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Take the DEEP Survey: Protect Wildlife Statewide & Save Remington Woods

Jhoni Ada and Tanya Bourgoin

Right now, you have an opportunity to advocate for wildlife protection across the state and fight for forests including Remington Woods at the same time by providing public feedback to Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

 

Last fall DEEP began developing Connecticut's State Wildlife Action Plan, to be finalized in 2025. Their advisory teams have recently finished their review of potential species in Connecticut and have produced a draft list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need

 

As you look over the list, note that there are two statuses:

 

  • Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are native species whose populations are declining or vulnerable and would benefit from conservation action

  • State Assessment Priority Species (SAPS) are species about which more information is needed.  Populations might be vulnerable or declining, but there is not currently enough known to make that determination.

 

DEEP is seeking input specifically regarding the species on the list.  Feedback can be submitted using this form.

 

Some of the species listed in this draft list have been observed or known to occur in Remington Woods, underscoring the importance of permanently protecting this precious natural habitat right in Fairfield County. Remington Woods is a 422-acre forest straddling Bridgeport and Stratford. Within its bounds lie a 23-acre lake, forest, meadows, and wetlands including vernal pools. It is home to a vibrant living community of birds, wildlife, and plants. Remington Woods is currently undergoing an environmental clean-up, but remains under threat of development.

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Image: Spotted Salamander by Cataloging Nature CC BY 2.0 DEED

Species observed there include:

 

Birds
Bald Eagle (not listed in the Remington Woods survey but confirmed nest sites) - IMPORTANT
Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula  - IMPORTANT
Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina  - VERY IMPORTANT
Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus  - IMPORTANT
Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos  - VERY IMPORTANT
Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum  - VERY IMPORTANT
Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina  - VERY IMPORTANT
Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia   - IMPORTANT
Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora pinus   - MOST IMPORTANT
Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca  - IMPORTANT
Black-throated Green Warbler, Dendroica virens  - VERY IMPORTANT
Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica   - IMPORTANT
Green Heron, Butorides virescens  - IMPORTANT
Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus  - VERY IMPORTANT
Unidentified Flycatcher - VERY IMPORTANT
Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus  - IMPORTANT
Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon   - VERY IMPORTANT
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus - IMPORTANT
Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea  - VERY IMPORTANT
Veery, Catharus fuscescens  - IMPORTANT

Fish
Chain pickerel, Esox niger - IMPORTANT 
Crappie - IMPORTANT

Herptiles
Spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum   - IMPORTANT 

Mammals
Fisher, Martes pennanti  - VERY IMPORTANT

Trees and Plants
Greenbrier, Smilax spp. - IMPORTANT 
Goldenrod, Solidago spp.- IMPORTANT & MOST IMPORTANT

 

Right now, you have a unique opportunity to advocate for the preservation of Remington Woods and its diverse wildlife, as well as native fauna throughout Connecticut. Here's how you can get involved:

 

  • Visit DEEP's public feedback form. In the section “Do you have any additional questions or comments concerning the 2025 Connecticut State Wildlife Action Plan Revision?”, please add a comment about the importance of preserving all of the 422 acres of Remington Woods in Stratford and Bridgeport because it provides habitat for numerous species that DEEP has identified as in greatest need of conservation. Your input can make a real difference!

  • Engage with Sierra Club's Wildlife Committee. If you believe that a particular species has been overlooked or omitted from the list, include it in your public input, and reach out to the Wildlife Committee at connecticut.chapter@sierraclub.org and share your insights. Your expertise and advocacy can help ensure that all species in need of conservation receive the attention they deserve. 

  • Connect with our Save Remington Woods team. If you're interested in learning more about the biological survey of animals in Remington Woods or want to get involved in our conservation efforts, don't hesitate to reach out to our Remington Woods team at remington.woods@sierraclub.org. We'd love to hear from you and explore how we can work together to protect our local wildlife!

 

Together, we can make a positive impact on the conservation of our green spaces and their invaluable ecosystem. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our cause!

​

​Tanya Bourgoin is our Wildlife Committee Chair. Jhoni Ada is Sierra Club Connecticut’s Organizer on Save Remington Woods project in Bridgeport, along with other outreach and projects within the city and Fairfield County.

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