Let's Go
Audubon Vermont
Winter at the Green Mountain Audubon Center
Winter is a quieter time of year at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, Vermont, but there’s still plenty to do. Visit the Audubon Center to snowshoe, cross-country ski, or hike the snow-packed trails. Bring your binoculars to view some of Vermont’s resident birds or follow tracks of the active winter animals that make the Audubon Center home.
The Audubon Center is open to the public every day of the year, at no charge, and has hiking trails through more than 250 acres of habitats managed for birds and other wildlife, including wetlands, meadows, and forests. There are trails for every hiking or snowshoeing ability! You can also learn about guided programs and events hosted at the Audubon Center on the Audubon Vermont’s online events page (vt.audubon.org/events). Come visit this winter—all are welcome at Audubon!
Save the Sound
Skip the Wrapping Paper
This holiday season, share your love for the environment with your friends and family. Consider purchasing a Save the Sound membership on their behalf to let them know that your present this year is the gift of clean water, clear air, and wild open spaces. You can do it all at www.savethesound.org/GiveMembership.
Your loved ones deserve a healthy and thriving environment—today and year-round. For fifty years, Save the Sound has been committed to breaking down barriers to restore our waters and habitats to their full vitality. Save the Sound fights climate change, preserves endangered lands, protects the Sound and its rivers, and works with nature to restore ecosystems. All of this work is grounded in hands-on science, community collaboration, legislative advocacy, and policy leadership.
This year, skip the wrapping paper! You’ll feel good knowing that your gift of membership will create lasting physical change that strengthens natural ecosystems to benefit both wildlife and people. Learn more at www.savethesound.org/GiveMembership.
Rockfall Foundation
Support Environmental Grants and Education Programs
Rockfall Foundation memberships and donations directly support environmental grants and educational programs in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. November begins The Rockfall Foundation’s Annual Giving Campaign seeking financial support from both individuals and businesses. Last year this support helped fund over $36,000 in environmental grants to fifteen nonprofit organizations, schools, or municipalities, as well as many educational programs including a bird walk, a talk on bobcats in Connecticut, a field trip on identifying lichen, a hands-on invasive plant identification workshop, and the annual Rockfall Symposium, which was on the effect of climate changes on Connecticut trees. Information on how to donate to The Rockfall Foundation can be found at rockfallfoundation.org or by contacting the Rockfall offices at 860-347-0340.
Connecticut Land Conservation Council
Save the Date!
The Connecticut Land Conservation Conference, hosted by the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) will be held March 23, 2024, on the campus of Wesleyan University in Middletown. This event stands as Connecticut’s premier land conservation gathering. Each year, hundreds attend this unique program, immersing themselves in a full day of training, networking, and sharing insights about land conservation.
Join CLCC for a full day of workshops led by esteemed presenters from various land conservation fields. Dive deep into discussions, learn from experts, and contribute to the ever-evolving dialogue on preserving Connecticut’s natural beauty.
Discover more about the conference and secure your spot by visiting: https://ctconservation.org/conference/.
Connecticut River Salmon Association
46th Annual Dinner to Celebrate 50th Anniversary
On the occasion of its 50th year, the Connecticut River Salmon Association (CRSA) invites you to its 46th Annual Dinner to honor David Egan, Founder and First President, as he receives the President’s Award. Dave’s efforts on behalf of wild Atlantic salmon deserve special recognition in 2024—CRSA’s 50th Anniversary year! Not only did Dave found the CRSA, he was involved in the creation of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization Treaty (NASCO), and a US Commissioner and Chairman of the West Greenland Commission for the organization. He was also involved in the negotiations between the four Connecticut River Watershed states that created the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (CRASC) and was its first Chairman—a record of achievement that deserves special recognition!
The night’s special guest speaker will be Andrew Fisk, PhD, Northeast Regional Director for American Rivers. He will discuss the importance of New England river partnerships and the Connecticut River Watershed. CRSA is also honored to announce Adriano Manocchia as its Guest Sporting Artist.
The dinner will be held on January 13, 2024, at Casa Mia at the Hawthorne, Berlin, Connecticut. The evening will include live and silent auctions, raffles, and door prizes. Social hour, music, and auction preview begin at 5 p.m., live auction at 6 p.m., followed by dinner. Reservation forms are available at ctriversalmon.org. For questions, email info@ctriversalmon.org.
Connecticut River Conservancy
Welcoming New Leadership for the Connecticut River
Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is happy to welcome its new Executive Director, Rebecca Todd!
A resident of New Hampshire, Rebecca has lived in the Connecticut River watershed for most of her life and considers this her dream job. For over thirty years she has advised organizations, individuals, and businesses in matters related to environmental, educational, contractual, employment, and nonprofit management. She served as General Counsel for Antioch University, as Associate Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General in Washington in the Education and Ecology divisions, and litigated cases for the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, Inc. (now Earthjustice), and the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., related to the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and hazardous waste laws. Rebecca’s experience is sure to bring incredible value to the conservation efforts of CRC and our many regional partners. Sign up at ctriver.org/email to stay connected.
Connecticut River Museum
50th Anniversary Celebration Launched
The Connecticut River Museum was delighted to launch its year-long 50th Anniversary celebration on October 12, 2023, with the unveiling of a new painting by Len Tantillo depicting Fort Good Hope, the 17th century Dutch outpost near present-day Hartford on the banks of the Connecticut River. Visit the museum to see this new work in the first-floor galleries. And then head up to the third floor to explore the 30th anniversary Train Show. This New England holiday tradition is not to be missed. Plus, the monthly lecture series, “Live from the Boathouse!”, is in full swing. Connecticut River Museum can’t wait to see you! For more information visit ctrivermuseum.org.
The Lyme Land Trust
Hike the Hills of Lyme and Experience Lyme’s Dark Skies
The Lyme Land Trust’s Tuesday Treks meet every Tuesday morning at a different preserve led by a trust staff or board member. Find out this winter’s schedule at lymelandtrust.org. Expert-led hikes are added regularly and The Tree Collective—a teen hiking and stewardship program—meets regularly. Events continue to be added to the calendar, so visit the trust’s website to learn more at lymelandtrust.org/upcoming-events/.
The Lyme Land Trust hosts monthly astronomy observing sessions near the time of the new moon. The trust’s observatory site now has a modern 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope housed in a permanent structure. The location, time, and other details will be provided when you register: lymelandtrust.org/astronomy-events/.
Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
e-Bird Hotspot and More
The Connecticut Audubon Society established the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (RTPEC) in the Connecticut River estuary in Old Lyme in 2014. Named for internationally and locally renowned artist, scientific illustrator, environmental educator, and conservation advocate Roger Tory Peterson, the center is dedicated to experiential education and conservation of our land, waters, and the species that inhabit them. RTPEC offers school programs and summer camp, programs for adults and youth, research, and advocacy.
Check out RTPEC’s online e-Bird Hotspot for a listing of birds spotted at the center. Through the middle of October, 96 species had been spotted in 2023! For more information including about upcoming lectures and programs visit ctaudubon.org/rtp-estuary-home/.
Riverfront Recapture
Get Out and Walk Along the River
Riverfront Recapture’s mission is to connect people to the Connecticut River in Hartford and East Hartford, Connecticut. One way they do that is through its networks of trails including the Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk—complete with audio tour of sixteen works of art available through its website: the Hartford Riverwalk, a 3.4-mile paved riverfront trail linking Riverside Park and Charter Oak Landing with connections to Mortensen Riverfront Plaza and the East Hartford Riverwalk and Great River Park; the Two Bridge Loop and Four Park Loop trails; and the 4.6-mile round-trip Riverside Park Wooded Trail. All have beautiful views of the river and allow for exploration of flora and fauna.
Find trail maps, detailed descriptions, directions, and more at riverfront.org/trails/.