Norfolk, CT Conservation Commission

04/19/2026

03/31/2026

Pollinator tip:
Though tempting to begin outdoor yard clean-up, it's too early for many pollinators who overwinter in the leaf litter!
A good rule of thumb is to wait until daytime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees, typically early May.

For more guidance:

Early spring garden cleanup can disrupt critical invertebrate habitat and leave pollinators out in the cold. Our guidelines will help you determine when cleaning up won't bug the pollinators in your space.

03/25/2026

Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pd8mdyd

11/10/2025

It is heartening to see that some home owners are removing winged euonymus, or burning bush, from their property and disposing of it at the dump's burn pile.
This highly invasive shrub can still be purchased. DO NOT PLANT IT. Consider highbush blueberry or choke berry for beautiful fall foliage.

09/17/2025

The Trump administration plans to rescind the Roadless Rule which protects our forest, our wildlife, our water and provides a defense against wildfires. Rescinding the rule favors the timber industry over public interests.
Voice your objections by Friday, September 19th.
Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/Earthjustice/videos/1270918028068593/

Follow CalWild's steps:

Suggested Points To Guide Your Roadless Rule Message to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollings by September 19th. Personalize your message and consider emphasizing points below that we believe could be persuasive. [I benefit from national forests in California preserved by the 2001 Roadless Area Cons...

09/01/2025

Japanese knotweed is a tall dense growing shrub with upright hollow bamboo-like stems. It spreads aggressively through rapid growth of the rhizomes underground. It quickly forms a monoculture, excluding all other species. Eradication of an established patch is extremely challenging, so early detection with a rapid intervention is crucial. Even a tiny fragment of this plant can regenerate, so mowing is not advised. Judicious, targeted use of glyphosate by a licensed professional is recommended after the flowering, but before the first frost. For more information about this method and other strategies to control, consult:https://www.envirothonpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Japanese_Knotweed.pdf or watch Tom Zetterstrom’s presentation at: https://www.youtube.com/
If you have this plant on your property, please let us know.

08/31/2025

Mugwort! Fairly new to Norfolk. Highly invasive. Pull it or dig it up before it goes to seed!

08/27/2025

Thank you Frontier Communications! Frontier has removed 6 large burning bush euonymus from the side of its building in Norfolk, as well as a large autumn olive from the back. A wonderful step to help stop the spread of these invasives into our natural areas.

08/12/2025

We commend New England Miniature Ball for removing a large burning bush euonymus! Burning bush is native to Asia. It is bad for our ecosystem because it outcompetes native plants and cannot support native caterpillars and other insects. Many thanks, NEMB!