High Meadow
Introduction
The High Meadow is a 19 acre site on the northeast side of the Town of Newtown's Fairfield Hills complex. It is composed of upland meadow habitats with scenic views of Newtown and beyond. It is located in an Aquifer Protection District, and is of particular importance because it is part of a larger significant swath of grasslands stretching across Wasserman Way, through town and state owned fields and agricultural lands all the way out to Queen Street. This large contiguous habitat is more beneficial to wildlife than fragmented pieces of land.
Public Access
There are paved walking trails winding through the High Meadow, with parking along Keating Farms Road and Mile Hill Road South. Trails extend through the West Meadow and the Community Gardens and continue through the Fairfield Hills campus. The trails are open for walkers, runners and bicycles. Dogs are welcome and owners are required to keep them on a leash at all times, and also to clean up. Hunting, unauthorized ATVs and other motorized vehicles and equipment are prohibited.
Description and Special Features
The High Meadow has traditionally been used for agricultural haying. The Conservation Commission has been working towards its goal of transitioning the fields to meadows and grasslands, as these are among the most threatened and rare habitats in Connecticut. Nine species of grasslands birds are listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). In addition to grassland birds, many butterflies, snakes and turtles rely on open fields for parts of their life cycle.
In May of 2016, the Director of Land Use issued a memorandum directing the Land Use Agency staff to develop a management plan for the future of the High Meadow and the East Meadow. An ad hoc committee, the Study Group for Restoration of the High Meadow (SGRHM), was appointed by the Conservation Commission, and mandated for a three-year term. SGRHM visited, observed and documented the site, and referred to resources at the Connecticut Audubon Society, Cornell University's Cooperative Extension, the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign and the Habitat Management plans created by the Newtown Conservation Commission in 2013. Consultants included Peter Picone, DEEP Wildlife Biologist; Leslie Kane, Director Bent of the River Audubon site in Southbury; Patrick Comins, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Connecticut, and Mary Ellen LeMay, Coordinator, Fairfield County Regional Conservation Partnership.
In February of 2017, a High Meadow Management Plan created by the SGRHM was approved by the Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectman. Two sites on the High Meadow were selected for study: Site A, a 5-acre parcel in the northeast section; and Site B, a 6-acre parcel overlooking the Fairfield Hills complex. Site A was left unmowed for 3 years.
On September 7, 2021 a follow up vegetation survey was conducted in the High Meadow 5-acre test site at Fairfield Hills campus, Newtown.
Data collected for this 3-year study was compared to the initial vegetation study done in August of 2017. The report concluded that the meadow is becoming more biological diverse. Several plant species of high pollinator value have been identified.
Continued monitoring of invasive plants will be necessary. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is a particular concern along meadow edges. Often an overlooked infiltrator of meadow habitats, it has no value to pollinators or other wildlife. Mugwort crowds out beneficial plant species and also contributes to hay fever allergies.
In May of 2016, the Director of Land Use issued a memorandum directing the Land Use Agency staff to develop a management plan for the future of the High Meadow and the East Meadow. An ad hoc committee, the Study Group for Restoration of the High Meadow (SGRHM), was appointed by the Conservation Commission, and mandated for a three-year term. SGRHM visited, observed and documented the site, and referred to resources at the Connecticut Audubon Society, Cornell University's Cooperative Extension, the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign and the Habitat Management plans created by the Newtown Conservation Commission in 2013. Consultants included Peter Picone, DEEP Wildlife Biologist; Leslie Kane, Director Bent of the River Audubon site in Southbury; Patrick Comins, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Connecticut, and Mary Ellen LeMay, Coordinator, Fairfield County Regional Conservation Partnership.
In February of 2017, a High Meadow Management Plan created by the SGRHM was approved by the Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectman. Two sites on the High Meadow were selected for study: Site A, a 5-acre parcel in the northeast section; and Site B, a 6-acre parcel overlooking the Fairfield Hills complex. Site A was left unmowed for 3 years.
On September 7, 2021 a follow up vegetation survey was conducted in the High Meadow 5-acre test site at Fairfield Hills campus, Newtown.
Data collected for this 3-year study was compared to the initial vegetation study done in August of 2017. The report concluded that the meadow is becoming more biological diverse. Several plant species of high pollinator value have been identified.
- High Meadow Vegetation Survey (2021)
- High Meadow Vegetation Survey (2017)
Continued monitoring of invasive plants will be necessary. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is a particular concern along meadow edges. Often an overlooked infiltrator of meadow habitats, it has no value to pollinators or other wildlife. Mugwort crowds out beneficial plant species and also contributes to hay fever allergies.
Site B was seeded with warm-season grasses and wildflowers in June 2017. In October 2017 Conservation Commissioners, the SGRHM and Master Gardener volunteers from the Fairfield County Extension Office planted 300 native plants. These plantings are intended to increase diversity of both plant and animal species and to support a healthier and more sustainable ecosystem. The SGRHM will record and document grasses and forbs to monitor the success of the seedlings.
The remainder of the High Meadow and East Meadow was mowed in September to minimize risk to spring hatchling and seedlings. The Conservation Commission and the SGRHM will evaluate the success of both Sites A and B to make a viable model of meadow restoration that can be applied to other sites in Newtown.
History and Acquisition
The High Meadow was formerly a part of the State of Connecticut Fairfield Hills complex and was conveyed to the Town of Newtown as part of the Fairfield Hills property transfer on July 30, 2004. The Fairfield Hills Authority and the Town managed the property, using the High and East meadows for agricultural haying.
A Master Plan for Fairfield Hills was continuously revised, and in 2013, an Amendment Workgroup finalized the Amended Master Plan.The Fairfield Hills Master Plan of May 31, 2013, included recommendations from the Conservation Commission, requesting that large parcels be preserved as Open Space.
Also in 2013, the Conservation Commission created a Habitat Management Plan for both the West and High Meadows in 2013. The goals established in 2013 remain the same:
A Master Plan for Fairfield Hills was continuously revised, and in 2013, an Amendment Workgroup finalized the Amended Master Plan.The Fairfield Hills Master Plan of May 31, 2013, included recommendations from the Conservation Commission, requesting that large parcels be preserved as Open Space.
Also in 2013, the Conservation Commission created a Habitat Management Plan for both the West and High Meadows in 2013. The goals established in 2013 remain the same:
- To Maintain the meadows in their natural state for the benefit of the flora and fauna found there;
- To maintain the meadow as valuable nature preserves for scientific, educational and aesthetic purposes;
- To maintain the quiet and peaceful character of the meadows in a busy and well-traveled area of Newtown;
- To limit usage, and intensity of permitted uses, that may be harmful to these goals
- To allow potential future development of perimeter trails that are sustainably designed, and low impact;
- To monitor and limit the spread of invasive, non native plants, and proscribe management actions as appropriate to maintain the native ecology; and
- To encourage any management action that may lead to an increase in richness of plant and wildlife species, the protection of wetlands, the aquifer protection zone, and other environmental features, and enhance biological diversity.
About the CommissionThe Newtown Conservation Commission is dedicated to the acquisition, preservation and protection of 2,000 acres of town-owned open space. In addition, the Commission is actively working to encourage healthy habitats and increase the diversity of our native wildlife and vegetation.
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