2.10.6 – Sponsor Invasive Species Education and Management

The RiverCOG and Town of Essex hosted an Invasive Aquatics Plants workshop on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 from 7:00 to 9:00 at the Essex Town Hall auditorium. The Town of Old Saybrook promoted this event with flyers posted in the Town Hall, on social media, and by informing all of the Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission members of the workshop. Old Saybrook is a member of the RiverCOG.

The program included an introduction to the Essex Sustainability members and Sustainable CT Fellows.

The First speaker was Gregory Bugbee from Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station, Department of Environmental Sciences Associate Scientist. Gregory spoke about the nuisance aquatic plants that can be found in local pond, streams and the Connecticut River. Gregory had a variety of different plant samples for people to identify. He explained where the plants are likely to grow and described how to eradicate them. Gregory also talked about reducing fertilizer use in water sheds.

The second speaker was Gwendolynn Flynn from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protections Boating Division and Environmental Analyst. Gwendolynn spoke about the Clean, Drain and Dry program and the Invasive Investigator program. The volunteer programs were designed to help educate people on ways to keep our waters clean and prevent the spread of aquatic hitchhikers into the lakes and rivers of Connecticut. Volunteers learn how to recognize invasive species, they are taught how to conduct an inspection and provide instructions regarding data collection.

The third speaker was Margot Burns who is the Environmental Planner for Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments. Margot spoke about hydrilla and controlling water chestnut in the Lower Connecticut region. She talked about the program that she has been involved with studying, data collecting and eradicating water chestnut in the lower Connecticut River. The program is through Connecticut Sea Grant.

The audience that was targeted were regional Lake Associations, Conservation Commission, Planning Officials, regional Town CEO’s, and local residents. Day care, and food and drinks were provided. Twelve people attended the workshop. People stayed until after 9:00 pm.

The Lake Associations are: Rogers Lake Lake Hayward Moodus Reservoir Hidden Lake Deer Lake Bushy Hill Episcopal Camp Cedar Lake Deer Lake Scout Reservation Lake Pocotopaug Lake Beseck Moodus Lake Lower Moodus reservoir

The workshop information was posted on: Sustainable Essex website Town of Essex website Essex newsletter that is emailed RiverCOG facebook Old Saybrook Conservation Commission Facebook

The flyer was distributed to: Pharmacy in Centerbrook Ivoryton Post Office Old Saybrook Town Hall

Hand-outs included: - CT’s invasive Aquatic Plant, Clam & Mussel Identification Guide – CAES Middletown – Invasive Plants workshop Fouling Organisms Are Not Only a Drag – poster Aquatic Invasive Brochure – CT DEEP Best Management Practices for Vessel Decontamination - CT DEEP A Guide to Keeping CT Waters Clean –boater’s wheel Clean, Drain and Dry information Hydrilla Watch cards

Aquatic Invasive Species – CT DEEP https://www.ct.gov/deep//////cwp/view.asp?q=322690&deepNav_GID=1630

Aquatic Species in CT https://www.ct.gov/deep//////cwp/view.asp?a=2702&q=474710&deepNav_GID=1620

Boat Cleaning Tips https://www.ct.gov/deep//////cwp/view.asp?a=2686&q=474558&deepNav_GID=1620

Why Do We Care is Non-native Plants Enter Our Water Bodies? https://www.ct.gov/deep//////cwp/view.asp?a=2702&q=474596&deepNav_GID=1620

Releasing Bait and Aquarium Pets https://www.ct.gov/deep//////cwp/view.asp?a=2702&q=474708&deepNav_GID=1620

Aquatic Invasive Brochure https://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/Boating/AquaticSpeciesBrochure.pdf

Best Management Practices for Vessel Decontamination