Projects

To support the measurement of copper concentration and bioavailability throughout the Quinnipiac River system and its tributaries.  

To support investigations into the causes and implications of marsh drowning in the Quinnipiac River.  

To support the assessment of  the condition of macrofaunal communities in New Haven Harbor relative to selected environmental factors and the structure of the Harbor's benthic habitats, and compare these results to available previous information to assess any long-term changes.  

Funds are requested to support the convening of a bio blitz on August 22nd to provide a list of species found in the preserve during one 24-hour period.

Funds are requested to conduct mercury contamination research at Wharton Brook in Quinnipiac River system. Research activities include measuring mercury in water, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish along the length of thw Wharton Brook and its tributaries.

To support the measurement of methyl mercury in the Quinnipiac River and the New Haven Harbor. The work will also provide direct information on safety of local finfish and shellfish.

Funds will be used to support the improvement of of water diversion and instream flow policy on the Quinnipiac River through advocacy and public education.

To support investigation of the various stresses that may be contributing to the extensive loss of vegetation in the Quinnipiac tidal marshes and begin to gather data on the relative importance of sub-surface compaction, decompositon in causing elevation loss in this ecosystem.

To offer a short course in river processes to local members of conservation/inland wetland commissions and environmrntal activists.  The course will cover the basic hydrologic, geomorphic, chemical and biological processes that govern stream exosystems, and how they are perturbed by human activities.  Participants will receive the scientific tools that they need in order to understand and critically evaluate environemntal data on the Q River.

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.