Discover the Hills!
The Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve in East Lyme, Connecticut, overlooks the environmentally fragile Niantic River to the east, and was officially opened in 2007. The 457-acre preserve was created through a public/private partnership. The ultimate goal is to expand to more than 700 acres, through additional acquisitions.
Take a self-guided hike of Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve or if you would like a guided hike led by a member of FOHNP, e-mail us at info@oswhills.org. We'll share the latest on efforts to protect the remaining acres of fragile coastal forest that help protect the Niantic River estuary between East Lyme and Waterford.
We invite you to browse this website to learn more about The Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve, print a Trail Guide, read the environmental studies that have been performed in The Hills, learn about the history of the preserve and view our photo gallery of the beauty to be found in The Hills. We welcome you to learn how you can become involved in helping The Friends maintain this special corner of the world, and become a member or make a gift.
Take a self-guided hike of Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve or if you would like a guided hike led by a member of FOHNP, e-mail us at info@oswhills.org. We'll share the latest on efforts to protect the remaining acres of fragile coastal forest that help protect the Niantic River estuary between East Lyme and Waterford.
We invite you to browse this website to learn more about The Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve, print a Trail Guide, read the environmental studies that have been performed in The Hills, learn about the history of the preserve and view our photo gallery of the beauty to be found in The Hills. We welcome you to learn how you can become involved in helping The Friends maintain this special corner of the world, and become a member or make a gift.
Update on Landmark Development
Online Hearing LANDMARK DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC et al v. EAST LYME ZONING COMMISSION:
Our 2015 case against Landmark Development, LLC, was heard by Judge Marshall Berger, Connecticut Superior Court/Land Court in a virtual hearing on Wednesday, June 30. In 2015, the East Lyme Zoning Commission gave conditional approval to the developer’s proposed high density development. FOHNP and Save the River - Save the Hills have been intervenors on environmental grounds throughout the ongoing legal disputes; Save the Sound became our legal counsel in 2015 and became an intervenor in its own right.
In the June 30th hearing, Save the Sound attorney Chris Kelly presented our arguments that the zone change should be limited to 36 acres and should not be expanded to 123 acres. The additional land is environmentally sensitive land that should be conserved and the developer failed to submit required adequate information on coastal resources, wetlands and stormwater.
“Eight hundred and forty units, 1760 parking spaces, 36 acres of impervious surfaces are the absolutely wrong use for this high priority conservation land on the Niantic River,” says Save the Sound Senior Legal Counsel Roger Reynolds. “The applicant will ultimately have to provide actual environmental information, and when they do we are confident the courts will agree with us.”
We will keep you updated on the outcome of the hearing and any new developments in the case as soon as they are available.
Our 2015 case against Landmark Development, LLC, was heard by Judge Marshall Berger, Connecticut Superior Court/Land Court in a virtual hearing on Wednesday, June 30. In 2015, the East Lyme Zoning Commission gave conditional approval to the developer’s proposed high density development. FOHNP and Save the River - Save the Hills have been intervenors on environmental grounds throughout the ongoing legal disputes; Save the Sound became our legal counsel in 2015 and became an intervenor in its own right.
In the June 30th hearing, Save the Sound attorney Chris Kelly presented our arguments that the zone change should be limited to 36 acres and should not be expanded to 123 acres. The additional land is environmentally sensitive land that should be conserved and the developer failed to submit required adequate information on coastal resources, wetlands and stormwater.
“Eight hundred and forty units, 1760 parking spaces, 36 acres of impervious surfaces are the absolutely wrong use for this high priority conservation land on the Niantic River,” says Save the Sound Senior Legal Counsel Roger Reynolds. “The applicant will ultimately have to provide actual environmental information, and when they do we are confident the courts will agree with us.”
We will keep you updated on the outcome of the hearing and any new developments in the case as soon as they are available.
About The Friends
Friends of The Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve (FOHNP) is a non-profit volunteer organization, funded by private contributions, whose mission is to create, manage and improve The Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve. We are a 501.c.3 corporation and your donations are tax deductible. Management of the preserve is performed via conservation easements and a partnership agreement with The Town of East Lyme. Learn more about our organization
Lots of activity in the Current Newsletter - check it out to stay up to date!
Learn more about the Conservation Efforts underway in the Hills including the Southern Pine Beetle Testing, FrogWatch Project, the Pitch Pine Park and Tree Nursery and the new Beech Tree Leaf Disease Study.
Pitch Pine Conservation Project
As part of the pitch pine conservation project, we received a donation of 50 pitch pine saplings, volunteers who helped to plant included Ray and Penny Heller, Paul and Barb Whitehouse, Franz Edson and Amy Gonsalves. In addition, Dave Hughes and Birds Unlimited donated and installed a chickadee house along the embankment. Come visit the Pitch Pine Park and Tree Nursery on your next visit to the Hills!
Seen in the Hills
Now more than ever we need your help! Join the coalition
With the pandemic upon us, now more than ever we realize how important preserving outdoor space is for our physical and mental health and we continue our efforts to prevent inappropriate over-development of the adjacent 236 acres. Acquiring that land, which includes a mile of river frontage, would expand the preserve, protect additional wetland and wildlife, while allowing more opportunities for experiencing the magic of the Hills.
We believe the best use of the remaining 236 acres of this vulnerable coastal forest is preservation, not high density housing. We want this land to be acquired at fair market value and added to the adjoining Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve.
Please show your support by joining our coalition. A broad range of civic leaders, residents, conservation, and environmental groups have already joined, and are advocating to preserve and protect the Oswegatchie Hills and the Niantic River.
Please sign our online petition and show your support
With the pandemic upon us, now more than ever we realize how important preserving outdoor space is for our physical and mental health and we continue our efforts to prevent inappropriate over-development of the adjacent 236 acres. Acquiring that land, which includes a mile of river frontage, would expand the preserve, protect additional wetland and wildlife, while allowing more opportunities for experiencing the magic of the Hills.
We believe the best use of the remaining 236 acres of this vulnerable coastal forest is preservation, not high density housing. We want this land to be acquired at fair market value and added to the adjoining Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve.
Please show your support by joining our coalition. A broad range of civic leaders, residents, conservation, and environmental groups have already joined, and are advocating to preserve and protect the Oswegatchie Hills and the Niantic River.
Please sign our online petition and show your support
FOHNP is on Facebook
Check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fohnp for updates on Preserve activities and opportunities.
We love to hear your feedback and see your photos!
Check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fohnp for updates on Preserve activities and opportunities.
We love to hear your feedback and see your photos!
The preserve is a pristine habitat for a multitude of flora and fauna, and serves to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Niantic River, as well as the rich archaeological history in place since the days of the Nehantic Tribe. This rugged forest, teeming with wildlife, vibrant wetlands and spectacular rock formations, will remain a place of quiet beauty forever. |
©
Friends of the Oswegatchie Nature Preserve, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation.
info@oswhills.org
info@oswhills.org