Preserved Land
The Colebrook Land Conservancy owns 656 acres and holds voluntary conservation easements limiting development on 570 acres. If you’d like to find out about the many ways you can protect your land and save taxes, contact a Conservancy trustee or email: info@colebrooklandconservancy.org. General information is also available from the Land Trust Alliance at www.lta.org.
Phelps Research Area
The Nature Conservancy recently transferred ownership of the Phelps Research Area to the Colebrook Land Conservancy. This action signifies an important vote of confidence by a national organization in our ability to carry out our mission. The 394-acre tract in North Colebrook is a prime example of unspoiled nature in the northwestern part of Connecticut and provides an excellent refuge for a broad variety of wildlife. About 30 species of animals and more than 20 species of reptiles and amphibians have been reported on or near the preserve. The property was originally conserved by the Blum Family and Frank Egler.
Corliss 100
In 2005 the Conservancy acquired a 100-acre wilderness between Sandy Brook and Beech Hill Road that it called the “Corliss 100” because of its location on the westernmost slope of Corliss Mountain. The Conservancy will keep the land a natural area and preserve its unique ecological features. Protecting the Corliss 100 also helps protect the adjacent Algonquin State Forest, which includes the 600-acre Kitchel Wilderness, a state-designated natural area preserve.
Hale’s Corner
In recent years, the Conservancy also has purchased 42 acres of the former Hale Farm at the junction of Colebrook and Stillman Hill roads (Routes 182 and 183), just south of Colebrook Center. This preservation project included restoration of the historic Hale barn, which dates from 1779. We actively manage the Farm’s hayfields and pasture land.
Summary of Land Protected by the Colebrook Land Conservancy
Acres owned:
- 9.3 acres on Colebrook River Road (Rte. 8) given by Beverly Davis in 2013
- 7.4 acres on the north side of Sandybrook Road given by the Faraway Hill Trust in 2010
- 394 acres Phelps Research Area in North Colebrook given in 2009 by The Nature Conservancy
- 5 acres on the west side of Colebrook River Road (Route 8) given in 2006
- 100 acres between Beech Hill Road and Sandy Brook purchased from Thomas and Chrystene Adams in 2005
- 1 acre given by Helen Reis on east side of Prock Hill Road in 2004
- 4.17 acres on the southeast corner of Rt. 183 and Stillman Hill Road purchased from Gerald and Michelle McMahon and Nancy Morgan in 2002
- 2 acres at the corner of Mill Street and Old Forge Road in Hartland, given by Kenneth Mahler of Boca Raton, Fla., in 2001
- 4 acres on the east side of Rt. 183 given in 2001
- 38 acres on the northwest corner of Rt. 183 and Stillman Hill Rd. purchased from Richard Hale in 2001
- 50 acres on north side of Rt. 182A given by Georganne Hinchliff Eggers & family in 1999
- 41 acres on the west side of Smith Hill Road given by Lucy Bradley in 1994
- 1 acre given by Beatrice Hale at corner of Wheeler Road and Rt. 183 in 1992
- 1 acre given by Robert Fumire on west side of Prock Hill Road in 1987
Easements: 570 acres
- 157 acres on Smith Hill Road given by the Lewis family in 2012
- 94 acres south of Cobb City Road given by Eva Martinez in 2007
- 40 acres east of Pisgah Mountain Road given in 2006
- 23 acres on the east side of Stillman Hill Road given by John Garrels in 2003
- 22 acres on east side of Stillman Hill Road given by John Garrels in 1997
- 24 acres between Rt. 8 and Robertsville Road given by Doris Currier in 1997
- 66 acres on Phelps Road formerly owned by Richard Threlkeld and Betsy Aaron in 1996
- 85 acres of “Sugar Hill Farm” on Smith Hill Road given by former owner Moses Sternlieb in four parcels, 1994-1995
- 26 acres on east side of Rt. 183 and north of Sandy Brook Road given by Nancy Phelps Blum in 1993
- 29 acres on east side of Rt. 183 and south of Phelps Flat Road given by John A. Blum and Timothy Blum in 1992
- 4 acres on east side of Prock Hill Road given by Nancy P. Blum in 1991 and now owned by the YMCA
- Greenbelt easement along parts of Rt. 183, Phelps Flat Road and Sandy Brook Road given by John A. Nancy P. Blum in 1987
