The Woodstock Conservation Commission was created by town ordinance "...for the purpose of the development, conservation, supervision, and regulation of natural resources, including water resources, within the town of Woodstock." The Conservation Commission is charged with maintaining an inventory of natural resources; monitoring conservation easements held by the town; formulating watershed and drought management plans; making recommendations to other municipal agencies on proposed land use and other plans for the prioritization, conservation and protection of open space, greenways and other natural resources; and supervising, as well as managing, municipally-owned open space such as forest land. The Conservation Commission seeks to cooperate with other town organizations, residents and interested parties on town planning and our efforts to maintain and enhance the character of Woodstock . Our subcommittees and projects include the following:
Development Review Committee (usually meets monthly)
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Review subdivision plans submitted to the P&Z for compatibility with A Plan of Open Space and Conservation |
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Update subdivision compatibility checklist form |
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Representative available for PZC meetings |
Open Space Review (meets when need arises)
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Make recommendations on use of town owned properties and open space |
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Develop requirements for managing conservation easements |
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Provide input on build-out analysis |
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Forestry: Oversee implementation of stewardship plans for town owned forestlands
Review other town owned property for suitability for forest stewardship program |
Greenways Planning ( ongoing project)
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Study town for potential greenway locations |
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Make recommendations to town Agencies, Boards and Commissions regarding greenway planning |
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Seek grant funding for greenway initiatives |
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Communicate with local landowners through workshops or other means |
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Communicate with regional and state organizations for "big picture" planning |
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Make certain town Plan of Conservation and Development includes greenways goals |
Mapping (ongoing project)
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Maintain and update GIS data for Natural and Cultural Resources inventory |
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Maintain an index of open space, both public and privately owned |
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Provide information to other town Agencies, Boards and Commissions when requested |
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Prepare maps for public display and for posting on our website |
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Prepare and publicize open space priorities for town |
Public Outreach
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Maintain website (update, post "news," develop new pages etc.) |
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Invite relevant experts to present workshops and organize |
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Prepare and issue releases about activities |
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Prepare articles for local press on conservation issues of interest |
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Prepare brochures on projects/activities |
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Prepare displays for Celebrating Ag, etc. |
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Prepare annual report
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Open Space Land Acquisition Commission (OSLAC) Representative
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Attend OSLAC monthly meeting |
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Coordinate efforts between commissions |
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Report on OSLAC activities at Conservation meetings |
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Planning and Zoning Regulation Review Representatives |
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Take part in P&Z regulation review committee to incorporate Conservation Commission recommendations |
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Provide input to ensure that conservation goals in APOSC are considered when regulations are being modified/adopted |
Other
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Other working groups may be formed to address issues or short term projects such as light pollution |
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Developing language for conservation easements and monitoring of compliance |
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Water quality monitoring (e.g., Rapid Bioassessment for Volunteers)
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If you are interested in joining the Woodstock Conservation Commission and are a registered voter in Woodstock, stop by the Woodstock Town Hall and ask for a simple application form, or contact the Chair of the Commission, Paul Wilbur at (860) 974-0334 or pfwilbur@charter.net. If you are interested in any of our projects and just want to help out, visit us during a regular monthly meeting in Room C of the Woodstock Town Hall on the fourth Monday of each month to find out more.
You can also check out our more of our award winning website. The website covers a variety of conservation-related topics, including open space; forestry, saving family lands, birding in the Quiet Corner, enhancing your backyard for wildlife, scenic roads, Do's and Don'ts for underground tanks, septic systems and watersheds, recycling, water conservation, news, and where to get more information. Resource maps developed using the Geographic Information System (GIS) are also available online.
Click here for information about how to contact us.
Prepared 11/02/04, JHP |
