Pine Swamp Corridor
Avalonia Land Conservancy conducted a campaign to raise $150,000 to create the Pine
Swamp Wildlife Corridor in 2003. Avalonia received the 79-acre Pine Swamp in Ledyard
given by the descendants of Milton O. Slosberg and an abutting 56 acres of wetlands
and forest donated by Harry Leiser. Pine Swamp contains the aquifer from which the
Southeastern Connecticut Water Authority (SCWA) supplies 800 households with water.
To complete the Corridor, Avalonia agreed to purchase, in a bargain sale, two important
neighboring parcels totaling 74 acres:
1. The 17-acre parcel along the west and north sides of Pine Swamp, which contains a
well-used trail from which to view the swamp.
2. The 57-acre parcel north of Pine Swamp, which contains a boulder morrain, large
ponds, unusual plants, and amazingly diverse shrub and forest habitats. A well-used
path with wide trails provides access.
The Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor is further expanded by Avalonia’s own 97-acre Dow
Centennial Preserve, a gift of the Dow Chemical Corporation in celebration of their
centennial in 1997. The Town of Ledyard also gave Avalonia eight additional parcels of
open space totalling seventeen acres. Thus, the Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor
comprises a total of over 324 acres of permanently protected open space.
The importance of the Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor is enhanced by other preserved
areas in its vicinity – the Town of Ledyard-owned Nathan Lester House property (100
acres) to the east along with Avalonia’s 101-acre Avery Preserve to the north and 55-
acre Barrett Preserve to the south.
Local scientists and naturalists have observed the area and found it of vital interest. To
quote the late Dr. William Niering in 1972, “This wetland represents an invaluable water
storage and flood control feature, and it is probably playing a vital role in ground water
recharge. It is an excellent wildlife refuge…. It should be preserved in its present natural
state.” Robert Dewire, founder of NatureScapes, observed, “This area is certainly
diverse in habitat…By itself, it is very worthy of acquisition but when coupled with the
already existing natural areas, it creates a several hundred-acre virtually unbroken
wildlife corridor. In my opinion, its protection is a very high priority.” In addition, according
to Gregory Leonard, manager of SCWA, “It will be wonderful to have Pine Swamp fully
protected. We share an interest in the environmental integrity of the area.”
Swamp Wildlife Corridor in 2003. Avalonia received the 79-acre Pine Swamp in Ledyard
given by the descendants of Milton O. Slosberg and an abutting 56 acres of wetlands
and forest donated by Harry Leiser. Pine Swamp contains the aquifer from which the
Southeastern Connecticut Water Authority (SCWA) supplies 800 households with water.
To complete the Corridor, Avalonia agreed to purchase, in a bargain sale, two important
neighboring parcels totaling 74 acres:
1. The 17-acre parcel along the west and north sides of Pine Swamp, which contains a
well-used trail from which to view the swamp.
2. The 57-acre parcel north of Pine Swamp, which contains a boulder morrain, large
ponds, unusual plants, and amazingly diverse shrub and forest habitats. A well-used
path with wide trails provides access.
The Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor is further expanded by Avalonia’s own 97-acre Dow
Centennial Preserve, a gift of the Dow Chemical Corporation in celebration of their
centennial in 1997. The Town of Ledyard also gave Avalonia eight additional parcels of
open space totalling seventeen acres. Thus, the Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor
comprises a total of over 324 acres of permanently protected open space.
The importance of the Pine Swamp Wildlife Corridor is enhanced by other preserved
areas in its vicinity – the Town of Ledyard-owned Nathan Lester House property (100
acres) to the east along with Avalonia’s 101-acre Avery Preserve to the north and 55-
acre Barrett Preserve to the south.
Local scientists and naturalists have observed the area and found it of vital interest. To
quote the late Dr. William Niering in 1972, “This wetland represents an invaluable water
storage and flood control feature, and it is probably playing a vital role in ground water
recharge. It is an excellent wildlife refuge…. It should be preserved in its present natural
state.” Robert Dewire, founder of NatureScapes, observed, “This area is certainly
diverse in habitat…By itself, it is very worthy of acquisition but when coupled with the
already existing natural areas, it creates a several hundred-acre virtually unbroken
wildlife corridor. In my opinion, its protection is a very high priority.” In addition, according
to Gregory Leonard, manager of SCWA, “It will be wonderful to have Pine Swamp fully
protected. We share an interest in the environmental integrity of the area.”
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