Summary of Land Preserved by CLC
Preserved Land
The Colebrook Land Conservancy protects 1453 acres of land (1451 acres in Colebrook and two acres in neighboring Hartland) comprised of 30 separate properties located throughout the town. The Conservancy itself owns 875 acres and holds conservation easements on another 576 acres, which are privately owned.
Most of our properties have been donated by generous landowners who wanted to do their part in permanently preserving Colebrook’s natural beauty.
If you’d like to find out about the many ways you can protect your land, contact a Conservancy trustee or email: info@colebrooklandconservancy.org
The Protecting Land section of this website has more information, and general information is also available from the Land Trust Alliance at www.lta.org
Architects cannot teach nature anything.
Acres Owned: 875 ACRES
- 141 acres west of Beech Hill Road purchased from Edward G. Lord III in 2023.
- 6 acres north of Phelps Flat Road given by Edward G. Lord III in 2023.
- 74 acres along the north side of Deer Hill Road west of Rt. 8 purchased from Richard Chase and his family in 2019.
- 9 acres on Colebrook River Road (Rte. 8) given by Beverly Davis in 2013
- 7 acres on the north side of Sandy Brook Road given by the Faraway Hill Trust in 2010
- 394 acres in North Colebrook, the Phelps Research Area, given in 2009 by the Nature Conservancy
- 5 acres on the west side of Colebrook River Road (Route 8) given in 2006
- 100 acres between Beech Hill Road and Sandy Brook purchased from Thomas and Chrystene Adams in 2005
- 1 acre given by Helen Reis on east side of Prock Hill Road in 2004
- 4 acres on the southeast corner of Rt. 183 and Stillman Hill Road purchased from Gerald and Michelle McMahon and Nancy Morgan in 2002
- 2 acres at the corner of Mill Street and Old Forge Road in Hartland, given by Kenneth Mahler in 2001
- 4 acres on the east side of Rt. 183 given in 2001
- 38 acres on the northwest corner of Rt. 183 and Stillman Hill Rd. purchased from Richard Hale in 2001
- 50 acres on north side of Rt. 182A given by Georganne Hinchliff Eggers & family in 1999
- 40 acres on the west side of Smith Hill Road given by Lucy Bradley in 1994
- 1 acre given by Beatrice Hale at corner of Wheeler Road and Rt. 183 in 1992.
- 1 acre given by Robert Fumire on west side of Prock Hill Road in 1987
Easements: 576 Acres
- 158 acres on Smith Hill Road given by the Lewis family in 2012
- 92 acres south of Cobb City Road given by Eva Martinez in 2007
- 39 acres east of Pisgah Mountain Road given in 2006
- 23 acres on the east side of Stillman Hill Road given by John Garrels in 2003
- 22 acres on east side of Stillman Hill Road given by John Garrels in 1997
- 24 acres between Rt. 8 and Robertsville Road given by Doris Currier in 1997
- 66 acres on Phelps Road given by Richard Threlkeld and Betsy Aaron in 1996
- 86 acres of “Sugar Hill Farm” on Smith Hill Road given by Moses Sternlieb in four parcels, 1994-1995
- 22 acres on east side of Rt. 183 and north of Sandy Brook Road given by Nancy Phelps Blum in 1993
- 28 acres on east side of Rt. 183 and south of Phelps Flat Road given by John A. Blum and Timothy Blum in 1992
- 5 acres on the east side of Prock Hill Road given by Nancy P. Blum in 1991
- 11 acres Greenbelt easement along parts of Rt. 183, Phelps Flat Road and Sandy Brook Road given by John A. and Nancy P. Blum in 1987
Map of Preserved Properties
CLC-Owned Properties
HALE'S CORNER
In 2001 and 2002, the Conservancy purchased 42 acres of the former Hale Farm at the junction of Colebrook and Stillman Hill roads (Routes 182 and 183), just south of Colebrook Center. This “gateway to Colebrook” preservation project included restoration of the historic Hale barn, which dates from 1797. We actively manage the Farm’s hayfields and pasture land.
Read more about Hale’s Corner >>
CORLISS 100
In 2005, the Conservancy acquired a 100-acre wilderness between Sandy Brook and Beech Hill Road that we called the “Corliss 100” because of its location on the westernmost slope of Corliss Mountain. The Conservancy will keep the land a natural area and preserve its unique ecological features. Protecting the Corliss 100 also helps protect the adjacent Algonquin State Forest, which includes the 600-acre Kitchel Wilderness, a state-designated natural area preserve
PHELPS RESEARCH AREA
In 2009, The Nature Conservancy transferred ownership of the Phelps Research Area to the Colebrook Land Conservancy, which signified an important vote of confidence by a national organization in our ability to carry out our mission. The 394-acre tract in North Colebrook is a prime example of unspoiled nature in the northwestern part of Connecticut and provides an excellent refuge for a broad variety of wildlife. About 30 species of animals and more than 20 species of reptiles and amphibians have been reported on or near the preserve. The property was originally conserved by the Blum Family and Frank Egler.
DEER HILL 74
The Colebrook Land Conservancy was recently awarded grants from both the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the federal Highlands Conservation Act to help fund the acquisition of property on Deer Hill Road. With community support, we hope to complete the purchase soon. This undisturbed forest consists of 74 acres of beautiful ridgeline, cliffs, talus slopes, woodlands and streams. The site harbors a wide variety of habitats that are home to abundant wildlife and a great variety of plants. A new trail will be built on the property which means Colebrook will have an additional trail for hiking.
Sandy Brook Forest Preserve
Acquired in 2023 by the Colebrook Land Conservancy, the Sandy Brook Forest Preserve features outstanding conservation values.
It adds to a large protected wilderness corridor that includes the Algonquin State Forest, the Phelps Research Area and Aton Forest.
The 147-acre Preserve helps mitigate the effects of climate change, protects significant plant and animal habitats and has exceptional
water resources. Fronting on Phelps Flat, Beech Hill and Sandy Brook Roads, the Preserve also has stunning scenic beauty. The Sandy
Brook Trail on the property is open to the public and takes you along Sandy Brook, North Brook and through diverse woodlands.
Funding for the acquisition came from state, federal and regional grants as well as from trustees, members and friends of the Colebrook Land Conservancy.
The Colebrook Land Conservancy
Post Office Box 90
Colebrook, Connecticut 06021
info@colebrooklandconservancy.org
Our Mission
Preserve and conserve the special and unique characteristics of Colebrook—rural, historic and scenic—using accepted land conservation techniques and education in cooperation with the Town, the community and other groups.