McLean Game Refuge

About the McLean Game Refuge

The McLean Game Refuge is a wildlife sanctuary located in the towns of Granby, Simsbury, and Canton that is dedicated to the conservation of our local ecosystems and the protection of plant and animal species that live within them. Our landscape spans 4,415 acres and includes cold water streams, trap rock ridges, open meadows, and a uniquely diverse array of forest types comprised of over sixty tree species. Throughout the year, over one hundred bird species may breed or migrate through the McLean Game Refuge, including some that are locally threatened, such as the northern harrier and American kestrel. Dozens of mammals make their homes here as well, including black bears, fishers, deer, and coyotes. Thanks to the abundance of kettle ponds and bogs, marshy wetlands, flood plain forest, ponds, streams, and vernal pools, our forests provide habitat to a wealth of reptile, amphibian, and fish species.

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

The story of the McLean Game Refuge as a wildlife sanctuary began in 1932. However, the lands of the McLean Game Refuge have a story over 400 million years old. That story includes geologic upheaval, glacial ebbs and flows, and the passing of countless human groups. In order to understand the full history of the McLean Game Refuge, one must know both the ancient past of land formation and historic peoples and the more recent past of land conservation and modern people.

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.

Sam Lewis

Program Leader

Sam joined the McLean Game Refuge as a Forest Ranger in June of 2018. Over the years, she has held multiple positions: Crew Leader, Research Coordinator, and Garmany Graduate Research Fellow. She has recently entered a new position as Program Leader. Some of her duties include creating & managing research projects, facilitating collaborations with environmental organizations & graduate students, and overseeing the summer college internship program.

Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut. In August 2026, she will complete her master’s degree though UConn’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. In addition to her master’s research on the ecology of eastern coyotes, Sam worked as a technician for 2 seasons with CT DEEP’s Wildlife Division in the Bear and Furbearer Program where she studied black bears, fishers, and bobcats. Although her main area of expertise is predator behavior, she also has experience with general wildlife ecology, forest management, and watershed health and protection.

Shannon O’Charek

Property Manager

Shannon is a resident of Granby. She graduated in 2025 with her B.S in Environmental Science at Westfield State University. She has spent a lot of time exploring the forests of the Farmington Valley. She is planning to continue her education by getting her masters in Forestry.

Mac Louis

Crew Leader

Mac is a West Hartford resident currently studying Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Delaware. He brings his gritty, get-your-hands-dirty work ethic to the Game Refuge, and loves working every day to help manage and protect the land. His favorite part of being a forest ranger is getting the unique opportunity to collaborate and connect with the local researchers, contractors, and others that make the Game Refuge such a beloved place.

Esah Ferrigno

Forest Ranger

Esah is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Wildlife and Conservation Biology at Central Connecticut State University. Her interests within the field of biology include species identification and behavior, tracking, and conservation research. Her favorite parts of being a Forest Ranger are learning on the job and assisting with research. In her free time, she enjoys fishing and hiking.

Sydney Foster

Forest Ranger

Sydney is pursuing a degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability at Northwestern Community College. After moving to Connecticut, she developed a deep appreciation for New England’s forests and landscapes, inspiring her passion for conservation. She is particularly interested in forestry and ecology and hopes to pursue a career in land management or environmental policy. As a Forest Ranger at the Game Refuge, she enjoys gaining a deeper understanding of the natural world and finds it rewarding to contribute to its stewardship. She believes that conservation is about helping people and nature thrive together and hopes to continue making a meaningful impact through her work.

Samantha Flibbert

Forest Ranger

Sammy is a student at Colby College in Maine, currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Earth Sciences. She is particularly interested in forest ecology, the geology of the Game Refuge, and documentary filmmaking. Her favorite part of being a forest ranger is collaborating with the crew on both field and trail work, and she most enjoys hiking the North Trail.

Logan Unger

Forest Ranger Alum

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.

Donate Now

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