Salt Meadow Unit - Refuge Headquarters

The Salt Meadow Unit - Connecticut’s first National Wildlife Refuge - was acquired in 1972 under authority of the Migratory Bird Act by private donation. Esther Lape donated her estate to protect the wetlands, perpetuate the property as a wildlife sanctuary, and provide opportunities for environmental awareness. Consisting of 400+ acres of forest, salt marsh, shrubland and meadow in Westbrook, this unit serves as the refuge headquarters and a visitor contact site.  

The interpretive trail offers people a chance to watch the amazing courtship flights of American woodcock, see wading bird like egrets, herons and glossy ibis, observe nesting tree swallows, terrapins and crabs in the marsh, and enjoy butterflies, hawk moths and other pollinators in the shrubland and meadow. Wayside exhibits along the trail give information about plants, wildlife and the history of the site. Mindfulness stops along the trail prompt visitors to immerse themselves in nature and disconnect for few minutes.

There is an informational kiosk here with brochures, maps and a Blue Goose Passport stamping station. Visitors should enter the wood kiosk and look for the drawer (on the right) in order to stamp their own booklets with a choice of two different refuge stamps. 

Although driving to this unit of the refuge is most common, visitors may also explore it via water. There is a free launch site, Kirtland Landing, on CT-145 that allows kayaks, canoes and small motorboats easy access to the refuge via the Menunketesuck River. Herons, egrets, osprey, kingfishers, terrapins, blue crabs and even bald eagles are frequently observed on paddles through the refuge.