Conservation commission advances DEP grant work for CCW and approves $250 for nesting boxes

The Woodbridge Conservation Commission on July 2 confirmed work plans to complete a DEP forest‑resiliency grant application due Aug. 31 and discussed on‑the‑ground forestry prescriptions for the Fitzgerald and Country Club (CCW) properties.

Ben reported the grant application is in progress and advised an internal target to prepare materials by Aug. 20 to leave time for town coordination. Commissioners described recent site walks with a consulting forester who recommended selective canopy openings and larger patch cuts with reserve trees in areas affected by beech leaf disease to produce a more resilient mix of forest ages.

Commissioners discussed how active stewardship (selective cuts, invasive‑species control and targeted mowing to maintain young‑forest habitat) can be aligned with the town master plan and any future easement language should the land trust become involved. The forester suggested clear public communication about why trees will be removed in areas that residents currently enjoy, and proposed small demonstration stewardship projects to show benefits to biodiversity.

Separately, the commission approved a motion to reimburse nesting‑box materials from the commission budget. That motion, amended during discussion, authorized $250 to cover poles, predator guards and related supplies for 10 boxes donated by the Audubon Society; volunteers from the town trail crew and local groups will install the boxes and track nesting activity as a potential environmental‑education project for students.

The commission also discussed expanding a Friends of Conservation contact list and adding resources to a town website page (composting basics, native‑plant guides and dark‑sky links) to support stewardship and public engagement. Members agreed to prepare draft website headings for review at the next meeting and to continue subcommittee work to complete the grant application ahead of the August deadline.