Conservation Commission

Meeting

  • 7 p.m.
  • 1st Wednesday of every month
  • High Plains Community Center
    Conference Room

Members

  • Dr. Sharon Kahara
    Term expires: May 28, 2023
  • Sharon Ewen, Vice Chair
    Term expires: May 28, 2023
  • Santo Galatioto 
    Term expires: May 28, 2026
  • Chantelle Bunnell
    Term expires: May 28, 2025

  • Scott Somerville
    Term expires: May 28, 2025
  • Donna Wesolowski
    Term expires: May 28, 2026
  • Cathy Anderson, Chair
    Term expires: May 28, 2023

Orange Open Space Guide Available


"A Guide to the Open Spaces of Orange, Connecticut" is a full-color reference for maximum enjoyment of the town's 1,000 acres of public open space. It provides useful information including trail maps, brief descriptions of each sites, facilities, hours, even GPS addresses for the parking areas. The 18 by 24 guide folds into a convenient pocket-sized tool. It features a town map indicating the locations of all of the passive and active open spaces, and charts showing available and permitted uses at each site. Copies will be available at Case Memorial Library, the Orange Parks and Recreation office and the Orange Chamber of Commerce.
A Guide to the Open Spaces of Orange, Connecticut

Land Stewards Needed

The Orange Conservation Commission needs more volunteers to help maintain trails and care for the land on the all properties for which the OCC is responsible—Paul Ode Nature Trail (High Plains Community Center), Wepawaug (off Mapledale Road), Wrights Pond (Old Grassy Hill Road), Housatonic Overlook (Cedar Grove Road / High Ridge Road), Race Brook Tract (Race Brook Road), Ewen Farm Preserve (Lambert Road / Tyler City), and Turkey Hill Preserve Derby-Milford Road. We are seeking highly motivated individuals or families who regularly use the trails and want to give something back to the town. Training in basic trail maintenance skills can be provided. The OCC is especially interested in:
  • Retired persons looking to stay physically active
  • Young adults looking for a challenge
  • Students who need to fulfill community service hours for graduation
  • Families with older children who enjoy working together in the outdoors
  • Owners of properties in the vicinity of town-owned land who would personally benefit from good stewardship practices nearby
  • Amateur or professional naturalists
  • People who have or would like to develop leadership skills
  • Those experienced with hand tools, painting, carpentry, or landscaping
If you are interested in helping the OCC in this way, please contact Orange Conservation Commission chair via email  below. Aside from being a great way to provide community service, trail maintenance can be very rewarding!

  1. Contact : Orange Conservation Commission

    Orange Conservation Commission

Commission Openings


Residents are encouraged to apply for open positions by calling the office of the First Selectman Jim Zeoli at 203-891-4737 who have an interest in and / or experience in:
  • Conservation
  • Environmental issues
  • Environmental programs
  • Land management
  • Natural resources
  • Preservation

Town of Orange Conservation Commission

Section 6.60, Town Charter

There shall be a Conservation Commission consisting of seven members for the development and conservation of natural resources, including water resources, within the territorial limits of the Town.

Said commission shall have the powers, possesses all of the rights and may engage in any of the activities enumerated in Section 7-131(a) of the General Statutes.
Ewen Farm Preserve, a town-owned space