Here’s another chance to get out on the water with others before you put your boat to bed for the winter. The event is to benefit Kuhn Employment Opportunities, a local nonprofit that provides job placement and support for people with disabilities. Silver Lake is just north of Meriden.
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
Join the Rich Earth Institute for a workshop on the paradigm-shifting practice of peecycling: reclaiming human “waste” as a resource to support local farms, prevent pollution, and conserve clean water. Continue reading
This summer, the Town of Portland constructed almost 1 mile of new sidewalk along Main Street, replacing the uneven and broken sidewalks between Arvid Street and Gildersleeve School. Before construction began, John Hall expressed concern about the danger that excavation would present to the roots of a majestic pin oak tree. With the support of residents Beau and Holly Doherty, Portland’s First Selectman Ryan Curley, and Director of Public Works Ryan O’Halpin, the original construction plan was modified to save this historic shade tree.
We thank all who responded to the Jonah Center’s February 2024 survey on Automated Traffic Enforcement Safety Devices (ATESDs) also known as speed and red-light cameras. We submitted to the City of Middletown the list of names and addresses of those in favor of using this technology to make our streets safer Read more about the issue here. Middletown’s Police Department is supportive of this technology to improve road safety and is proposing an ordinance change to allow its use. Continue reading
Shown above is Patch C in Pecausett Pond, before and after our evening work party in June,
This summer, Jonah Center volunteers and field workers removed approximately 24,000 pounds of invasive water chestnut plants from the Floating Meadows (Mattabesset River), Pecausett Pond, and the Connecticut River between Rocky Hill and Middle Haddam. Continue reading
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
The Jonah Center Board invites you to help celebrate our 20th Anniversary at our Forest and Garden Party on Saturday, June 22 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the South Middletown home of Jon Morris and Pam Frost.
Over the past 14 years, they have transformed their thirty-acre property into a beautiful and inspiring model of sustainable living, with highly productive vegetable gardens, fruit trees, a woodlot that they harvest selectively and keep free of invasive plants, a solar-heated swimming pool, perennial borders, solar panels, and decorative use of stone and wood. Continue reading
We urge the public to attend a special workshop on 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 Chambers of Middletown’s City Hall on Monday, June 10, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., beginning with a formal presentation and followed by questions and comments from the public. Continue reading
Our “Paddle With A Purpose” schedule for July is set. We need volunteer paddlers to help us remove the remaining patches before low water level makes it impossible. A limited number of loaner kayaks are available (for Saturday morning paddles only; see below). Paddles in the “Floating Meadows” in Middletown will launch from the boat launch at 181 Johnson Street. Paddles in Pecausett Pond in Portland launch from Portland Boat Works at 1 Grove Street.
The remaining July paddle dates are as follows:
Tues. July 23 @ 5 p.m. — Floating Meadows in Middletown (loaner kayaks not available for this event).
Sat. July 27 @ 9 a.m. — Floating Meadows in Middletown (loaner kayaks available).
Please use the Paddle Registration Form to register for any of the dates listed. By registering, you will receive last-minute news on changes of plans due to weather or other factors.
To borrow a kayak, paddlers must also register with the CT River Conservancy (which owns the loaner kayaks) well in advance of the paddle date . Here is their registration link. https://ctriver.vomo.org/opportunity/wc-middletown Under the map showing Middletown on the left side, click Join. Then, for the date you indicated, you will see 2 volunteer paddler options. The top one is for those who need to borrow a kayak.. Click Join for that date on the right side. Then you will have to “sign in” by setting up a CRC account, or using a Google account.
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
Join us for a vibrant celebration of our planet at our annual Earth Day Extravaganza on Saturday, April 20th! From 12 PM to 3 PM, we invite you to participate in a day filled with eco-conscious activities, delicious food, lively music, and opportunities to connect with local nonprofits and eco-friendly vendors. Continue reading