SEYMOUR-WOODBURY - This past spring, an amendment to H.B. 5648, introduced by Rep. Len Greene, R-105, named the former Quillinan watershed land in Ansonia and Seymour after retired Birmingham Utilities Inc. forester and Woodbury resident John C. "Skip" Hobson. A naming ceremony honoring Mr. Hobson's dedication to land conservation and the environment will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, October 31, at the watershed trailhead on Buswell Street in Ansonia. The Seymour Land Conservation Trust, Inc., describes Mr. Hobson as instrumental in keeping the 597-acre watershed in pristine condition.
He developed self-guided trails, managed wildlife and logging operations and created old growth forest areas.
When BUI made a decision to dispose of excess watershed land, Mr. Hobson played a prominent role in its preservation as open space.
Along with his wife, Anne, and BUI management, Mr. Hobson worked with Trust for Public Land, the state Department of Environmental Protection and Ansonia officials to negotiate a fair price for the sale of the watershed as conserved open space.
The watershed was purchased by the state in February 2001 and added to the Naugatuck State Forest.
Last year, members of the Seymour Land Conservation Trust and the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center petitioned Rep. Greene to name the watershed tract after Mr. Hobson.
The official name of the watershed will be called The Naugatuck State Forest John C. "Skip" Hobson Watershed.
Rep. Greene will make the formal presentation. Invitations to speak have been sent to state Sen. Louis DeLuca, Sen. Joe Crisco, Rep. Vincent Tonucci, Rep. Themis KIarides, Ansonia Mayor James Delia Volpe and Seymour Mayor Robert Koskelowski.
The public is invited.
