New Policies at Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area

Last October, Aspetuck Land Trust contracted with Connecticut Audubon Society to conduct a wildlife study in the 1,009 acre Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area.  Our goals for the year-long study were to identify the wildlife and ecologically fragile areas within the preserve. 

View of Saugatuck Reservoir from Popp Mountain in Trout Brook Valley

The study is now complete and according to CT Audubon, Trout Brook Valley is one of the most important ecological features of Fairfield County. It forms the core of a 6,400-acre expanse that is the “green heart” of the region, according to the Connecticut Audubon Society report which identified a remarkable inventory of species and their habitats in the preserve. 

One of the most interesting features of Trout Brook Valley are its 60+ ephemeral wetlands or vernal pools.  Miley Bull from CT Audubon discusses the importance of vernal pools below, which form the foundation of the forest food chain on the property. 

Connecticut Audubon Society’s conservation biologists spent hundreds of hours over four seasons performing fieldwork at the preserve and analyzing data. They conducted surveys of birds and amphibians, which both are indicators of ecological health, and assessed the habitat quality and ecological functions of the preserve. The report also recommended strategies to help protect the flora and fauna that make the environment so rich and beautiful.

Tree used as Bobcat scratching post!

We now have a plan to manage Trout Brook Valley based upon the scientific findings of the wildlife study, which can be found HERE.  Our next step is to better educate the public about this unique and important natural resource.  Our members should be proud that we undertook this effort which will help us to more effectively manage the property for both conservation and public use purposes.  

We implemented new policies in Trout Brook Valley as a result of the wildlife study.  We are now asking people to leash their dogs throughout the preserve to protect the sensitive habitats we discovered. And we now have a 2 mile off leash loop trail in the Crow Hill section of the preserve on the blue/white trail.  We closed the red/black trail because the trail was too close to vernal pools, and are currently re-routing/improving the green/white trail to connect with the white trail with help from the Fairfield County Chapter of the Northeast Mountain Biking Assoc. This trail will now be open to mountain biking.  

Land Trust member with dog on leash with child in tow!