July 2025

Wildlife Highlights is published by the Connecticut DEEP Wildlife Division. Please share the newsletter with others to help spread awareness about Connecticut's wildlife!

The bog turtle is one of over 500 species identified in the 2025 Connecticut Wildlife Action Plan as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Provide Input on CT Wildlife Action Plan Draft

A complete draft of Connecticut’s 2025 Wildlife Action Plan is now available for review, and we would love to know what you think!

State Wildlife Action Plans are revised every 10 years and serve as important blueprints for wildlife conservation nationwide. Connecticut’s Wildlife Action Plan engages many partner organizations and provides guidance and vision for safeguarding our wildlife and their habitats into the future.

Provide input . . .

The primary contributing factor to human-bear conflicts is the presence of easily-accessible food sources near homes and businesses.

There's No Free Lunch - Black Bears and Grilling Season

Black bear activity is normally high this time of year with the breeding season underway. Adult male bears are on the move in search of females, so it is not uncommon to see multiple bears passing through suburban neighborhoods. During the peak of outdoor grilling season, it is important to ensure bears do not find human-related foods in your neighborhood. Be sure to clean up greasy grills after use, secure your garbage, and do not leave food scraps behind. Instead, freeze food scraps until trash day.

In areas with high bear activity, it is also smart to close doors and ground floor windows when you are not home, even if you have screens in place. Screens are not a barrier to a curious bear that catches the scent of a kitchen waste bin. Incidents involving bears pushing through screens have been increasing over the last several years. In some instances, once a bear learns it can enter a home through a screen door, the behavior is repeated at other nearby homes, creating a clear public safety risk.

More tips on avoiding human-bear conflicts . . .

Volunteers from several conservation partner organizations planted several species of native grasses in an effort to restore the saltmarsh at Rocky Neck State Park.

Saltmarsh Restoration Effort at Rocky Neck State Park

Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic, Connecticut, has about 82 acres of saltmarsh, which hosts many notable species, including osprey, great egret, sanderlings, blue crab, and the saltmarsh sparrow, a state species of special concern. Unfortunately, the marsh and the species that depend on it are being negatively affected by tidal restrictions and rising sea levels.

Recently, the DEEP Wildlife Division took action to restore portions of the saltmarsh. Over 4,600 cubic yards of material were dredged from Bride Brook and placed on the marsh surface in an effort to restore marsh elevation. This is a restoration technique known as “thin layer deposition”, and it is used to increase marsh elevation in areas that have subsided. 

Once the material was placed on the degraded marsh, a group of volunteers from several conservation partner organizations planted three native species of grasses: smooth cord grass, saltmeadow cord grass, and salt grass. Over time, it is anticipated these plantings will help stabilize the marsh and increase elevation to keep pace with rising sea levels.

The State and Tribal Wildlife Grant (STWG) Program has greatly benefitted many species, including the recovery of the osprey. Photo courtesy of Darrell Bumbala.

State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program: 25 Years of Conservation Success

Twenty-five years ago, recognizing the need for additional proactive conservation for our Nation’s fish and wildlife, the U.S. Congress created the State and Tribal Wildlife Grant (STWG) Programs. These programs re-shaped how state and tribal fish and wildlife agencies manage the tens of thousands of species entrusted in their care. The Programs also address the longstanding need to support state, tribal, and territorial efforts to conserve all declining fish and wildlife before they become endangered and need additional protections.
 
Since the inception of the program, over one billion dollars have been appropriated to state, tribal, territorial, and District of Columbia fish and wildlife agencies to proactively conserve vulnerable and declining species. The program led to the development of ground-breaking Wildlife Action Plans and is the principal source of funding for their implementation. Wildlife Action Plans serve as our nation’s roadmap for proactive conservation to prevent fish and wildlife from becoming endangered, support recovery efforts for species already listed, and address our growing biodiversity crisis. Congressionally mandated to be updated every 10 years, states and territories update and revise their plans to reflect the best available science and alignment with strategic priorities.

In Connecticut, the STWG Program has been the primary source of funding for the Wildlife Diversity Program (also known as the Nonharvested Wildlife Program). STWG has funded efforts tracking the recovery of ospreys and bald eagles, projects investigating the habitat use of diamondback terrapins and spotted turtles, and long-term programs monitoring bats through the impacts of white-nose syndrome. 

Through STWG, staff have provided technical assistance to thousands of Connecticut residents to help actively protect wildlife, modify plans to benefit wildlife, or deal with unplanned wildlife issues. Recently STWG helped fund the Connecticut Bee Atlas and focused survey efforts for at-risk dragonfly species. While STWG can support a broad array of wildlife, it is the only federal funding source that directly addresses conservation of amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. For 25 years, it has been the primary source of funding for the Wildlife Division’s Wildlife Diversity Program and has been crucial to the successful implementation of Connecticut’s Wildlife Action Plan. The conservation successes made possible by STWG have been replicated throughout the Northeast region and across the country.

"Northern Grace" by Ben Bognon.

Connecticut Migratory Bird Hunting Guide Now Available

The 2025-2026 Connecticut Migratory Bird Hunting Guide is now available on the DEEP website. The Guide contains season dates and other important information pertaining to upcoming hunting seasons for waterfowl (including Canada geese), woodcock, snipe, rails, and crows. Please note: There are changes to migratory bird hunting seasons this year. The majority of these changes pertain to the South Zone and the duck seasons. A printed version of the guide is currently being produced and should be available within the next few weeks.

Congratulations again to New Canaan resident, Ben Bognon (age 18) whose colored pencil drawing of two northern pintails was selected as the "Best in Show" for the 2025 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp competition.

View the 2025-2026 guide . . .

Bat Appreciation Day features bat activities for the whole family, including a sneak peek at the “bat cave.”

Save the Date! Join Us in September for Bat Appreciation Day 

Join the DEEP Wildlife Division and Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for the annual celebration of bats on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM, at the Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine in East Granby.

Bat Appreciation Day will highlight the story of one of Connecticut’s most intriguing historical sites and its importance to the conservation of endangered species. This event will feature bat activities for the whole family and include exhibits, bat story time, historical tales, and the unique opportunity to sneak a peek at the “bat cave."

More on Bat Appreciation Day . . .

The mosquito trapping and testing program began on June 2 and will last until the end of October.

Testing for Mosquito-Borne Viral Diseases

The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program monitors mosquitoes for the presence of viruses that can cause illness in people, including West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. The mosquito trapping and testing program, which is coordinated by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), began on June 2 and will last until the end of October. 

Mosquitoes trapped in Bridgeport on June 11 tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), representing the first WNV positive mosquitoes identified in the state by the CAES this year. This is one of the earlier detections of virus recorded during the last 25 years of the statewide monitoring program. 

To protect yourself from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases, you should: 

• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. 
• When it is necessary to be outdoors, use mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA registration of skin-applied repellent products indicates that they have been evaluated and approved for human safety and effectiveness when applied according to instructions on the label. 
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored and loose-fitting and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin. 
• Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes and ticks. 
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair. 
• When sleeping outdoors, use tents or mosquito netting in an unscreened structure. Treat camping gear with permethrin when possible. 
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito nets when outside. 

Information on WNV and EEE, what can be done to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, the latest mosquito test results, and human infections can be found on the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website.

Seasonal Job Opportunity at Franklin Swamp 

The DEEP Wildlife Division is seeking a Seasonal Resource Assistant to help with clerical duties at the Franklin Swamp Wildlife Management Area office in North Franklin. Duties include answering phone calls from the public regarding wildlife and selling hunting and fishing licenses. There will also be opportunities to assist staff in the field.

Pay rates vary from $17.00 to $20.00 per hour, depending on education and experience. Positions are typically 6 months in duration (no more than 1,040 hours) and have between a 35- to 40-hour work week.

Contact deep.ctwildlife@ct.gov to let us know once you have applied. 

Details on how to apply . . .

Upcoming Events:
The Wildlife Division will be participating in the following events in the near future:

• Saturday, July 12, 2025 - Bobolink and Wildlife Festival. Location: Durham Community Center, 144 Pickett Ln, Durham, CT 06422. Time: 7:55 AM - 3:30 PM.
• Saturday, August 2, 2025 - Dino Day. Location: Dinosaur State Park, 400 West St, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.  
• Wednesday, August 6, 2025 - Plant Science Day. Location: Lockwood Farm, 890 Evergreen Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518. Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
• Saturday, September 20, 2025 - Bat Appreciation Day. Location: 115 Newgate Road, East Granby, CT 06026. Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Who We Are
The Wildlife Division is part of the Bureau of Natural Resources within the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The Bureau is charged with managing the state’s natural resources (particularly fish, wildlife, and forests) through a program of research, management, public education, and regulation. The Wildlife Division is comprised of several programs that work together to conserve and manage Connecticut's wildlife.

Contact Us
Email: deep.ctwildlife@ct.gov
Phone: 860-424-3011
Wildlife Website: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/wildlife-in-connecticut
Office Directory: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/wildlife-division-office-directory

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, or require some other accommodation, including equipment to facilitate virtual participation, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at 860-418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov. Any person needing an accommodation for hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event.