Projects

To support the measurement of methyl mercury contamination in the Quinnipiac River and the Oysters in New Haven Harbor. The study will evaluate the extent of methylmercury pollution and  help to identify sources and hotspots.

To support the work of the Freedom Lawn Campaign to educate users of 'traditional'  chemical lawn care about the harmful environmental and health effects of pesticides and fertilizers, and encourage a switch to organic lawn care methods that are safe for the natural environment and people.

To support a graduate student that will work with the PI and others (e.g. at the RGP) to maintain the QRW (Quinniipiac River Watershed) GIS(Georgraphic Information System) and the related website and to conduct GIS based analyses that focus on the lower river and its surroundings.

To support funding for two aspects of the Quinnipiac River Conservation and Development corridor Project.  RPG will develop an inter-municipal agreement between the three lower river communities that will include land-use guidelines and a tax sharing agreement.

To measure contamination along the Quinnipiac River and in oysters of the New Haven Harbor and evaluate the extent of mercury pollution and  identify sources and hotspots.

To continue monitoring vegetation change and mudflat development in the Quinnipiac River brackish marshes, and begin to test hypothesized causes for the observed wetland loss.  To complete a nitrogen and trace metal analyses and begin to assess how marsh loss has affected the load of pollutants to the river.

To educate New Haven's youth about the natural and social systems that affect the Quinnipiac River.  To design and execute a community service action project that addresses an issue for youth to identify and teach what they have learned and accomplished to others; thereby building a constituency of urban advocates for the Quinnipiac River.  This project is called Kids Explore!, Kids Do!, Kids Teach!

To establish a trail route and to construct a pedestrian bridge over the Quinnipiac River for phase three of the Quinnipiac River Linear Trail which includes the construction of two pedestrian bridges, one on the east side of the island and the second to cross the raceway on the west side of the island.

To work with selected leaders from Quinnipiac River Watershed communities to improve the land use decision-making process and control non-point source pollution.  The proposed program is for a 4-day workshop, emphasizing the regulatory power to make wise land use decisions, and presenting collaborative decision making techniques.

To continue the work the Fair Haven community has done towards cleaning, maintaining and planning for an eco-sensitive Quinnipiac River Park.