Trees, bikeways, and a better community!

Here are some exciting updates and ways you can help make the world a better place. Thank you for your attention. Please share our work with your friends and invite them to subscribe to our newsletters. Can you name the artists whose works are shown on the cover photo at the top? It may be found here.

Tree Planting Progress
Thanks to the generous donors to our Replace Our Trees Campaign, the Jonah Center is planting 22 street trees around the Middlesex YMCA and along William Street and Church Street. The City of Middletown’s increased tree-planting budget, recommended by the Jonah Center last spring and supported by many who sent emails to city officials, will result in approximately 150 new trees planted by the city, according to Urban Forestry Chairperson Jane Harris, who directs and oversees the new tree-planting operations. Click here for more details.

Please Support Our Work
Once a year, in November, we reach out to our supporters and subscribers for the donations that keep the Jonah Center alive and working on behalf of our local environment. You can reduce our expenses and donate now via credit card, or you can send us a check marked “Annual Appeal” to P.O. Box 854, Middletown CT 06457. Thank You!

Berlin Court Tunnel & Jackson Street Bridge
Exciting improvements for bike and pedestrian travel in the North End are in the planning stages. The Berlin Court Tunnel and Jackson Street Bridge will get North End walkers and bicyclists safely under Newfield Street into Veterans Park and facilitate several other bike-ped routes, including the Newfield Corridor Trail. The Jonah Center asks citizen advocates to send emails of thanks and support to Public Works Director Bill Russo and other city officials. A bike- and pedestrian-friendly Middletown is starting to look achievable. Full article with map and photos can be read here.

You're Invited to Ecoin
Ecoin (the Environmental Collective Impact Network) meets via Zoom on the last Monday of the month, 5-6 p.m. Local environmental advocates discuss a range of issues (e.g. open space, energy, waste, bike-ped infrastructure, trees, riverfront). Reply to this email with the word "Ecoin" to receive meeting reminders and Zoom meeting info.

Encourage Voting By Absentee Ballot
The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters is is looking for volunteers for phone banking every Thursday in October to explain to the public how to vote by absentee ballot. Training will take place via Zoom. You need a computer and a cell phone. To RSVP for one or more of their phonebanks, click here. You may also contact Alex Rodriguez at 860-840-6004.