The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut invites you to attend the

Saugatuck River Water Quality Workshop.

Scientists have learned that excess nitrogen from fertilizers and wastewater threatens rivers and harbors around Long Island Sound. Beach closures, nuisance seaweed and algae blooms jeopardize healthy drinking water and disrupt enjoyment of our special way of life. Research shows residents of the Saugatuck River Watershed support taking quick action to safeguard healthy waters by modernizing wastewater systems and changing the way we use fertilizers.

Get updates on the latest science and strategies to restore and protect drinking water, harbors and bays around the Sound and provide feedback on traditional and non-traditional nutrient reduction techniques for restoring and maintaining healthy conditions in the Saugatuck River Estuary.

This workshop is made possible by support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund.

There is no cost to attend the event, but space is limited and registration by Tuesday, September 19th is mandatory. Please click on the “Yes” button at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saugatuck-river-water-quality-workshop-registration-37544453471 to register

DATE AND TIME

LOCATION

The comment instruction webpage for this rule change is at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0203-0001
When you are ready to tell EPA and the Corps of Engineers to keep and enact the 2015 Rule, click the Comment Now! button on that page.

Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust is hosting September Green Drinks with co-hosts Norfolk Land Trust, Winchester Land Trust, and Sharon Land Trust.

Date: September 28, 2017

Time: 5 – 7 PM

Location: Infinity Hall

Address: 20 Greenwoods Rd W, Norfolk, CT 06058

About Green Drinks

Meet Your Greens is Litchfield County’s green drinks happy-hour network providing opportunities to make connections and exchange news about environmental issues, conservation initiatives, local farming, land use, and more. Based on the popular Green Drinks in CT and nationwide, this informal gathering offers time for a broad group of participants to brainstorm ideas and plant seeds for collaboration. All are welcome with no reservations or RSVP necessary.

We hope to see you for another terrific evening of food, friendship, and warm conversation.

More information: “Elizabeth Schrang” <elizabeth@weantinoge.org>

Celebrate National Public Lands Day
September 30th, 10AM-1PM

Help Maintain the Hiking Trail and Restore Wildlife Habitat Along the Future Norwalk River Valley Trail In Ridgefield

Volunteers will restore the hiking trail at the site of the next section of Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) in Ridgefield, by clearing debris and invasive plants.  The NRVT steering committee will be on hand to answer questions about its goal of building 38 miles of multi-purpose trail connecting Norwalk and Danbury. We will also kick off the new Ridgefield Pollinator Pathway, which will connect to the Wilton Pollinator Pathway, with a talk by local butterfly expert, Victor DeMasi.
Volunteers will focus on removing black swallow wort, an invasive plant that is especially harmful to monarch butterflies, and will plant native pollinator-friendly plants along the trail near the Norwalk River. Experts from Harbor Watch and NRWA will be on hand to discuss the connections between open space, native plants and wildlife and water quality. Lunch and volunteer tee shirts will be provided FREE plus hiking trail maps of the watershed. REI will be raffling off gear!

Wear long pantsto prevent ticks. Bring a water bottle, work gloves, clippers and/or shovels. Limited supplies available. Co-sponsored by REI, NRWA, Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT), Ridgefield Conservation Commission, Harbor Watch and Woodcock Nature Center.

Park at the corner of Simpaug Tpk and Danbury Rd, Ridgefield.

CONTACTS: Louise Washer, NRWA (203) 856-1497; info@norwalkriver.org
Charlie Taney, NRVT (203) 536-5618; ctaney@nrvt-trail.com

Register at REI.com:
https://www.rei.com/events/celebrate-national-public-lands-day-wreinrwa/ridgefield/183474

Saturday, September 30 – Paddle:
Great Barrington – A Historical Tour
Time: 10am – 3pm
Trip Length: 6.6 miles. Level: Beginner
Learn about the history of the area as we meander our way along
the river first through quickwater and riffles then paddling flatwater
until we reach the Covered Bridge. Led by HVA staff.

More information at http://www.hvatoday.org/assets/PDFs/Paddletrips-flyer2017.pdf 

Rivers Alliance of CT Network Conference

Leir Retreat Center, Ridgefield
October 5, 2017, 9 – 2 PM

If you plan to attend, let us know

Space limited. Registration required.
Contact Rivers Alliance at rivers@riversalliance.org
or 860-361-9349 to register.

The State Water Plan is at the forefront of discussions around the state. This conference will focus on the Plan and other water policy issues that will affect all Connecticut residents.

The agenda includes:

• Latest news on the State Water Plan.
• An Update on the proposed leasing of drinking water watershed lands for rock mining.
• What’s in store for the next state legislative session, which starts in January.
• Pesticides (herbicides) – What is a town’s authority regarding aquatic application?

Where: The Leir Retreat Center, 224 Branchville Road, Ridgefield, CT (click here for directions).

The event is free, thanks to our host and sponsor, the Leir Retreat Center.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Space is limited, registration is required. To register, email Rivers Alliance at rivers@riversalliance.org, or call 860-361-9341.

If you have an announcement you would like to make at the conference, please let us know as soon as possible. We will add you to the agenda. We limit announcements to less than 5 minutes each. We will also have tables for those who would like to bring information to distribute to the group.

We hope you can join us.