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Ferns. Photo by Bet Zimmerman


Keeping in mind the often-voiced concern of maintaining Woodstock's rural character, the Woodstock Conservation Commission believes the following objectives (from A Plan of Open Space and Conservation) are key:

  • Identify and protect Woodstock's unique and significant natural features.
  • Protect surface and subsurface water resources.  Protect groundwater (aquifer recharge zones), surface water (watershed), natural drainage ways, wetlands (including vernal pools), and water quality.
  • Preserve the local agricultural heritage including active agricultural land and prime agricultural soils.
  • Create "greenways" or belts of interconnected open space that allow for wildlife corridors and trail networks.
  • Protect critical habitat for native plant or animal species listed as threatened, endangered or of special concern.
  • Preserve scenic and/or productive forestlands.
  • Identify and protect historic and cultural resources including those supplied by the local historical commission and the State Historical Commission as a part of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Heritage Corridor and in accordance with the statewide historic resources management plan.
  • Preserve significant geological features such as ridgelines, promontories and scenic vistas.
  • Create an open space plan that supports an update of the Town's Plan of Conservation and Development.
  • Protect areas representing the indigenous character of the Town of Woodstock.

Purple loosestrife.  Photo from http://www.wellesley.edu/Activities/homepage/web/Species/ploosestrifep.htmlPurple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) was originally introduced as an ornamental plant.  It is an invasive perennial, out-competing nativevegetation due to abundant and easily transported seeds with a high germination rate. One plant can produce as many as 2.5 million seeds in a year.  Purple loosestrife chokes wetlands, eliminating food and shelter for wildlife, including shallow water fish. 

Conservation Information and References:The following links provide more information on these areas, as well as general information on conservation.

Conservation Commission
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.


- John Muir