Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

Along Connecticut’s Long Island Sound, Trust for Public Land is working to conserve 20 acres of vital coastal habitat adjacent to the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge–Salt Meadow Unit. Located in one of the state’s most densely populated regions, this land provides essential buffers against flooding and storm surges, supports critical habitat for migratory birds, and offers much-needed access to nature for nearby communities.

This effort is part of a bold vision to protect the health of Long Island Sound, one of Connecticut’s most important ecological and economic assets, by preserving natural landscapes that improve climate resilience, protect clean water, and sustain wildlife. With only 20 to 25 percent of the state’s coastline in public ownership, safeguarding remaining undeveloped shoreline is more urgent than ever.

The protection of this property, made possible through our partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, builds on decades of work to conserve Connecticut’s coast and deliver lasting benefits for people, wildlife, and the economy.