About the McLean Game Refuge
In 1932, former Governor of Connecticut and U.S. Senator George P. McLean established the McLean Game Refuge on his former private hunting lands with the intent to preserve the natural landscape of his native Simsbury and the surrounding area. His vision was for a “natural park” where plants and animals could thrive without degradation from human activity. Additionally, Senator McLean wrote “I want the [Game Refuge] to be a place where some of the things God made may be seen by those who love them, as I loved them, and who may find in them the peace of mind and body that I have found.” In honoring Senator McLean’s words, the McLean Game Refuge offers over twenty miles of forest roads and hiking trails that are open to the public for passive recreation.
Our History
Ancient Story – 400 mya to 1932:
Encompassing the areas of Granby, Simsbury and Canton, Connecticut, the landscape of the McLean Game Refuge has been profoundly influenced by three major factors: ancient geologic formations, 100,000 years of glacial movement and 10,000 of human activity. Evidence of these factors can be seen today in the hills and mountains, waterways, and forest vegetation.
Modern Story – 1932 to Today
In 1931, George P. McLean wrote in his will that on his death the forested lands of his private hunting reserve should be set aside as a wildlife sanctuary called the McLean Game Refuge. He was clear that this land should be protected and managed by a board of trustees and open to the public for passive recreation. The provisions within McLean’s will serve as the guiding principles for the Board of Trustees today and have done so since the opening of the Game Refuge in 1932.
Meet Our McLean Game Refuge Team Members
Connor Hogan
Director
Connor joined the McLean Game Refuge in the summer of 2017 as the fourth director since we opened in 1932. Connor oversees research, conservation, education, and recreation across our 4,400 acres of forests, meadows and waterways. He works closely with the president of McLean and the board of trustees to carry out the management goals set by our founder Senator George McLean when he established the Game Refuge.
Before coming to the Game Refuge, Connor served as the assistant manager of the Yale School Forests overseeing 11,000 acres of working forest across New England. He also has experience in forest restoration, urban forestry and landscape design.
Connor received his Master of Forestry degree from Yale University and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bates College, and he maintains a Certified Forester license through the Connecticut Division of Forestry.
Samantha Lewis
Research Coordinator
Samantha joined the McLean Game Refuge as a Forest Ranger in June of 2018. Over the following three summers, she served as the Forest Crew Leader managing the Game Refuge’s summer college internship program. Now Samantha works here as a wildlife biologist investigating our resident eastern coyotes.
Samantha holds a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut, and she is currently pursuing a master’s degree though UConn’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. In addition to her work with eastern coyotes, Samantha also has experience with forest management, watershed health and protection, and general wildlife ecology.
Shannon O’Charek
Forest Ranger
Shannon is a resident of Granby currently pursuing a bachelor of science degree in environmental science at Westfield State University. She has spent a lot of time exploring the forests of the Farmington Valley. She is interested in forest ecology and natural resource economics.
Miriam Taub
Forest Ranger
Miriam is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a focus on restoration ecology at Westfield State University. She has worked on a number of student research projects focusing on invasive plants and pathogens, bird color and adaptation, canopy cover and benthic macroinvertebrate diversity, urban landscape design, and grassland habitat restoration. Miriam’s favorite part of being a Forest Ranger is maintaining trails and contributing to the Game Refuge’s ongoing research. Outside of school and work, Miriam loves to travel, snowboard, and spend time with friends and family.
Logan Unger
Forest Ranger
Logan is a Granby native with a life-long connection with the Game Refuge. As a high school student, he had the rare opportunity to work with the Game Refuge staff maintain trails. In 2020 he served on the summer Forest Ranger crew, and since he works part-time supporting research, conservation, and maintenance projects.
Donating to the McLean Game Refuge
The McLean Game Refuge is sustained through the vision and foresight of the endowment from Senator McLean, and through the charitable contributions from our community, including annual gifts, bequest gifts and memorial gifts.
With your help and generosity, we can join in Senator McLean’s legacy by supplementing this endowment and further the senator’s mission for generations to come.
You can also mail your gift to:
McLean Development
75 Great Pond Road
Simsbury, CT 06070
Please make your check payable to McLean.
To learn more, please contact:
Alison Swain
Director of Development
860-658-3702
alison.swain@mcleancare.org
