SGPA Environmental Stewardship Committee

Autumn Olive
Elaeagnus umbellata

To help protect and preserve the natural resources of our park SGPA has formed the Environmental Stewardship Committee. The mission of the Environmental Stewardship Committee of the SGPA is to maintain the vitality and biodiversity of the Park lands through monitoring and management practices that will ensure high quality recreational opportunities and provide suitable habitat for native flora and fauna to thrive. Our work, in conjunction with the other committees of the SGPA will guarantee the continued presence of Sleeping Giant State Park as one of the premier parks in Connecticut and New England.
A major part of the work of this committee is directed at controlling invasive alien species in the park. An invasive alien is a non-native species that exhibits aggressive growth patterns thereby displacing native species. Our efforts will be aimed at controlling alien species or where possible eliminating them from the park so as to preserve the diversity of native species on the Giant. We are fortunate to have a wide variety of habitat on the Giant that supports rich and diverse native fauna and flora. We want to preserve this natural resource for future generations to enjoy.

How Can You Help?

We are planning work parties once a month starting this March. The work parties will focus on suppressing specific invasive alien species in targeted areas on the Giant. We will also carry out surveys to identify problem areas and train volunteers to identify invasive alien species. We encourage you to join us on the dates listed below to help preserve the quality and natural diversity of our park. Another way to help is to recognize and eliminate invasive species in your own yard and avoid using invasive species for ornamental plants. The links below give more information on invasive alien plants and on using native species for ornamental planting. The photos on the left and right illustrate some of the invasive species found in Sleeping Giant Park that we will be trying to control or eliminate. (click on image for a larger picture)

SGPA Environmental Stewardship Committee Work Party Dates Meet at the Mt. Carmel Street Parking Lot Kiosk Work gloves and sturdy shoes recommended
Sunday, March 9, 9:30am
Sunday, April 13, 9:30am
Saturday, May 17, 9:30am
Sunday, June 22, 9:30am
Sunday, July 13, 9:30am
August, TBD, 9:30am

Black Swallow-wort
Vincetoxicum nigrum

Tree-of-Heaven
Ailanthus altissima

Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora

Oriental Bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus

SGPA volunteers removing invasive plants in the quarry

These links give more information on invasive alien species in our area and on landscaping with native plants.
The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England
Connecticut Botanical Society - Gardening with Native Plants

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