Fort Hill Brook Riparian Buffer Restoration

Project Description

On its way to Mumford Cove and ultimately Long Island Sound, Fort Hill Brook flows alongside Sutton Park, a popular and valuable recreational asset for the Town of Groton. For decades, this section of stream was bordered by turf lawn, which was costly to maintain and provided little ecological value.

As part of ongoing efforts to improve ecosystem function, water quality, and community resilience throughout Southeastern Connecticut, The Nature Conservancy obtained grant funding from The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, to restore the riparian buffer and floodplain forest of Fort Hill Brook. To execute the project, they turned to Biohabitats.

After performing a desktop analysis, assessing the site, and evaluating nearby riparian reference sites, Biohabitats developed planting plans to replace 1.5 acres of lawn with over 600 native riparian tree and shrubs. Biohabitats coordinated with the landscape contractor, All Habitat Services, to identify and secure available plant material most appropriate for the site. Vegetation was selected to enhance the ecological value of the site, capture and filter stormwater as it flows into Fort Hill Brook, and reduce the maintenance burden for Groton Department of Parks. Biohabitats then supervised the installation of the plants and developed a maintenance plan to manage the site during establishment and into the future. Biohabitats was the prime contractor for this design-build effort, with All Habitat Services leading planting implementation.