has developed a system of “Landkeepers” to monitor the many Open Space properties located throughout the City. Landkeepers keep an eye on a particular park, usually one located in their neighborhood, and let us know if any problems develop. Most of our Open Space lands do not have a monitor at this time. If you are interested in becoming a Landkeeper, please contact our Conservation Agent at 924-1555 ext. 315.

Volunteers and businesses may received public recognition on the sheltontrails.org website.

What is the Land Trust?

The Shelton Land Conservation Trust is a private organization whose purpose is the preservation and protection of natural resources, and the acceptance or purchase of land and its maintenance for the public benefit. The Trust maintains about 365 acres of open space land that, although privately held, is generally open to the public. Trails on Land Trust properties include Nicholdale Farm, Tahmore Loop Trail, and the Shelton Lake Recreation Path, which skirts the Land Trust meadow near Lane Street.

What is the Shelton Lakes Recreation Path?

A highlight of the Shelton Lakes Greenway is the ongoing construction of the Shelton Lakes Recreation Path, or “Rec Path”, which is being developed to provide handicapped-accessible public access along the Shelton Lakes Greenway. The Rec Path links Shelton’s business district with Huntington Center via a multi-use path that winds through scenic parkland and passes three reservoirs, the High School and the Intermediate School. The Conservation Commission has been working on this project since the early 1990’s, when it developed a proposed route and began acquiring properties along that route. Beginning in 2005, the trail was complete enough for the Trails Committee to begin offering annual “Bridge-to-Bridge” hikes on Trails Day. More information about the Rec Path and Trails Day hikes can be found at the sheltontrails.org website.

How can I support Shelton’s family farms?

Residents can best support Shelton’s farmers by purchasing their produce and, in some cases, visiting their farms. The Shelton Farmer’s Market sells produce from Shelton’s farms in downtown Shelton on Wednesdays (3 – 6 pm) and Saturdays (9 am – 1 pm) during the growing season (July to October). The Market is located at the corner of Cornell and Canal Streets, next to Veteran’s Memorial Park and the Riverwalk.