Conservation Commission
Stewards of our Conservation District for over 55 years
Who we are:The Groton Long Point Conservation Commission is a Board-appointed group of GLP community members tasked with protecting open spaces, maintaining Conservation open spaces, educating our community about our environment and conservation issues, and community outreach. Since 1969, the Association has benefited from the service of dedicated, hard-working Conservation Commission members who care deeply about GLP and the environment. GLP’s Conservation District comprises approximately one-half of the total area of GLP and includes various land types such as woodland, inland wetland, and open space. Through the years, Commission members have devoted countless hours and energy learning about, conserving and maintaining these areas, as well as providing education and outreach to the GLP community. More detail on establishment and authority of the Commission, and selected achievements is below.
Members: The following seven current members are serving staggered 3-year terms: Karen Wolfskehl (Chair), Bob TenEyck; Carol TenEyck; Deann Murphy; Katie Newell, Joseph Orchardo and Mary Kay Pappas. Each member has a specific Commission role and brings talents and knowledge to the Commission, including, prior GLPA Board experience, expert woodworking and handyman skills, relevant scientific knowledge and academic research expertise, community communication and art skills, and educational program management, along with knowledge of local plants and animals and their environments.
How we work:The Commission generally holds monthly Commission meetings with each member providing updates on her/his respective responsibilities. The Chair or designee reports to the GLPA Board at each Board meeting on maintenance activities and special reports (e.g. summaries of special a report on Vegetative Management is linked below).
How you can participate:- Enjoy- Explore GLP’s walkable conservation areas, including the Butterfly Garden, Nature Trail, Whale Rock and Sand Spit. Observe the Vernal Pool. See Conservation Commission bulletin board for maps and information.
- Attend- Join us for events and presentations by local experts or connect with other local resources, examples below.
- Volunteer- we welcome the ongoing support and volunteer service of community members who assist in maintaining open areas and trails. Maintenance activities include clean-ups, removal of invasive plants, care of native plants, and trail marking.
Contact us at glpfriendsofcc@gmail.com to be added to our distribution list for volunteer requests and program announcements.
Other Local Resources:Our broader area benefits from a variety of organizations focused on conservation and related topics. The organizations below provide information and maintain a calendar of public events on their websites. The links below will take you to the websites of these organizations.
Avalonia Land Conservancy
https://avalonia.orgConnecticut Audubon Society
www.ctaudubon.orgCUSH, Inc.- CUSH Inc. –
Clean Up Sound & HarborsDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center
https://dpnc.orgGroton Open Space
www.gosaonline.orgMystic Aquarium
www.mysticaquarium.orgProject Oceanology
www.oceanology.org Special Reports of the Conservation Commission in 2024: Vegetative Management Plan-Executive Summary Background and Role of GLP’s Conservation Commission:The Groton Long Point Conservation Commission was created 1969 as a resolution of the Association in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes §7-131(a). At that time, it was recognized that the natural open space and coastal resources we enjoy were vulnerable in the face of development pressures. The Conservation Commission was established for the oversight and protection of these resources and for providing guidance and recommendations to the Board of Directors of the association for the continued best use of land with respect to, and for, the environment.
In two separate acts of the GLP Zoning Commission, all of the lands of Groton Long Point were districted into areas for either residential, commercial, or conservation use. The Zoning Map of the Groton Long Point Association, Inc. of 1993 shows that roughly one-half of its total land area, approximately 110 acres, is designated as Conservation District. This land includes inland wetlands and upland areas that collectively encompass most of the natural and open space resources of GLP.
Significant Projects completed by the Conservation Commission:GLP presently hosts 4
Osprey Nesting Poles and Perch Poles. The original poles were installed in the marsh off Island Circle North decades ago. In 2017, the Poe “boys” built two perches to satisfy their Eagle Scout requirements. Dave Nicolenko added one in the marsh bordered by Sound Breeze to the west and North Street and East Shore. All were built with DEEP specifications and their approval. The Commission continues to monitor and protect these perches and poles. Residents eagerly anticipate springtime Osprey arrivals and hope for the creation of new families on the nests. The Conservation Commission arranged with the GLPA for professional cleaning of the nests in Fall, 2024 to remove debris and vegetative growth and encourage Osprey return.
“Whale Rock” on Duryea Drive is a “glacial erratic” - a large rock left behind after the Pleistocene glaciers melted. The Commission opened a path up the wooded slope and placed a viewing bench near the rock in honor of longtime conservation leader Eric Benker. It’s a perfect place to relax and enjoy the birdsong under the trees.
Nature Trail- Beginning on the south side of Island Avenue, just above the intersection of Duryea Drive, enjoy a 1 1/2 mile (round trip) marked trail walk which ends at a Mumford Cove overlook. Originally designed and cut by Conservation Commission members in 1985, the walk is enhanced by an illustrated
“Self-Guiding Nature Trail Booklet”. The booklet describes and illustrates each of the 27 marked sites along the trail and is available to purchase for a nominal fee. The Commission updates the Nature Trail Booklet and maintains the trail for safety and education.
Vernal Pool- At the intersection of Duryea Drive and Mumford Cove Road is a 1 1/2 acre wetland formerly known as “the ice skating pond”. It is actually a unique, protected habitat that supports a specialized group of flora and fauna and amphibians that don’t exist in any other wetlands. In order to educate and protect the area, the Commission solicited a two-year professional evaluation of this exceptional property. It was submitted to the Board in 2024.
Butterfly Garden - Conservation Commission member, Dave Nickolenko started the Butterfly Garden on Duryea Drive in 2018. Planted with milkweed and other native plants, the Garden provides critical food and shelter for Monarch Butterflies and other pollinators. A Certified “Monarch Waystation Garden,” it is dedicated to Dave and maintained by the Conservation Commission.
The Joe Devine Riviera - At the end of Atlantic Avenue is the conservation zoned “Sand Spit” peninsula, named in 1983 in honor of former GLP President Joe Devine. Over the years the property became ignored and overgrown with poison ivy and other non-native invasives. Following a recent 3-year Conservation Commission renewal program, visitors can now enjoy the new Wildflower Garden, native bushes, plants and “lookout benches” along the area. GLPYC Optis and 410 sailboats are hosted near the entrance. A favorite dog walking location, at the end of the Spit you can look west to Mumford Point and Bluff Point and southwest to Sea Flower Reef and to Race Rock at the end of Fishers Island.
Conservation Corner - On the wall to the right of the Casino entrance, the Commission’s
“Conservation Corner” highlights conservation tidbits (identifying scat), tips (planting for pollinators) and challenges (identifying winter wildlife seen at GLP). Crafted by Carol TenEyck, there is always something to learn.
Conservation Reports and publications available to all- A comprehensive “Vegetative Management Plan for Groton Long Point” written by member Joe Orchardo was presented to the GLPA Board in 2024. See pdf above.
- A “Self-Guiding Nature Trail” booklet, prepared by the GLP Conservation Commission- is a guide for our walking nature trail which goes through a wooded conservation area. Information and illustrations are included about vegetation, animals and geology. It also includes a nature trail map.
- “A Children’s Guide to the Shores of Groton Long Point,” is really a resource for all ages, providing illustrated information about common species and habitat along our shoreline. The guide was created by the Conservation Commission in conjunction with GLP’s 75th anniversary.
- The guides are available from the Conservation Commission for a nominal fee.