In 2016, Audubon Connecticut, in partnership with the State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), recognized the Lyme Forest Block as a landscape-scale Important Bird Area (IBA). This 60,000-acre block includes wooded areas in six towns in southeast Connecticut (East Haddam, Colchester, Lyme, Old Lyme, East Lyme, and Salem) and overlays much of the Eightmile Watershed. The woodlands in this region contain habitat that is important to the Cerulean Warbler and Wood Thrush, the worldwide populations of which are declining drastically, and supports a variety of other woodland-nesting birds identified in Connecticut’s Wildlife Action Plan.

To strengthen the conservation of this area and halt bird population declines, the Lyme Forest Block Conservation Project launched as a dedicated effort to engage people in the stewardship of a critical 1,200-acre area in and around the Lyme Forest Block IBA. Audubon, in collaboration with the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Watershed Coordinating Committee (ERWSCC), the Lyme Land Conservation Trust, the Town of Lyme, the Old Lyme Land Trust, the Salem Land Trust, the East Lyme Land Trust, the East Haddam Land Trust, the Colchester Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and other organizations, have joined forces to build awareness and promote stewardship of the Eightmile River, the Lyme Forest Block, and the bird species these habitats support.

In 2019, during phase one of this project, this goal was achieved through four program activities: 1) bird walks and presentations; 2) training workshops; 3) workdays; and 4) a web page resource. By offering these education, training, and outreach activities, local landowners, community members, and visitors gained an appreciation for natural resources, felt more connected with their lands, area preserves, and waterways, and actively participated in conservation efforts.

In 2020, we will build on this work during phase two, which will involve information and training sessions that give landowners and volunteers the opportunity to learn from a certified forester and other ecologists about habitat assessments and management. Lyme Forest Block landowners will also have the opportunity to have forest bird habitat assessments completed for their properties, which will include recommendations for improving habitat to benefit birds, other wildlife, and forest ecosystems as a whole.

In addition to some residential private properties, properties of the following land trust and conservation landowners will be included in the 2020 habitat assessments:

• Colchester Land Trust
• East Haddam Land Trust
• Lyme Land Conservation Trust
• The Nature Conservancy
• Salem Land Trust
• Town of Lyme

Together, the project partners and the Lyme Forest Block IBA community will bring about positive conservation results that will benefit the birds, other wildlife, and people throughout the area.

Questions: Please contact Kelly Morgan by email.

2020 Project Opportunities

Habitat Assessment Info Session (April 4, 2020)

Habitat Assessment Volunteer Training

In an effort to optimize forest habitat for birds and other wildlife, Audubon Connecticut and partners are offering an exciting opportunity for landowners in the Lyme Forest Block—a chance to participate in a free forest bird habitat assessment, conducted by Audubon trained volunteers.

As part of this initiative, we are providing free habitat assessment training. Lyme Forest Block volunteers are invited to join us for our webinar series. [NOTE: After each session, we will make a recording of the session available on YouTube. Click on the date/session below to view the recording.]

• Wednesday, April 29 – Why Manage Our Woods for Birds and The Birds of Our Woods
• Wednesday, May 13 – Trees and Shrubs That Benefit Birds and What Are Invasive Plants
• Wednesday, May 27 – The Principles of Managing Woodlands for Birds and Understanding Landscape Context
• Wednesday, June 10 - Conducting a Habitat Assessment (landowner engagement, surveying the property, and collecting data)

Volunteers who have elected to participate in the Lyme Forest Block habitat assessment project are required to participate in all three forest bird habitat assessment training sessions. RSVP is requested.

Interested in being a volunteer? There is still time to sign up!

To become a volunteer, for questions, and to RSVP for the training series, please contact Kelly Morgan at kelly.morgan@audubon.org or 860-234-7630.

Lyme Forest Block Stewardship Pledge

Are you planning to or currently taking action to help make the Lyme Forest Block a bird-friendlier place? We want to recognize your amazing commitment to conservation. Please Take the Lyme Forest Block Stewardship Pledge.

Resources & Information - About Forest Habitat and Bird Conservation

Sources That Offer a Selection of Native Plants

The nurseries and garden centers listed below are likely good local places to start to find native plants near the Lyme Forest Block area and in Connecticut. It's a good idea to visit their websites and call ahead to verify native stocks.

Acer Gardens 447 Winthrop Road Deep River, CT www.acergardens.com	Holdridge Home & Garden Showplace 749 Colonel Ledyard Highway Ledyard, CT 06339 www.holdridgegarden.com	Riggio's Garden Center 136 Westbrook Road Essex, CT 06426 www.riggiosgardencenter.com
Ballek’s Garden Center 90 Maple Avenue East Haddam, CT 06423 balleksgardencenter.org	Ladd's Garden Center 671 Windham Road South Windham, CT 06266 laddsgardencenter.com	Smith Acres 4 West Main Street  Niantic, CT 06357 www.smithsacres.com
Broken Arrow Nursery 13 Broken Arrow Road Hamden, CT 06518 www.brokenarrownursery.com	Native 2940 Redding Road Fairfield, CT 06824 www.anativeplantnursery.com	Town & Country Nurseries 1036 Saybrook Road Haddam, CT 06438 www.townandcountryhaddam.com
Earthtones, LLC 212 Grassy Hill Road Woodbury, CT 06798 www.earthtonesnatives.com	Natureworks 518 Forest Road Northford, CT 06472 naturework.com	Search for garden centers who carry American Beauties Native Plants®
Hart's Greenhouse & Florist Four locations: Canterbury, Brooklyn, Norwich, and Preston, CT www.hartsgreenhouseflorist.com/four-locations	Paul's & Sandy's Too, inc Hardware & Garden Center 93 East High Street East Hampton, CT 06426 paulsandsandys.com	Search for retailers who carry Summer Hill Nursery plants - a CT wholesale nursery that grows a large selection of natives

Native Plant Sales

• Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District Native Plant Sale - Spring
• Menunkatuck Audubon Society Native Plant Sale - Spring

Click here to open the map

Thank You to Our Lyme Forest Block Conservation Project Partners & Funders!

Partners

• Audubon Connecticut
• Colchester Land Trust
• Connecticut College
• East Haddam Land Trust
• Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Watershed
• Ferrucci & Walicki, LLC
• Lyme Land Conservation Trust
• The Nature Conservancy
• Old Lyme Land Trust
• Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (The Connecticut Audubon Society)
• Salem Land Trust
• Town of Lyme

Funders

• Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
• Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Watershed
• Jeniam Foundation
• National Wild and Scenic Rivers System