Norwalk River Watershed Association

The Norwalk River Watershed Association, incorporated in 1996, is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to improve the water quality and aesthetic value of the 40,000-acre Norwalk River watershed; to encourage recreational use of the existing trails and open space; and to promote research, education, cooperation, and action on the part of the stakeholders in the seven watershed towns in CT (Ridgefield, Redding, Wilton, New Canaan, Weston, and Norwalk) and NY (Lewisboro).

Become a Norwalk River Watershed Association Member-Download Form. General members are invited to free programs and activities. They also receive NRWA's newsletter "In the Mainstream," which lists activities and updates members on pertinent problems, progress, projects, and programs within the watershed. Membership rates start at $30. Please make your tax-deductable donation payable to NRWA, Inc., and send to the address below.

Norwalk River Watershed Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 197
Georgetown, CT 06829
877-NRWA-INFO

Email: info@norwalkriver.org

More About Us:

NRWA Board Bios

Kristen Begor has lived in Wilton since 1995 with her family and holds a BS in Geology/Environmental Science from Dickinson College and an MS in Geology specializing in Hydrogeology from Syracuse University. After retiring from a professional career in her area of study, Kristen now devotes much of her time to NRWA, Wilton Conservation Commission, Woodcock Nature Center, Wilton Garden Club, Lake Sunapee Protection Association in Sunapee, NH and The Fells Historic Estate & Gardens in Newbury, NH.
Elizabeth Craig lives in Wilton and joined the NRWA board after being a parent volunteer at Cider Mill School's River Study Program, which introduces fourth and fifth graders (and their parents) to the Norwalk River's rich fauna and flora, just a short walk from school. "As a runner, or just walking the dog, I enjoy being out on NRWA trails, the green spaces in Wilton certainly enhance the quality of life for residents and are well worth protecting". Formerly a librarian for Merrill Lynch, Elizabeth is currently Wilton Garden Club Membership co-chair and secretary of the Wilton Track Association.

David Havens has been a lifelong resident of Connecticut, splitting his time between Norwalk, Stamford and New Canaan. After growing up along the Norwalk River, Dave spent 6 years conducting full-time environmental fieldwork from 1971 to 1977, while also working for the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. Since 1977 Dave has worked as a science teacher for Pre-K students to Graduate Studies. He has been an active voice for environmental issues locally and nationally, working with several organizations such as Greenpeace, Earth First!, Audubon, Green Schools Alliance and NRWA. Along the way Dave earned two BS degrees and three graduate degrees in science as he continued to conduct research on a number of issues: Invasive Species, Open Space, Habitat Destruction, Breeding Bird Census and much more. Over the last few years, he designed and built a raised outdoor classroom and boardwalk through his school's wetlands, developed a plan to eliminate 14 species of invasive plants that gained a strong foot hold on the property and taken his passion of teaching and environmental work to an international level with the Green Schools Alliance. In 2012, David and his students were selected as state finalist in “Siemens We Can Change the World High School Challenge, sponsored by Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), and the College Board”, for their efforts to selectively and safely exterminate invasive plants along the Norwalk River.

Daryl Hawk has lived in Wilton for over 25 years and grew up on the water in Westport. As a professional photographer for 30 years he has championed and raised awareness for numerous environmental and conservation causes his entire career. He is a writer, lecturer, author of 3 photography books (“Distant Journeys”, “Quiet Moments”, and “White Pond”), and former host and producer of the television show “The Unconventional Traveler”. Many of his television shows featured some of the world’s leading conservationists and field biologists. He has also led photography workshops to both adults and students with the emphasis on connecting with nature. He is a member of the Explorers Club. When not traveling to some of the most remote places in the world, he likes to seek solitude boating on both Long Island Sound and White Pond in New Hampshire.

R. Scott Jones has lived in Wilton for four years. He has participated in the Healthcare and Medical Device industry for 30 years, the past 10 of which as Chief Executive and has, likewise, served on the Boards of a number of companies. Scott holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in life sciences, engineering and business management and enjoys wildlife, fishing and woodworking. He plans to put his corporate experience to work with NRWA in developing the Corporate Responsibility Program.

David Park was raised in the town of Weston and has lived in East Norwalk since 1985. He retired in 2006 after two careers including pollution control and safety engineer for several manufacturers. He devotes his time to public service including past-chairman of the city of Norwalk Historical Commission, board member of the Norwalk River Valley Trail Steering Committee and board secretary of the East Norwalk Library. David is an avid kayaker, an advocate for the stewardship of the Norwalk Islands and each year he documents the local active Osprey nests. In 2009, he authored a book titled, “Kayaking in and around the Norwalk Islands” which has become quite popular. He also enjoys canoeing all over New England and is a back yard bird watcher.

Mark Riser, a 15-year resident of Ridgefield, serves as Treasurer of NRWA. Mark works in private equity and holds a BS in engineering and an MBA. He is a life-long outdoors enthusiast and enjoys fishing and hiking Ridgefield's open spaces. Mark and his family live on Barry Road
Kitsey Snow has served on the NRWA Board for four years and on the Ridgefield Conservation Commission Board for five. A 20-year resident of Ridgefield, she is raising three sons and has been an active member of the PTA, serving in several positions. She helps oversee the many miles of hiking trails for the RCC and enjoys hiking and kayaking. She graduated from Wheaton College with a BA in psychology and worked in operations for Bankers Trust Co. in New York for seven years before moving to CT.

Louise Washer has lived in the Silvermine area, both in Wilton and Norwalk, for 17 years where she is raising three children. She graduated from Smith College and worked in magazine publishing in New York for 10 years. She is currently on the board of the Wilton PTSA, serves as Publicity Coordinator for the Wilton High School Band, and is the secretary of NRWA.

From Our Annual Meeting on May 6th, 2009- See the recent article in the Norwalk Hour: Area rivers under yearly review.

Also, you can now view the presentations from the annual meeting, featuring our year in review photo slideshow, water quality updates from Dick Harris at Earthplace for the Norwalk River, and an overview of student projects in the watershed from Dave Havens at St. Luke's School.

Recent NRWA News

Grants - A series of helpful grants made a number of important projects possible.

REI (Recreational Equipment Inc) grant of $5000 in 2009 to help fund work on the next proposed section of the Norwalk River Valley Trail that will extend from Union Park, north along Riverside Avenue to Route 123.
America The Beautiful Grant, through the USDA Forest Service’s program on Urban and Community Forestry, of $5,425 in August 2010 to help fund the restoration and maintenance of meadow, forest and wetland habitat in Allen Meadows, a public park in Wilton, CT.
Fairfield County Community Foundation grant of $10,000 in 2007 helped to fund the position of NRWA's part-time Executive Director.
The Jeniam Foundation in 2007 gave a $5,000 grant to enable the Executive Director to add more hours each week for fundraising efforts.
Connecticut DEP awarded a grant that made the printing and distribution of the brochure "How to Manage and Maintain Your Property" possible to Norwalk and Wilton residents this past June.
Recently The Sounds Conservancy gave a grant of $250 to help NRWA revise its website - a summer project we hope to complete by September 2008.

Ongoing efforts during the past six months included work on the following projects:

Funding for additional testing by Harbor Watch/River Watch to identify upstream sources of pollution in Ridgefield;
Posting of the EPA 319 Grant data for water testing along the Norwalk River by Harbor Watch/River Watch at the site;
More habitat restoration by removing invasive plants at the River Study Site and at Aldrich Park in Ridgefield;
Poison Ivy control at the Geogetown Park site, deed wording, and plans for future work;
Expansion of the River Ranger program;
Organization of the spring show "Invasive Botanicals: Beauty and Beast," original art work by members of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators;
Continued negotiations to expand and improve the Norwalk River Valley Trail System; and
Programs and hikes to educate the public about the watershed, its features, problems, and opportunies for action.

The Georgetown Eco-History Tour has become an annual event. Led by Brent Colley, the tour attracts huge crowds and includes stops all over Georgetown. Georgetown History slide shows are also presented by Brent Colley each year.

Heavily subscribed hikes prove that there is a great interest in the expanding trail system and that the trails are an effective way to get people's attention and to educate them about the proper ways to take care of the watershed and about the necessity for each person to do his or her part.

In addition to these ongoing outdoor projects NRWA signed on as an intervener on the Northeast Utilities proposal to expand its electical lines from Bethel to Norwalk in order to elicit more enviormentally sound plans and technology to provide additional service. The Sitting Council is still considering comments before making a decision on quantity, structures, and routes. NRWA has also given another grant to Harbor Watch/River Watch to expand its water-testing sites in Ridgefield farther upstream on Cooper Brook and on the Norwalk River near the Route 7 sewage treatment plant to monitor water quality and to pinpoint sources of sporadic pollution.