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Thank you to all that care about natural resources in the Thames River watershed and have participated, or expressed an interest in, the Thames River Basin Partnership (TRBP). TRBP is a voluntary, cooperative effort to share resources and develop a regional approach to resource protection. As many of you know, TRBP partners have traditionally met quarterly and hosted an annual âfloating workshopâ focused on a conservation theme, with both on-land and on-water components.
As many of you also know, our long-time TRBP coordinator Jean Pillo retired from the Eastern CT Conservation District (ECCD) this past spring. For the last 18 years, both The Last Green Valley (TLGV) and ECCD have supported TRBP financially with annual allocations to cover Jeanâs time in the TRBP coordinator role. Many of you have also made substantial in-kind contributions to TRBP over the years for which we are all grateful. However, TLGV and ECCD have carried the majority of costs related to the coordinator position for as long as I can remember.
With Jeanâs retirement, neither TLGV nor ECCD is able to continue this arrangement in the same way. However, we still care deeply about our natural resources and the collaboration and information-sharing network that TRBP provides. We hope you, too, care enough about TRBP that you are willing to join us in exploring new ways of thinking and collaborating to ensure TRBPâs future.
Weâd like to invite you to a TRBP meeting on Tuesday, January 28, from 9:30 -11:30 am, at the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments office, 5 Connecticut Avenue, Norwich, CT 06360. The purpose of this meeting will be to brainstorm options for a leadership structure that will strengthen TRBPâs value and deliver lasting benefits in the watershed that none of us could achieve alone. We need your creative ideas!
Please RSVP to [email protected] to let her know whether you can attend. While weâd prefer to see you in person, we can explore a zoom option if there is demand.
Thank you and happy holidays to you and your families.
Lois Bruinooge, Executive Director
The Last Green Valley
Mike Dietz was featured on Connecticut Public Radioâs Where We Live podcast episode, âHow Connecticut can prepare for extreme flooding in the futureâ last week. After the torrential downpours and destructive flooding that was experienced across the state the past few weeks, Dietz talks about how climate change will impact these storms, future flooding, and water quality throughout Connecticut. Be sure to give it a listen!
www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2024-08-22/how-connecticut-can-prepare-for-extreme-flooding-i...
Long Island Sound Study Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan - Public Meetings
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The Long Island Sound Study is revising its Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) and you are invited to learn about Long Island Sound and provide input on whatâs important to include in a revised CCMP. The CCMP outlines goals and steps to restore and maintain the health of Long Island Sound and its watershed. This plan is revisited every 10 years, and work is underway for the 2025 CCMP revision.
The revised CCMP will address current and emerging issues for Long Island Sound: clean water, thriving habitat and abundant living resources, sustainable and resilient communities, and public involvement and stewardship. The Long Island Sound Study uses the CCMP as a blueprint to develop specific, measurable objectives to improve the health of Long Island Sound and to commit to action plans to achieve them. You can find out more about the update plans here: A New Plan for 2025-2035 - Long Island Sound Study.
The revision process is collaborative and includes public meetings, where people can provide feedback on the work done so far. A list of New York and Connecticut meeting dates, locations, and times is provided below:
In-person Sessions:
Connecticut
⢠Wednesday, May 8, 2 - 4 p.m. and 6â8 p.m., Lighthouse Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven, CT
New York
⢠Wednesday, May 22, 2 - 4 p.m. and 6â8 p.m., NYSDEC Division of Marine Resources, Kings Park, NY
⢠Tuesday, May 28, 2 - 4 p.m. and 6â8 p.m., Alley Pond Environmental Center, Queens, NY
Register here! projects.erg.com/conferences/epa/register-cp-lis.asp
Remote Sessions:
⢠Saturday, May 11, 1:00â2:30 p.m. Register for the May 11th meeting here.
⢠Tuesday, May 14, 3:00â4:30 p.m. and 7:00â8:30 p.m. Register for the daytime session here and evening session here.
Canât make it to a meeting? No worries, feedback and comments can be emailed to [email protected].
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