Copps Brook

For decades, the land along Copps Brook in Stonington, Connecticut, was a private oasis of trails winding through hundreds of forested acres. Used for farming for over 300 years, these more than 230 acres are an important refuge for threatened New England wildlife, a source of drinking water for the town, and a beloved recreational space. Extensive stone walls dotting the property offer clues about the community’s farming history. Walking trails meander along the brook, where visitors can explore nature and spend quality time outdoors.

But as a desirable location for both first and second homes, this landscape was up for sale and at risk of development, which could have meant ending access to beloved trails, destroying habitats of threatened species, and damaging the community’s water supply.

That’s why Trust for Public Land teamed up with Avalonia Land Conservancy, Stonington residents, and local leadership to permanently protect Copps Brook in 2022.

Today, about 100 acres of the property are part of the Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge focused on shrubland and young forest habitat across New York and New England. The remaining acreage is conserved by Avalonia Land Conservancy. Ultimately, it’s a story with a happy ending—Copps Brook has been forever protected as an asset for the public and future generations.