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NRWA
programs reveal the importance and features of the river
and its watershed and ways people collectively and individually
can improve the region. Programs are free, but space
may be limited, and reservations are suggested. Call
the leader listed or NRWA at 877-NRWA-INFO (877-679-2463),
if no leader is mentioned, for more information, directions,
and reservations. Hikers should always wear hiking shoes
and bring water.
2010 NRWA Photo Exhibit
February: New Canaan Library
March: Norwalk Library
April: Weston Library (Community Room)
May: Ridgefield Rec Center
June: Wilton Library (Reference Desk Area)
February 3, Wednesday, 7-9 PM.
Indian Pathways Talk & NRWA Traveling Photography Exhibit
Opening Reception. Local historian, Brent Colley,
will intrigue us with how Native American trails have
influenced the roads and transportation within the watershed
today. New Canaan Library – Adrian Lamb Room (Lower
Level). For information contact Brent Colley at 860-364-7475.
No reservations are required, this is a free program.
Talk will be immediately followed by a cheese and wine
opening reception for the 2010 NRWA Traveling Photo
Exhibit, featuring Irwin Block and other local photographers.
February 6, Saturday, 2:30-4:30
PM. Snowshoe Hike at Lake Windwing. Come and join
us for a snowshoe clinic or just a snowshoe hike on
the trails around beautiful Lake Windwing in Ridgefield.
Co-sponsored by Ridgefield’s Discovery Center (DC),
Ridgefield Parks & Rec and NRWA. Please bring your own
snowshoes if you have them. Limited snowshoes will be
available on a 1st come 1st serve basis for the clinic.
This program is weather permitting and for ages 8 and
up. Parking is available near the ball fields off South
Shore Drive, Ridgefield, CT. To register, please visit
The Discovery Center’s website www.ridgefielddiscovery.org
or call 203-438-1063. Call DC day of event in case of
cancellation due to weather conditions (or lack of snow).
$7 fee for non-DC members.
February 27, Saturday, 10 AM -
Noon. Winter Plant Ramble at Weir Farm National Historic
Site, Wilton & Ridgefield. The branches may be bare
and the blooms may be months away, but the winter season
is still an excellent time of year for plant exploration
and identification! Join Greg Waters, National Park
Service Horticulturist, for a nature walk that focuses
on the art of identifying plants during the winter season.
Come prepared with warm clothing, sturdy walking shoes,
and a water bottle. There is no fee to participate,
but registration is required. To register or for more
information, please call (203) 544-9829 x 11.
March 3, Wednesday, 7:30 PM (doors
open at 7 PM). Lawn Pesticides – An Unnecessary Risk.
Protect your family & pets, create a beautiful lawn,
go toxin free! Scientific studies link exposure to lawn
care pesticides with an increased risk of asthma, cancer,
organ damage, reproductive impairment, and birth defects.
Pesticides easily make their way into your home on shoes
and through open windows. Young children and pets are
extremely vulnerable because their typical behavior
includes playing on lawns and floors and putting unwashed
hands and paws into their mouths.
Learn how to kick the pesticide habit!
Join us to hear from recognized experts, Chip Osborne
of Osborne Organics and Patti Wood of Grassroots Environmental
Education, why you should eliminate the use of toxic
chemicals in your everyday life and how to grow a beautiful
lawn with organic methods. The good news is that you
can do it! St. Mark’s Church, Morril Hall, 111 Oenoke
Ridge, New Canaan. Free public program. Reservations
appreciated, call 203-856-2679 or email sturgess2268@gmail.com
Sponsored by the New Canaan Garden Club. (Snow date
March 4th)
March 6, Saturday, 11:00 AM -
Noon. Maple Sugaring at Ambler Farm in Wilton. Visit
the sugar shack for this NRWA-reserved open house to
learn about the process of tapping trees and how sugar
was produced by the Native Americans, during colonial
times, and today. Finally, view and taste the final
tasty product. Ambler Farm is at 257 Hurlbutt Street
(parking in the soccer parking lot) off of Rt. 106.
Visit www.amblerfarm.org for directions. Reservations
appreciated – call or e-mail us at info@norwalkriver.org.
March 7, Sunday, 1 - 3 PM. Spring
Amphibian Walk. March is a magical time to search
for frogs and salamanders! Dave Havens of NRWA will
give a short introduction on amphibians and how to spot
them. Then we’ll go on a woodland walk to visit vernal
ponds coming to life with salamanders, newts, frogs
and toads. Search for eggs, tadpoles, learn about their
seasonal habitats, life history, and some of the many
species which occur in our area. Meet at St. Luke’s
School in New Canaan at the 1st parking lot on the right,
behind the ball field. Bring tall waterproof boots.
For reservations and further directions, call event
leader and NRWA Board Member Dave Havens (203-801-4820).
April 17, Saturday 9 AM – 2 PM.
Trail Improvement Party! – Riverside Avenue, Norwalk.
Help us prepare a section of the proposed park and trail
along Riverside Avenue and the Norwalk River that will
connect existing trails at Union Park (just west of
Norwalk Public Library) to existing trails on the north
side of Rt. 123. This section of trail is being planned
in coordination with the Norwalk River Valley Trail
Committee, Norwalk League of Women Voters, City of Norwalk
and CONNDOT. We will be picking up trash and cutting
back invasive vines to prepare the river trail for planting
of native trees and shrubs in the fall. On-site training
on how to identify the invasive plants will be provided.
There are jobs for a variety of age levels. Meet at
north side of Casatelli Marble & Tile (34 Riverside
Ave.). Please bring your own tools (gloves, clippers
and hand saws) if possible. Some gloves and tools will
be provided, as well as lunch for volunteers, through
the generosity of a trail improvement grant from REI.
Call or e-mail NRWA to sign-up.
April 22
– Earth Day
April 24, Saturday. Earthday at
Earthplace in Westport. Visit www.earthplace.org
for more info. April 24, Saturday, 9 AM. Norwalk River
Cleanup, Norwalk. The cub scouts of Pack 70 have signed
up as River Rangers to celebrate the 100th Anniversary
of Scouting. They will be working on the section of
river between Rt. 123 and Broad Street in Norwalk. Help
them give this stretch of trail a spring cleaning! Contact
David Havens at havensd@stlukesct.org or 203.853.5876
for more information and directions.
April 24, Saturday, 9 AM. Norwalk
River Cleanup, Wilton. Trout Unlimited - Mianus
Chapter’s annual spring cleanup of the Norwalk River
needs volunteers to help clean between Merwin Meadows
and School Road, which always yields a truckload of
trash. Contact Jeff Yates, at jyates@mianustu.org or
203.216.7078 for information and directions.
April 27, Tuesday, 9:15 AM – 10:15
AM. River Study - Adult Training. Veteran’s Park
School in Ridgefield. Contact Donna Roscoe at donna@roscoe.cc.
May 1, Saturday, 9 AM - Noon. Norwalk
River Cleanup at Oyster Shell Park. Join the Norwalk
River Watershed Association for this annual shoreline
cleanup of Oyster Shell Park (South Norwalk) at the
mouth of the Norwalk River. Boots, long pants, and work
gloves are recommended. E-mail NRWA at info@norwalkriver.org
or call 1-877-NRWA-INFO to sign up, or for information
on where to park.
May 2, Sunday 11-4. Wilton Go-Green
Festival. Join us for this community-wide event
that celebrates green living. Visit http://www.wiltongogreenfestival.com
for more info.
May 12, Wednesday, 6:15 PM – 8
PM. Annual Meeting Event: Historic Tour of Georgetown
& Water Quality Update –This year, the NRWA annual
meeting will feature local historian, Brent Colley as
he leads us on a Tour of Georgetown (an area that encompasses
parts of Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, and Wilton) which
will focus on the town's historic Main Street. Starting
at the Georgetown Bible Church, Colley will lead tour
participants up Portland Avenue, over Brookside Road,
across Route 107, and down Main Street. Along the way,
famous legends, people, businesses, and events from
Georgetown's past will come to life. Learn about the
old stagecoach route, Chamber's coal mine, Rumsey's
well, Uncle Will's blacksmith shop, Gilbert and Bennett,
the peanut lady, the flood of '55, and more! Dick Harris
(River Watch/Harbor Watch) will provide us with updates
on the water quality of the river along the way. Meet
at the Georgetown Bible Church parking lot on Route
107 just east of the intersection of routes 107 and
57, and east of Route 7. The walking tour will be followed
by refreshments at the Georgetown Saloon. Wear walking
shoes. Reservations appreciated, call 1-877-NRWA-INFO
or email info@norwalkriver.org (Rain date May 19th).
May 22, Saturday, 10 AM – 2 PM.
Norwalk-Wilton Tree Festival at Cranbury Park. The
4th Annual Norwalk-Wilton Tree Festival is a collaboration
of the Norwalk Tree Alliance, Norwalk Department of
Public Works, Wilton Garden Club and Wilton Tree Committee.
The festival offers family style activities like a popular
rope tree-climb for kids and showcases a diverse lineup
of environmentally-minded exhibitors (including NRWA)
tents and demonstrations by experts in tree care, and
a primer for homeowners with trees on the property.
Rain or shine, and Free! Cranbury Park is located at
300 Grumman Ave. in Norwalk, north of the Merritt Parkway
near Rt. 7. Visit www.norwalktreealliance.org for more
info.
June 6, Sunday, 10-1 pm. Natural
History Walk at Weir Farm to Celebrate National Trails
Day. Greg Waters, Horticulturist at the Weir Farm
National Historic Site will lead this informative hike
along the Norwalk River Watershed Trail from Rt. 33
in Ridgefield, through Wilton Land Trust open space,
Woodcock Nature Center, Weir Preserve, and Weir Farm
National Historic Site. Call Greg Waters (203-544-9829,
x11) to register and for directions to hike starting
point.
June 20, Sunday. Kayak Tour of
Norwalk Harbor. Join us on this Appalachian Mountain
Club trip led by Jean Trapani of the Flat-Water Coastal
Paddling Committee. Commentary by NRWA Board Member
David Park on local history, shellfish industry and
biodiversity. This is a free event. Bring your own kayak
or rent from the Small Boat Shop, 144 Water Street,
South Norwalk. Call (203) 606-9459 or email flatwater@ct-amc.org
for reservations.
July 31-August 1, Saturday-Sunday,
Norwalk Islands Kayaker Jamboree. Kayak out to Shea
Island from Calf Pasture Beach for a weekend of camping
and activities, or just come for the day. Shea Island
cleanup on Sunday Morning. Sponsored by the Stamford
Kayak Group. For more info, visit http://www.meetup.com/StamfordKayakGroup/.
August 14, Saturday, 10-noon. Butterflies!
Lepidopterist Vic DeMasi, Research Affiliate for the
Peabody Museum and NRWA Advisory Board Member, has been
studying butterflies and moths in an area along the
Norwalk River since 1977. He'll introduce area butterflies
and moths, discuss their food and habitats, and show
his remarkable collection. Meet at 10 Simpaug Turnpike
in Redding, just east of Route 7, Ridgefield. Easy walk.
Call Vic DeMasi (203-938-9016) to reserve your spot.
(Rain date August 15th).
September 18, Saturday, 9 AM -
12 PM. International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) – Norwalk
River. Be a part of the ICC and join the Norwalk
River Rowing Assoc. (NRRA) & NRWA for a shoreline cleanup.
Whether by boat or by land, help us pick up trash and
clean up the Norwalk River. Wear work gloves and appropriate
footwear. Meet at NRRA boat house at 1 Moody’s Lane,
Norwalk. Contact Louise Washer at 1-877-NRWA-INFO to
sign up or for more info.
October 2, Saturday, Water Quality
Training & Testing Day in Ridgefield. You can help
Ridgefield monitor the quality of its waterways. Join
us for this one day event in which volunteers will be
trained on how to collect vital water quality information
and will then be testing the water quality at several
waterbodies in Ridgefield. The goal is to test as many
bodies of water as possible in one day. Sponsored by
the Ridgefield Conservation Commission. Contact Kitsey
Snow at 1-877-NRWA-INFO to sign up.
November 1-29. Wilton Tree-Art
Exhibition. Wilton Tree Committee and Wilton Garden
Club are co-sponsoring a Wilton Tree Art Exhibition
during the month of November to raise awareness of the
beauty and importance of trees in our environment. Regional
artists of at least high school age are invited to submit
works of art on October 30-31st at the library.
IN THE NEWS
CT DEP Proposed Stream Flow Regulations
published - The proposed regulations will establish
new guidelines for activities that alter the flow of
rivers and streams, such as withdrawals of groundwater
and surface water or the operation of dams or other
impoundments. The proposed regulations would establish
four categories, or classes, of rivers and streams,
ranging from Class 1 natural waters to Class 4 urbanized
waters. Due to the balancing of river and stream water
uses with in-stream flow needs, the proposed regulations
would be phased in over a period of time; grant the
regulated community sufficient time to implement flow
releases; and allow for public participation and input
in the many decisions – including the establishment
of the various classes of rivers and streams – that
will be made. See the Press Release at http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?Q=448782&A=3605
Norwalk Sewage Treatment Plant
is Getting an Upgrade - You can read the article
at http://www.thehour.com/printstory/476565/
UPCOMING
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAYS:
Stay tuned for more info…
2010
TRAVELING PHOTO EXHIBIT
February – June 2010
Calling all photographers, 2nd
chance! NRWA has begun its 2010 traveling photo
exhibit throughout the watershed towns with a collection
of wonderful photos, featuring Irwin Block as this year's
highlighted photographer.
The exhibit opened on Wednesday, February
3 at the New Canaan Library in conjunction with an NRWA-sponsored
talk, “Indian Pathways” by local historian, Brent Colley.
The event was a success and we are
looking forward to exhibiting it at the main Norwalk
Library in March. Given the short time frame that we
were able to publicize and accept entries prior to the
exhibit's opening in New Canaan, we would like to extend
the opportunity through the end of February to add to
the exhibit when it relocates to Norwalk.
If you are interested, entry
forms must be submitted no later than Saturday,
February 27th, 2010.
If you are not able to submit a jpg
or other digital version of your entry, please let us
know and we will find a way to work around it. Accepted
photographs must be dropped off at Norwalk Library (main
computer area) on Saturday, February 27th from 10AM
– Noon.
NRWA volunteers will relocate the
exhibit to a new location in the watershed at the start
of each month.
Please e-mail Elizabeth Craig at elizycraig@aol.com
or call NRWA at 1-877-NRWA-INFO (877-679-2463) if you
are interested or have any questions. Download your
entry form
here.
The exhibit will be located at the
following locations through June.
February: New Canaan Library
March: Norwalk Library
April: Weston Library
May: Ridgefield Rec. Center
June: Wilton Library
Thanks and hope that you can join
us!
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