Invitation: Katchen Coley Mountain Laurel Preserve to be Dedicated July11th at 7pm

The City Council appropriated funding earlier in July to buy a beautiful, 50-acre parcel in Maromas to be preserved as open space. The City Council will meet in Special Session tomorrow, Thursday July 11, at 7 p.m, to formally dedicate that parcel of land to honor Katchen Coley who has worked tirelessly for decades on environmental causes here in Middletown and around Connecticut. One of Katchen's passions was saving Maromas, having recognized the value of the beautiful natural landscape in that part of town. The land will be named the Katchen Coley Mountain Laurel Preserve. 

The public is encouraged to come and celebrate this special occasion. The Council agenda does allow for people to speak on that agenda, so there will be an  opportunity to say a few words if you'd like to.

This property is surrounded by and enjoys easements over CL&P land and State of Connecticut land. It is the second highest point in Maromas at 648 feet above sea level. It is the 3rd highest point in Middletown. There is an abundance of Mountain Laurel and it is truly a unique parcel of land. It also contains part of the New England national scenic trail.

NOTE- the LOCATION of the meeting is the Council Chamber in City Hall

Here is a video clip of Katchen's reply to a question about how she became involved with the Middletown Conservation Commission:

Click here to open link to video in YouTube

Land Deal No Deal

At its regular monthly meeting (the 4th Monday of every month at 7pm in room 208 of City Hall) on Monday May 23rd, the Conservation Commission voted to oppose the transfer of 17 acres of open space in Haddam from the State Department of Environmental Protection to private commercial developers. This action by the Conservation Commission is in line with similar actions by The Jonah Center, reported in the EYE previously here. The Commission signed an online petition requesting that the Haddam Land Swap be removed from Senate Bill 1196. The petition can be read in its entirety or signed via this link.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/landswap2011/

It states in part:

“ Senate Bill SB1196 ... authorizes a land swap by the State of 17 acres of public land (Clark Creek Wildlife Management Area) overlooking the Connecticut River in Haddam to private developers for a boutique tourist complex, shops, and an entertainment venue. This land ... was paid for by tax dollars and deeded to be preserved as open space. This bill constitutes a violation of the public trust. 

We believe a trade of these 17 acres will set a very dangerous precedent as it is the first such divesting of conservation land in this manner in the state of Connecticut. It will make all Connecticut open space currently set aside for public use vulnerable to developers. If it happens in Haddam, it can happen anywhere in the State.
”

More information about the proposed land swap is available at the Connecticut River Gateway Commission, which reports that "the conveyance controversy and the rally [Stop the Swap on May 21st], which have both received substantial coverage in local newspapers including the Hartford Courant and from the online newspaper Patch.com, is now attracting national coverage through the Associated Press with an article appearing in this past weekend's Boston Globe Online."

Now is the time to get educated about the facts surrounding the proposed deal, and to take actions to reach out to your legislators and voice your opinion prior to this bill coming up for a vote.

Statewide Land Conservation Conference This Saturday

The 2011 CT Land Conservation Conference will be held Saturday, April 30th at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.

2011 Conference Highlights

•24 workshops covering a range of topics directly affecting citizens and environments across Connecticut.

•Keynote Presentation by Andy Kendall, President of the Trustees of Reservations. Drawing from his experiences at The Trustees of Reservations (considered America’s first land trust) over the last 11 years, Andy will highlight key opportunities to advance land conservation in the region and across the country. The philosophy and approach to the Trustees efforts is something that land trusts across the state will recognize as core to their efforts to engage communities, foster collaboration and increase relevance of the work they do to save Connecticut’s special places.

•Conference attendees are eligible for a free ticket to the Connecticut Forest & Park Association Outdoor Gear Expo taking place on Saturday at Wesleyan from 3-7 P.M. (number of tickets are limited).

•Networking opportunities, displays and much more!

This year's conference will be designed around a general theme of collaboration and partnerships, so many workshops will address that topic. Other categories likely to be covered at the conference include (but are not limited to):

• Advocacy
• Stewardship (monitoring, land management, baseline reports)
• Organizational Capacity Development
• Fundraising
• Outreach, Education and Communications
• Leadership (board and staff)
• Land Conservation Transactions

Directions and Parking

The conference will be held in the Exley Science Center. Parking will be available at the Vine Street parking lot (Lot V on map; shuttle service will run from this lot) as well as on the streets around campus. Please be in touch if you require special accomodations. The Science Center and Lot V may be found on map below (or explore via interactive map).

Map of Campus

Directions to Wesleyan

Meet Your Greens - Land Preservation

Meet Your Greens! welcomes ...

Amy Blaymore Paterson

November 16, 2010

5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Time Out Taverne New Haven Road, Durham

Join us and meet Amy Blaymore Paterson, the new Executive Director for the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC). The Council's mission is to advocate for land preservation, stewardship and funding, and ensure the long term strength and viability of the land conservation community.

CLCC comprises a coalition of land trusts, statewide conservation and advocacy organizations, town conservation and open space commissions, garden clubs and private individuals. It has a Steering Committee with statewide representation and shares its headquarters with the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) in the Rockfall section of Middlefield. For more information on CLCC, visit its website: www.ctconservation.org.

Time Out Taverne

Time Out Taverne offers friendly, small town ambiance in sophisticated surroundings. An eclectic menu features American food tweaked with Asian and Latin American influences, carefully chosen wines, an adventurous beer list and creative martinis!

Time Out Taverne

100 New Haven Road

Durham, CT

Phone: (860)349-1721

www.timeouttaverne.com

Meet Your Greens , Middlesex County green drinks happy hour, meets every third Tuesday of the month. Venues and times change-- join our e-list for updates and invites by contacting Claire Rusowicz, crusowicz@rockfallfoundation.org; or Jennifer Weymouth, jaweymouth@yahoo.com. You can also join us on Facebook ("Meet Your Greens").

Schedule updates are also provided on The Rockfall Foundation website, www.rockfallfoundation.org.

Questions? Please e-mail or call Claire Rusowicz (860)347-0340.