Our LandsThe Hamden Land Conservation Trust permanently preserves land throughout the Town of Hamden for conservation purposes. Take a look at our holdings and contact us if you are interested in protecting land by donation or easement.
 left to right: HLCT President Jim Sirch, Rocky Top Neighbors leaders Roberta Mack and Tim Mack, and CFPA Land Conservation Director Lindsay Suhr. Credit: Linnea Sirch
Rocky Top
Rocky Top is a remarkable, 18-acre, wooded ridge that is home to the original Connecticut Blue Trail System. It is located off Rocky Top Road in Hamden. This property was originally purchased by Rev. Edgar Heermance, one of the founding members of the nonprofit Connecticut Forest and Park Association that works to protect open space statewide. |
 Dedication ceremony with Hamden Mayor Curt Leng and others. Credit: Tracy Zarillo
Winterberry Wetlands Preserve
The four-acre Winterberry Wetlands Preserve (which includes the Joseph C. Lee Urban Oasis & Pollinator Garden) is located on the Farmington Canal Trail opposite Route 10 Restaurant. The garden serves to demonstrate plants that attract birds, butterflies and other pollinators that Hamden residents can use in their own home gardens. |
 Nesting bald eagle on State Street. Credit: Mike Horn
The Henry and Irene Garguilo Wildlife Refuge
This 40-acre property located on State Street is home to a nesting pair of bald eagles. Because of the location and sensitivity of the property, it is posted no hunting, no fishing and no trespassing. The site is a magnet for hungry migrating eagles who find fish in the Quinnipiac River. Recently, there have been as many as fifteen eagles including the five residents. In addition to the eagles, deer, coyote, fox, turkeys, raccoons and skunks as well as many migrating birds have been sited here. We are grateful to the good folks at W.B.Mason and Proto Tires for their understanding in this matter along with the Hamden and Amtrak police. |
 The Brethren. Credit: Rob Irwin
The Brethren
This imposing rock formation is known as a glacial erratic. It is situated on a small parcel, approximately 1/4 acre in size. The Brethren is composed of basalt and sits on New Haven Arkose. This large boulder was carried some distance during the Ice Age, and at some point split into more than one rock. |
 Overlooking Water Company property and the reservoir at HLCT's Servoss and Mather Streets Property. Credit: Rob Irwin
Glacial Kettle
This property is situated at the corner of Servoss and Mather Streets and bounded by Regional Water Authority property. Consisting of 2.18 acres, it is suited for short and easy nature strolls and for bird watching. On the part of the property that borders Mather Street, we have planted native pollinator plant butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), which is doing well. The Hamden Land Conservation Trust acquired this property from the town of Hamden in 1989. The property features educational signage about the glacial kettle and a short walking path suitable for young families. |