New Haven Bird Club
Conservation Committee
December 10, 2003
last updated: April 18, 2006

Mission statement: The Conservation Committee communicates conservation issues to club members and works on behalf of the club in the area of bird conservation.

Conservation Issues:

1. CT Coastal Birding Trail

· The CT DEP is developing a coastal birding trail to attract tourists to wildlife refuges, parks, birding habitats and the quaint atmosphere and cultural heritage of New England in Connecticut.

· The NHBC has written a letter to the West Haven Coastal Habitat and Birding Trail Alliance and to the CT Coastal Birding Trail Committee stating our concerns about having Sandy Pt. in West Haven on the trail due to its habitat sensitivity to nesting and migrating birds. The NHBC is working with interested parties to maintain the integrity of the site.

· For more information about the CT Coastal Birding Trail go to www.ctbirdingtrails.org.

2. Barn Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Stonington:

· In July 2003, The Nature Conservancy purchased 144 acres adjacent to the Barn Island WMA and will convey it to the state as an addition to the WMA creating a protected area of 1014 acres.

· The NHBC wrote a letter of support during the acquisition process and agreed to lead annual bird walks there for the next five years.

· For more information about Barn Island go to the Tidal Marshes of Long Island Sound at http:www.conncoll.edu/ccrec/greennet/arbo/publications/34/CHP5.HTM or the Nature Conservancy at http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/connecticut/press/press1128.html.

· The NHBC received an award from Coastal America for its participation in a partnership that acquired 144 acres of private property to be added to the State of Connecticut's existing 869 acre Barn Island Wildlife Management Area. The award consisted of a plaque and letter from President George Bush.

3. National Audubon Society's Important Bird Area (IBA) Program

· The IBA program is a global effort to identify areas that are most important for maintaining bird populations, and focus conservation efforts at protecting these sites.

· Some local areas already designated as IBA's: East Rock Park, Faulkner Island, Lighthouse Point Park, and Sandy Point. Other sites still under consideration include Oyster River and the Quinnipiac River marsh. The NHBC is participating in the process.

· For more information about IBAs go to Audubon's website at www.audubon.org/bird/iba/state_coords.html

4. Remington Woods, Bridgeport

· DuPont is proposing to develop over 400 acres of land, it owns in Bridgeport and Stratford, into an industrial park named Lake Success Business Park.

· The New Haven Bird Club supports the Friends of Remington Woods effort to preserve the property as open space or green development. It has been a member of the Friends of Remington Woods for four years providing leadership and a donation. Currently, it offers support through letters.

· For more information about The Friends of Remington Woods call CT Audubon at 203-878-7440 or visit their website - www.friendsofremingtonwoods.org. For more information about the construction of Lake Success Business Park call Sporting Goods Properties Inc. Patricia A. Tober at 203-377-5168 or patricia.a.tober@usa.dupont.com.

5. Griswold Airport, Madison

· The latest Leyland development proposal, submitted on August 21, 2003, is to reduce the amount of housing units from 250 to 131 to be built on 22 acres of land on the site of the old Griswold Airport.

· The NHBC supported Stop the Griswold Over Development (SGOD) with letters, donations and providing testimony at hearings.

· For more information about the Griswold Airport Development go to Stop the Griswold Over Development at www.sgod.org.

6. Long Island Crossing Issues

· Islander East Pipeline is proposing a gas pipeline from Branford to Long Island which crosses the Long Island Sound. The Cross Sound Cable is an electric powerline already in use that extends from New Haven to Long Island.  Also, Broadwater Energy is a proposal to build a liquified natural gas storage in the middle of Long Island Sound.  The proposal is being made by Shell Oil and Trans Canada.

· The NHBC is opposing the Islander East Pipeline because it threatens the "Green Corridor" bird habitat and is monitoring the Cross Sound Cable issue.  RE: Broadwater Energy - The New Haven Bird Club submitted a written comment at an exploratory hearing with FERC in Branford opposing the Broadwater Energy proposal.

· For more information about Island East Pipeline go to www.islandereastpipeline.com. For more information about the Cross Sound Cable go to http://dep.state.ct.us/whatshap/press/2002/dg0524e.htm.  RE: Broadwater Energy - For more information go to www.cfenv.org

7. Bishop Woods, New Haven

• Dr. Louis Bishop, an ornithologist and co-author of "The Birds of Connecticut," left 42 acres to the City of New Haven as a bird sanctuary. People illegally driving ATV's and off-road motorbikes through the property are destroying the habitat.
• The NHBC wrote a letter to support the restoration of Bishop Woods as a bird sanctuary as Dr. Bishop intended and suggested a nature center be built there.
• For more information contact Dr. Kimberly A. Thomas at bettehead@comcast.net, and, for information about the The Friends of Bishop Woods contact Joy Sherman at joy.sherman@snet.net.

8.  Johnson's Pond, Hamden

The Hamden Land Trust sought funds and/or stewardship in order to purchase Johnson's Pond and add it to its land trust.  The New Haven Bird Club donated $500 for stewardship.

Other Bird Conservation Links:

· Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA). COA is a state organization dedicated to CT birds and birding. It promotes interest in birds and works with conservation organizations to protect state birds. For more information go to www.ctbirding.org.

· For more information about Audubon conservation issues and how you can help go to www.audubon.org/campaign/index.html.

· For volunteer opportunities go to www.ctbirding.org/volunteer_opportunities.htm or www.wildifetrust.org.

· Audubon Council of CT (ACC). ACC mission is to conserve and restore ecosystems that support birds, wildlife and their habitats for human and global benefits. The NHBC is a member of the ACC. For more information go to the National Audubon Society website at www.audubon.org/local/council/index.html.

· CT Fund for the Environment (CFE). CFE conservation involvement concerns open space, water resources and air quality. For more information go to www.cfenv.org.

· Wildlife License Plates - Wildlife license plates can be purchased through the DMV online or an application can be acquired through the NHBC. The funds are earmarked for Connecticut's Wildlife Conservation Fund which includes wildlife research and management, acquisition, restoration etc. License plates are $50. The Wildlife Conservation Fund receives $35. Renewal fee: $15 every two years.

· The CT League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) is a non-profit organization that works with environmental advocacy groups to identify bills affecting wildlife, open space, air, water etc. by identifying and supporting pro-environment candidates for election and holds legislators accountable. It's affiliate CTLCV Education Fund dedicates itself to promoting environmental awareness in CT. It provides tips on how to write, speak etc to legislators. Websites: www.ctlcv.org and www.conservationeducation.org .