ERT Goes to Washington
Elaine and Amanda attended the February 2008 National RC&D DC Leadership Forum in Washington, DC. They also made visits to Capitol Hill to Connecticut Congressman and Senate Leaders letting them know about the importance of the RC&D and the ERT program. If you would like more information on this and other National RC&D Events checkout the National RC&D Website.

 

New England Regional RC&D Meeting 2007:
The Annual New England Regional RC&D Meeting was held October 18-20, 2007 in Narragansett, RI. Below are some photos from the weekend. Next year the meeting will be hosted by Eastern CT RC&D, Area in Mystic, CT. Check back for more details. The 2008 New England RC&D Regional Meeting Flyer.

(Above from left to right: Amanda Fargo-Johnson and Elaine Sych stand alongside the Connecticut Environmental Review Team Display board which won and award for Outstanding Display, Turkey's on the Watson Farm in Jameston RI, Cows on the Dutra Farm in Jamestown RI with the Newport Bridge in the background, National RC&D President Sharon Ruggi along with John Guszkowski Eastern CT RC&D President, Gilbert Stuart birthplace, Amanda Fargo-Johnson, Elizabeth Rogers(Eastern CT RC&D), Norma O'Leary(Eastern CT RC&D), Rebecca Augur(Eastern CT RC&D), Elaine Sych, Mark Cummings(King's Mark CT RC&D), and James Sipperly(King's Mark CT RC&D) take time for a pose during the conference friday night dinner, Gilbert Stuart birthplace Gristmill, Sharon Ruggi and a pirate of the Narragansett, Elizabeth Rogers alongside the Eastern CT RC&D Display Board, A window in the Narragansett Towers, The Point Judith Lighthouse, and the Narragansett Towers, Sharon Ruggi and Elaine Sych.)

(The Connecticut ERT wins "Outstanding Display 2007 New England Association fo RC&D Areas") For more information on the New England RC&D Area Association visit them on the web at www.nearcd.org

 

Eastern CT RC&D Annual Meeting 2007:
The Eastern CT RC&D held it's Annual Meeting on June 25, 2007. There were over 30 people who attended the meeting at the Lebanon Historical Society Museum in Lebanon, CT. The business meeting was followed by presentation of awards, box lunch on the patio, self guided tour of the museum and then a tour of Graywall Farms(Farmer's Cow Dairy Farm) also located in Lebanon,CT. It was also nice to see DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy in attendance. See you next year!

Grace from the Lebanon Historical Society welcomes everyone.	John Guszkowski (Eastern CT RC&D Council President) presents Sue Westa and Paul Stahl with an award for the Green Valley Institute.
Group Photo of those in attendance at the 2007 Eastern CT RC&D Annual Meeting.	Everyone enjoying some lunch on a beautiful day.
A look at the "Cows that make the Milk" at Graywall Farms in Lebanon, CT.	Lincoln Chesmer of Graywall Farms giving everyone a tour of operations on the farm that he and his father Robin Chesmer own.

 

LULA Alumni Reunion:
Recently Elaine attended the Connecticut Land Use Leadership Alliance (LULA) Training Program Alumni Symposium held on June 14th at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford along with 40 other graduates of the program.LULA is a training program designed to put needed technical, planning, and process tools into the hands of local leaders to help create land use patterns that will determine the quality of life, economy, and environment of communities in Connecticut. The program focuses on land use law, consensus building and community decision-making with an emphasis on natural resource issues. There have been 5 LULA sessions held in Connecticut with about 120 community leaders completing the program.The LULA staff gave brief presentations and updates. Attorney Tiffany Zezula, Land Use Law Center Advisor from the Pace University School of Law gave an update on the LULA program and directed participants to the new official Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program website at www.landuseleaders.com.
Attorney Marjorie Shansky gave a legal update on land use techniques in Connecticut and their efficacy and she also discussed recent case studies in land use law. Bill Logue, the mediation/process specialist, discussed recent collaborations that have taken place in the region and Sean Nolan, the Director of the Land Use Law Center of Pace University offered his insights into the land use and collaborative successes of municipalities throughout the region. There was plenty of time for the graduates to ask questions and to network amongst themselves.For more information concerning the LULA program in Connecticut please go to www.easternrcd-ct.org. The Eastern Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development Area is the sponsor of the program, and the ERT Program has provided support.

 

Pictures, Point and Places:
Recently Elaine and Amanda had the opportunity to attend a workshop on GPS and photo intergration given by Uconn Extension in April 2007. They learned alot and look forward to using their new skills in future ERT Reports. Here are some photos from the class. If you would like more info about this or other classes available go to http://clear.uconn.edu/geospatial/training.htm

(Top left: Elaine Sych takes notes in the field, top right and bottom left: GPS class out in the field, bottom right: Amanda Johnson turns to take a photo while getting her GPS waypoint.)

 

CT Land Conservation Council Conference:
The ERT had a display table at the Connecticut Land Conservation Council which held their 24th Annual Conference on March 31, 2007 at Northeast Utilities offices in Berlin CT from 8:30 am to 4:30pm. This was an annual gathering of Connecticut's Land Trusts and Conservation Organizations. This year's keynote speaker was Robert M, Thorson who is a Gelogy Professor at the University of Connecticut. If you would like more information on them and their conference please checkout the website at:www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/connecticut.

NEARC Conference:
The 2006 NEARC (Northeast Arc User Group) Conference was held November 12- 15, 2006 at the Mystic Marriott in Groton, CT.  If you are interested and would like more information about this GIS Conference check out their website at: www.northeastarc.org

 

CACIWC’S 29th Annual Meeting and Environmental Conference:
The 2006 CACIWC (Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetland Commissions) Conference was held on Saturday November 4, 2006 at the Mountainside Resort in Wallingford, CT.  The ERT participated again this year and had an exhibit on display for this event.  If you are interested in learing more about CACIWC visit their website at http://www.caciwc.org

 

Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group Symposium:
The 2006 CIPWG was held on October 12, 2006 at the Mountainside Resort in Wallingford, CT.  The ERT was setup with a table exhibit for this event.  If you are interested in more information you can go to the CIPWG website at http://www.hort.uconn.edu/CIPWG/

ERT Display at the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group Symposium

 

2006 Eastern CT Tour des Farms:
The 2006 Eastern CT Tour was held Saturday September 23, 2006.  The Tour began and ended in Woodstock.  The Tour was held again in conjunction with the Celebrating Agriculture Fair at the Woodstock Fairgrounds.  Find more information go to their website www.tourdesfarms.org

2006 King's Mark Tour des Farms
The 2006 King's Mark Tour was held Saturday September 9, 2006.

2006 Eastern CT RC&D Annual Meeting:
The 2006 annual meeting was held on Monday June 26 at 12:00pm at Gillette's Castle State Park in East Haddam, CT.  There was a business meeting, awards were given out followed by lunch.  Afterwards the group was given a tour of Gillette's Castle.

 

2005 CACIWC's Environmental Conference and Annual Meeting:
On Saturday November 5, 2005 The Connecticut Environmental Review Team participated in CACIWC's annual meeting and environmental conference.  The ERT had a display table set up, and also was a presenter in the conference.  Amanda gave a 40 min power point presentation to about 30 people who signed up for the workshop titled "Effectively using the CT Environmental Review Team Program."  It was a great day to correspond with commission members and the turn out was high.

 

Elaine's celebrates 20th Anniversary with the ERT:
On October 24, 2005 at the RC&D Council meeting a 20th Anniversary Party was held for Elaine Sych (ERT Coordinator).  Elaine started as the Eastern CT ERT Coordinator in April 1985.  In 1992 Elaine also assumed the role as the King's Mark ERT Coordinator.  Over the years Elaine has participated in approximately 350 ERT reviews. Congratulations Elaine!!!

Everyone on the council takes a moment to celebrate with Elaine	Elaine receives her service award from John(Council President)

 

2005 King’s Mark RC&D Annual Meeting:
The 29th annual meeting was held Saturday September 24, 2005 following the Tour des Farms, at the Hopkins Vineyard in New Preston, CT. 

2005 King's Mark Tour des Farms:
The annual tour was held Saturday, September 24, 2005 The ride began at 9am starting at Hopkins Vineyard located at 25 Hopkins Road New Preston, CT.  

2005 Eastern Connecticut Tour des Farms:
The annual tour was held Saturday, September 17, 2005.  The ride began at 9am starting at Fairvue Farm (located next to the Woodstock fairgrounds) 199 Route 169 Woodstock, CT.  This was the third Tour de Farms, with over 80 riders.  There were two available route options with local farms to visit and shop from along the way which included Woodstock Orchards, Woodstock Farm, Taylor Brook Winery, Trowbridge House B&B, We-Li-Kit Ice cream, Golden Lamb, and Lapsley Orchard.  After the ride, participants were able to attend the popular annual “Celebrating Agriculture” fair that was held next to the ride, at the Woodstock Fairgrounds. The Tour de Farms event was featured in the local Reminder newspaper this past week.  To read the article follow the link. Reminder Article on Tour de Farms

What is Tour des Farms?
The Connecticut Tour des Farms is a bike ride (not a race) that showcases local farms in Connecticut.  Eastern CT RC&D and King's Mark RC&D each host there own rides.  They each have two available routes, a 20 and 40 mile loop.  The routes lead you on a scenic tour of some of Connecticut's most beautiful and productive farmland with farm stops along the way.  Riders can purchase items along the way and the items with be marked and transported by volunteers back to the gathering spot.  The proceeds will go to support the RC&D program and the Working Lands Alliance.  The WLA is a coalition of farmers, land trusts, conservationists, and citizens working together to increase the State's commitment towards farmland protection.

2005 Eastern CT RC&D Annual Meeting:
The Annual Meeting was held on June 27, 2005 at Roseland Park in Woodstock, CT.  Thanks to Liz and Diana at the RC&D office for making all the arrangements.  A good time was had by all!