Conservation

Funds are requested to support implementation of informational and educational efforts and activities advocating for pesticide use reduction. These efforts will focus on the 80 property owners whose properties abut the Quinnipiac River in Plainville, CT. The activities will include 2 river clean-ups, coordination of a fishing derby, Earth Day Extravaganza, promotion and advocacy of Freedom Lawn Initiative, and a Tomasso Nature Park clean-up. (see grant notes)

Funds are requested to support the continuation of short courses concerning river processes to local members of the conservation/inlan wetland commissions and environmental activists.

Funds are requested to support the implementation of an intensive workshops to teach 100 Connecticut school groundskeepers how to mamnage fields without the use of harmful pesticides.

To support the Safe Grounds Campaign which helps reduce non-point source pollution from lawn pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in the Quinnipiac River watershed.  

To support a two-day training program for local land use leaders to educate them on the scope of their jurisdiction, the flexibility they have under the law, tools for natural resource and watershed protection and collaborative techniques including consensus building, facilitated decision-making, community participation and effective meetings management.

To support homeowner workshops and outreach and to initiate data analysis and focus group research to design a program to best serve homeowners who want organic land care for their properties.

To support consultant/professional work required to support the definition and granting of land easements from private property owners along the river where the intended route of the trail is located.

To support the continuation of homeowner workshops which will initiate educational outreach on organic land care to inland/wetland and conservation commissions, including installation and assisting in the development and related outreach of an online turf forum geared towards Connecticut school groundskeepers.

To develop GIS data layers of selected brownfield sites in Hamden, CT, and develop and analyze detailed GIS data layers for the marshes in the lower Quinnipiac River.

To conduct pollution prevention assessments at six volunteer manufacturing companies to assist in identifying opportunities to reduce discharges and environmental impacts.