Drone photo courtesy of Matt Stauble, Stauble Media. Click on the image to enlarge.

Our vision for the Midden Lookout Park is coming into view.

Location A in the photo is the top of the old landfill (the “midden cap”) where we are suppressing invasive mugwort to prepare for planting of a pollinator meadow. Some of the cardboard being laid down and covered by woodchips is visible around the edges. Next year, we will construct a wildlife viewing shelter, thanks to our recent successful fundraiser.

Location B marks our canoe and kayak launch, finished in 2013, and where Jonah paddlers launch onto the Coginchaug River (visible at C) to remove invasive water chestnut plants from the Floating Meadows and the Mattabesset River (D, on the right).

Location E on the left marks the entrance to the Midden Lookout Park, between the Keating Enterprise Park (F) and Middletown’s Recycling Center (G). The trail to the top of the midden is indicated by H.

Location I is the solar array installed in 2024. We began advocating for renewable energy (either methane recovery or solar power) in 2007. By 2008, after a Wesleyan study, we learned that the landfill methane was too depleted.

All Jonah Center supporters over the past 21 years have contributed to this progress. Thank you! It is so exciting to be working on top of the midden to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.