Connecticut’s Conservation Districts Providing assistance for natural resource conservation since 1946

Byram River Streamwalk Survey Rod & Gun Club Shoreline Stabilization Lake Whitney Stormwater Retrofit SWCD Annual Plant Sale Northford Farm Pond/E&S Assistance Who We Are Services We Provide Connecticut’s five Conservation Districts are locally-led  Comprehensive review of development projects nonprofit service organizations working together to provide  Erosion control and storm water plan review cost-effective, timely and unbiased technical assistance and  Secure funding for special projects education on local land use and natural resource issues.  Facilitate connections with environmental Clients include municipal land use staff and commission professionals and resources members, private landowners, agricultural producers, the development community, and the general public.  Mobilize emergency assistance after storm events or other natural disasters Conservation District work in Connecticut’s 169 towns is  Habitat restoration, including stream buffers/banks, critical to striking a healthy balance between conservation invasive plant control, landscaping with native plants and development, completing “green” projects on the  ground, and protecting the state’s vital natural resources. Watershed/stream assessment, water quality studies  Provide soils, geographic information, GIS mapping Consistent support from the state, through the Fee  Natural resource surveys and inventories Bill or State Funds, will allow District technical staff to continue to:  Wetland boundary verification  Provide many services free of charge  Open space planning and management  Bring outside funding and other resources into  Pond inspections and problem-solving communities for projects, employing local engi-  Natural resource education for professionals and the

neering, construction, and other businesses. general public

Learn moreLearnat

www.ConserveCT.org

Southwest Conservation District The Southwest Conservation District promotes the sound use and management of natural resources through technical assistance and education. Our service area includes 43 municipalities in New Haven and Fairfield County.

WATERSHED ASSESSMENT/RESTORATION

Norwalk River Watershed Initiative: Administer CWA 319 funds and contribute to the implementation of the revised action plan.

Byram River Watershed Coalition: Support activities and devel- opment of watershed plan and continuing of stream walk survey.

Pequonnock River Initiative: Support activities and development of the watershed plan for Bridgeport, Monroe and Trumbull.

Quinnipiac River Watershed: Collaborated with The Partnership and its Coordinator Dr. Jerry Silbert.

Wepawaug River Watershed: Developing mini watershed plan concurrently with stormwater retrofit projects and proposed dredging learn more at www.ConserveCT.org/southwest of City ponds/marina region of Milford. ONGOING PARTNERSHIPS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION/OUTREACH EPA/DEP 319 Clean Water Act Grants: Actively administer District & Statewide: Distribute Septic Care & Maintenance Bro- and execute concurrent projects throughout our 43 cities & towns. chure developed by SWCD and funded by CWA 319. USDA FSA/NRCS: Promotes conservation, educational events Outdoor Living Classroom: Developed and installed 7 site specific and facilitates sign up of agricultural producers on Farm Bill prog. outdoor living classrooms in New Haven County schools. CAES: CT Agricultural Experiment Station promotes education Website Resource Management: Developed Focus on Garden- and information exchange, provides facility for SWCD plant sale. ing, which is a highly experienced group of resource conservationists SCRWA: Collaborates on land use and water quality protection. and master gardeners that respond to inquires and publish articles. Rivers Alliance: Promote and execute grants through RA

Envirothon: Participate in CT Districts statewide high school natural WCF: Interstate collaboration with Westchester, NY Community resource education programs. Foundation on the Byram River Watershed Coalition mgmt effort. FY2010-FY2011 Conservation Highlights

MUNICIPAL/LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE Ansonia: Recommended erosion controls to protect wetlands at Na- New Haven: Conducting an inventory, rank and prioritization ture Center of direct stormwater outfalls on the West River. Bethany: Provided guidance on ag waste management practices for North Branford: Stabilized pond edge for agricultural producer horse stables. using bio-engineered product in Northford. Bridgeport: Administrator of the Pequonnock River Watershed Ini- North Haven: Investigated water quality issues on Kings Pond tiative. Facilitation of watershed plan. for the Public Works Dept. Director. Darien: Provided soils resource and stormwater runoff management Prospect: Directed landowner to seek assistance from State & for the Dunlap-Selleck Woods ERT. Federal Agencies on resource management. Fairfield: Supports the efforts of the Sasco Brook Pollution Abate- Oxford: Reviewed ag waste management facility proposed plans ment Committee sited in the headwaters of the Little River. East Haven: Investigation of accelerated shoreline erosion in the Redding: Assessment of invasive plant controls at Meadow Morris Cove area. Ridge retirement facility. Greenwich: Facilitating the efforts of the Byram River Watershed Southington: Procured conifer seedlings for distribution at Coalition stream walk surveys and action plan. Earth Day event. Hamden: Provide conservation plant materials to private landowners Wallingford: Conducted the installation of 700’of shoreline and municipalities at Lockwood Farm. erosion controls on Rod & Gun Clubs 8-acre pond. Meriden: Conducting a vernal pool study for the City at the Cat Hole Waterbury: Provided soils resource information and river access Mountain site. assessment on proposed Green Way. Milford: Developing a mini-watershed plan to address NPS impacts Westport: Assessed and evaluated a build up of alluvial material to water quality through stormwater retrofits. near the YMCA camp on the Saugatuck River. Monroe: Conducted a vernal pool study for Webb Mountain Park. Wilton: Delivery of plant sale materials at Wilton Town Hall. Administer Pequonnock River Initiative. Soils sampling & analysis on Thayer Pond Rd. Naugatuck: Provided erosion control and wetland remediation assis- Woodbridge: Recommended remediation plans on several eu- tance on a site above a public water-supply. trophic ponds within the community.