Fairfield Dedicates Trail In Honor Of Local Conservationist Joy Shaw

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Conservation Department last week dedicated an open space trail in honor of longtime conservation advocate Joy Shaw, whose work has shaped environmental education and preservation efforts in the town for more than 50 years.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Perry?s Mill Ponds Open Space, where residents, local officials, members of the Mill River Wetland Committee and other environmental supporters gathered to recognize Shaw?s influence on the protection of the Mill River watershed. Click here to view a photo of the event.

Shaw became a central figure in Fairfield?s conservation movement in the 1960s, when she blocked a bulldozer in an effort to prevent development in the river?s floodplain. She later founded the Mill River Wetland Committee and helped launch an educational program aimed at supporting long-term stewardship of the area. Her curriculum has been taught to generations of Fairfield students.

Conservation Director Tim Bishop told attendees the 64-acre open space—home to ponds, forest, inland wetlands and a stretch of the Mill River—exists in part because of Shaw?s early efforts.

"These very grounds we?re standing on exist and are protected as Town-owned land thanks to Joy," Bishop said. "This Open Space measures 64.38 acres, blessed with multiple ponds, forest, inland wetlands, and of course, the Mill River… The environmental education piece is so important and critical in environmental protection. The trail dedicated today not only memorializes Joy?s lifetime efforts but also re-establishes the trail she originally blazed, both physically and metaphorically."

First Selectwoman Christine Vitale read a proclamation naming Nov. 5 as Joy Shaw Day in Fairfield. She highlighted Shaw?s role in developing the River Lab program, which integrates watershed education into the public schools? science curriculum.

"How wonderful it is to celebrate the opening of the Joy Shaw Trail, as well as Joy?s courage and advocacy in establishing the River Lab Program to enhance the Fairfield Public Schools? science curriculum," Vitale said. "River Lab is more than teaching our students about the environment and our fragile ecosystem, it?s also an opportunity for parents to connect with their children in nature. What is more fundamental than that?"

Mill River Wetland Committee President Jon Dilley said the program now reaches about 3,000 Fairfield students each year, using curriculum Shaw created.

"I?d be remiss and likely admonished by Joy if I didn?t mention that no matter where we live, we?re always in a watershed," Dilley said. "And if you?ve ever trip-led here, or been a parent guide, or if you?ve ever talked to Joy…you?re reminded that we all live in watersheds and how they make our drinking water clean and protect our habitats."

Shaw thanked the crowd and urged continued advocacy. "Don?t forget that you?re all ambassadors…The most important thing you can do is create awareness in the coming generation that we live in watershed systems, and we must respect and understand that so we don?t do the wrong thing and hurt the beauty we most treasure."

The newly named Joy Shaw Trail follows the Mill River from Perry?s Mill Ponds Open Space to Mill Hollow Park Open Space. After the ceremony, Shaw led attendees on a walk along the route, which she first cut roughly 50 years ago.

For more information about the Mill River Wetland Committee or the Town of Fairfield Conservation
Department and its 1,300 acres of Open Space, visit the MRWC website or the Town of Fairfield Conservation website.

About Joy Shaw:
In 1966, Fairfield resident Joy Shaw bravely stepped in front of a bulldozer to protect the Mill River watershed. That act of courage led her to organize neighbors and form the Mill River Wetland Committee (MRWC) dedicated to safeguarding the river?s floodplain and educating the community about its ecological importance. Working with Nature Conservancy and local officials, her advocacy led to the Town of Fairfield?s purchase of the Perry property as open space in 1967. She then partnered with Mill Hill School to pilot an environmental education program about the river?s ecology. Fairfield Public Schools subsequently adopted it and established it as the River-Lab program, which continues today. Through her lifelong commitment to environmental education, she has inspired generations of children to appreciate and protect the Town?s natural beauty and fragile natural resources.

The Town of Fairfield thanks all those who helped to make this project possible, including the Conservation Department, the Mill River Wetland Committee, and the dedicated volunteers who teach our children about the importance of a healthy river ecosystem in partnership with Fairfield Public Schools.