The Conservation Department operates under the town Conservation Commission, which consists of 10 volunteers appointed by the first selectman.
The Conservation Department reviews development applications to determine their impact on wetlands, regulates 7,000 parcels of property that are near wetlands and watercourses, manages 1,173 acres of town-owned open space, facilitates environmental improvements, administers a marsh restoration program, and serves the town Shellfish Commission in its effort to improve public access and opportunities for recreational and commercial shellfishing in Fairfield.
The Conservation Department's budget in 2009-10 is $1 million.
The Conservation Department is located on the second floor of the Honorable John J. Sullivan Independence Hall, 725 Old Post Road.