Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to energy costs.
That’s why we are offering Let’s Talk Energy, monthly learning opportunities with Eversource at the Russell Library.
Join us on the last Monday of the month in September, October and November.
Use this LINK to access the Russell Library Event Calendar to register.
All are welcome to attend and connect with the beautiful scenery at the future Midden Lookout, located at the closed Middletown landfill. This is a free, family-friendly event with fun activities, snacks and refreshments. Read the full post for more details!
Date & Time: Saturday, October 17, 2026
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Rain Date – Sunday, October 18)
Location: 180 Johnson Street, parking at the Keating Building, activities at the top of the closed landfill.
Use this LINK to register to attend.
By the end of this year, over 250 Middletown homes will complete a home energy assessment—most by this fall.
All Middletown residents can participate in HeatSmart Middletown.
Residents who have their home assessed save $70-$100 per year on their energy bills, and additional upgrades can lead to even more savings.
How are we reaching 250 homes in the year of America 250?
Here’s something to celebrate! With help from Lisa Liesener, Middletown’s Recycling and Sustainability Coordinator, we connected with the Middletown Housing Authority. Executive Director Ben Bare has committed to completing energy assessments at Housing Authority homes in the Rockwood Acres, Sunset Ridge, and Santangelo Circle neighborhoods.
Continue readingEXCITING NEWS!
Our Sustainable CT crowdfunding campaign to build the Wildlife Viewing Shelter at the Midden is COMPLETE!
To everyone who contributed and volunteered throughout this campaign, we would like to thank you once again for your overwhelming support.
With donations received (online and offline), we have updated our budget to use additional funds for more site prep which includes Mugwort suppression, ground prep, landscaping, and water capture from the roof of the shelter.
Building will begin next spring, once site prep is complete. We will share updates and exciting pictures as we reach major milestones!
With gratitude,
Kristen Colombo, John Hall & The Jonah Center Board and Staff
You can still visit our Lookout Fundraising site to learn about the planned Wildlife Viewing Shelter.
The rest of the long-term project has many elements, so donations and volunteers are always welcome and appreciated. Just note your intent for the “Midden” on any donation to add to that fund.
If you are not familiar with this project, welcome to the effort! We have more details published on a dedicated webpage under Initiatives > Midden Lookout Park and Trails.
Since our last update, we’ve been coordinating with amazing partners to activate spring and summer work at the Midden.
The Jonah Center is proud to be one of the 29 organizations who have joined NiCER (the New Clean Energy Revolution). It’s the first coordinated statewide clean energy movement in CT! Take this survey to BE NiCER! and contribute to collective action for a clean energy future.
Continue readingSpring is a great time to focus on energy efficiency in our homes. We tend to worry about staying warm in the winter, but it’s more important now than ever to stay cool during very hot summers.
Especially if you have an old AC unit, take the time to sign up for a Home Energy Solutions visit at Middletown » HeatSmart CT.
Another successful volunteer work party was held last Sunday!
If you want to be “in the know” for future events and would like to support this project in any way, consider joining the Trail Blazers. This group hears Midden news first…next work party events and other on-site activities too.
THANK YOU!
Volunteers showed up to this work party with unique talents (and tools!) and worked together like they’ve known each other for years! We were thrilled to have 15 volunteers commit an hour and a half of their day to help us clear Mugwort and brush on the new Loop Trail.
We have lots of news and new opportunities to get involved, supporting energy efficiency and clean energy in CT.
See below to learn about our next volunteer event, sign-up for a HeatSmart Home Energy Assessment, get energy resources for Middletown landlords and join a new clean energy movement!
Explore our new Midden Lookout Park and Trails page under Initiatives to see what’s happening at the closed Middletown Landfill.
Everyone is welcome to get involved. Select the link above to learn how.
Photo credit – Heather Kennedy, friend of the trail and avid birder.
It was a chilly, wet Saturday afternoon, November 22nd. But our volunteers were warmed by the spirit of sharing the HeatSmart program with Middletown neighbors!
Donning Jonah Center safety vests and excellent energy, from left to right, Genesis, Eli, Tamira, and Kristen.
Wesleyan College of the Environment interns for Sustainable Middletown, helping with two Jonah Center initiatives: HeatSmart and the Midden Lookout Park.
We are thrilled to have been awarded a grant through the Community Partnership Initiative. This is a partnership with the Sponsors of @Energize Connecticut and the City of Middletown to promote energy-saving solutions for our community. This kicks off a full year of focused efforts to promote the Home Energy Solutions-Income Eligible and Multifamily Initiative, including outreach to renters and landlords.