Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary Interpretive Trail Is Coming

The Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary is a 200 acre National Audubon property bordering the East River in Guilford. The sanctuary was established in 1963 the efforts of Ann Conover, who had the foresight to preserve the marshes and the bordering uplands along the tidal river as it flows to Long Island Sound.

The land was purchased through the efforts of Ann and a dedicated group including George Goss, Madeline Moses, Charlie Fenner, Fred Hill II and Audubon staff who led a fundraising effort in the late 50's and early 60's to preserve this property. (Our own Menunkatuck Chapter originated as an outgrowth of National Audubon's management of this Sanctuary.)

As you drive Route 95 from Madison to Guilford and cross the East River, look north. The salt marshes and bordering uplands you see are the National Audubon's Salt Meadow Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary contains a wonderful diversity of habitat types ranging from open field, shrub and forested areas to a small fresh water pond, freshwater stream/wetland complex, and a lush Spartina marsh through which the East River meanders southeastward to Long Island Sound. Because the marsh is a mixture of freshwater and saltwater, its nutrient-rich habitat is indispensable for many aquatic and terrestrial species. Clapper rails, sharp-tailed sparrows, and seaside sparrows spend their
entire life-cycles within this habitat. During spring and fall, the marsh teems with waterfowl and shorebirds-150; some wintering or nesting in the area, others stopping off during migration.

Since 1963 the Sanctuary has been available for only limited access. During the past year, Fred Hill III, the warden of the Sanctuary, with the assistance of Carolyn Hughes, from the NAS Connecticut office wrote and obtained a grant from DEP's Long Island Sound Program to lay out and design an educational trail with an emphasis on habitats.

Edward Henry, an artist from National Audubon, is working with local experts in designing a series of 14 interpretive signs to be placed at key points along the trail. In addition, rights of way are being laid out by Fred Hill through the courtesy of Scott Conover.

The trail and Sanctuary will be open to the public in September of 2001. We will then be able to hike the new interpretive trail, learn about various habitats and enjoy the lovely salt marsh vistas, thanks to Ann Conover and others who had the the foresight to protect this precious area.

If you wish to learn more about this property you can contact the grant coordinators, Lisette Henry of NAS (203-869-5272) or Fred Hill III (203-453-8060).

Submitted by Dan Cinotti

From Clapboard Hill Road, the Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary can be seen along the East River.
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A portion of the 200 acres is upland grasslands
The Spartina grow lush in the Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary.
A trail meanders through the woodlands bordering the marsh.
	Photos by Dan Cinotti and George Lemieux
From the trail, there are numerous views of the marsh.

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Last updated 18 September, 2004 .