Neville-Harris Wildlife Sanctuary

Located at 1030 Mount Vernon Road, this property spans 4.5 acres and was previously used as a bird rehabilitation facility and sanctuary. It was generously donated to us by Jayne Neville in 2020.

Within the sanctuary, you can find a small field, woods, and a large pavilion featuring a non-functional chimney. This chimney was built specifically as a roosting and nesting site for Chimney Swifts and Barn Swallows. Additionally, at the end of the property along Mount Vernon Road, you can find the remains of a colonial era barn that originally belonged to John Wightman. It’s worth noting that the house located to the south of the property was his original home.

The second name of the sanctuary is a tribute to the late Lester Harris (1912-2009). Thanks to his bequest, we were able to assist Jayne Neville in purchasing an adjacent parcel of land, which has expanded the sanctuary.

Niles and Linnea Johnson Family Wildlife Sanctuary

This site is the remaining portion of the Johnson family farm, part of which was taken during the construction of I-84. The original 1784 farmhouse stood where the westbound entrance on Queen Street is today. The Quinnipiac River borders the eastern edge of the property and also contains remnants of the Farmington Canal. More→

Neil Picone Wildlife Sanctuary (The Trap Rock Ridge Preserve))

In October 2018, the SLT acquired a 6.5 acre parcel located north of Meriden Waterbury at the foot of Meriden Mountain. The environment is a unique trap-rock habitat that his home to the rarely found Jefferson Salamander. Other unique vegetation on the property include Bloodroot and Bladdernut. Special thanks to Peter Picone for his assistance with this purchase.

The Great Unconformity

The Great Unconformity is a geological anomaly that is preserved by a conservation easement. It is located off of Roaring Brook Drive. This rock formation has great scientific value.

Joyce Wildlife Sanctuary

This is a 8.57 acre portion of Lily Pond that sits between South End Rd. and Pondview Dr. The pond is home to many beautiful waterfowl including Swans and Blue Heron. We would like to thank Bill and Karen Joyce for their generous donation.Thank you Cub Scout pack 40 from Kelley and South End School for building and erecting two bat houses for our Joyce property. They will provide safe roosting sites for the bats. The Land Trust continues to partner with like minded groups to promote the preservation and protection of nature.

Joyce Wildlife Sanctuary
Wood Anemone

Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary

This 16.86 acre parcel was donated in 2007, by The Mount Vernon Corporation. It is located near Wedgewood Drive. We would like to thank Mr. Putnam and his family for their generous donation.

Wedgewood property is a prime example of a wetland environment. During the spring and summer any number of wildflowers can be found blooming. Jack-in-the-pulpit, Bloodroot, Trillium, Marsh Marigold, and Jumpseed are some examples. At any time you can explore the large variety of trees and shrubs along the trails; there are over twenty species of trees identified with many specimens of impressive size. Wildlife ranges from deer, fox, and turkey to Box Turtles and Wood Frogs if you are lucky enough to see them.

Download Trail maps of Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary

The Tomasso Property

This 17.28 acre parcel sits between Mount Vernon Rd. and Deerbrooke Dr. The area contains a rare kettlebog and numerous wetlands. We would like to thank the Tomasso Corporation for their generous donation. Download Press Release of the Acquisition.