Category: Environment

Save Water, Save Money, and Save Our Waterways! And Get Free Flower and Vegetable Seeds!

by Diane Dynia, Hamden Seed Library

In the Brundage Library: The Hamden Seed Library is offering a class on how to set up and use rain barrels at your home. Having years of experience, Frank Panzarella will show participants how to set up a rain barrel using easy-to-find supplies. In addition, he will explain the benefits of collecting storm water for both the homeowner and our environment. It will be held in the Meeting Room of the Brundage Library, 91 Circular Avenue, Hamden on Wednesday, April 19 from 6:30-7:45 p.m.  Space is limited so register early online at hamdenlibrary.org. Click on Programs, and then click on the Rain Barrel Program to register or call the library at 203-287-2680. If the class becomes full or if you can’t make it on the 19th, Frank will be at the Hamden Earth Day Celebration held at Town Center Park, 2761 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

In the Miller Library: On the lower level of the library, 2901 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, you can visit our Seed Library. Till mid-June you may choose from an assortment of vegetable, flower, and herb seeds, including heirloom seeds and varieties of vegetables and herbs of interest from around the world. The Seed Library is self-service. Please keep the following in mind:

  • You may select up to 5 types of seeds from the packets that are on display.
  • Only take as much seed as you need. We have provided glassine envelopes and labels for you.
  • Read the information on the packet, to make sure you can give your seeds the growing conditions they need.
  • Grow your seeds!

Environmental Assessment of Proposed Tweed Airport Expansion

by Save the Sound

The Federal Aviation Administration has released an environmental assessment of the proposed expansion of Tweed-New Haven Airport, which Save the Sound attorneys are currently reviewing. We will continue to argue for a full environmental impact statement — a more rigorous and detailed environmental analysis.

Among our concerns: wetland loss, impacts of flooding due to sea level rise, and the environmental justice impacts of pollution on nearby overburdened neighborhoods.

Learn more and add your voice at the public hearing April 1, 1:30 p.m. at East Haven High School, East Haven.

News from the New Haven Bioregional Group

by Lynne Bonnet, NH Bioregional Group

Join us for “Oysters: Natural Resources of the Quinnipiac River and Morris Creek.” The program will be Saturday, March 4, 2 p.m. at the Q River Grill (event room), 2 Clifton St., New Haven, presented by The New Haven Bioregional Group, co-sponsored by Gather New Haven and Copps Island Oysters, LLC with support from the Greater New Haven Green Fund.

Zofia Baumann, Ph.D., from UCONN Avery Point, received funding from the Quinnipiac River Fund to study oysters in the Quinnipiac River and Morris Creek from spring through fall 2022. The study was in collaboration with Dr. Mary Beth Decker from Yale University and Mr. Richard Harris of Copps Island Oysters, LLC, and was supported by citizen scientists from the New Haven Bioregional Group, 10,000 Hawks, Sound School, and other volunteers. She will present the major findings and attempt to answer the following questions:

How long do oysters live, and when do they reproduce?
How many oysters are there and where are they?
What can we do to increase oysters in the Quinnipiac River and New Haven Harbor?
How can we assist oyster restoration?
Are you interested in citizen science projects?

Following the Q & A there will be a walk from the restaurant to the oyster reef; low tide is around 3:30. If you plan to walk, be sure to wear suitable boots for a muddy/shell-covered river bank!
This event is free and open to the public.

Highlights from CT Green Energy News, Feb. 17, 2023

Newsletter about clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate action, focusing on Connecticut. To subscribe, send an email to [email protected]. To find out more about People’s Action for Clean Energy (PACE), go to www.pacecleanenergy.org.

CT legislators vow harder look at utilities, and a regulator applauds

CT Mirror. “Frustrations over Connecticut’s high cost of electricity and concerns over its ability to adequately regu-late Eversource, the state’s largest distributor of electricity, are fueling a bipartisan effort to revise the complex rules of utility regulation for the second time in three years… Eversource officials sat stone-faced as [PURA Chairman Marissa] Gillett recently told lawmakers that a $103 million settlement the company negotiated with the Lamont administration in 2021, which was hailed by the governor who hired her, was instead another missed opportunity to examine Connecticut’s largest utility…“The fact that I’m going into my fourth year or fifth year here before you and have not seen a rate case from our largest utility in the state is a travesty. I honestly believe that,” Gillett told lawmakers.”

Gov. Lamont wants more CT options to buy power: ‘A clear public need’

CT Insider. “Connecticut is considering more alternatives to obtain power independent of the market exchange created during the deregulation of the electric industry a quarter century ago, amid continuing frustration with high rates this winter… [T]he Connecticut General Assembly’s Environment Committee will examine the state’s alternatives… Under the bill, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection would be able to “issue multiple solicitations for long-term contracts from providers of resources,” sidestepping the central market for electricity overseen by ISO New England, the region’s independent system operator based in Holyoke, Mass… The Connecticut bill would allow DEEP to consider a broader range of factors in making any independent purchase of power, to include whether adequate amounts of natural gas are available for the generation of electricity; reducing pollution; and infrastructure costs.”

Rock to Rock Plans Are Rolling!

by Chris Schweitzer, New Haven-León Sister City Project

Support local environmental and climate work through Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride!

Rock to Rock is moving ahead for this spring, working with over 20 partner organizations to take real action in response to the climate emergency, and raise critical support for local environmental organizations.

2023 Rides include 5-, 12-, 20-, 40-, 60-mile, and two Family Rides in East Rock Park, plus hikes in East Rock Park and West Rock Park. Join the fun April 29. All rides start and end at East Rock Park, with a Green Fair, live music and food trucks. Register at rocktorock.org.

Volunteers Needed for the Marginal Drive Bird Lookout Point in West River Memorial Park

West River Watershed Coalition

West Haven residents, New Haven residents, UNH students, walkers, birders, and nature lovers: Help develop a safe, beautiful, natural destination for people of all ages. Volunteers have been hard at work getting this spot ready, but it still needs your help. Please join the effort!

WHAT? Help prepare the trails and trim vines from the trees. (And pick up trash along Marginal Drive.)
WHEN? Saturdays March 4, April 1 and May 6, 10 a.m.-noon.
WHERE? Meet at Marginal Dr. at Westfield St., West Haven.
WHO? West River Watershed Coalition, UNH students, City of West Haven, City of New Haven.
INFO? Pruners, loppers, and hand saws provided, but bring your own tools if you have them. Grabbers, buckets and bags will also be provided. Wear gloves and bring drinking water. Heavy rain cancels. Kathie Hebert 203-506-5125.

Exciting Updates for the CT Environmental Rights Amendment

by Kimberly Stoner, CT Climate Crisis Mobilization

Under the Connecticut and U.S. constitutions, you do not have a legal right to a safe and healthy environment. Our legal system protects some rights, but not the right to clean air, water, and soil; a stable climate; and healthy environments. Because environmental rights are not recognized, government decision-makers can disregard them in favor of other political or economic priorities.

All communities suffer when there is pollution, environmental degradation, and an unstable climate. Communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities carry a disproportionate burden.

Representative Mary Mushinsky introduced the CT Environmental Rights Amendment in the state legislature this year. The CT Environmental Rights Amendment will require government officials to put environmental protection FIRST at the start of planning, decision-making, legislating, regulating industry, and the transition to renewable energy. The CT Environmental Rights Amendment will require them to avoid/prevent environmental harm, not simply manage it after the fact.

Green Amendments in Pennsylvania and Montana similar to the CT Environmental Rights Amendment have been used to overturn state laws expanding fracking and to stop a destructive gold mine at the headwaters of a major river. A new Environmental Rights Amendment in New York passed in a referendum with 70% of the vote!

The bill is now on the CT General Assembly website. The bill number is PHJ 13. Now it is easier to contact state legislators and ask them to co-sponsor and actively support PHJ 13. You can view the bill at www.cga.ct.gov/2023/TOB/H/PDF/2023HJ-00013-R00-HB.PDF.

The Connecticut Climate Crisis Mobilization (C3M), the Green Party of CT, and CT NOFA (The Northeast Organic Farming Association of CT) lead the effort to pass the CT Environmental Rights Amendment. We are contacting other organizations to sign on — it will take a deep and broad coalition to get this passed. Our CT Environmental Rights Amendment Organizing Group meets every Friday from 5-6 p.m. during the legislative session by Zoom.

For more information and join us, contact Kim Stoner at 203-584-5936 or [email protected].

Fair Haven’s PhotoVoice Project

Xóchitl García, Save the Sound Community Leader

This past summer, Xóchitl García led a photovoice project in Fair Haven. She recruited 13 neighborhood residents to document environmental assets and hazards through photography.

Residents took over 100 photos throughout the season, but only 50 were showcased in the final exhibit. Xóchitl identified five socio-environmental themes: Green and Blue Spaces, Abandoned Buildings, Trash Travels, A Safe Place, and The Homeless. To gather more perspectives and ideas on solutions to address these issues, Xóchitl, Melissa Pappas from Save the Sound, and New Haven Neighborhood Housing Services hosted two community charrettes at the Fair Haven Public Library. They then presented community-derived solutions from these charrettes in conjunction with the results of the PhotoVoice project to leaders, policy-makers, and city representatives at the final presentation hosted at Junta for Progressive Action at the end of September 2022.

Xóchitl and project participants plan to hold organizations and local authorities accountable for implementing these solutions through creative campaigning and a mini-series of workshops to further develop the ideas into proposal-ready projects. Ideally, an organization or a partner will commit to addressing these solutions in their capacity. At the same time, Fair Haven residents continue to be the source of inspiration and can hold organizations and decision-makers accountable for those commitments. Realistically, there will be one concrete solution as a first communal step toward environmental justice in Fair Haven.

Now, Xóchitl is establishing a strategic plan for community outreach and creating a winter workshop series next year. She wants to improve resident attendance in the spaces where people will make decisions. She believes representation is more important than ever in environmental justice. BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and People of Color] cultures and non-English languages need the voice, the space, and the flexibility to communicate their matters that have been systemically disregarded.

To see the virtual exhibit of the Fair Haven PhotoVoice project, please visit: https://www.savethesound.org/urban-waters-initiative.

[On Thursday, Jan. 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m., see the PhotoVoice presentation in the Program Room of the Fair Haven Library, 182 Grand Ave.]

Do You Have a Right to Clean Air, Clean Water, a Stable Climate, and a Healthy Environment?

by Kimberly Stoner, CT Climate Crisis Mobilization

Of course you have a moral right, but, NO, you do not have a legal right to a safe and healthy environment under the Connecticut or US constitutions.

Our legal system protects some rights, but not the right to clean water and air, a stable climate, and healthy environments. Because environmental rights are not recognized, government decision-makers can disregard them in favor of other political or economic priorities.

Our current system of environmental laws accepts pollution and degradation as something to be managed rather than prevented. All communities suffer when there is pollution, environmental degradation, and an unstable climate; and communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities carry a disproportionate burden.

We need a Green Amendment to the Connecticut state constitution — and ultimately to the US Constitution.

Green Amendments require government officials to put environmental protection first at the start of planning, decision-making, and legislating, and regulate industry, development, and the transition to renewable energy. Green Amendments require government officials to avoid/prevent environmental harm, not simply to manage it after the fact.

Green Amendments in Pennsylvania and Montana have been used to overturn state laws expanding fracking and to stop a destructive gold mine at the headwaters of a major river. A new Green Amendment in New York passed in a referendum with 70% of the vote! For more information on Green Amendments, see www.forthegenerations.org.

The Connecticut Climate Crisis Mobilization (C3M) has made this work a major priority. Join us in putting a Green Amendment into the Bill of Rights of the Connecticut Constitution! For more information, visit the website ctclimatecrisismobilization.org.

Native Plants from Seed: On-Site Workshops

Hamden Public Library

Growing native plants from seed makes it easy to provide important habitat for pollinators while adding color and variety to your garden and landscape.

In January, Hamden Public Library will be offering on-site workshops at all three library locations where we will demonstrate an easy and effective way to propagate many types of native plants, most of which come from seeds that need a period of cold “stratification” in order to germinate. During the workshop you will learn about the importance of native plants to our region, and can start a pollinator haven of your own by sowing seeds in a do-it-yourself mini-greenhouse.

Please register below for one of the workshops. Because attendance is limited, please sign up for only one session. Most materials are provided, including seeds, but please bring a clear gallon milk jug if you have one.

Hamden Public Library’s seed library offers a variety of native and other seeds on request during the winter months. Seeds suitable for winter sowing will be available for pick-up at the library branches in January and February. A list of available seeds (including several CT Ecotypes) and how to request them will be available in early January.

From February through June, we will put out a selection of garden seeds for you to browse and use. Do plan early, as we may well run out of seeds before June’s end. This year the bins were empty before mid-June. We ask that you limit your selections to five types of seed, and only take what you need (plus a little bit more).

We want to thank Diane Dynia, an intern through UConn’s Master Gardener program, who produced an informative brochure of pleasing design to give the seed library more reach in the community. Look at the Seed Library page here: hamdenlibrary.org/seed-library/

Info: [email protected], 203-287-2680.

NHCM Celebrates Hiring of City Climate Director, Steve Winter

by Chris Schweitzer, New Haven Climate Movement

In 2019, New Haven Climate Movement youth led the effort to pass the New Haven Climate Emergency Resolution. Soon after its passage, then Mayor-elect Elicker committed to create a climate office to work on cutting climate pollution and fossil fuel use. On Dec. 9, 2022, Alder Steve Winter was hired to become Climate and Sustainability Director.

Steve has supported climate organizing efforts, including helping pass NHCM’s Electrification Resolution in 2020, and supported the Board of Education Climate Emergency Resolution in 2022. The City has set aside $2 million in Federal funding for projects that cut greenhouse gas emissions and pollution in neighborhoods (for example, energy efficiency programs).

NHCM is now working hard to implement projects identified in the BoE Resolution in 2023, and will be advocating for much greater investment in cutting fossil fuel climate pollution.

For more information about NHCM’s work or to get involved go to newhavenclimatemovement.org.

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