Conservation Commission

 #1 Peak Foliage Hike on Saturday, October 19, 2024, to Box Mountain Forest

The Bolton Conservation Commission will host a 3-mile, peak foliage hike on Saturday, October 19, 2024, to the Box Mountain Forest, beginning at 10:00 AM or 1:00 PM. Participants should plan to meet at the Bolton Commuter Lot across from Georgina’s Italian Restaurant, 275 Boston Turnpike, Bolton CT 06043.

The 117-acre Box Mountain Forest was inducted into the Old Growth Forest Network in April thanks to landowners, Mark and Jamie Summers. The induction highlights woodland stewardship of private land and leaving a forest intact. This has become a crucial step as a climate change countermeasure.

Commission members will be on hand to help identify the diversity of trees along the way to an amazing stand of Dwarf Chestnut oak. From the view on Box Mountain near Sal’s Cave one can enjoy the view into the rare (watershed draining north) Bolton Notch/Valley Falls watershed.

Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Hikers will encounter some steep uphill and uneven terrain. No dogs please. Heavy rain date, Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 1:00 PM. For more information call 860-649-8066 extension 6110 or contact Rod  Parlee RParlee@BoltonCT.gov

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#2 Peak Foliage Hike on Saturday, October 19, 2024, along Hop River Trail Highlighting Access to Old Growth Forest Network Properties

The Bolton Conservation Commission (BCC) will host a 6-mile Peak Foliage Hike on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from the Bolton Commuter Lot along the Hop River State Park Trail to Valley Falls Park and back.

Participants should plan to meet at 10:00 AM or 1:00 PM at the Bolton Commuter Lot across from Georgina’s Italian Restaurant, 275 Boston Turnpike, Bolton CT 06043.

BCC members will discuss the diversity of trees along the way in the rare (watershed draining north) Bolton Notch/Valley Falls watershed. The trailhead properties are associated with the Old Growth Forest Network (OGFN), Northern CT Land Trust and Bolton Notch State Park (BNSP). Commission members will point out trailhead access to the Box Mt Forest (OGFN), Echo Ridge (OGFN), Webster Preserve (OGFN), Tulip Tree Trail (BNSP) and the Mohegan Trail (BNSP).

Hiking shoes are recommended. Participants will encounter mostly level terrain with some hills. No dogs please. Heavy rain date, Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 10:00 or 1:00 PM. For more information call 860-649-8066 extension 6110 or contact Rod  Parlee RParlee@BoltonCT.gov and/or Matt Rivers at mrivers@boltonconservationcommission@outlook.com 

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Bolton Conservation Commission to Host Riffle Bioassessment of Wadable Streams by Volunteers (RBV)

Join us for our 21st annual RBV on Sunday, October 27, 2024, beginning at 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Herrick Park Lodge on Bates Way off 29 Hebron Road. Bolton, CT 06043. FREE PIZZA will be offered to participants.

Since 2003, the Conservation Commission has been part of this citizen science project which is a program facilitated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). Each fall, teams go out to specific locations to collect and identify the small macroinvertebrates that live in the streambeds. The types of creatures found in stream rifles are a strong indicator of the health of the stream. These bioassessments increase the CT DEEP’s knowledge of which areas in Bolton are clean and which are stressed.

We hope you can join us on the 27th.  No experience is necessary, but volunteers should wear footwear suitable for wading in shallow water and may bring waterproof gloves as well. Event will be held rain or shine. Please register by emailing RParlee@BoltonCT.gov and/or Matt Rivers at mrivers@boltonconservationcommission@outlook.com  or call 860-649-8066 ext. 6110 and leave a message. 

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The BCC meets on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Our meetings are open to the public and all are welcome. We are currently looking for Trail maintenance work party volunteers. The BCC maintains the trails in Freja, Herrick and Bolton Notch State Park. Interested volunteers can contact Chair Rod Parlee at tobcc@aol.com or 860-649-8066 x 6110. If calling, please leave a message.

Agendas & Minutes