Work Parties & Other Eco-News

Riverfront Clean-up This Saturday
Cinder + Salt clothing store in Middletown and the Middletown Recreation Department are organizing a riverfront clean-up event this Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at Harbor Park, 80 Harbor Drive. Details and a registration link are found here.

Paddle With A Purpose – Water Chestnut Removal Plans
Jonah Center work parties to remove invasive water chestnut from the Floating Meadows are now scheduled for 2 Saturdays, June 5 and 19, both at 9 a.m., starting and ending at the boat launch at 181 Johnson Street. Again, we are partnering with the Connecticut River Conservancy. Please click here to register. Due to Covid-19, masks will be required in the parking lot and on the ramp when social distancing is not possible.

Arbor Day Honorees
Middletown’s Urban Forestry Commission announced at its Arbor Day celebration on April 30 that it will be planting trees in recognition of the work of John Hall; Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz; State Senator Matt Lesser; former State Representative Joseph Serra; State Representative Quentin Phipps; State Representative Brandon Chafee; and Girl Scouts of America Troop 62838, led by Jennifer Tortora. The Girl Scouts raised money to plant a tree in the arboretum on Long Lane. Read more here.

Healthy Plan Eat—Food That’s Good for You and the Planet

Are you interested in eating more food grown at local Connecticut farms? Healthy PlanEat is a website where you can order food directly from local farms that use sustainable growing practices. Items available include vegetables, meat, dairy, cheese, mushrooms, microgreens, honey, and maple syrup. New food artisans are now on the platform as well, so you can order fresh baked bread, fresh pasta and ravioli featuring ingredients from the Healthy PlanEat farms, and coffee. Orders can be placed Monday at 5 am through Thursday at 11 pm and be picked up on Saturday afternoon from 1 - 2 pm on the South Green. Orders can be placed at: https://bit.ly/3uJlkwq

Multi-use Trail Progress Report

The Jonah Center is working with the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) in applying for a state-funded “corridor study” to determine the best route to connect the Air Line Trail in Portland with the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in Cheshire. The most challenging segment lies between Middle Street in Middletown and Broad Street in Meriden.

The 111-mile Central Connecticut Loop Trail that was designated by state law in 2019, with the help of Senator Matt Lesser. Thank you, all our local advocates who have helped move this project forward through you emails and attendance at local hearings on the Newfield Corridor Trail, which is part of the ALT-FCT Connector.

We are happy to report that East Hampton, DEEP, and Eversource have reached an agreement to move utility poles from the 1500-foot gap in the Air Line Trail just north and west of the route 66 underpass. Click here for more information.