About DEP
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection manages every aspect of Connecticut outdoors, including over 200,000 acres of parks and forests. Our mission is to conserve, improve and protect Connecticut’s natural resources and environment for today’s and future generations.
Established in 1971, the DEP is led by Commissioner Gina McCarthy, who was appointed to the position in 2004.

Think you know it all? Take our Great Parks Quiz and find out.
Find out what’s going on in the great outdoors in our Calendar of Events.