nature. They’ve written ArcGIS reports and stories about the woods, crafted bulletin boards highlighting the biodiversity within Remington Woods, started a Wildlife Action Club that studies species in the woods and seeks their protection, and even taken up bird watching from the fence into this hidden urban forest. This tour will be an incredible experience for them to witness firsthand the forest they've been so passionate about.

​

Faith Community & Residents: A Growing Interest in Conservation

We’ve also seen growing enthusiasm from members of our local faith communities and residents. Their support has been instrumental in advocating for the protection of mature forests, and they, too, are eager for this chance to tour Remington Woods. It's heartening to see people from all walks of life come together in recognition of the importance of our natural spaces.

​

The National Old Growth Campaign: Why It Matters for Us in Connecticut

This tour comes at a pivotal moment for forest conservation efforts nationwide. Recently, the National Old Growth Campaign focused on gathering public comments to urge the U.S. Forest Service to implement stronger protections for federally owned old-growth and mature forests. While this may seem like a national issue, it holds significant implications for us here in Connecticut. Though we may not currently have old-growth forests due to our complex land-use history, the national focus on forest health and age directly influences how we manage and protect our maturing forests.

​

Connecticut’s Complicated Land Use History & Forest Management

Connecticut's forests have suffered from centuries of development and land use, resulting in the loss of nearly 95% of our old-growth woodlands. Today, our state is actively working to reverse that history. Many state forests are managed to develop old-growth characteristics, hoping that decades or even centuries from now, we might once again have thriving old-growth ecosystems. The methodologies behind this management are widely debated statewide, but the silver lining is that we are all deeply concerned about the health, age, and future of our forests.

​

Touring Remington Woods: Witnessing Nature's Resilience

The upcoming bus tour will be a unique chance to explore Remington Woods—a forest that has also endured a complicated land-use history. Despite past disturbances, this mature forest has experienced incredible remediation and a healing journey that serves as an inspiring example of nature's resilience. The tour will highlight the importance of giving nature the time and space it needs to rejuvenate, demonstrating how humanity can step up and step down when necessary to protect these vital ecosystems.

 

Whether we're discussing reforestation (planting new forests), proforestation (letting forests grow and age naturally), or deforestation (removing trees for development), it's clear that these issues are closely interlinked. Remington Woods stands as a testament to what’s possible when conservation becomes a community effort. It’s an ongoing story of regeneration and hope, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone on this tour.

​

Stay Engaged!

As we prepare for the bus tour and continue our conservation efforts, we invite you to stay engaged. From supporting the High Horizons students to contributing to national campaigns, every action counts in preserving our natural heritage.

 

We look forward to sharing more updates with you soon and hope to see many of you during this tour of Remington Woods. Thank you for your continued support and passion for protecting our forests!

 

• If you would like to be an active part of our conservation efforts, join the conservation team! Email remington.woods@sierraclub.org for more information

• Follow Remington Woods on Facebook 

• Check out High Horizon Student ArcGIS reports 

• Join the Sierra Club on an outing!   

​

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.