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Land trust reports steady stewardship at Bristow Bird Sanctuary; conservation commission role clarified
Summary
A New Canaan Land Trust representative updated the Parks and Recreation Commission on stewardship activities at Bristow Bird Sanctuary, describing routine maintenance, volunteer stewards and funding sources; speakers also summarized the conservation commission’s statutory role under Connecticut law.
Robin, representing the New Canaan Land Trust, told the Parks and Recreation Commission that the land trust has been stewarding Bristow Bird Sanctuary since a 2023 agreement with the town and described ongoing, non-intrusive maintenance work.
“We are doing some work at Bristow. We’re not doing major work. We’re not cutting down trees. We’re doing planting. We’re walking around. We’re filling up the bird feeders,” Robin said, describing regular stewardship tasks. She said bird seed purchases are funded by the Friends of Bristow, the Friends group and the New Canaan Community Foundation and that volunteers and paid summer stewards maintain trails, feeders and a small garden.
Robin described recent problems the site has faced — vandalized and repaired boardwalks, invasive goldfish in the pond that were captured and relocated, damage to deer fencing and occasional use of electric bikes on trails — and said most vandalism has been cleaned up. She said some entrance points are more accessible than others but that not all trails are ADA-accessible.
Commission members and Robin discussed whether to add signage about electric bikes and closing gates; Robin said the commission could consider additional signs but also cautioned against making the park “sign heavy.”
Commissioners also discussed the conservation commission’s formal responsibilities under Connecticut statute: conducting open-space inventories, advising on watersheds and accepting land donations when authorized. Robin explained that in New Canaan the conservation commission chair serves ex officio on the land trust board and that the two bodies have overlapping but distinct roles.
No formal action was taken; commissioners thanked the land trust for continuing stewardship and said they would consider signage and accessibility refinements.
