East Haddam commission votes to apply for state resilient-forest grant to restore Shagru preserve

The East Haddam Conservation Commission voted at its regular meeting to apply for the Connecticut Resilient Forest grant to restore the Shagru preserve, contingent on approval from the town’s Board of Finance.

Commission member John Camberry, who led the discussion, said the preserve is overrun with invasive barberry and contains low‑grade, disease‑affected trees. He told members the state forester has prepared a practice plan and that private forester Eric Hansen has agreed to prepare cost estimates and an oversight plan that could be funded through the grant.

The commission discussed the grant’s reimbursement structure and financial implications for the town. Members noted the program’s maximum award cited in the discussion is $150,000 and that the town would likely need to pay invoices up front and seek quarterly reimbursement from the state. Commissioners said the grant allows applicants to use a state‑prepared practice plan rather than procuring a full management plan at the applicant’s expense.

A motion to move forward with the application for the Shagru preserve, contingent on the Board of Finance agreeing to the reimburseable funding mechanism, was made, seconded and approved with no opposition.

Why it matters: The project would fund forest restoration to improve resilience and reduce invasive cover in a preserve used by residents for recreation and habitat. If the town secures grant funding, work would include invasive management, selective tree treatments and contract oversight; follow‑on planting with native species was discussed as a later step.

Next steps: Commission staff will forward the application materials, including Hansen’s cost estimate, to the Board of Finance for review; the commission will proceed only if the board agrees to the short‑term fronting of reimbursable costs.