Opinion: We need to protect and grow CT Wildlands

Hartford is a capitol city blessed with amazing trees and old forests, some harkening back to Frederick Law Olmsted, landscape architect and Hartford’s native son. Olmsted’s 200th birthday in 2022 was a national celebration of his visionary dedication to nature, beauty, democracy and health in all communities. Today, what’s missing in Hartford and across Connecticut is a long-term commitment to protecting some of these forests as “Wildlands” — natural areas that can welcome people but limit human management.

About a half-hour bus or car ride northwest from Hartford is a special commitment to nature: selected town forests in Simsbury (5 percent of the town) are managed with “Natural Area Stewardship,” a detailed, science-based policy that aligns with a Wildlands intent, often called “forever-wild.”  Read More 

Susan A. Masino is the Vernon D. Roosa Professor of Applied Science at Trinity College and a member of the Simsbury Open Space Committee. Edward K. Faison is the senior ecologist at Highstead Foundation in Redding. David R. Foster is Director Emeritus of the Harvard Forest at Harvard University and co-director of Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmlands and Communities.