Wild Animal Wednesday's! This Week- CT Partners in Regional New England Cottontail Initiative

Connecticut is participating in the Regional New England Cottontail Initiative to restore 1200 acres of New England Cottontail habitat.  Connecticut is partnering with the Wildlife Agencies from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York and Maine.  Some of the restoration strategy includes activities like reclaiming old field sites, control of non-native plants, and clearing forested areas to encourage regeneration of smaller plants (providing dense thicket) required by the Cottontail.  These activities will also benefit many other local species.  Connecticut is hoping to restore 150 acres of Cottontail habitat on state- owned properties.

According to the New England Cottontail Project Team "The New England cottontail is considered a species of greatest conservation need and it is the only cottontail rabbit native to Connecticut.  It is medium sized with a brown or buff colored coat." A petition to list the Cottontail as threatened or endangered was filed in 2008.  The New England Cottontail Initiative will take place over the next three years.  To read more about this visit the DEP website or check out Connecticut Wildlife Magazine.