Natural Resources: Results

Results Statewide efforts for natural resource protection are accelerating. The many new initiatives and goals to increase the amount of protected land will greatly impact the environment and natural systems in the state. The table below summarizes the results of the most significant areas of natural resource protection and proposals for additional natural resource protection in the state. A critical component to this process is not to rely entirely on state legislation and financing for these efforts. The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Act takes natural resource protection to the next level by educating and engaging the millions of people who live in the Connecticut River watershed to act more responsibly. The efforts of the National Fish and Wildlife Service should be complimented at the state level with additional public education and a unified approach to natural resource protection efforts at every level of management in the state. State legislation resembling that of Massachusetts for river and stream buffers would provide for the state a means to greatly enhance natural resource protection and a forum to educate residents about their environment. The magnitude of these proposals added to what is currently protected is significant. It is important to note that some of the acreage listed in the table below is inclusive of other acreage that is currently protected or proposed protections in the state. However, the bottom line is that with these protections in place, natural resource protection in the state of Connecticut will encompass more than one third of the entire state or in excess of one million acres. Connecticut Natural Resource Protection - Results Currently Protected  State Protected                                       Preserved Farmland        Federal Protection   Watershed Protection Municipalities   Nonprofit Protected Total:    Area  210,000 acres 25,723 acres 9,900 acres 112,300 acres 60,000 acres 45,000 acres 465,000 acres/ 13% of State State/Others Proposals for Protection   Open Space - Governor's 2023 Proposal   Increase total preserved land area in state to 21% or 745,000 acres Silvio O. Conte NFWR Approximately 1,000,000 acres or nearly 1/3 of state Author's Proposals for Protection   Apply 200 foot buffers to rivers and streams Protects approximately 300,000 acres/9% of state Protection of Unfragmented parcels > 2000 acres Approximately 250,000 acres/7% of state

Map Proposals by Others

Proposals by Study Results