Together with ECCD and CT DEEP, Restoration Work along Anguilla Brook in North Stonington and Stonington Continues!

In partnership with Eastern Connecticut Conservation District (ECCD) and the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), Avalonia builds off its past restoration success in the Anguilla Brook Northern Headwaters preserve.

CT DEEP, ECCD, and Avalonia staff after swamp walk/site assessment at Anguilla Brook Northern Headwaters Preserve

ECCD was recently awarded an Urban Forested Natural Areas and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant from CT DEEP for the Anguilla Brook Northern Headwaters Restoration Project.  The funding will assist in the restoration of two distinct areas of significant riparian and forested wetland habitat, within Avalonia Land Conservancy’s 64-acre Anguilla Brook Northern Headwaters Preserve, spanning the Towns of North Stonington and Stonington, Connecticut.  The project will focus on restoration of a portion of a highly erodible riparian corridor and an Atlantic white cedar swamp and will serve to improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, and engage the community through volunteer site preparation and planting, water monitoring, and education outreach. Avalonia stewardship staff, interns, and volunteers will have a key role in this work!

Naturally regenerated Atlantic white cedar seedlings on sphagnum hummucks

The northern portion of this upcoming restoration work, involves enhancing an Atlantic white cedar (AWC) swamp, one of a handful of critical habitat types in the state and one that is particularly imperiled. By removing invasive vegetation, creating openings, and planting seedlings near existing AWC stands, this project increases acreage, supports long-term sustainability, improves stand age diversity, and reduces habitat fragmentation. This builds on a successful previous restoration effort, funded by the Connecticut Botanical Society, in which nearly 150 AWC seedlings of different ages were planted and protected.  This new phase of work offers a key opportunity to regenerate the population and enhance wildlife habitat, including for species of Greatest Conservation Need.

The more southerly part of the restoration work consists of the removal of invasive vegetation and the planting a variety of native trees along the banks of Anguilla Brook. In addition to helping to improve water quality and increasing overall diversity, these deep rooted native plants will reduce runoff, deposition, and soil erosion. Increasing the ecological health and resilience at the headwaters of Anguilla Brook will have positive impacts downstream, along Aguilla Brook, and throughout the Inner Wequetequock Cove Watershed.

We expect to begin field work in this summer and early autumn and to extend into spring 2026.  Stay tuned for upcoming volunteer opportunities.

To read more about our past restoration efforts and the ecological importance of these forested wetlands see:

Connecticut Botanical Society Field Trip to Anguilla Brook Northern Headwaters Preserves.

Avalonia is the Recipient of a Connecticut Botanical Society Grant!