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Duffy Schade
The Meshomasic forest
Robert Fritsch
Timber rattler
John LeShane
Great Hill Overlook, Portland

Connecticut's Last Great Places

Salmon River

A Vast Forest and River Complex in Central Connecticut

The Salmon River landscape comprises a range of natural features, including free-flowing rivers, thriving freshwater tidal marshes, forested watersheds, floodplain forests, and rare plants and animals.

A variety of migratory fish species frequent the Salmon River and its tributaries; in fact, the Salmon is considered one of the state’s top trout streams and the site of a federal Atlantic salmon restoration project.  The river also supports a diversity of mussels and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates.  Salmon Cove, an exemplary freshwater tidal marsh at the confluence of the Salmon and Connecticut rivers, contains tidal marshes and flats and is important as a winter roost and perch site for bald eagles.

Also part of this program is the Meshomasic Forest Landscape, which centers on 17,500-acre Meshomasic State Forest, New England’s oldest state forest.  This region provides rich habitat for songbirds, ruffed grouse, hawks, bobcat, fisher, and other wildlife.  The name Meshomasic comes from rugged, rocky Meshomasic Mountain, habitat favored by rattlesnakes.  Meshomasic is believed to be an Indian name for “the place of many snakes” or “the great snake.”

Partners include the Middlesex Land Trust, the Meshomasic Hiking Club, and others.

  • The Nature Conservancy has protected an additional 164 acres of forested land in Glastonbury and Marlborough in a transaction completed on April 14, 2003.  Read Press Release
  • The Nature Conservancy Connecticut Chapter in June protected in two purchases in East Hampton and Marlborough a total of 280 acres adjacent to Meshomasic State Forest, New England's oldest state forest.  Read Press Release
  • The chapter cooperated with the state Department of Environmental Protection to protect 26 acres in east Glastonbury, which is home to one of the most important populations of the endangered timber rattlesnake in New England.  Read Press Release.
  • The chapter protected 65 acres adjacent to Meshomasic State Forest in southern Glastonbury, New England's oldest state forest, adding to the mosaic of protected land in the region.  The Conservancy intends to transfer the property to the state Department of Environmental Protection as an addition to Meshomasic State Forest.  Read Press Release.
  • In partnership with the Middlesex Land Trust, the chapter purchased a 40-acre parcel on a tributary of the Salmon River and Salmon Cove, and adjacent to another 600 acres of protected land.  Read press release

Contact Lower Connecticut River Program Director Shelley Green at 860/767-7706 ext. 13 or sgreen@tnc.org

For opportunities to explore this beautiful and fascinating region, please visit the website of the Meshomasic Hiking Club.