Big News! Avalonia Has Just Closed on a New Preserve!

City of Norwich Transfers 26.99 Acres to Avalonia
Hunter Brook Preserve will provide open space and wetland conservation on Hunters Road

Avalonia Land Conservancy, Inc. has closed on an important wetland and forested conservation parcel in a transfer from the City of Norwich. Home to a significant wildlife population, the Preserve will provide excellent opportunities for hiking, birding and photography.

Avalonia Board President Dennis S. Main noted that this will be the second Preserve that Avalonia will take ownership of in Norwich, providing it’s 40,000 plus residents with another opportunity for connections to nature. A previous Norwich acquisition, Cedar Wood Preserve, has been enhanced with ADA accessible parking, vernal pool bridging and several miles of trails that provide easy and moderate levels of hiking.

The Conservancy Board of Directors approved acquisition of the parcel that the City had foreclosed on after a slated development that would have resulted in 71 units being built there did not materialize. The Conservancy intends to manage the Preserve for wildlife and natural habitat and wetland protection with some trailed passive recreation. Avalonia’s Director of Stewardship will be conducting a stewardship orientation event on August 20 at 9:00 AM to include installation of the Hunter Brook Preserve sign. Volunteers will work to clear old woods roads of invasives, and Avalonia will create an accessible parking area at the entrance to the Preserve. This is the fourth of several expected closings on conservation tracts throughout New London County by the land conservancy during 2023.