Our mission: "To promote the development, conservation, supervision, and regulation of natural resources, including water resources within the Town of Killingly and provide the methodology for protection and maintenance of these resources."

The Conservation Commission is working hard to protect the natural resources in town and to promote the parks and open space that are open for residents of the region to enjoy. Here are a few of the activities we are involved in:

Protecting the reservoirs in East Killingly

The Killingly Conservation Commission is asking for your support in obtaining a unique resource that provides clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation in eastern Connecticut. In a wonderful turn of events, a corporation has offered to donate the 561 acres that make up five reservoirs at the headwaters of the Whetstone Brook. This gift to the citizens of Connecticut is valued at more than $1.25 million, but the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation are priceless. If this donation is accepted, the reservoirs could support recreation such as fishing, boating, and bird watching. The brochure and map provide details about the reservoirs and land being offered to the State of Connecticut. The photographs provide some idea of the scenic vistas and natural beauty in this area. This opportunity will never occur again, so we are asking for you immediate help in securing this donation for today and future generations.

What can you do to help? The brochure contains the names, addresses, and email addresses of your State Representatives, officials in the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and staff in the Town of Killingly. The corporation has placed a time limit on this opportunity, so we must ask the state for immediate action on this matter. Please express your support as soon as possible.

If you would like to have a personal tour of the reservoirs, please email Linda Walden in the Town of Killingly. Members of the Killingly Conservation Commission and/or staff members of the Town of Killingly would be happy to show you one of the most beautiful areas in eastern Connecticut.

East Killingly Reservoirs Brochure

Protecting town-owned properties

The Killingly Conservation Commission recently identified town-owned properties that they felt ought to be protected from future development through a conservation easment. The commission determined that the properties had either environmental or historical value and should be protected for future generations to enjoy. The properties were already owned by the town, and there was no cost to the town to protect them. The State of Connecticut has a goal of protecting 21% of the state in protected open-space. The properties identified by the commission will increase Killingly's open space from 6% to 8%.

Phase I was approved by the town council in February of 2009; Phase II was approved in February of 2010. The following Powerpoint presentations provide details on each of the protected parcels:

Phase I

Phase II

Geocaching.

Geocaching is a great way to get out and enjoy the natural resouces in town. Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for GPS users. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. There are several geocache sites in Killingly. The best place to start is theofficial geocache web site.