The Jonah Center has reached its 20^th anniversary! Over these decades, our advocacy has produced the kayak and canoe launch at 181 Johnson Street; a multi-use trail adjacent to the public housing along Long Lane; many sidewalk and crosswalk improvements; increased tree- planting; and creation of Ecoin (Environmental Collective Impact Network), which got pesticides on city land and single-use plastic bags banned, supported natural grass playing fields, and educates residents on state and local legislation and actions affecting the environment.

In November, we will be sending our Annual Appeal letter to ask for your support in 2025. If you prefer to give online before our mailing goes out (and save us the postage)  you may do so on our website here.

Thank you, in advance, for your  faithful support.

We urge the public to attend a special public meeting to hear the results of the route study for the Central CT Loop Trail segment from Portland to Cheshire, conducted by engineering firm VHB. The event will be held in the Council Chamber of Middletown’s City Hall on Wednesday, November 20, 6:30  – 8:00 p.m., beginning with a formal presentation and followed by questions and comments from the public. Continue reading →

The Wadsworth/Kerste DeBoer Arboretum looking south along the walking path parallel to Long Lane.

Enjoy an easy 45-minute guided tour of the Wadsworth/Kerste DeBoer Arboretum on Long Lane near the Wesleyan campus. Learn how to identify 12 of Middletown’s most common street trees and hear about the arboretum’s history and its 90 different tree varieties.  60% of the arboretum’s 200 trees are native species.

Park in the Long Hill Farm parking lot at 243 Long Lane. The arboretum is on the opposite side of Long Lane at this location.

Photo by Chris Donnelly

A Middletown Urban Forestry Program

Russell Library, Hubbard Room
Thursday, September 19, 2024
5-6 pm

Introduction and Overview
Jane Harris, Chair, Middletown Urban Forestry Commission

Tree Grants, including the Street Tree Inventory
Chris Donnelly, Middletown Forester
In 2024, Middletown received a DEEP grant to conduct a tree inventory. Chris will describe ways in which you can be involved.

Tree Walks and the ‘Microforest’ Project
Steve Cronkite, Vice-Chair, Middletown Urban Forestry Commission
Steve will discuss an upcoming tree walk, open to the public, and  plans for a ‘Microforest,’ based on the Miyawaki Forest concept.

Further Tree Discussions and a Look-Ahead
The people of Middletown have a great deal of interest in their trees, and trees are a fundamental part of the city’s environment. We all share in the benefits from trees. How can the community’s involvement with the urban forest  be increased?

All are invited! Come hear about what is going on with the trees in Middletown. Find out how you can help.

Photo by Chris Donnelly

During the pandemic, motor vehicle crashes increased in frequency, and they have not declined to pre-pandemic levels. Factors leading to more crashes are speeding, driving while intoxicated, and driving (or walking) while “distracted” (using one’s phone, texting, checking social media, etc.). Continue reading →

We have permission from the Hartford Courant to share this article on the Jonah Center’s Program Associate, Jessica Bucholz.  A CT journey from concerned citizen to wildlife rehabilitator

Deep in the forest, hidden in the confines of a thick Laurel grove near the Bear Hill Loop Trail in the Maromas section of Middletown, a silent vernal pool waits for the oncoming spring.  Sometimes spring comes late, sometimes early. This year it was especially early. When the weather is right, after a warm rainy 50 degree night, Wood Frogs will leave their shelters to congregate at vernal pools where they raucously compete for mates.  Wood Frogs are “vernal pool obligates”, which means that a vernal pool is the only place where they can reproduce.  The following video gives a peek into a short, but very busy period of time in the life cycle of a Wood Frog.

(Click on the image below to play.)

This image shows the path of the eclipse over northern New England.

The moon’s shadow will pass over northern Vermont at a speed of 2600 mph. The total eclipse in Burlington will last approximately 3 minutes and 15 seconds, starting at 3:26 p.m.  That doesn’t sound like much time, but those who have witnessed previous total eclipse say it is not to be missed.

The Vermont State Park website lists a number of parks that will be open for eclipse viewing. Driving time from Middletown to northern Vermont is approximately 4 hours, but make allowances for possibly heavy traffic.  A detailed map showing the path of the eclipse can be viewed here.

Near darkness will come quickly, accompanied by changes in the sounds made by birds and crickets (if one is in an otherwise quiet place) and the dramatic light effects of the corona. Viewers need to wear ISO 12312-2 rated sunglasses (which can be purchased online) until the eclipse is total.

Below is a list of bills before the Connecticut General Assembly known to be of interest to individuals within the Jonah Center and Ecoin network.  All of these bills are supported by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters.

We encourage you to contact your State Senator or Representative on any of these bills.  Continue reading →

The proliferation of invasive plants such as water chestnut and hydrilla in the Connecticut River, its tributaries, and local ponds has led to more common use of EPA-approved herbicides by government agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

Paddlers work on a thick mat of water chestnut plants. If we can pull out the plants, the challenge becomes how to carry them, and then where to dispose of them.

The Jonah Center has asked these agencies, and others, for advice on how best to manage the water chestnut infestation in the Mattabesset River (Floating Meadows). The message we have heard is consistent. Hand-pulling is best where it is feasible. But there are some shallow areas with dense, stubborn infestations where hand-pulling by paddlers is not effective. Such areas represent a small percentage of the total surface area, but the seeds from these remote patches keep germinating in deeper areas, producing more patches that hand-pullers face each year. Every year, the seed bank in these coves and creeks grows. Continue reading →